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Communicating for Life: Christian Stewardship in Community and Media
Offers a holistic Christian view of communication, showing the vast array of implications for using this gift to responsibly work toward peace and justice.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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June 24, 2019At the very end of his book, Schultze writes, “Our call to Christian discipleship is rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, not merely in noble theories and effective methods.” In contrast to perspectives such as the “magic bullet theory” of the early days of mass media, I found Schultze’s thoroughly Christian worldview refreshing. We need to understand that communication is far more than a machine or set of theories. It is a dynamic and ever-changing nurturing of relationships among God’s creatures, and it must be treated as such. We serve a God who communicates, and we in turn must strive to be faithful communicators.
Schultze uses the term “shalom” in Communicating for Life to an almost disgusting extent. Yes, we are to strive for peace with God and with our neighbors. We are to look forward to the new heavens and the new earth where “shalom” will be a permanent reality. But does every aspect of communication serve as “a foretaste of shalom”? Is the Christian life nothing more than a call to communicate for peace and mutual understanding? Does following Jesus mean simply uttering “a passionate love song for all of creation” (173)? Or is it something fuller and richer?
Communicating as followers of Christ means sharing and showing the truth and relevance of the gospel in all areas of life: the gravity of our sin, the existence of a Mediator who makes intercession for us, and the call to repent and follow him. While this is a “love song” of sorts, it far surpasses a sentimental expression of God’s benevolence toward the entire cosmos. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
As Schultze says, let us “put Jesus above all other teachers, and the gospel above all other stories” (167). But let that gospel of redemption, sanctification, and glorification, not some vague notion of cultural “shalom,” be our focus.
Schultze uses the term “shalom” in Communicating for Life to an almost disgusting extent. Yes, we are to strive for peace with God and with our neighbors. We are to look forward to the new heavens and the new earth where “shalom” will be a permanent reality. But does every aspect of communication serve as “a foretaste of shalom”? Is the Christian life nothing more than a call to communicate for peace and mutual understanding? Does following Jesus mean simply uttering “a passionate love song for all of creation” (173)? Or is it something fuller and richer?
Communicating as followers of Christ means sharing and showing the truth and relevance of the gospel in all areas of life: the gravity of our sin, the existence of a Mediator who makes intercession for us, and the call to repent and follow him. While this is a “love song” of sorts, it far surpasses a sentimental expression of God’s benevolence toward the entire cosmos. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
As Schultze says, let us “put Jesus above all other teachers, and the gospel above all other stories” (167). But let that gospel of redemption, sanctification, and glorification, not some vague notion of cultural “shalom,” be our focus.
June 15, 2012
Schultze truly brings a Christian world view to the very broad field of communications and makes us realize how everything we do (or don't do) is a reflection of our faith. A great quote - "All the laws of the land combined will not equip us to make ethical judgements. We need grace too" (147).
September 11, 2025
Quick, easy read about Christian stewardship in communications.
March 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and how it explained the theory behind communication.
Notable Quotes:
“Our ‘glamorized representations of Jesus say more about us than about him.’ In a fallen world we seek media that confirm what we want to believe, not necessarily what is accurate or truthful.”
Things to be aware of in “Communicating for Life”
Language:
- There is a mention of an “ethnic slur” being spoken (does not give any more detail)
- 1 “stupid”
Violence:
- A mention of a 5 year old being abused (does not clarify in what way)
- Murder is mentioned on multiple occasions
- A gruesome and heartbreaking story is told about the Holocaust in which many people died.
Romantic Content:
- Talks of “intimacy,” “sexy” and “cybersex.”
- An entire chapter (chapter 5) surrounds a story about someone having a “lifelong obsession with seducing women”
- Rape is mentioned, including with children
- One mention of being “obsessed with the opposite sex”
- Pornography is mentioned
Additional Notes:
- Discussion about body image and a young girl thinking she’s “fat.”
- Suicide and mass suicides are mentioned
Notable Quotes:
“Our ‘glamorized representations of Jesus say more about us than about him.’ In a fallen world we seek media that confirm what we want to believe, not necessarily what is accurate or truthful.”
Things to be aware of in “Communicating for Life”
Language:
- There is a mention of an “ethnic slur” being spoken (does not give any more detail)
- 1 “stupid”
Violence:
- A mention of a 5 year old being abused (does not clarify in what way)
- Murder is mentioned on multiple occasions
- A gruesome and heartbreaking story is told about the Holocaust in which many people died.
Romantic Content:
- Talks of “intimacy,” “sexy” and “cybersex.”
- An entire chapter (chapter 5) surrounds a story about someone having a “lifelong obsession with seducing women”
- Rape is mentioned, including with children
- One mention of being “obsessed with the opposite sex”
- Pornography is mentioned
Additional Notes:
- Discussion about body image and a young girl thinking she’s “fat.”
- Suicide and mass suicides are mentioned
January 5, 2023
Do not let the title or cover fool you, this book is not a simplistic communications 101. The author captures the Christian philosophy of communication with profundity. His writing style and passion for stewarding the tongue evokes a reverence for words otherwise unknown and reveals the higher purpose in language expression. I became keenly aware of my own culturally adopted flippancy concerning speech and gained a higher perspective with every page.
The ideology of language for the Christian is found in the Word of God, believing the power of life and death are held in the tongue. This belief found modern application in the words of Quentin J. Schultze. His philosophies on language can be used by all, believer or not. Highly recommend!
The ideology of language for the Christian is found in the Word of God, believing the power of life and death are held in the tongue. This belief found modern application in the words of Quentin J. Schultze. His philosophies on language can be used by all, believer or not. Highly recommend!
January 31, 2018
Great and Timely Read
As I reflect on the way I’ve seen communication between others degrade into uncivil and illogical realms, I realize that this book is a must-read for us all. Life is much more rewarding when we treat others as we want to be treated.
As I reflect on the way I’ve seen communication between others degrade into uncivil and illogical realms, I realize that this book is a must-read for us all. Life is much more rewarding when we treat others as we want to be treated.
April 2, 2015
While the book can veer off into the platitudinal, especially towards the end, several great points are made that help flesh out the idea of a Christian philosophy of communication. I wish I could give it a 3.5. worth a look.
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May 7, 2023did this have some academic merit? probably.
did i enjoy any aspect of reading this? heck no.
did i enjoy any aspect of reading this? heck no.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews