Sé valiente

by Matt Chandler

La historia testifica que mientras m�s personas intenten destruir el cristianismo, m�s crecer�. En este conmovedor y apasionante libro, Matt nos muestra que necesitamos valent�a cristiana como nunca antes, y c�mo vivir con compasi�n y convicci�n, capaces de mirar a nuestro alrededor positivamente y tender la mano con confianza. Una lectura obligada para cualquier cristiano que quiera entender c�mo mantenerse firme y caminar hacia adelante en una cultura cada vez m�s secular.

History testifies that the more people try to destroy Christianity, the more it grows.

In this stirring, passionate book, Matt Chandler shows us we need Christian courage like never before, and how to live with compassion and conviction, able to look around positively and reach out confidently. A must-read for any Christian who wants to understand how to stand firm and walk forwards in an increasingly secular culture.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Theology, Christianity, Audiobook, Discipleship

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.

Reviews

[Craig Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Unless you want to place your head in the sand and leave it there, there’s no denying the fact that fewer and fewer people are claiming to be Christians throughout the West, and that Christians are losing social status and favor more and more, almost by the day."

So what should we as followers of Christ do? Chandler has written a great book to answer this question, not so much with practical steps, but with a call for a valiant attitude of the heart. No spoilers here (it's in the title, and there's a lion on the cover), what he calls for is courage in the shifting sands of of the West, as Christianity begins to be pushed more and more to the margins.

When confronted with cultural shifts like we're facing, Christians have demonstrated throughout history to respond in a number of different ways:

They could play the game with the aim of converting the culture (i.e. Schaeffer), fearing that if they don't make small concessions, the church will run the risk of losing it's relevancy.

They could play the condemnation card (i.e. live like a monk), fearing that any contact with the culture inevitably creates a polution of the church.

Or, they could simple consume the culture (i.e. Rob Bell), insisting that the church and its teachings have become outdate and passe and needs to get with the program.

Chandler plays a fourth card, that of courage. Here's his thesis:

So this book is about where to find real courage and how to live by it. I’m convinced that if we have a God-sized, God-given courage, then we will be freed up to be the people of God, living out the mission of God, marked by the joy of God.

If courage is to be found anywhere, he writes, it's found in the understanding of the greatness of our God. God is playing the "long-game," Chandler says, and we need to focus attention on the place that God has put us, not in the world that we long for and think we've lost. With this perspective in God renewed daily, the Christ-follower walks with courage to pursue holiness, devotion to the Church, and a radical evangelism with our lives, and with our homes.

In sum, a very helpful read for those of us on the seas of change. It brings perspective, it brings hope, it brings urgency, and yes, it certainly brings courage. After all, if history has taught us anything, Christianity rarely thrives in the center and often sees its greatest gains on the persecuted fringes.

"Take heart. You were, quite literally, made for this moment. This is a great time to be a Christian. Take heart."

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great inspirational and encouraging book to remind myself of the importance of my faith during difficult times. I need the spiritual uplift from time to time and I think this one was a little different from some other books labeled Christian, but in a good and positive way.

[Andy Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since we know the end, we live toward it. We draw courage from it. We take heart in it.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, but very encouraging. Takes aim at the fear response that many Christians have to the hostility of the world. Reminds gently and with humor that God is in control, that our situation is not hopeless, nor is it unique in the history of the Christian church. The author then rightly encourages Christian courage based on God's character and His Gospel. And he urges the recapturing a lost Christian art and command - hospitality! An easy to read book that is an important one for the church in our day. Recommended!

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically respect Matt Chandler's thought processes and even enthusiasm when it comes to exploring the relationship between Christianity and contemporary culture. Which is why this book ended up being fairly disappointing. I think that this started off as a sermon series that became a book and probably should have remained a sermon series. The overall point that Chandler makes is a good one--that the waning of Christendom is a good thing for Christianity. But sometimes it seems that he forgets that this is his point, wading into the battles of the culture wars even as he argues that those battles are irrelevant to the overall functioning and point of Christianity as a truth. Other chapters emphasize the "warrior character" of God, which seems to muddle the commentary on the culture wars further, and then the overall thrust of the book seems to be that Christians should be engaging their neighbors and showing more hospitality...which is fair, but also seems a tad lackluster given the book's setup, and doesn't necessarily follow or relate to Chandler's main points as much as I think he thinks it does. There are some good things in this book, and some elements that are worth spending some time with, but the overall package seems to me a bit confused and lacking.

[Samuel Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is becoming increasingly more relevant and necessary as the church moves further away from Christendom in the West. Chandler understands culture and takes a big picture view, showing the shift that began with the Enlightenment that is so easy to get caught up thinking is brand new. Courage is the call and Christ is the answer as we seek to become radically different beacons of hope through showing hospitality to strangers and aliens

[Jonathan Sussex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book, very readable and highly relevant. I will definitely be recommending my family read this. I liked the section where he talks about the attribute of God as a warrior. Also there is lots of very practical application. He says its a great time to a christian and he makes his argument very well. I hope and pray that i will be able to apply the message of the book.

[Matthew Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good.

[Malvina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So encouraging about basically keeping on walking in Christian ways. I did like the section about a warrior God, sometimes I don’t dwell enough on that.

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christians living in today’s America need to read this book. It is short and to the point but serves as a great reminder that Christianity has always been and will always be counter-cultural. It reminds us to stop trying to force change in society and remember we are here to change lives one at a time.

[Mark Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matt Chandler calls on Christians to have what he terms "Christian Courage". In the opening chapter he outlines our most likely responses to the cultural setting we find ourselves in, especially these days with an ever increasing hostility toward Christians and the Christian faith. He outlines three common responses, which are ultimately driven by fear, fear of losing what we have (e.g. our comforts, our freedoms to worship etc). Yet, even though he paints a gloomy picture of where society is at, he remains positive and hopeful, in that it is actually a good time to be a Christian.

His next task was to outline (briefly) the history of the Christian Church. He does this well and shows how we have arrived at the conflicted times we are in. Too often, we want the Constantine era of the Church where the emperor Constantine had declared Christianity as the official "religion". Christians had great freedoms but Chandler challenges the notion that they were better off. Did they actually have a stronger faith when living in such an environment? It's worth pondering.

In the third chapter, Chandler points us to the God to whom we are to look. He gives a fresh reminder of the greatness of our God and what He has achieved for us. While we may not understand God's ways, we need to take courage from the fact that we serve a living, all powerful God who continues to work out His ways in our lives and within the world He has made.

The fourth chapter shifts our focus from "it's all about me" to the story we actually live in. This naturally flows from God's story in the previous chapter. Our culture has a dominant thought that it is about what I can get and what rights I have. But as we come to look at the biblical picture, we can see that it's not about us (although we do play a part), it's about God's unfolding story.

Chandler then opens up what he means about courage giving practical examples throughout chapter five. Basing his thoughts in various NT passages about us, as Christians, being aliens/exiles, he helpfully highlights what God requires of us in terms of how we are to live. Relying on the Lord's strength, we can live courageous holy lives, reflecting the life that God would have us live.

In coming in to land his main point, Chandler opens with Matt. 28:19-20. His focus is on the latter part of the great commission (more about that later) where he calls every Christian, wherever they are to make the most of opportunities that are before us; in our neghbourhoods and workplaces. He takes us on a possibly unexpected turn with his emphasis on evangelism calling us to be hospitable (in the biblical sense), that is, inviting those who do not know Christ to have fellowship with us over meals. In this context, relationships are built and we get to know one another on a deeper level. This may not be everyone's comfort zone but it is where Chandler calls on us to have courage in the mission of the Church.

In his conclusion, Chandler reiterates the call to Take Heart, to have courage because we serve an all powerful God who has placed us in our context and tasked us to live faithfully for Him making Him known. This aspect was helpful and encouraging to press on in our faith.

This book is an easy read but my personal opinion is that it falls short. Firstly, he emphasises evangelism. The great commission is also about discipleship, which from a convenantal (biblical) perspecitve starts within the home. Yes, we are to envagelise but unless we disciple those within our families and congregations, our Christianity will be weak in the generations to come. Secondly, Chandler is focussed on the indiviudal, that I need to have courage. That too, is correct. Yet, God has placed us within a community of believers (our spiritual, covenantal family) whereby we can encourage (strengthen) and help one another through the tough times, where we can pray for and with one another as we face the trials that our society sometimes brings upon us. As we strengthen one another, we can be (I believe) be more effective in the Lord's service. Thirdly, he speaks of the Church's mission in a number of places but I came away thinking that his view of this mission is for individual Christians to make Christ known. While this is our individual calling, there is a great impact that the Church collectively can have on the lives of people in and outside the Church. I felt that this could have been explored more.

Take Heart is an encouraging as well as challenging book and while he is writing into a particular context, he could have going more in depth to underpin the points he was making. This, to me, is a good discussion starter as to how we, individually and collectively, can be effective (or more to the point, faithful) servants for our God.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a respected pastor, states that Christians can thrive in this age of unbelief. He states that each of us will respond in one way or another, and covers three basic approaches, each of which is born of fear:
• Converting Culture Approach. In this approach, what matters most is that our nation’s culture reflects biblical principles and values.
• Condemning Culture Approach. In this approach, the idea is to remove ourselves from the world, retreating into a subculture, and staying well away from wider culture because society is sinful, corrupted and antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Consume Culture Approach. This approach, which he states is in many ways the most widespread, and the scariest, is to follow the trends—to consume culture.
The author wants to give us courage and a posture that allows us to look round and think that this is a great time to be a Christian. The book is about where to find real courage and how to live by it.
He tells us that Christians are going to need to live with courage, but he tells us that will be easier said than it is done. To provide us help, he turns to a few passages from the Bible from the writings of Paul and Peter.
He tells us that there will come a day when we will be marginalized, ridiculed, or oppressed for our faith, if it hasn’t already happened. In that moment, a few of the things that will help us will be:
• The wisdom and knowledge of the Father
• A right assessment of our own weaknesses (in comparison to the greatness of God).
• God’s grace, which breeds courage.
• Holy integrity, devotion and evangelism.
• A big enough view of God—of God the Warrior, for you to be empowered to live with faithful, joyful, positive courage in our secular, post-Christian, post-whatever world.
The section of the book I took the most from was his writing about missional hospitality. He tells us that hospitality means to give loving welcome to those outside our normal circle of friends. It is opening our life and our house to those who believe differently than we do. He writes that God has been hospitable to us, saving us as sinners and inviting us to eat at his table in his eternal home. He writes that we demonstrate that we truly appreciate the divine hospitality we have received as we extend our own hospitality to those around us.
He offers four helpful tips regarding hospitality:
• Welcome everyone we meet.
• Engage with people.
• Make dinner a priority.
• Love the outsider.
He tells us that God extends radical hospitality to me and to you, and that is why we love the outsider: because we were the outsider. Missional hospitality is costly. It costs our time, our money, our comfort. It is also risking and requires trust in God instead of ourselves. It also demands courage. He tells us that the extent of our courage will be shown by who sits round our table.
The author tells us that the end of Christendom may have surprised and scared many Christians, but not God. He is greater than us, and any cultural norm or pressure. He has designed us for such a time and place as this. He tells the believer to take heart, God has given us all we need to live with holiness—with integrity, devotion, and evangelistic hospitality.

[Jonathan Beigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost stopped a gave this book 5 stars after only reading the first chapter! Take Heart is a very short read, but it is packed with a thought-provoking challenging message that every Christian today needs to hear. Matt starts with explaining why he thinks that we are in a post-Christendom era and that the church often responds to that fact in three ways (beat em, join em, or change em - my paraphrase). That alone was a enough to draw me in. Then he gets to the point of the book that says that Christians need not fear what is happening in the post-Christian world, but instead need to have courage in order to evangelize the world. Then it all leads up to his point in the second-to-last chapter, where he says the key to winning the world in today's culture is...hospitality. Honestly, I couldn't believe that was his conclusion, but he makes a pretty good case for it. People want to be known at deeper level than Facebook. It was a convicting, compelling book, and I definitely recommend this one

Favorite quotes:
p. 15 - "Until Christ returns, this world will never look as it should. You can't use politics to build the new Jerusalem, and you can't legislate people into the kingdom of God."
p. 18- "When the voice of a culture, and not the word of Christ, is what governs the church, then it is no longer the church...Why would anyone bother coming to a church that is indistinguishable from anything else?"
p. 39 - "Fear never changed anything for the better. Fear never kept the church standing firm. Fear never produced joy. Fear won't free us to live positively and confidently and Christianly on the margins."
p. 46 - "Our digital, throwaway culture of instant information and instant gratification struggles to see the big picture. We want everything, and we want it quickly. But that's not how the Lord works."
p. 49 - "In God's economy, to lack confidence in yourself is the first and necessary stage in gaining confidence in God."
p. 59 - "We do not believe in things that are unreasonable, but we do accept things that cannot be reasoned out."
p. 78 - "Grace tells you that you are loved by the Creator of everything, forgiven by the Judge of everything, overseen by the Sovereign of everything, and privileged to be used by the Sustainer of everything."
p. 96 - "Courageous living looks like showing hospitality."
p. 100 - "Often the best things to do are the hardest things to do."
p. 101 - "You'd be surprised at how willing people are to engage at that level because we live in a world where everyone knows everyone, but no one really knows anyone. We live in a world where I have hundreds of Facebook friends and no one who will speak truth into my life or to whom I can turn when I have messed up or need wise counsel."

[Mikejencostanzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

When our missionary friends sent us this little book, I put it at the top of my to-read list thinking it might give me a clue on “What makes their ministry tick?” They were that energizer-bunny couple whose ministry literally did not miss a beat during the entire Covid pandemic (when the rest of Christendom came to a dead standstill).

I was not disappointed! Matt Chandler’s “Take Heart” is a wonderful little introduction to healthy thinking about “Christ & Culture” and how to interact as a faithful Christian in an increasingly secular world.

Chandler does a top-notch job of defining 4 lifestyle options Christians have. Everything on the spectrum from living in a frightened bubble, to a militant “Let’s make America Christian again.” Along the way, he guides his readers to find the courage to embrace what he deems the best path forward (and I 100% agree with his prescribed approach—but won’t give away any spoilers here!)

I was also enriched by Chandler’s chapter “Where We Are and How We Got Here,” which is an easy-to-follow distillation of the historic rise & fall of Christendom from its awkward beginning in the Roman Empire to what Chandler now terms the “Twilight of Christendom.”

Chandler’s final chapters explore similar themes to Rosaria Butterfield's “The Gospel Comes with a House Key.” Missional hospitality is a big lynchpin here, and he helpfully defines it as giving “loving welcome to those outside your normal circle of friends.” A great challenge! I ended the book heartened and eager to live with courage in the “Age of Unbelief” in which we live.

~Jen

[Kaylin Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great read, especially in this time. Matt Chandler acknowledges that while it appears hard to be a Christian right now, this is nothing new for the Church, and it’s actually a great time to be. Christian. The Church has gone through a variety of stages, from the minority being killed by Roman emperors, to the majority culture, to the reformation, the age of science, and now postmodernism and “spirituality” without God where Christians are seen as outdated, morally wrong, and bigots. But it’s just another stage. Chandler talks about the warrior nature of God that is not often considered, but how he fights for good, for justice. How the Canaanites in the Old Testament were given over 400 years to repent from their sin and child sacrifice and orgies and it was only by His goodness that they remained. And then we saw Jesus as a conqueror, but not the kind the Jews expected. He came to bring His kingdom, but a different sort. Of love. He sat with and befriended outsiders, and we are called to the same. We can bring people into this kingdom just by opening our homes to those who are different, weird, socially outcasted, and spread the good news. We can sincerely befriend those who think differently than us, because no amount of bigotry or hate changes hearts. And Jesus changes hearts. So take heart.

[Thaddeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

You really can't you wrong with a Matt Chandler book... He's an engaging writer who compellingly remind us of biblical truths. This book is no different. Here Chandler experts us to Christian courage amidst an increasingly secularized Western (American) culture. It's a message needed to be heard by many.

The only reason I give this book 4 instead of 5 stars is that it doesn't really bring anything new to the table - but perhaps that's the point too! Christians around the world already know what it means to live on the fringes of society - it seems like North American Christianity is just getting caught up and perhaps the shock of the change calls for a book like this for many. So, I feel like this book will land differently on you depending on your context.

For those who already know, experience and Live out the reality of bold Christian faith in a secular culture - there's not much new this book will bring, but probably some good reminders. For those coming from a culture where Christianity was in vogue or in majority and is now seeing a decline to the fringes by pop culture - this book may be a good aid to that shock. In any case, it's a worthwhile read and I quite enjoy Chandler's style of writing!

Check it out.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

When faced with our cultural decline, the Christian has a few options on how to respond. They can condemn our culture, they can consume our culture, they can convert our culture, or they can be courageous in the face of culture. Chandler argues that the last option is our best option. To Chandler, we are sojourners on this earth and what culture does, in some sense, is inconsequential to our mission here. This seemed a bit like the tail chasing the dog to me as our mission is the great commission. By converting individuals to Christ we are converting culture to something too.

As Rushdoony pointed out in his idiom, it is not whether but which. It is not whether we will convert culture, but which paradigm we will convert culture to. What does it even mean to be courageous in our culture? Martyrdom? Keeping prayer in schools? We aren’t told how little or how much we ought be courageous. And what if our courageous attitude converts our culture? Should we back away at that point or is the conversion simply a byproduct that we should feel indifference towards? It seemed like Chandler took the obscured and muddy path to avoid the conclusions Francis Schaeffer came to years ago.

[Imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple yet engaging book. It’s very easy to read and I didn’t feel burdened once I’d finished it (which is sometimes how I feel when I finish Christian books which are heavy on application). Although it’s aimed at Christians in the US, it’s still helpful for evangelicals in Europe (yes, the UK is part of Europe, whether or not it’s in the EU). I LOVED the link Matt makes between hospitality and evangelism, as someone who has seen hospitality as vital to the Christian walk for almost a decade now but struggles to be hospitable at the moment (living with one’s parents has its downsides). However, I wish he would have talked more about what Christians should do on social media and in public situations when we are being derided because of our beliefs - this would have been really helpful. But then the book would be longer and more prescriptive, which would probably lead to me feeling burdened so...

[Shaun Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman didn't give in to the anxieties prevalent in her cultural climate. She wasn't stunted and held back by the fear that this Muslim family was dangerous or that some new religion was taking over her country. Filled with the hope and courage of the Lord, she had an eternal perspective that moved her to love, compassion, and hospitality. Where others saw a threat, she saw an opportunity.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺.

This book has been inspiring to read and enlightened my walk in Christianity. A few quotes I'd like to leave here from the book are:

𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺.

"Make disciples of all nations, baptising them on the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." > 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘸 28:19-20

"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘰𝘥'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴."

[Alice Gent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sound, Biblical, an important truth.

A well written, short, basic book reminding us that even though culture is moving further away from Christianity, God is still in control and we have nothing to fear. We know what the outcome will be and that is unshakeable. In the past Christianity has most flourished when it is under persecution and it's time for us to remember what is most important again. Chandler encourages us to therefore live with integrity, courage and be bold in our evangelism, chiefly by being hospitable to those most unlike ourselves. His ideas are well backed up with scripture from Romans and 1 Peter.

For me it was a good reminder to not see biblical hospitality as just inviting people from church over, but people from all walks of life, who are not like ourselves. Particularly the vulnerable and outcast.

[Tiffany Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay in the Game and Don’t Be Surprised

Take Heart reminds us of the counter-cultural nature of the Gospel and the way this ideology was the mark of early Church. We do not need to fear nor be surprised by what, by sight, implies the days ahead are darker. Rather, we can find solace in the truth that nothing transpires unbeknownst to God. He is still in FULL control. We must remember that the Church actually thrives on the margins and that what is on the horizon is a part of God’s Sovereignty. We (the saints) will always see His kindness toward us, by faith, no matter what we have to face. The victory is sure and so we can courageously stay in the fight, bearing our unique armors of light as we persevere in pushing back the darkness until our God calls us home.

[Raewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouragement for the time ahead. We are no longer in a majority reign of belief. Now, we are the crazies, the nutters, the fools, the ignoramuses, but naturally, we are the bigots - if society is to be believed.

Well, I wasn't much for going with the flow. Mainstream is over-rated and full of sheep. It takes courage to speak out against the status quo. It takes nothing to agree with it, even if it deep down it goes against what you know in your heart is wrong! All you end up left with is a heavy conscience.

I appreciate this book wasn't written with a particular 'political leaning', rather it was written from a Christian perspective. Thanks to the author on that. That's my main concern when picking up a book like this...

[Daniel Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely for 2020 in the USA

Matt Chandler is so great at making tough, deep concepts and conversations relatable and candid. I love the way he thinks and voices what is on his mind. It’s on our minds too so hearing that a pastor/ someone who you may think “has it all figured out” has similar questions or doubts is refreshing. Matt always comes across with enough understanding of grace from a loving Father but also wrath of a righteous God who hates sin and who is actively saving His creation.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and practical book that is meant to encourage Christians as we live among a culture that is hostile to Christians. Chandler spends much of the book pointing out that the church has historically been persecuted and has thrived more in and through persecution than through ease and comfort, therefore we should not be alarmed at our current situation. But then he shows some practical steps to be salt and light, specifically by showing hospitality to those who believe differently than us. This was a good book and full of wisdom for Christians today.

[Eleanore · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. In terms of content, the theology is particularly conservative / leaning fundamentalist, and if that speaks to you, you might get more from this book than I did, because I am not the intended audience. Otherwise, it reads to me very much like hundreds of other [stereotypically: admitted generalizations ahead] particularly conservative, fundamentalist-leaning evangelical Christian nonfiction books, which is to say I found it closed-minded and rigid, lacking nuance and completely without compassion, pedantic and predictable.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an important book. This goes right next to Jerry Bridges' "Trusting God" on the shelf of books every Christian should read. This age of unbelief often leaves me feeling crippled and paralyzed. But Chandler's words have reminded me of God's sovereignty and his guiding presence. And surprisingly, courage in this age is pretty simple. After reading this book, I feel challenged but also equipped.

"In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an excellent although brief call to courage in the face of hostility to the Christian message. I enjoy Chandler's communication style as well, but his synthesis of the various views of how to handle adversity in our society was really helpful. It summed up a number of lines of thought I have had. This book was like a new friend that I discover that I have so much in common with that we feel like old friends.

[Sarah Vowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminder and encouraging read. Lots of books are convicting by challenging Christians to live out the TShirts we wear and the bumper stickers we align ourselves with. This one does that in a way that inspires us to ditch fear and get out of our comfort zones right in our everyday lives. I felt the spirit of God in this book and finished with excitement knowing that we are here for such a time as this.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful testimony of the power of faith in one’s life. The author is very candid as to the challenges in his life and the initial darkness that plagued him, but also walks through the process by which his faith played a role in his life through prayer and others. The different stories are uneven in their depth and quality, but overall provide a worthy testimony worth reading.

[Lisa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is an easy read but that doesn’t mean it has no meat to it. Chandler packs a lot in, including church history, or rather the history of Christendom, which aren’t synonymous. He does some analysis of where we are today and gives help in being a courageous Christian. He ends with the idea of evangelistic hospitality. Love it!