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Brave by Faith: God-Sized Confidence in a Post-Christian World

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Learn from the book of Daniel how to live confidently for Christ today.

What does it look like to live with joy in a society that does not like what Christians believe, say or do? It’s tempting to grow angry, keep our heads down, retreat or just give up altogether.

But this isn’t the first time that God’s people have had to learn how to live in a pagan world that opposes God’s rule. In this realistic yet positive book, renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg examines the first seven chapters of Daniel to show us how to live bravely, confidently and obediently in an increasingly secular society.

Readers will see that God is powerful and God is sovereign, and even in the face of circumstances that appear to be prevailing against his people, we may trust him entirely.

We can be as brave as Daniel if we have faith in Daniel’s God!

“The message of Daniel is incredibly relevant for us in our generation. Not because it maps out a strategy for how to deal with our new lack of status ... or because Daniel was a great man and we need to follow his example. The reason is that it will help us to believe in Daniel’s God.” Alistair Begg, author.

128 pages, ebook

Published May 1, 2021

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602 people want to read

About the author

Alistair Begg

163 books333 followers
Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church.

In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
Profile Image for Bill Pence.
Author 2 books1,039 followers
June 3, 2021
Pastor and author Alistair Begg tells us that secularism pushes back again and again against what the Bible says about sexual ethics, about salvation, about education, about the role and reach of the state, and about matters of public welfare. Public opinion has turned against Christians in America. Christians are suddenly a minority group within an increasingly secularized nation. We are finding out how it feels to be outsiders, and we don’t like it.
He tells us that the message of the book of Daniel is incredibly relevant for us in our generation. The message of Daniel is this: don’t be discouraged. You have not reached home. This isn’t it. And Jesus shall reign.
Begg uses the familiar first seven chapters of the book of Daniel to teach American Christians what it looks like to live as a Christian in a society that does not like what Christians believe, what we say, and how we live. He writes that we will be able to navigate our present moment to the extent that we realize that the God of the exiles in the sixth century BC has not changed in the intervening two and a half millennia. God is powerful, and God is sovereign, and even in the face of circumstances that appear to be prevailing against his people, we may trust him entirely.
He asks how can we, as Christians, keep our courage and hope, in this culture? The answer is to look to the God whom Daniel knew and we will find out why, and how, to live as his people. Here is how you stand firm and live bravely when the wind is blowing hard against you. We will only live brave like Daniel did if we first know the God who Daniel did. We are in Babylon—and God is sovereign even here.
He writes that we are going to face challenges. We will be challenged to give into the beliefs of our secular culture. Those crises we will face will reveal what is inside us. He tells us not to assume that you will stand firm in those moments. Equally, don’t assume you will have to give in. Resolve now. Think through where to draw the lines you will not cross. The crises will come; the moments will arrive when we are called to go with the flow of our culture rather than obedience to our God in the workplace, or the sports club, or in how we raise our children, or what we say from our pulpits, and so on.
The purpose of the book of Daniel is to say again and again essentially the same thing: that God is in charge of the whole universe and you can trust him.
Among the topics covered in this short book are compromise, idols, evangelism, trials, and pride.
Below are 15 of my favorite quotes from the book:
• We will not necessarily all draw all our lines in the same places. The lines may be drawn in different places, but drawn they should be, and crossed they must not be.
• Here is the main and the plain thing: human history is under the control of God, and he has a purpose which will be achieved.
• This was the message of the dream for the exile and the king, and for us: God is God, God is in control, and God’s kingdom has no rivals.
• God sets up and God brings down kingdoms. These kingdoms will come and go, but God has established a kingdom that will never come to an end and will never be passed on to somebody else.
• Idolatry—in your life and more broadly in society—precedes immorality. If we would understand why immorality is tolerated or even promoted, we need to look behind the behavior to the worship—to the idol.
• Our hearts naturally worship idols that exalt our agenda, our goals, our significance, or our reputation.
• We are not called to be pragmatic but faithful: to say, God has said this, and so I will do it.
• Obedience to Jesus does not mean we skip the fires; indeed, often obedience will bring us into the fires. It is in the midst of the fire that God often shows himself the most clearly to us and reveals his strength to us.
• It is in trials that the Christian is formed, and in trials that we find the greatest blessings.
• The extent to which we truly believe in the God of Daniel will be demonstrated by the confidence of our evangelism in a pagan culture.
• Your job, and mine, is not to convert people. It is to communicate the gospel. God is big enough to do the rest, according to his sovereign plan to build his church.
• Pride is at the very heart of human rejection of God. We do not want to accept that there is someone other than us who is in charge of our lives and who gives us our breath and our every success.
• We are called to do far more than to be good workers and to serve our society well; but we are certainly not called to do less.
• God is on the throne and the future is securely in his hands.
• Don’t look back to the “glory days.” Live well in this day. If you’re a banker, be a banker to the glory of God. If you’re a teacher, teach to the glory of God. If you’re a scientist, research to the glory of God. If you’re a salesman, sell to the glory of God.
Profile Image for Christian Barrett.
570 reviews61 followers
January 22, 2024
This short book is a helpful reminder that we are citizens of another kingdom. By looking at Daniel’s life, Begg is able to biblically argue that Christians must function differently than those around them. He does not limit the difference to those on the opposite political aisle, but identifies that Christians are to be concerned about the kingdom of God, and anyone against that is on the other side, no matter how they vote. A helpful book for a young Christian navigating worldview issues.
Profile Image for Shauna.
386 reviews31 followers
October 22, 2022
I am a Christian who gets discouraged sometimes by the degradations of our society, most especially our American way of life. This book is a, not always gentle but realistic, reminder that this is not my home. I am to do and be my best no matter the circumstance I find myself, and that this is honoring to God. To be reminded that there have been others, like Daniel, who were adrift yet persevered and served God with their whole being is just the balm I needed today.
Profile Image for Rubia Osborne.
19 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2025
Finally read something by Alistair Begg and I LOVE. This one’s only about 100 pages and amazing. A beautiful exposition on Daniel 1-7 that strengthened and encouraged my hope in The Lord.
Profile Image for Tim Zornes.
151 reviews11 followers
May 2, 2022
The book of Daniel is not about Daniel. Not about Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego. It's not about Nebuchadnezzar or Darius. The book of Daniel is about God. Begg does a great job showing that boldness in our faith comes from God's strengthening and enabling.
Profile Image for Brooke.
62 reviews
May 2, 2023
So good, and so relevant to the times we currently live in!
“We know, and will know increasingly, what it means to
be pushed hard by the antagonism of our culture. We
know, and will know increasingly, what it is like to feel
that we cannot stand. But we can also know the help
of the Lord, who is sovereign. We can know what it is
to be strengthened to hold the line, to obey, to witness,
and to act with compassion. We can keep singing of the
Lord who has saved us-who has saved us not from
trials but through trials, and who supremely has saved
us from his judgment so that we may look forward to
reaching home beyond our death.”
Profile Image for Shawn.
433 reviews
August 5, 2023
I appreciate Alistair Begg using Daniel as an example of how to live for Christ in a society who disregards God as King. By faith we, too, may bravely and courageously live for Christ in the midst of cultural corruption, for the glory of God.
Profile Image for Carrie.
93 reviews
July 18, 2024
Really great breakdown of the book of Daniel and a reminder that the Hero is always the Lord.
Profile Image for Some Christian Lady.
175 reviews16 followers
September 27, 2023
Another gem by Alistair Begg. Can’t go wrong with him, and this one is no different. This book will encourage you to be a courageous, outspoken Christian. This is definitely a message that is much needed today 🙂
Profile Image for Johnny Zacchio jr..
83 reviews4 followers
July 4, 2021
As Sinclair said, this really is a book for our times. I really believe God is going to use this to make resilient disciples of Christ. Please read this book!
Profile Image for Jonathan Roberts.
2,210 reviews51 followers
March 9, 2022
This book is a collection of thoughts and encouragement from Daniel 1-7. Each chapter of Daniel gets a chapter in the book. It is a great book and I can’t wait to revisit this book again and maybe teach through Daniel at our church. Not a true commentary but a valuable resource for pastors to consult. Recommended
Profile Image for Aaron.
886 reviews43 followers
May 12, 2021
Do you find yourself struggling to be brave, confident, and obedient in an increasingly secular society? In Brave by Faith, Alistair Begg gives God-sized confidence in a post-Christian world.

Be as Brave as Daniel

The book is set against the background of modern America, where it is no longer applauded to live a life of Christian faith. Begg calls us back to the Bible, and shows us how we can be as brave as Daniel if we have faith in Daniel’s God.

While much of Daniel is familiar to students of God’s word, Begg is able to break down the main truths and make them memorable. In Chapter 3, we are called to obey God despite the consequences. Begg makes a startling and succinct statement by showing how idolatry precedes immorality. None of us are immune to idolatry, and he specifically calls out how parents may worship their children, and how many Americans worship their politics. We make sacrifices to our idols, and God calls us back to worship him alone.

God Humbles Hearts

What I most appreciate is how Begg is able to draw parallels from the life of Christ and show the Gospel message in this Old Testament book. As Daniel was delivered through the furnace, we now see how Jesus went through the cross before us. We are called to be living sacrifices, offering acceptable worship to God with our lives.

This book calls us to faithfulness and boldly proclaim the gospel. In Chapter 4, we are reminded to speak out because God is king. Our job is not to convert but to communicate. If God can humble the mightiest kings, he can absolutely humble the hearts of our families, friends, and even our enemies.

Jesus Reigns and Will Return

Begg helps us see that the whole life of Daniel was one long act of obedience. Daniel is well over 30 years old when he meets Belshazzar, and Daniel was 80 years old when he was thrown into the lion’s den. We see that God calls us to faithfulness throughout the duration of our lives. Begg brings us to Christ, and we remember the tomb of Jesus where he was delivered from death.

The book takes an interesting turn in Daniel 7, and we see that the events in this chapter have already happened. The chapter refers to Jesus’ ascension into heaven, and we see that he is the Son of Man who reigns and gives us reason to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. We can be certain of our mission because of what he has accomplished and where he is right now. But we are also reminded that we are still in a war. We must trust our powerful and sovereign God. We will receive the kingdom, and Jesus reigns and will return.

I received a media copy of Brave by Faith and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Ryan.
288 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2023
The book of Daniel is such an important and valuable book of the Bible to read and know, and Begg, one of todays most prolific expository biblical preachers, does a wonderful job presenting and applying it. This is a great book to ponder, argue with, and talk about with fellow believers in light of today’s cultural shifts.
Profile Image for Dusty Butler.
15 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2024
If you want to learn how to stand tall and firm with faith in Jesus Christ this is a book I would highly recommend. It’s easy to be tempted to circle the wagons and try to retreat from the world but that’s not what Daniel did. It is good to be reminded how our actions towards this world should be in submission to the word of God.
Profile Image for Micaiah Jones.
56 reviews
November 8, 2025
“But I know that God is still in charge. So we proceed accordingly.” 🔥🔥🔥

P. Begg does it again! I read this entire book in a Scottish accent. I picked up this book randomly because it has been sitting on my shelf for the past few months. There’s not coincidence that I read this at this specific moment in time. I’m encouraged, I’m challenged, and I have a deeper understanding of how big God is.
Profile Image for Zach Scheller.
124 reviews8 followers
July 21, 2021
As Begg takes us through the book of Daniel, we’re reminded of what our task is as citizens of a different kingdom living in exile. But, as he ends the book:

“Do not be discouraged. You have not reached home. This isn’t it. And Jesus shall reign.”
Profile Image for Christine.
211 reviews
August 4, 2022
Audiobook read by Begg (awesome accent). This a short book through the book of Daniel. Really helpful and he "points to God 6 times to Daniel's 1". Encouraging to the saints who live in modern day Babylon.
Profile Image for Alisha Knapp.
15 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2023
This quick read deep dives into Daniel’s life and reminds us to not be discouraged as we look around at a broken world. This world is not our home, and God is just as sovereign now as He was then. The story of Daniel is so relevant and necessary as we process our current culture, and our hope cannot be in the culture around us, but must be in the eternal glory of the Lord.
Profile Image for Margaret Roberts.
267 reviews4 followers
June 15, 2023
A very relevant book on how to face today's world through the eyes of Daniel and the Jewish captives in Babylon. There's also the needed reminder and emphasis that no matter what, all glory should be to God not to ourselves. Because it is He who is Sovereign, He is King and it is only by His strength that we persevere!
Profile Image for Jim Gulley.
242 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2023
How do Christians in America deal with the tectonic shift of the post-Christian world? Christians are no longer in the majority, they are no longer respected in the public square, and many Christians have had their faith shaken by the rapid moral decay of the country. Alistair Begg addresses these issues directly by teaching from the Old Testament book of Daniel. He compared the current situation in the United States with the political climate in ancient Babylon and how a small group of Israelites were faithful to God and upheld their responsibilities to the society to which they were exiled. Begg argued that the hero of the book is not Daniel, but God, whose sovereignty reined over every event. The book is a slim volume but packs an enormity of truth. It is highly recommended.
Profile Image for Zak Schmoll.
317 reviews9 followers
May 20, 2021
This is a wonderful little commentary on the book of Daniel. Rather than focusing on how we ought to be like Daniel, the central contention of this book is that Daniel is most importantly about God being in control over all things, even in times of adversity, and we can trust Him. At every juncture in Daniel's life, God made things happen. Daniel was faithful, but God provided time and again.

Another feature of this book I appreciated was the use of frequent scriptural cross-references. We always talk about the Bible being the story of God from beginning to end. That's true, but sometimes commentaries can get so focused on their topic that they don't bring in the bigger picture. Begg rightly focuses on Daniel, but he continually strives to put the themes of Daniel in their larger Biblical context.

This is a very short book. You can read it in a few hours. However, I very much enjoyed it. In a culture that seems to be running away from God faster and faster, it is good to remember that the world has gone crazy before, and God has always been there and always will be.
Profile Image for Jeff Garrison.
503 reviews15 followers
September 25, 2021
A collection of short essays on the first seven chapters of the Book of Daniel. Begg uses Daniel as a way to provide a lens into our modern world and the challenges Christians may face. However, to his credit, he doesn't think we're nearly as "persecuted" as the Jews were in Daniel's day. He ends up focusing on "Christ"appearing in Chapter 7, who came to reconcile God and humanity. I wish the book would have been a little deeper and had covered the remaining chapters in Daniel. This is not a commentary but a series of essays that provide insight into the ancient text.

I really like this quote about the debate in America over prayer in school:

"isn't there something wrong with us as a church that we have expended such effort o the absence of prayer in our state-run public schools while being unprepared to acknowledge the absence of prayer in our local churches or to increase our own commitment to praying? It's almost like a smokescreen. If I can make a fuss about the lack of prayer over there, then maybe I can forget about the lack of prayer in my own life..." (98)
Profile Image for Whittney Huette .
18 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2022
A pint-sized book on the power of Daniel’s God. Short enough to read or listen to in a few days time but packed with encouragement about living a Christian life in a secular society. This book touched on one of my biggest fears - the world is awful how will we ever come out of it in one piece - but gently reminded that yes, it’s bad, but it’s not as bad as it could be (Babylon/King Nebi was AWFUL) and that God is still there even in the awful. I love the reminder that it’s not about Daniel and what he did but what’s Daniel’s GOD did. He is the true hero of the story.
Profile Image for Holly Ducarte.
Author 10 books34 followers
December 30, 2022
I enjoyed the fact this book centred around the gospel. What it is, and what it is not. As well, that we are to understand our role in evangelism. It’s a brief read regarding the book of Daniel and how we can be as confident as Daniel was even when facing exile and persecution. How when we know the creator, God, whom we serve, we can be assured in our faith. The one niggle I had with this book that I think is significant, is not addressing who the “man of lawlessness” is in the apocalyptic sections of Daniel. He mentions the former Kings and Rulers from history (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Rome). The past kingdoms that have come and gone…but to leave out that there will be another world leader (worse than the formers) coming in the future that is charismatic enough to completely deceive many in the world is a major omission. Now, I understand Mr. Begg could not address the antichrist and false prophet in great detail because it would lose the focus of what his point is in writing this book. But even a brief mention would’ve sufficed for clarity. He kind of just glossed over what the Bible said when it mentioned that a lawless one is coming with power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception. Revelation is also very clear about a little horn (leader) with a false prophet coming to deceive the nations. Other than that aspect, this was a good read with inspiration toward going out and fulfilling the great commission.
Profile Image for Paul Pompa.
211 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2021
The True Hero

This was such an amazing book. I had no idea it was essentially a study of The Book of Daniel. This is a very timely book. It speaks a great deal into this cultural moment. As you’ll see, Daniel is not the real hero, but the God (the one true God) in whom Daniel had faith. Daniel reminds us that we should recall the story behind the story. We should remember The Creator. We should remind ourselves who the ultimate victor will be. If you’re feeling anxious or angry in any way about the current cultural climate, this is a must. Listen, either He’s sovereign over all good and evil, or He’s not. If He is as the Bible says (and in which I’m confident), there is much to have courage about to have confidence in there is little to fear or be anxious about.
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