Because We Are Called to Counter Culture: In a World of Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Persecution, Abortion, Orphans, and ...
Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Persecution, Abortion, Orphans, Pornography—how are we supposed to respond to all of this?
In this companion piece to Counter Culture, David Platt provides Biblical support and practical action steps to help Christians take a courageous and compassionate stand on some of the most controversial issues of our time, and highlights dozens of ways individuals and churches can get involved at both the local and international level.
The stage is set for the God of the universe to do the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the shocking, and the scandalous. And he wants you to be a part of it. It’s time to take a stand for Christ, join the fight against injustice, and counter culture!
DAVID 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.
I don't really disagree with anything in this book (booklet?) I just don't get it. I mean I don't get the point. Each chapter is so short it's almost impossible to develop any thesis. Those that might disagree with a topic won't be convinced. Those that do agree won't hear anything they don't already know.
This short, simple booklet is amazingly helpful and challenging. Platt writes about "hot button" issues and gives practical advice for how to get involved. What can you do about world poverty? Not much. But you can make a difference in your own city as you pray and ask God to put you in touch with needy families. (I know from experience that He answers this kind of prayer.) Feel helpless about changing the sex trafficking industry? Find a ministry that works in that area and support them financially.
I loved his emphasis on living more intentionally. How can I give toward (or participate in) these ministries if I'm squandering my time and money on other things? He also makes a strong case for the gospel message as the ultimate solution.
David Platt, a través de Contra Cultura nos exhorta a ser cómo Jesús, quien miraba a las multitudes con pasión, atendiendo las necesidades de las personas el Señor proclamaba el evangelio. Asimismo, cada creyente busca ser más parecido a Él en esto, velar por las necesidades y lo más importante la necesidad de la salvación. Este libro es uno de esos que no puede faltar en tu biblioteca en la sección de teología práctica.
The basic premise of this monograph is that, while (especially millennial) believers seem to be more socially conscious, the reality is this consciousness is little more than popular rhetoric in religious language. Moving from this premise, Platt challenges Christians to truly engage their faith consistently and with integrity in the practical and often unpopular realms of our everyday western life.
The reader is assumed to be familiar with the principles of the main book Counter Culture, and his resource is a essentially a starter guide for applying counter cultural Christianity to our current context. Each chapter consists of brief remarks, prayer suggestions, action ideas and relevant scriptures on the given contemporary issue.
This short little booklet is a blitz through some key areas Christian's should be engaged in. Platts comment at the beginning of the book saying that this generation of young Christians can be both more aware and more apathetic about important social issues of importance to the church.
In such a brief space it is, of course, impossible to dig into any depth of these topics. For me, it was all review, yet a good reminder of the issues touched on. I could see this being a good handout to spark conversation and more in-depth study on how Christian's ought to respond to and address issues like abortion, orphan care, homosexuality, etc.
I love David platt, especially his secret church simulcast and his sermons! This book was the first book of his I ever read! I read it when I was 11 yo but it was easy to read and understand! However, this book isn’t for the faint of heart as it deals with the moral and spiritual issues of our day, particularly porn, homosexuality, persecution of Christians, and sex slavery! For that reason, it’s both informative and disturbing! But Platt calls us out to engage with and help our culture with the Hope of Christ, our savior! Rating: 2 out of 1o stars Recommends: for older readers ages 25+ Warning: explicit and disturbing details about cultural issues, particularly abortion and sex slavery
I have had this book on my Kindle for a long time and can no longer remember when or how I got it. However, it seems like it is a mini-book designed to point you to a longer book edition??
I like how David Platt encourages the church and believers to go beyond just preaching and filling up Sunday School rooms. We should be involved in reaching out to the poor, stopping the sex trade, and examining our immigration policies (ahem, he probably doesn't agree with the current President :) ). Rev Platt gives a brief introduction to each issue, then ends with prayer points, action points, and Scriptures. That's really helpful because it means we don't just end the chapter and say, "Now I know about the sex trade." Instead, we are given some definite prayer points and action steps to do something about it.
I found this fascinating, though I didn't realize quite how short it was going to be - it took me between five and ten minutes to finish it. It is a study guide or intro to David Platt's other books, it seems. The topics are important ones, although you may not agree with all he says. I do believe many Christians of today have lost sight of what the Gospel is really about, and this is a stark reminder.
I'm not sure what the point of this book(let) was. I downloaded it without looking at the page count. The book is so short and tackles so many topics that it is nearly completely useless. Little more than a basic statement is given for each topic. Furthermore, each statement is hardly compelling, offering only familiar platitudes. Again, maybe I have misunderstood the point of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This booklet is a summary and prayer challenge of all the topics covered in the book. David Platt’s books are always a must read, and this is no exception. Good research and clarity in our call as Christians and disciples living in our current culture. Now to live intentionally counter-culturally!
A much shorter book with much shorter chapters than I expected! Platt barely touches on different issues that are on the forefront of society and attempts to guide the reader to think and act biblically about these issues. The book provides some food for thought, but no serious treatment of the issues.
This was much better than I expected. A great introduction to basic Apologetics for those who may not be familiar. Clear, concise concepts based around structurally sound doctrines supported with Scripture. Would recommend.
Perhaps if it was read alongside the companion book, it would be a helpful read. As it is, there is no where near enough information to do anything but 1-feel justified if you agree with the author 2-be angry is you don't
This is a short call to action booklet rather than an in-depth discussion of the issues. Taken in that context, I would say it's a fairly effective learning tool, although a bit overwhelming at times.
The author covers nine topics/areas he calls Christians to stand & fight against giving Biblical reasons to do so. Each chapter has 3 things you can do to apply what you have learned.
The book is not bad. It just did not keep my attention long. It might be the fact that these ideas have already been covered in his other books so was more a review rather than "new".
I was looking forward to reading this book but was a little disappointed by the very basic, general dealing with each of the topics. It seemed almost thrown together very quickly. Everything the author said is great and truthful and biblical, but again....very basic. For a newer believer, I think it would be a good book to read on cultural issues, but for a more well read mature believer, it may leave you somewhat disappointed. I still gave it 4 stars because as I said, it would still be a good basic read.
When I downloaded this title onto my device I thought I was downloading the full-length book of the same title/cover. Oops! But this 65 page booklet was still worth the read.
The booklet runs through various cultural issues (like modern day slavery, sex trafficking, poverty, etc.) and poses the question, "When are these injustices going to become intolerable to Christians? What should we do?" Each chapter ends with suggestions for prayer, Bible verses, and possible actions steps.
It's a passionate plea and it's good to be occasionally reminded these injustices exist.
Read this missive when you are ready for your life mission to change. When you are ready to be the Gospel messenger you have been called to be by the author of that Gospel, Jesus Christ. If you're not ready for your life to count for Christ then you'll be wasting your time. This book is a call to action, a passive response is only possible if you are unwilling to answer that call.
We cannot all do everything but everyone can do something!! This book clearly presents today's social issues and how we, the Church, can rise up and obey God's commands to feed the hungry, visit the fatherless, clothe the naked and bring the gospel to those who have not heard! Please read and prayerfully consider where God would lead you to be obedient!
Very easy to read with great suggestions for believers to take active roles in secular topics that plague our country and the world. It is very short and does not go into great depth concerning each topic.
David platt's book comes at a much needed time in society and in today's culture. Every Christian should read this to be strengthened to stand firm on a biblical worldview.
Platt takes the time to remind Christians that we're called to more than once-a-week visitors. We're called to live out the Gospel in everyday life and in every circumstance and conversation, even when it's uncomfortable.