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When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square
Jesus Warned the World Would Hate Christians
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
As cultural hostility toward Christianity intensifies, many Christians have grown more reluctant to advocate for biblical values in the public square. But our perseverance for the common good—a good defined by God alone—is more important than ever in a culture that embraces darkness.
When Culture Hates You is a call for Christians to unashamedly pursue righteousness in society out of our love for others. In this timely resource, author Natasha Crain will help you
make sense of cultural hostility by better understanding the roots of secular outrage on issues like Christian nationalism, social justice, abortion, transgenderism, and sexuality advocate for the godly functioning of society with greater biblical, cultural, and civic understanding take concrete action for the common good with more than 35 practical ideas to get you started
As Christians, our calling is to speak truth in the face of hostility. Not because we want to “war” with culture but because we love both God and others.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
As cultural hostility toward Christianity intensifies, many Christians have grown more reluctant to advocate for biblical values in the public square. But our perseverance for the common good—a good defined by God alone—is more important than ever in a culture that embraces darkness.
When Culture Hates You is a call for Christians to unashamedly pursue righteousness in society out of our love for others. In this timely resource, author Natasha Crain will help you
make sense of cultural hostility by better understanding the roots of secular outrage on issues like Christian nationalism, social justice, abortion, transgenderism, and sexuality advocate for the godly functioning of society with greater biblical, cultural, and civic understanding take concrete action for the common good with more than 35 practical ideas to get you started
As Christians, our calling is to speak truth in the face of hostility. Not because we want to “war” with culture but because we love both God and others.
- GenresCultural
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
89 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 28, 2025
A book popped up on my Instagram feed last week, and I was able to get it in an audio format, and read it immediately. Like “Toxic Empathy” by Allie Beth Stuckey this book, “When Culture Hates You: Preserving for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square” by Natasha Crain gives a road map to those just now tuning into the culture wars.
If you’re just tuning in, the battle has been raging for decades, but has gained vitriol in the past decade. Crain seeks to give encouragement to Christians to “pursue righteousness in society out of our love for others.”
She speaks to various hot button issues while giving practical advice and tangible links to further research it for yourself.
For me nothing earth shattering was in this book. However, it’s a great jumping off point if you are just now getting into how your faith informs your politics.
“Righteousness is despised by a fallen world. When the children of God practice righteousness, they shine light on the works of the world, unveiling the truth of what they are: evil. Satan may masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), but that illusion is shattered by the true light that comes from the followers of Jesus. Of course those who are of the world will hate that. And they’ll hate you for making it happen.”
5/5 Especially for those who are feeling like they’re floundering in the current culture wars.
If you’re just tuning in, the battle has been raging for decades, but has gained vitriol in the past decade. Crain seeks to give encouragement to Christians to “pursue righteousness in society out of our love for others.”
She speaks to various hot button issues while giving practical advice and tangible links to further research it for yourself.
For me nothing earth shattering was in this book. However, it’s a great jumping off point if you are just now getting into how your faith informs your politics.
“Righteousness is despised by a fallen world. When the children of God practice righteousness, they shine light on the works of the world, unveiling the truth of what they are: evil. Satan may masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), but that illusion is shattered by the true light that comes from the followers of Jesus. Of course those who are of the world will hate that. And they’ll hate you for making it happen.”
5/5 Especially for those who are feeling like they’re floundering in the current culture wars.
August 12, 2025
Natasha does it again. I really think the Lord has given her the gift of clarity in communication. Her books are always Biblically grounded, logically organized, concisely packaged and immensely practical. This book is no different. In it, she offers readers two sections. The first section helps Christians to understand the hate we feel in the culture around us, takes the time to Biblically define the common good, show the connection between the common good and political action and offers encouragement to persevere in the public square. I deeply appreciated the chapter in this section entitled: Should Christians Impose Their View on Others and four other objections to public Christian Influence. This chapter offered responses to these common objections: Christians shouldn't impose their view on others, Christians shouldn't seek power, Getting involved in politics harms our witness, Political divisions disrupt unity in the church, Christians shouldn't be partisan. This chapter helped me reason through some discussions I have had in my own life with a fresh perspective. Every chapter in this section ends with a summary highlighting the main, cogent points to remember, which is a very helpful tool. Where this book really shined to me though is the second section entitled: Responding to and Persevering Through Today's Most Prominent Charges. Every chapter covers a hot topic, divisive issue and lays out the history and cultural position (through definitions, thorough research, cultural examples, and logical analysis) then examines the issue through a Biblical Worldview lens and offers believers a framework to respond for the common good. I especially loved the end of each chapter where she sums up "Quick Responses to Popular Challenges" offering questions to ask to gain understanding when talking to a proponent of that position as well as an answer to the challenge framed with a Biblical worldview. But the very best part is the section entitled Actions for the Common Good at the end of each chapter. This is an immensely practical checklist of ways to live out your faith in the public square with regard to each of these contentious issues. I will be honest with you. These checklists were the impetus I needed to be bolder in living out my faith in and around issues that really matter to me. There were suggestions for actions I had not thought of before as well as reminders that small, consistent actions do make a difference and impact culture. I highly recommend this book to Christians everywhere as an ignition booster to live "Faithfully Different" (another WONDERFUL book by this author) lives in the public square in a vibrant way.
February 10, 2025
I was reading Natasha Crain’s blog from almost the very beginning, and she repeatedly chose to address exactly the topics I was in the thick of and deeply appreciated her input on, at exactly the time I needed it. As she began writing books, those too seemed to be just what I needed for that particular chapter in my life. (Her book Faithfully Different is still one of the books I regularly recommend to other Christians because of its relevance and essential guidance.) This book was no different. I found myself continually wishing my particular season of life had a LOT more downtime for me to spend really chewing on and slowly digesting the meatier parts, because they are excellent and well-worth the time.
As usual, Natasha captured my attention from the opening page and held it with clear, engaging, and exceptionally resonant writing that continually made me reluctant to set the book down. The subject of this book is very “near and dear” to me, as I (along with many other Christians) find myself continually losing close friends and family members for what boils down to holding to a Biblical Worldview of what constitutes the *common good* in exactly the specific areas of public and political life that are so heated right now - all of which she dealt with in depth. I didn’t go into this expecting that she’d provide a simple fix, but I was pleasantly surprised with the clarity and optimism with which she provided a clear roadmap for engaging on these issues.
As usual, everything she writes is built on the solid foundation of scripture, and she continually points the reader back to God’s word as the source of the logic and wisdom she draws on. I believe she does a phenomenal job of very fairly and accurately representing those who disagree with the Biblical view of common good for the hot-button topics she deals with.
This would be an excellent option for parents or youth pastors to use for a weekly study with teens. I would highly recommend every adult small group to go through it together. It would be a fantastic resource for any pastor considering a series on engaging the culture, and many of the topics she specifically deals with in Part 2 are those that far too few pastors are willing to speak to from the pulpit (note to those pastors: read this book, then do it!)
As usual, Natasha captured my attention from the opening page and held it with clear, engaging, and exceptionally resonant writing that continually made me reluctant to set the book down. The subject of this book is very “near and dear” to me, as I (along with many other Christians) find myself continually losing close friends and family members for what boils down to holding to a Biblical Worldview of what constitutes the *common good* in exactly the specific areas of public and political life that are so heated right now - all of which she dealt with in depth. I didn’t go into this expecting that she’d provide a simple fix, but I was pleasantly surprised with the clarity and optimism with which she provided a clear roadmap for engaging on these issues.
As usual, everything she writes is built on the solid foundation of scripture, and she continually points the reader back to God’s word as the source of the logic and wisdom she draws on. I believe she does a phenomenal job of very fairly and accurately representing those who disagree with the Biblical view of common good for the hot-button topics she deals with.
This would be an excellent option for parents or youth pastors to use for a weekly study with teens. I would highly recommend every adult small group to go through it together. It would be a fantastic resource for any pastor considering a series on engaging the culture, and many of the topics she specifically deals with in Part 2 are those that far too few pastors are willing to speak to from the pulpit (note to those pastors: read this book, then do it!)
February 4, 2025
Crain is one of my favorite writers. She has the brilliant gift of concisely articulating concepts that many others find difficult to put into just the right words, providing much-needed clarity. When Culture Hates You helps the reader to understand why the culture is so hostile to Christianity and provides a road map forward for being the salt and light we’re called to be by publicly advocating for righteousness amidst the hate. In part 2, each chapter ends with helpful quick responses to common challenges as well as practical ways Christians can advocate for the common good. This book will challenge, equip, embolden, and encourage Christians.
January 31, 2025
Does culture hate Christians? If so, do they have reason to? If so, what are those reasons? Are they legitimate or unfounded? Misunderstandings? How do we navigate all of this?
Natasha Crain does an exemplary job in tackling these questions and more from a Biblical worldview in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand. This book will help anyone who is seeking greater understanding of this cultural trend gain insight and clarity.
Natasha Crain does an exemplary job in tackling these questions and more from a Biblical worldview in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand. This book will help anyone who is seeking greater understanding of this cultural trend gain insight and clarity.
February 9, 2025
As always, Natasha is able to take large, complex issues of faith & break it down into every day understanding. The is an excellent book & reminds us why this world will always hate disciples of Christ & how to navigate in that world system.
July 13, 2025
Get smart about what’s happening
I found this book to be a eye-opener. It put into perspective what I am experiencing in my daily public life. Now I know how to answer the issues that Christian’s face in society today.
I found this book to be a eye-opener. It put into perspective what I am experiencing in my daily public life. Now I know how to answer the issues that Christian’s face in society today.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews