Against the Waves: Christian Order in a Liberal Age

by Jon Harris

In the tumultuous currents of modern life, Against the Waves emerges as a beacon of hope, advocating for a return to the divine order established by God's creation. This thought-provoking book addresses the disorientation and moral decay of our times by calling for a revival of Christian principles that once shaped the bedrock of Western civilization.

Jon Harris eloquently argues for the reclamation of natural relationships, strong community bonds, and a life aligned with scriptural truths. Drawing from historical lessons, he critiques modern liberalism, the proposition nation, managerial elitism, and other ideologies that have led society away from its spiritual moorings, presenting a compelling case for why we must return to the fundamentals of faith, virtue, and service to God and neighbor.

Against the Waves is not just a critique; it's a roadmap for those yearning for truth in an era of confusion. It challenges Christians to stand firm against the cultural tides, advocating for a life of divine purpose over secular novelty. Jon even explores strategies considered unconventional like returning to liturgical calendars or nullifying tyrannical laws emanating from centralized authorities. The book Clear A hopeful vision of how Christian principles can restore order and meaning to our lives.Historical Lessons from the past that highlight the consequences of straying from divine order.Practical Steps for individuals and communities to cultivate virtue and resist the pressures of a liberal society.Whether you're questioning the foundations of modern society or seeking to deepen your faith in a secular world, Against the Waves offers wisdom, courage, and inspiration for living out Christian values with conviction.

Genres: Christian, Politics, Nonfiction, Cultural, Religion, American History

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

Jon Harris became a Christian at a young age and has been involved in college/career and music ministry for much of his Christian life. He has an M.Div. from Southeastern Seminary and an M.A. in History from Liberty University. Jon hosts the "Conversations That Matter" podcast. He enjoys outdoor sports, including fishing, hiking, cycling, and skiing. Jon is a member of the Catskill 3500 Club and enjoys getting outside every chance he has.

Reviews

[John]

This is really good. It is a call back to honoring our fathers by honoring their legacy, their way of life, and what many fought and died for. But this isn't just nostalgic, but deeply Christian, thoughtful, and deliberate.

[Sean McGowan]

A very important book for our day. Highly recommended.

[Saolomon Mouacheupao]

Disclosure, I would need to back through to follow Harris’s thinking much closer.

Some areas were great, especially his push for Christians to focus on their local communities and his emphasis on rightly ordered loves. It is clear that Harris not only loves America, he loves his place and his people in his region. I don’t think Christians think enough about localism, both strategically, but also Biblically.

There was some weird stuff in there related to Christian nationalism, but I appreciated his take on the nation not being in covenant with God like OT Israel. I understand what he’s saying when he says 9marks and Al Mohler are basically woke, I also think that’s basically unhelpful.

[Davis Allen]

Superb guide to living and leading as a Christian in an increasingly liberal age (liberal does not mean left-wing, but those who are in favor of liberalism, which is basically the freedom to do whatever is right in your own eyes). Gave numerous Biblical examples throughout the book, not just thoughts or opinions.
Also—wrong author Jon Harris, goodreads

[Asa Anderson]

From what I understood, it was quite good, and there is very practical advice. Although I probably shouldn't give it a rating until I actually understand what the majority of the book is talking about...

[ValeReads Kyriosity]

I don't read a lot of politcal books, so this was out of my usual lane, but I think I mostly agreed with what he said (a few quibbles here and there). My only criticism is that the book could have used another round or two of editing.

[JT Stead]

I listened to this book, so I need to go back over some of the chapters and footnotes. The goal I think was to paint a beautiful alternative to modern liberalism - both conservative and progressive. This is a great primer on paleo-conservatism which stresses ordered liberty, moral order, particularism, and is anti-liberal. Instead of globalism, this book roots us in our local contexts and the good of people, place, community, and ordered loves. I have dear friends that are close with Harris, he is a sincere believer, clear in his writing, and motivated by his love for the gospel, truth, and the church. This was a good book for those pondering political theology. He quotes a ton of Edmund Burke, Russel Kirk and other conservative stalwarts showing how far off modern secular conservatives are from their historical roots. Many Christians who claim to be conservative still operate with liberal assumptions, which are the same assumptions that lead to the woke craziness we have seen this past decade. This book will challenge them and maybe hopefully give then a much greater vision.

My favorite chapters which were most enlightening was “The religion of Liberalism”, “what is a nation?” And his argument against the liberal “Proposition nation”. I highly recommend this book. I’m reading it a second time right now.

[Will Allen]

Many good and biblical ideas and principles are given throughout.
The book seemed almost too scattershot though, and lacked, in my estimation, much needed practical applications beyond general principles.

[Keith]

This was very well written and researched. Harris moves winsomely through a variety of topics related to how Christians should live, think about, and interact with the world at both individual and national levels. I mostly found myself in agreement throughout the book but there were a few places where I think he was reaching a bit to make his point (ie his take on Babel). I was very concerned at the Babel point of the book that it was going to end up being a manifesto for kinism but I am happy to say that it didn’t go in that direction. This is one of those books that you have to finish once you start it or you’ll miss the forest for the trees. Very helpful and full of wisdom for young men who are tempted to be politically edgy in any direction for the sake of rebellion.

[Jason Six Sixsmith]

In our modern society even most churches and conservative influences are largely held under the sway of an amalgamation of Enlightenment and Marxist ideologies which render them impotent to the culture tides that pull the Overton window left… always left.
Jon draws from Scripture, historical events, and philosophers & theologians through time that shaped the way we think today and offers a blueprint to escape the liberal presuppositions we impose on our beliefs for a return to a more historical Christian faith that can lead rather than follow culture.

[Patrick Porras]

In sum: "A Christian ethic is the foundation of our country in spite of people pushing for a set of universal ideals because every society must justify its laws and morays according to a transcendent moral standard that is then mediated in specific ways through tradition."

[Stephen Smith]

An excellent entry to a growing body of literature defining conservative Christian thought in a time of political reshuffling. Harris provides a necessary corrective for what has passed for conservative thought for far too long by going deeper into the tradition, reminding us of true virtue, leadership, and principles beyond bare market libertarianism mixed with a hodgepodge of social issues only gestured at with very little substance in terms of bringing about desired policy changes. This book helps position love and order coherently, while providing devastating critiques of myths such as the propositional nation, the "woke right", and the ridiculous notion that Christians can somehow engage in politics without exercising power. While some of his conclusions regarding specific leaders may be too severe from my perspective, these do not take away from the forceful vision Harris provides in this helpful work.

[Matthew Bailey]

Great

[Levi Britting]

This is an excellent primer on traditionalism, localism, and paleoconservatism for Protestants in America.

[Mark Stacy II]

One of the easiest five stars I’ve ever given. Well earned. A must read.

[Emma R. Pilcher]

My dad has been a Jon Harris fan for as long as I can remember. Now I can see why.

[Soeren Moya]

Really Solid👍