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Counter Culture Booklets
A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture in a World of Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Abortion, Persecution, Orphans and Pornography
Too often Christians pick and choose which social causes they are willing to engage in based on what our culture deems “fashionable” while remaining silent on others out of discomfort or fear of personal persecution. But the Bible makes it abundantly clear that is not what Christ’s followers are called to do.
In Counter Culture, New York Times bestselling author David Platt redefines social justice from a biblical standpoint and makes a compelling case for why Christians are called to fully and actively surrender themselves to every cause — regardless of personal cost or consequence.
Drawing heavily on Scripture and compelling personal accounts from around the world, Platt presents a pointed yet winsome call for readers to faithfully follow Christ in countercultural ways — ways that will prove both costly and rewarding for the contemporary church.
In Counter Culture, New York Times bestselling author David Platt redefines social justice from a biblical standpoint and makes a compelling case for why Christians are called to fully and actively surrender themselves to every cause — regardless of personal cost or consequence.
Drawing heavily on Scripture and compelling personal accounts from around the world, Platt presents a pointed yet winsome call for readers to faithfully follow Christ in countercultural ways — ways that will prove both costly and rewarding for the contemporary church.
267 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2015
639 people are currently reading
5224 people want to read
About the author
David Platt
141 books1,057 followersDAVID PLATT serves as Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and chairman of Radical (Inc.), an international ministry that serves the church for the cause of Christ—to glorify God by making disciples and multiplying churches among all nations. Resources from David Platt and Radical can be found at radical.net.
Books by David Platt include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, and Something Needs to Change, as well as the following volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series: Exalting Jesus in Matthew, Exalting Jesus in James, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and Exalting Jesus in Galatians.
David Platt received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with his wife and four children, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area.
Connect with David on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Books by David Platt include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, and Something Needs to Change, as well as the following volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series: Exalting Jesus in Matthew, Exalting Jesus in James, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and Exalting Jesus in Galatians.
David Platt received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with his wife and four children, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area.
Connect with David on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews
February 19, 2015
This is not a book for someone who wants to continue in a comfortable Christian lifestyle. However, if you're willing to challenge yourself to live out the gospel fully in the midst of today's culture, then this is the book for you. This book will help you assess how will grounded your current views and perspectives are as compared to scripture. For far too many Christians, their views and their lifestyles are more informed and influenced by the world than they are by the gospel. In a world with some many lost and dying, we can't afford to continue down the path we are on as Christians that have been entrusted with the message of hope and salvation. If we believe that today is the day of salvation, then our lives need to reflect that. This book provides a window into what they may mean. There is one caution though -- any action taken should be one that is guided and directed by the Holy Spirit and not purely a temporary emotional response that will pass. You will need to count the cost.
February 2, 2015
Our culture is fading fast. Our culture is crumbling consistently. Our culture is caving in to sin, darkness, and evil. Our culture is not our home, but our culture needs us and the light of the world so very badly.
How can we counter culture? David Platt has provided a new resource to spur us on to being salt and light and turning the culture upside-down. However, this won't happen in our culture if it doesn't happen in our hearts first.
Platt addresses the following in Counter Culture: the gospel & culture, poverty, abortion, orphans & widows, sex slavery, marriage, sexual morality, ethnicity, religious liberty, & the unreached.
But the reason Platt addresses these is not because he wants to, but because Scripture already addresses these head on. This is the passion and premise that you will discover from David Platt in his books.
This book isn't some la-tee-da self-help resource to make your life better...NO, this is a book that will rattle the cage of your soul and cause you to discard the feathers that are you keeping your soul comfortable and at ease.
Quite frankly, these topics need to be addressed first personally and then globally in our culture. We must know what we are working with before we get to work. Let the work begin in you first, before you begin working on anyone or anything else.
This is a book and an author that will be lurking around for decades to come. If you don't read this book soon, you'll soon be hearing all about it for a long time to come.
I received this book from the publisher (Tyndale) in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
How can we counter culture? David Platt has provided a new resource to spur us on to being salt and light and turning the culture upside-down. However, this won't happen in our culture if it doesn't happen in our hearts first.
Platt addresses the following in Counter Culture: the gospel & culture, poverty, abortion, orphans & widows, sex slavery, marriage, sexual morality, ethnicity, religious liberty, & the unreached.
But the reason Platt addresses these is not because he wants to, but because Scripture already addresses these head on. This is the passion and premise that you will discover from David Platt in his books.
This book isn't some la-tee-da self-help resource to make your life better...NO, this is a book that will rattle the cage of your soul and cause you to discard the feathers that are you keeping your soul comfortable and at ease.
Quite frankly, these topics need to be addressed first personally and then globally in our culture. We must know what we are working with before we get to work. Let the work begin in you first, before you begin working on anyone or anything else.
This is a book and an author that will be lurking around for decades to come. If you don't read this book soon, you'll soon be hearing all about it for a long time to come.
I received this book from the publisher (Tyndale) in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
October 13, 2025
WOW! From page one this book is a hard hitter and the truths just keep on coming. It's a challenging read that pushes you to think beyond what you've been doing. To do more than you think possible. To change the surrounding culture.
It's awesome!
It was a lot of info. I had to take breaks and process what I'd read a few times, mull over it all and that's why it took me so long to finish the book. But it was well worth that effort.
Mr. Platt lays out so many ways that we can counterculture. Ways to pray, act, and ideas for what you can do. Big things, little things, and everything in between. Giving me a clear idea of what I can do right now.
His closing remarks were so good! And I really enjoyed this thought-provoking read!
It's awesome!
It was a lot of info. I had to take breaks and process what I'd read a few times, mull over it all and that's why it took me so long to finish the book. But it was well worth that effort.
Mr. Platt lays out so many ways that we can counterculture. Ways to pray, act, and ideas for what you can do. Big things, little things, and everything in between. Giving me a clear idea of what I can do right now.
His closing remarks were so good! And I really enjoyed this thought-provoking read!
May 20, 2019
Platt handles most of these topics with grace, Scripture, and finesse. I admire especially the chapter on Widows and Orphans—well done and gracefully handled. However, some of these topics were rooted more in Platt’s hermeneutical, white assumptions than biblical truth. I am not arguing that his interpretation was unbiblical, I am just saying he uses ethos and pathos more often to carry his points than the words of Jesus. For instance, Platt uses the Bill of Rights as an example of America trampling on Christian religious freedoms... without bringing up the point that most of our founding fathers were not “Christians” of today’s standards, but deists. Obviously this complicates the matter a bit, and doesn’t offer historical justice to what the authors originally intended.
This and a couple other examples frustrate me as someone who strives for historical and cultural accuracy in my Scriptural interpretation. I want to do right by reading an ancient book written two thousand years ago and have proper biblical theology. Our tools of interpreting Scripture, like Redemptive-Movement hermeneutic or Grammatical-Historical hermeneutic, do form the basis of living counter-culturally, as much as we’d like to disassociate them.
However, I recognize that most Christians reading this book aren’t as familiar with Scriptural interpretation, so his writings aren’t far off from what most evangelical believers interpret from the Bible. At the end of each chapter, Platt does bring things back to Christ and the fuller picture of His majesty... so that no matter how we interpret Scripture, we are held to live out a genuine faith under the grace of a mighty, just, and gracious God. And I, for one, did feel conviction for living out a more socially-correct gospel than a gospel centered around my loving, grace-filled Jesus Christ. Certainly a call for fixing our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith... and recognizing the grace that comes with a generous God.
This and a couple other examples frustrate me as someone who strives for historical and cultural accuracy in my Scriptural interpretation. I want to do right by reading an ancient book written two thousand years ago and have proper biblical theology. Our tools of interpreting Scripture, like Redemptive-Movement hermeneutic or Grammatical-Historical hermeneutic, do form the basis of living counter-culturally, as much as we’d like to disassociate them.
However, I recognize that most Christians reading this book aren’t as familiar with Scriptural interpretation, so his writings aren’t far off from what most evangelical believers interpret from the Bible. At the end of each chapter, Platt does bring things back to Christ and the fuller picture of His majesty... so that no matter how we interpret Scripture, we are held to live out a genuine faith under the grace of a mighty, just, and gracious God. And I, for one, did feel conviction for living out a more socially-correct gospel than a gospel centered around my loving, grace-filled Jesus Christ. Certainly a call for fixing our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith... and recognizing the grace that comes with a generous God.
January 21, 2016
A flawed book that was unsatisfying to read. Although the author certainly writes with heartfelt urgency, the book suffers from WAY too much wordiness and very thin arguments that too often appeal to emotion rather than logic and/or Scripture. Bonus star for the inspiring chapter on caring for widows and orphans, which powerfully employed biblical as well as personal examples rather than relying so heavily on emotional verbosity as each of the other chapters do.
February 27, 2020
The author talks about 9 subjects/ areas Christians should fight against and raise their voices that are happening in our culture. At the end of each chapter he gives practical steps to affect & counter these subjects/areas. Hence that is where the Counter Culture part of the title comes in.
August 2, 2023
Platt does it again! With precise and empathetic writing, always seeking to give a Biblical focus on modern day issues, Platt delves into how we should respond to issues of our day. This book was written in 2015 but the issues he addresses are now more pressing than ever. I feel like very book I read by Platt I need to re-read, underline and dwell on. He has a unique perspective and his extensive mission work in other countries really helps. I would highly recommend this book.
February 21, 2017
David Platt provides clear and Biblical answers to some difficult topics many Christians struggle with. He offers a great amount of Scripture on the topics and provides good interpretation of the passages. Platt also provides great ways to get involved practically at the end of each chapter, with three methods: pray, participate and proclaim. Great read and helpful in solidifying my beliefs on these subjects and offering ways we can lovingly engage the world around us with the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
April 14, 2018
This book holds a very powerful message which calls us to choose the cross over comfort. If we follow Christ we need to continually keep choosing the cross. We are called to stand for Christ in the face of every tough issue, we can't just keep picking the easy route and avoiding the topics that make us uncomfortable. There are very tough topics this book will give direction to face and David Platt clearly explains the desperate necessity of standing counter-culturally in our society today.
March 4, 2015
I struggled mightily on how to rate this book. I love Platt as a general rule so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this. I was disappointed though. Most of the topics covered here have been discussed extensively for years and I didn't feel Platt presented a new approach or a new viewpoint.
December 7, 2023
I enjoy David Platt’s frankness and heart in his books. This book for sure tugged on my heartstrings, encouraged and challenged me to look beyond where I and our church is. “The more we ground our lives, families, and churches in God’s Word, the more we will find ourselves countering the culture in which we live and the harder it will become for us as a result”.
Are we going to choose comfort or the cross?
Are we going to choose comfort or the cross?
December 14, 2020
Convicting. My husband asked how I was liking this book, and I said it was as if David Platt himself was holding the book and hitting me over the head with it.
In this book, Platt walks through a specific world-problem in each chapter, giving a definition of each, sharing examples through story, telling why we as Christians should care about them, and how we can play a part. He speaks on abortion, sex-trafficking, theology of sex & marriage, orphans and widows, and many others. He says that as Christians we don’t have the option to “sit these issues out,” if you will, or to be too overwhelmed that we choose to do nothing at all. The gospel and social justice are intertwined in a way where the gospel should spur us on to love our neighbors in tangible ways (including, as the highest priority, sharing the gospel).
I loved this book as it has spurred me on to look into serving in my local community, church body, and home.
In this book, Platt walks through a specific world-problem in each chapter, giving a definition of each, sharing examples through story, telling why we as Christians should care about them, and how we can play a part. He speaks on abortion, sex-trafficking, theology of sex & marriage, orphans and widows, and many others. He says that as Christians we don’t have the option to “sit these issues out,” if you will, or to be too overwhelmed that we choose to do nothing at all. The gospel and social justice are intertwined in a way where the gospel should spur us on to love our neighbors in tangible ways (including, as the highest priority, sharing the gospel).
I loved this book as it has spurred me on to look into serving in my local community, church body, and home.
January 14, 2022
David Platt does an exceptional job of discussing the issues in our world that are hard to confront & easier to avoid. He challenges those of us who claim to follow Christ to consider what that really looks like in our culture today & to unabashedly share the gospel and love people. If you aren’t a follower of Christ and have been hurt by the church or wonder what the Bible says about social issues I would also recommend this book :)
March 20, 2025
Note: The below review was written in February 2016. I have since seen far too many examples of Platt going woke with some bizarre theological shifts, and I don't recommend any of his books anymore.
Original review:
---------
It took me quite a while after finishing this book to post a review (and this has turned into a whole lesson rather than a simple book review!), but I couldn’t wait any longer to recommend to the world one of the best books of this generation. A couple initial notes:
First, this book should be required reading for every Christian.
Second, prepare to be very uncomfortable while reading it.
The author, David Platt, addresses many “hot topics” in today’s culture, including:
-- poverty
-- same-sex marriage
-- racism
-- sex slavery
-- immigration
-- persecution
-- abortion
-- orphans
-- pornography
Do any of those ring your personal bell of conviction more than others? I bet they do! Platt starts his book off with a bang as he draws into the light the discrepancy of defending ones over others. It’s easy to find blogs, tweets, books and various other platforms all courageously supporting the end to sex slavery or poverty. It’s increasingly common to hear encouragement to adopt and take care of orphans. But how often do you hear a Christian leader or any of your friends defending heterosexual marriage or fighting against the murder of millions of babies each year? Certainly not as often as the former…
We seem to brush a lot under the rug when it makes us uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s just harder to find the words to say when confronted with a topic we don’t agree about.
But did you know that the Bible is clear on all of these issues?
Yep, every single one.
More than that, though, what would happen if we stopped worrying and talking about these issues? What if we all started to realize the issue was actually about God?
David Platt answers this question as well as writes a chapter on each of the above topics (and more) in this book. He reveals the truth of the Bible and has written a powerful resource for the Christian today. This is not something easily absorbed (in fact, I took months to read it, which is unusual for me), so it is imperative to keep it handy for referencing when needed.
Don’t read this because you’re looking for a trendy Christian book to pick up. Read this when you’re ready for your eyes to be opened and your life to be radically changed.
Original review:
---------
It took me quite a while after finishing this book to post a review (and this has turned into a whole lesson rather than a simple book review!), but I couldn’t wait any longer to recommend to the world one of the best books of this generation. A couple initial notes:
First, this book should be required reading for every Christian.
Second, prepare to be very uncomfortable while reading it.
The author, David Platt, addresses many “hot topics” in today’s culture, including:
-- poverty
-- same-sex marriage
-- racism
-- sex slavery
-- immigration
-- persecution
-- abortion
-- orphans
-- pornography
Do any of those ring your personal bell of conviction more than others? I bet they do! Platt starts his book off with a bang as he draws into the light the discrepancy of defending ones over others. It’s easy to find blogs, tweets, books and various other platforms all courageously supporting the end to sex slavery or poverty. It’s increasingly common to hear encouragement to adopt and take care of orphans. But how often do you hear a Christian leader or any of your friends defending heterosexual marriage or fighting against the murder of millions of babies each year? Certainly not as often as the former…
We seem to brush a lot under the rug when it makes us uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s just harder to find the words to say when confronted with a topic we don’t agree about.
But did you know that the Bible is clear on all of these issues?
Yep, every single one.
More than that, though, what would happen if we stopped worrying and talking about these issues? What if we all started to realize the issue was actually about God?
…”What might happen if we make him our focus instead? In a world marked by sex slavery and sexual immorality, the abandonment of children and the murder of children, racism and persecution, the needs of the poor and the neglect of the widow, how would we act if we fixed our gaze on the holiness, love, goodness, truth, justice, authority, and mercy of God revealed in the gospel?”
David Platt answers this question as well as writes a chapter on each of the above topics (and more) in this book. He reveals the truth of the Bible and has written a powerful resource for the Christian today. This is not something easily absorbed (in fact, I took months to read it, which is unusual for me), so it is imperative to keep it handy for referencing when needed.
Don’t read this because you’re looking for a trendy Christian book to pick up. Read this when you’re ready for your eyes to be opened and your life to be radically changed.
June 25, 2019
A good book. Well worth the read. And challenging in some key areas in which Evangelicals need to be challenged.
In a day when social justice is a dirty word for many Evangelicals, this book is refreshingly biblical in calling Christians to take injustice seriously and get involved in living out the gospel in our communities. There are so many moments of gospel clarity and generally a great theology of caring practically while proclaiming clearly.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks.
1) For a book that has a chapter on ethnicity, this book is very ethnocentric. So much so that I couldn't recommend its use outside the USA. Even though Platt has made a conscious effort not to be ethnocentric, he's failed. And this leads to the next concern.
2) The book repeatedly falls into conservative ruts. For instance, there are no new thoughts about abortion. And almost nothing about domestic violence, even in the chapter on orphans and widows. The closing chapter sounds like a "missions conference" at a Fundamentalist church: "God is leading many more of us (maybe the majority of us) to go to [other] cultures" (p. 272). It's not about mature gospel communities that are thriving here and reaching out elsewhere, but about going or sending, and little else.
3) Time after time Platt is imprecise with his words. You sort of know what he means. But he hasn't actually quite said it.
4) It's never quite clear what culture Platt wants us to counter. Sometimes it's American culture. Sometimes "the world" in general. Sometimes, it's Christian culture itself. Conceptually, the book is a bit loose.
All that said, if you're an American Conservative Christian who attends a large church, this book was written for you. And it will help you. Like it helped me. If you're looking for the ideal book on Christian engagement with the community and the culture, this is probably not the book you're looking for.
In a day when social justice is a dirty word for many Evangelicals, this book is refreshingly biblical in calling Christians to take injustice seriously and get involved in living out the gospel in our communities. There are so many moments of gospel clarity and generally a great theology of caring practically while proclaiming clearly.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks.
1) For a book that has a chapter on ethnicity, this book is very ethnocentric. So much so that I couldn't recommend its use outside the USA. Even though Platt has made a conscious effort not to be ethnocentric, he's failed. And this leads to the next concern.
2) The book repeatedly falls into conservative ruts. For instance, there are no new thoughts about abortion. And almost nothing about domestic violence, even in the chapter on orphans and widows. The closing chapter sounds like a "missions conference" at a Fundamentalist church: "God is leading many more of us (maybe the majority of us) to go to [other] cultures" (p. 272). It's not about mature gospel communities that are thriving here and reaching out elsewhere, but about going or sending, and little else.
3) Time after time Platt is imprecise with his words. You sort of know what he means. But he hasn't actually quite said it.
4) It's never quite clear what culture Platt wants us to counter. Sometimes it's American culture. Sometimes "the world" in general. Sometimes, it's Christian culture itself. Conceptually, the book is a bit loose.
All that said, if you're an American Conservative Christian who attends a large church, this book was written for you. And it will help you. Like it helped me. If you're looking for the ideal book on Christian engagement with the community and the culture, this is probably not the book you're looking for.
August 19, 2018
This was a book I had said for a long time that I was going to read. Finally had to for a class on evangelical ethics. I am so glad that I did because every chapter confronted me with conviction. Not only with the issues that the book faces such as the sex trade, refugees, and abortion, but with my faith in Christ. As a culture or nominal Christian or as a rue Cristian, one is confronted with the question of "who do you say that I am?" (Matt 16:15) It makes one confront and answer thier own identity in Christ. Platt's language makes it easy to read but it is not shallow. Deep book. Necessary read.
April 19, 2015
Great read...prepare to be challenged. If you call yourself a Christian - or better yet - a follower of Christ, you WILL be convicted. And yet, Platt does a great job of convicting the reader in a humble and compassionate manner. Bottom line is, with so much brokenness in the world, as Christ followers we must get off our behinds and ACT! That's the only way the world can be changed and the gospel made known to all peoples.
January 23, 2018
Confronting but encouraging. We are called not to be passive in our faith but to sacrifice the earthly and worldly comforts with confidence in Jesus. People’s earthly needs are great but their eternal need is greater!!!
September 3, 2015
A basic overview of prevalent moral issues and how we should respond to them. I appreciate him constantly returning to the gospel. It is the gospel that will change these things.
November 2, 2015
A challenging and thought provoking book. Did this for a Bible Study and would highly recommend for personal or group reading.
January 9, 2020
I got this book a year ago and finally made the time to sit down and read it. I had started reading it a few months ago and the first chapter was so weighty and informative I could tell I wasn't in the right mindset for it. So I actually set it aside for a few months and picked it back up a few weeks ago and made it my goal to read a chapter almost daily. I am SO SO glad I came back to this book and with the right mindset in place this time because it really gave me the chance and the book the opportunity to sink in deep.
I'm a Christian believer...BUT, I feel like this is a book that should be read by all. For those who are believers, it will probably convict you deeper than you expect. For the conservative it will pierce your heart more. For the unbeliever it might make you wonder and question...or solidify what you believe already and for the liberal...it might give you the opportunity to see another side of things without judgement or condemnation that you might feel.
I think it is so important as a person seeking information to read and hear all the angles before making choices and the chapters in this book definitely give a sobering perspective of some of the human rights issues, politics, and heart issues that make up our world.
As a Christian, I expected to be moved and convicted of certain issues, like abortion and marriage. I was not expecting to feel more for the issue of sex slavery, refugees, and religious liberty. I knew what these things were, but never having read or study it...was eye opening, heart wrenching, and so so convicting.
I appreciate so much the writing of this book because it truly reflects God's Word, the gospel, and the heart of Jesus. It's hard hitting and compassionate. It literally beckons you to pray about these issues and then offers ways in which you can help or gain more knowledge, but mostly...it opens up our entire world to the reader. Not just what journalism in America wants you to hear, but the raw truth of real lives all around the world who are facing moral conflicts of oppression.
This should be read. And then read again and again.
I'm a Christian believer...BUT, I feel like this is a book that should be read by all. For those who are believers, it will probably convict you deeper than you expect. For the conservative it will pierce your heart more. For the unbeliever it might make you wonder and question...or solidify what you believe already and for the liberal...it might give you the opportunity to see another side of things without judgement or condemnation that you might feel.
I think it is so important as a person seeking information to read and hear all the angles before making choices and the chapters in this book definitely give a sobering perspective of some of the human rights issues, politics, and heart issues that make up our world.
As a Christian, I expected to be moved and convicted of certain issues, like abortion and marriage. I was not expecting to feel more for the issue of sex slavery, refugees, and religious liberty. I knew what these things were, but never having read or study it...was eye opening, heart wrenching, and so so convicting.
I appreciate so much the writing of this book because it truly reflects God's Word, the gospel, and the heart of Jesus. It's hard hitting and compassionate. It literally beckons you to pray about these issues and then offers ways in which you can help or gain more knowledge, but mostly...it opens up our entire world to the reader. Not just what journalism in America wants you to hear, but the raw truth of real lives all around the world who are facing moral conflicts of oppression.
This should be read. And then read again and again.
April 13, 2023
This book has challenged me to boldly proclaim gospel truths even when it feels like the unpopular opinion or minority conviction. I have already seen this book shaping my prayers, making them more outward focused, and my conversations with others, confessing sin and calling loved ones into repentance. I didn’t always enjoy the language used or agree with the political action steps (but I’m on a journey and may come to believe it’s all great and necessary). I would caution believers to never slip into prioritizing getting as far away from culture as possible over drawing as near to Jesus as possible.
February 16, 2021
This book is soooo good!! It’s a phenomenal read. Such an eye-opener and very relevant to today’s culture.
January 11, 2022
Convicting and powerful. I’ll probably re-read it to fully grasp all his concepts.
April 11, 2021
He does a really good job of addressing a number of significant cultural issues in our country and world today from a biblical rather than political perspective. He speaks from a strong theological framework and with deep personal experience and conviction. He address both what we believe AND “how then shall we live.”
June 8, 2023
As followers of Jesus we are called to be different than the world ("counter-culture"), and Platt goes hard at addressing specific areas where our culture/society has been shifting further away from what God's Word has to say.
If you give this a read, be ready for some major convictions. Loved it.
If you give this a read, be ready for some major convictions. Loved it.
November 15, 2024
Synopsis: An emotional call to not let cultural narratives sway our Scriptural convictions
The section on illegal immigrants and refugees is amazing. The section on racism/CRT feels like he gives into the very cultural narratives that he tells us to avoid.
Unfortunately, he seemed to frequently end up in a position similar to one of the two sides in our country. He also frequently advocated voting and political involvement as solutions to the problem. It seems unfortunate that he rarely offers radical, novel solutions educated by kingdom allegiance and artistic gospel application.
I also have difficulty separating the art from the artist. I currently have major doubts about Platt, and I was perhaps more skeptical of what he was saying.
The section on illegal immigrants and refugees is amazing. The section on racism/CRT feels like he gives into the very cultural narratives that he tells us to avoid.
Unfortunately, he seemed to frequently end up in a position similar to one of the two sides in our country. He also frequently advocated voting and political involvement as solutions to the problem. It seems unfortunate that he rarely offers radical, novel solutions educated by kingdom allegiance and artistic gospel application.
I also have difficulty separating the art from the artist. I currently have major doubts about Platt, and I was perhaps more skeptical of what he was saying.
September 25, 2015
I usually do not like reading books that claims that Christians can change the world/revolutionised the world. I usually find them too far fetched or too arrogant in their claims. This book however was very different from such books. Although one might think that this book teaches how christians can do great things to change the world, this book does otherwise.
Having seen a recent rave on this book, and having read and heard about David Platt previously, I decided to try reading this book although this is a topic I usually skip. I have found that this book does not attempt to tell you what you can do to change the world, this book however will deeply challenge how serious you take the christian faith.
Platt first starts by affirming that the most counterculture thing in the christian faith is the gospel. This I found was a point at has often been skipped over by other christian authors. Often, what is considered to be countercultural is actually the implications of the gospel (you should be…). Platt however sets the picture straight, the most countercultural thing is that God saves us by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus, and that remains always to be the most counterculture aspect of the christian faith.
Next, Platt raises to the reader’s attention several issues that challenges the christian who are living in comfort. He tackles the issue of poverty, showing how it affects the rest of the world and what we can do to help solve this problem. Time and time again, Platt points out several simple things in life that we take for granted, but these are actually huge problems in various part of the world. He challenges the christians living in modern times to examine our lives and to see how we can fight for what is biblical. Added to his, Platt often gives example of what is happening near the home. His examples do not just consists of stories that happened in a far away land, no, he often gives examples of what is happening within United States.
I have gone away being deeply challenged by this book. I have been challenged not to change the world by doing something big for God, but I have been challenged to change the many aspects of my lives so that I can be countercultural at where I am. I highly encourage all christians to give this book a read, you might be challenged to examine your lives and change your way of live because of it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Having seen a recent rave on this book, and having read and heard about David Platt previously, I decided to try reading this book although this is a topic I usually skip. I have found that this book does not attempt to tell you what you can do to change the world, this book however will deeply challenge how serious you take the christian faith.
Platt first starts by affirming that the most counterculture thing in the christian faith is the gospel. This I found was a point at has often been skipped over by other christian authors. Often, what is considered to be countercultural is actually the implications of the gospel (you should be…). Platt however sets the picture straight, the most countercultural thing is that God saves us by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus, and that remains always to be the most counterculture aspect of the christian faith.
Next, Platt raises to the reader’s attention several issues that challenges the christian who are living in comfort. He tackles the issue of poverty, showing how it affects the rest of the world and what we can do to help solve this problem. Time and time again, Platt points out several simple things in life that we take for granted, but these are actually huge problems in various part of the world. He challenges the christians living in modern times to examine our lives and to see how we can fight for what is biblical. Added to his, Platt often gives example of what is happening near the home. His examples do not just consists of stories that happened in a far away land, no, he often gives examples of what is happening within United States.
I have gone away being deeply challenged by this book. I have been challenged not to change the world by doing something big for God, but I have been challenged to change the many aspects of my lives so that I can be countercultural at where I am. I highly encourage all christians to give this book a read, you might be challenged to examine your lives and change your way of live because of it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
June 24, 2017
Pray to God, participate with God, and proclaim the Gospel. Do these things not because you have a low-grade sense of guilt that you out to act, but do them because you have a high-grade sense of grace that makes you want to act. do them because you know that you were once impoverished in your sin, a slave to Satan, orphaned from and God, and alone in this world.
David Platt is known for his radical call to live out the gospel. This book is an application of the gospel to social issues that have divided this country and continues to raise emotions for believers and non believers alike. It is easy to be complacent, hide or the opposite and go in fill battle with our self-righteousness. But what does the Gospel say? How we can hold to fundamental truths of God, who he is and live out the gospel?
To give you an ideal, the 12 chapters tell the story.
The Greatest Offense: the Gospel and Culture
Where Rick and Poor Collide: The gospel and Poverty
Modern Holocaust: the Gospel and Abortion
The Lonely in Families: The Gospel and Orphans and Widows
A War on Women: The Gospel and Sex Slavery
A Profound Mystery: The Gospel and Marriage
Bought with A Price: The Gospel and Sexual Morality
Unity in Diversity: The Gospel and Ethnicity
Unprecedented Crisis: The Gospel and Refugees
Christ in the Public Square: The Gospel and Religious Liberty.
If anything this book deals with issues that are going on in the world today. Why it is important and what we can do. The thing we cannot afford is to be comfortable. We need to get uncomfortable. Each chapter ends with how we can pray, participate and proclaim the Gospel.
The only thing that I find fault with this is we can run to two extremes that can hurt our faith. Pride and despair. Pride in that we are in the trenches and despair because we are not. I think this is battle that each one of us faces but only the gospel can bring us out of!
A Special Thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
David Platt is known for his radical call to live out the gospel. This book is an application of the gospel to social issues that have divided this country and continues to raise emotions for believers and non believers alike. It is easy to be complacent, hide or the opposite and go in fill battle with our self-righteousness. But what does the Gospel say? How we can hold to fundamental truths of God, who he is and live out the gospel?
To give you an ideal, the 12 chapters tell the story.
The Greatest Offense: the Gospel and Culture
Where Rick and Poor Collide: The gospel and Poverty
Modern Holocaust: the Gospel and Abortion
The Lonely in Families: The Gospel and Orphans and Widows
A War on Women: The Gospel and Sex Slavery
A Profound Mystery: The Gospel and Marriage
Bought with A Price: The Gospel and Sexual Morality
Unity in Diversity: The Gospel and Ethnicity
Unprecedented Crisis: The Gospel and Refugees
Christ in the Public Square: The Gospel and Religious Liberty.
If anything this book deals with issues that are going on in the world today. Why it is important and what we can do. The thing we cannot afford is to be comfortable. We need to get uncomfortable. Each chapter ends with how we can pray, participate and proclaim the Gospel.
The only thing that I find fault with this is we can run to two extremes that can hurt our faith. Pride and despair. Pride in that we are in the trenches and despair because we are not. I think this is battle that each one of us faces but only the gospel can bring us out of!
A Special Thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
May 8, 2015
Dr. David Platt has gone and done it again. He has written another book that is totally relevant to Christians and the church. In his latest book he writes to speak to the heart of the matter of many of the issues that confront our society and challenge our churches today. And he has done so in both a Biblical and loving way. In his book Dr. Platt addresses such issues as abortion, poverty, racism, same-sex marriage and others. As he states in the book some of the issues get more attention from church leaders than others BUT ALL the issues he writes about in the book are of great importance to the church. They matter to God and they should matter to us as well stirring us to some type of God-led action.
In his book Dr. Platt describes each issue such as poverty or sex slavery than provides Biblical insights as to how we are to respond and can respond as Christians. At the end of each chapter his Pray, Participate and Proclaim section is most helpful for us as potential Biblical practical ways to get involved are offered. And as Christians we MUST get involved. Dr. Platt issues a very clear and unashamed clarion call to action on our parts as believers after we finish reading the book.
This book is not an easy read and not for the faint at Christian heart as the issues are heartbreaking (real people are involved and their very lives are at stake) with some of the information shared being raw and stirring to the heart (so I suggest you have a box of tissues nearby when you read the book).
Buy the book and read it then pray about what God would have YOU to do. Next participate in God's will for you in regards to how you should respond to the issue personally, proclaiming the good news of the Gospel as you do so that together we can Biblically, lovingly and effectively respond to our culture with answers for the questions and solutions for the issues that confront and divide so many of us today.
In his book Dr. Platt describes each issue such as poverty or sex slavery than provides Biblical insights as to how we are to respond and can respond as Christians. At the end of each chapter his Pray, Participate and Proclaim section is most helpful for us as potential Biblical practical ways to get involved are offered. And as Christians we MUST get involved. Dr. Platt issues a very clear and unashamed clarion call to action on our parts as believers after we finish reading the book.
This book is not an easy read and not for the faint at Christian heart as the issues are heartbreaking (real people are involved and their very lives are at stake) with some of the information shared being raw and stirring to the heart (so I suggest you have a box of tissues nearby when you read the book).
Buy the book and read it then pray about what God would have YOU to do. Next participate in God's will for you in regards to how you should respond to the issue personally, proclaiming the good news of the Gospel as you do so that together we can Biblically, lovingly and effectively respond to our culture with answers for the questions and solutions for the issues that confront and divide so many of us today.
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