Clearly Christian: Following Jesus in this Age of Confusion

by A. Trevor Sutton

If you call yourself a Christian, what does that really mean? Is it simply a name you give yourself, or does it affect how you live your life? Author Trevor Sutton addresses common questions that Christians encounter, such as What is faith? and Why do I need church? Giving sound explanations and answers, he helps readers see how being a Christian involves clearly articulating your faith and living as such.

Genres: Theology, Christian

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2018

About the author

A. Trevor Sutton is associate pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett, Michigan. He is currently a graduate student in Writing and Rhetoric at Michigan State University. Sutton has a BA from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and an MDiv from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sutton’s work has appeared in Faith & Leadership (Duke Divinity School), The Cresset (Valparaiso University), and Concordia Journal (Concordia Seminary). He has published multiple sermons, Bible studies, and devotional books with various Christian publishers. He previously served as managing editor of Relief Journal: A Christian Literary Expression. He speaks at academic conferences, retreats, and congregations.

Sutton lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys cycling, hiking, fly-fishing, and impromptu dance parties with his daughters.

Reviews

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutton strikes again with solid foundational knowledge and a profound desire to share the grace that cuts through the cultural chaos. I really enjoy the humor in his books among all the information. I appreciate that he doesn’t use information for information’s sake but that the books feels very much like it’s building to something. Sutton uses a mix of historical information, Biblical study, and really great discussion questions to help the reader make sense and bring the Gospel faithfully into the chaos of our current cultural context.

[Jeffrey Kahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I would put it right alongside Chesterton’s “Orthodoxy” and Lewis’s “Mere Christianity” as a compelling, practical, and winsome presentation of the essence of the Christian faith for regular people. Sutton’s audience is younger Americans living in a culture in which online hype seems more real than reality. He points to the clarity of the Christian Gospel as the antidote to the confusion of our times. His book includes biblical truth, church history, theology, and practical exhortation for believers...yet written in relevant and understandable language. Each chapter includes questions for reflection/discussion which would make this a great book for a small group. I highly recommend this!

[Ricky Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the concluding chapter, Rev. Sutton writes that we Christians are to be bold as we proclaim the Gospel—that is, a boldness “subtle, quiet, steadfast, or unmovable… Boldness is simply standing out from the others when it counts.” And because Christians are called to be humble “in a culture drunk on pride and self-promotion,” being humble is a bold move (p. 152). ‘Clearly Christian’ is a bold and humble book that speaks on clarifying true Christianity in a long era of confusion that has no idea what Christianity truly is even though people might think they know, especially in an advanced technological age where the internet spreads this confusion at an alarming rate.

In part 1, Sutton provides an adequate history of confusion that began in the Garden to the age of the Internet that exacerbates this bygone era. What does it mean to be confused? Where does one go to clarify their confusion? Confusion about God’s Word is fundamentally the work of the devil since the Fall.

In part 2, Sutton endeavours to clarify specific confusions about Christianity, which he does excellently. I recently used both the content and the discussion questions at the end of each chapter to create my own Bible study on the subject matter with my college students, and it was hugely beneficial to them. I’ve found myself returning to this book often, and I highly recommend it to laymen and pastors. Even non-Christians who don’t know much about Christianity will benefit from this book. Far from being an extensive treatise on the basic doctrines of Christianity (which is not the book’s purpose), it can help Christians and non-Christians alike distinguish genuine Christianity from counterfeit Christianities in our culture as well as secular worldviews, and it equips Christians with the skills to properly navigate the internet to avoid confusion about what we believe, teach, and confess.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone who wants to explore state of Christianity in a world which has at a minimum has no regard for religion, to those who in all the polls about Christianity and faith, (and probably only attend Church once or twice a year), to the so called fanatic who argues Christianity down your throat, to the way Hollywood, media, politicians and the like criticize Christianity, especially pertaining to same sex marriages, abortion, and a myriad of other issues, this would be an interesting read.

This book simply and effectively, in plain and simple language addresses what Christianity is up and against today in this world. It's strongest encouragement is understand the issues that confront Christianity, to know them well and trust that God will give you the strength and courage, knowledge, patience, and the rest to effectively defend it in the public realm, not as a fanatic.

Because it is written in plain and simple language, it is a book is easy to understand, to reflect upon, and understand.

[Diane Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was used as a bible study. It was tremendously helpful in this day and age. I loved that it gave useful suggestions as to how to clear up the confusion of being Christian. Each chapter was dedicated to how Christianity appears confusing to the world we live in and how to be more clear and appear less judgemental. I think this book will help clear some confusion and make it easier to practice our faith.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, it took me FIVE years to finish off this book. A lot has happened in the last five years, though. Still, I devoured "Being Lutheran," Sutton's first book, and loved it, but this one just didn't grab me in the same way. It is very good, but maybe it was a little basic for me. If nothing else, I definitely recommend the chapter on politics - it's become an even more important topic for Christians to understand since this book came out in 2018.

[Valerie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY basic

[Mackenzie Fluharty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was very over my Christian knowledge at times - I found it very educating & challenging. This book has pushed me to understand my relationship with Christ on a much deeper level.