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Do What You Believe : Or You Won’t Be Free to Believe It Much Longer
“Steve Deace is a hero. He has written this spectacular how-to guide for Christians to know precisely how to shine our lights brightly amidst the darkness threatening America at this crucial time!” —Eric Metaxas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer, If You Can Keep It, and Is Atheism Dead
It’s been over forty years since The Christian Manifesto cast a vision for religious believers to wage the culture war, and now it’s time for a new generation to arise and answer history’s call in our time.
This time the soul of America really is at stake. Sure, for many years we’ve heard this language dramatically and cynically utilized during political campaigns, but this time it’s actually true. American Exceptionalism faces more systemic threats and existential peril than ever before. A culture that can’t agree on what a border, citizen, criminal, law, constitution, life, or even the truth is probably doesn’t have long to last. But as Jesus warned in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.” Either we will stand boldly now for what we believe, or our way of life will be lost to the ash heap of history. Pilgrims “having undertaken the glory of God” and Great Awakenings are what gave birth to liberty on this continent in the first place. And without a revival of those first things in our time, that liberty will be lost for good.
This will be the generation that determines the fate of the West. This is a blueprint and battleplan for such a time as this.
It’s been over forty years since The Christian Manifesto cast a vision for religious believers to wage the culture war, and now it’s time for a new generation to arise and answer history’s call in our time.
This time the soul of America really is at stake. Sure, for many years we’ve heard this language dramatically and cynically utilized during political campaigns, but this time it’s actually true. American Exceptionalism faces more systemic threats and existential peril than ever before. A culture that can’t agree on what a border, citizen, criminal, law, constitution, life, or even the truth is probably doesn’t have long to last. But as Jesus warned in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.” Either we will stand boldly now for what we believe, or our way of life will be lost to the ash heap of history. Pilgrims “having undertaken the glory of God” and Great Awakenings are what gave birth to liberty on this continent in the first place. And without a revival of those first things in our time, that liberty will be lost for good.
This will be the generation that determines the fate of the West. This is a blueprint and battleplan for such a time as this.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2021
47 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 22, 2022
Never before have I read a book with numerous objectively accurate assessments of the Christian faith, while simultaneously spewing some of the most hypocritical, boneheaded, clueless statements on how to live out said faith.
First of all, this book was gifted to me. I wasn't familiar with Steve Deace before receiving this book, so before reading I viewed a few of his YouTube news interviews as well as clips of his own show. He seemed passionate and well-meaning, though the title of his book sounded a little hyperbolic. But as an equal opportunity reader, I read it cover to cover without hesitation. Even though I give this book one star, I still find the author passionate and well-meaning. But I also find him to be entirely narrow-minded in many of his assessments. I'll do my best to keep this objective and only use his own words for the bases of my criticism.
Secondly, I must say that I do believe Deace is truly sincere and only wants the best for his readers; a nation of Bible believers who embrace the mercy and grace of an endlessly loving God. I have no doubt of his intentions. That said, I absolutely cannot recommend this book based solely on Deace's directives for how we are to apply our faith.
On page 116 the author writes:
"There are lots of ways to evangelize without risking our families as collateral damage. Instead of taking mission trips overseas, take one to California or New York. They're essentially foreign countries now."
Are you kidding me!? Jesus and his disciples continually went to places where they were not welcome, often with the foreknowledge that they were walking into harms way. Why? To save even one lost sheep. I was a missionary to a country that did not welcome the message I brought. And the few Christians I met while there had faced tremendous persecution. If I could have given my life for even one person, I would have. This passage (and the following statements in the book) brought me to tears over the countless lives who may not hear the gospel if we don't bring it. But Deace, in his own words, is concerned with risk and potential collateral damage. Do our neighbors in America need the gospel as much as everyone else? Absolutely! But if the author attempts to convince others to abandon foreign mission over the risk and stay more local to avoid potential collateral damage, shame on him! This is not Biblical.
Here's another passage, this time from page 83:
"Thankfully, though, there are enough people (including non-white believers) who agree with us on singular issues of fundamental importance yet for various reasons would never cross the partisan picket line to vote Republican to activate with us on them."
Oh, great - I didn't realize we had any non-white believers who think like we do. It's such a shame that they won't vote beyond partisan lines. *sarcasm intended* Really!? I showed this portion of the book to my non-white believer wife who looked at me with complete disdain. While I do understand what Deace is tying to say, he sure picked a boneheaded way of saying it. This kind of rhetoric isn't helpful to any reader outside of a politically motivated base, most of which seem to be shouting into an echo chamber.
I took dozens of screenshots of passages like the two referenced here, which if critiqued would fill a small book of my own. So I'll not go into any more of these bizarre, narrow-minded misinterpretations of faith in this review. Instead, I'll only say one more thing pertaining to the reason for my one star assessment.
If North Korea, China, or Russia says their nations are exceptional, America says that's propaganda. But when Americans beat their chests over American Exceptionalism, they're patriots. There's a ton of passages in this book attempting to draw parallels between the Bible and American Exceptionalism. I've read my Bible cover to cover many times and have yet to find anything that mirrors the notion of exceptionalism of any country. To do so is to either bend scripture to meet a personal agenda, or simple ignorance. I don't have any reason to question Deace's motives, so I'm chalking this one up to ignorance of scripture and the historical context therein.
Take this book with a grain of salt.
First of all, this book was gifted to me. I wasn't familiar with Steve Deace before receiving this book, so before reading I viewed a few of his YouTube news interviews as well as clips of his own show. He seemed passionate and well-meaning, though the title of his book sounded a little hyperbolic. But as an equal opportunity reader, I read it cover to cover without hesitation. Even though I give this book one star, I still find the author passionate and well-meaning. But I also find him to be entirely narrow-minded in many of his assessments. I'll do my best to keep this objective and only use his own words for the bases of my criticism.
Secondly, I must say that I do believe Deace is truly sincere and only wants the best for his readers; a nation of Bible believers who embrace the mercy and grace of an endlessly loving God. I have no doubt of his intentions. That said, I absolutely cannot recommend this book based solely on Deace's directives for how we are to apply our faith.
On page 116 the author writes:
"There are lots of ways to evangelize without risking our families as collateral damage. Instead of taking mission trips overseas, take one to California or New York. They're essentially foreign countries now."
Are you kidding me!? Jesus and his disciples continually went to places where they were not welcome, often with the foreknowledge that they were walking into harms way. Why? To save even one lost sheep. I was a missionary to a country that did not welcome the message I brought. And the few Christians I met while there had faced tremendous persecution. If I could have given my life for even one person, I would have. This passage (and the following statements in the book) brought me to tears over the countless lives who may not hear the gospel if we don't bring it. But Deace, in his own words, is concerned with risk and potential collateral damage. Do our neighbors in America need the gospel as much as everyone else? Absolutely! But if the author attempts to convince others to abandon foreign mission over the risk and stay more local to avoid potential collateral damage, shame on him! This is not Biblical.
Here's another passage, this time from page 83:
"Thankfully, though, there are enough people (including non-white believers) who agree with us on singular issues of fundamental importance yet for various reasons would never cross the partisan picket line to vote Republican to activate with us on them."
Oh, great - I didn't realize we had any non-white believers who think like we do. It's such a shame that they won't vote beyond partisan lines. *sarcasm intended* Really!? I showed this portion of the book to my non-white believer wife who looked at me with complete disdain. While I do understand what Deace is tying to say, he sure picked a boneheaded way of saying it. This kind of rhetoric isn't helpful to any reader outside of a politically motivated base, most of which seem to be shouting into an echo chamber.
I took dozens of screenshots of passages like the two referenced here, which if critiqued would fill a small book of my own. So I'll not go into any more of these bizarre, narrow-minded misinterpretations of faith in this review. Instead, I'll only say one more thing pertaining to the reason for my one star assessment.
If North Korea, China, or Russia says their nations are exceptional, America says that's propaganda. But when Americans beat their chests over American Exceptionalism, they're patriots. There's a ton of passages in this book attempting to draw parallels between the Bible and American Exceptionalism. I've read my Bible cover to cover many times and have yet to find anything that mirrors the notion of exceptionalism of any country. To do so is to either bend scripture to meet a personal agenda, or simple ignorance. I don't have any reason to question Deace's motives, so I'm chalking this one up to ignorance of scripture and the historical context therein.
Take this book with a grain of salt.
December 15, 2021
Blew my mind! I was raised by a single dad. As I was growing up for fun my dad and I used to march around the house singing Onward Christian Soldiers and I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy (Down in My Heart). After reading this book I found myself singing both. Thanks to the author for shaking me up. And thanks to God for this author.
February 19, 2022
Christian Nationalism: The Book
December 5, 2021
A heartbreaking, yet uplifting nonfiction look at what faces "what's left of America" today. This book is the answer to the question one hears so often, "what can I do?". Deace is clear and forthright in explaining where we are, and where we go from here. The "answer is us."
November 30, 2022
This is an excellent book on the issues facing patriots in the age we are now living in. The book handles a serious topic - the creepy tyranny of the globalist uniparty (big tech, big media, big corporations, leftist democrats, establishment swamp republicans) who are colluding to "fundamentally change" America from government by the people to government by the elites. Deace handles this dilemma in a well written and well explained manner. He offers solutions for us remaining patriots and what we can do to throw a monkey wrench in the "great reset" planned for Western Civilization by globalist tyrants. Deace also has an excellent podcast on the Blaze network which I highly recommend. Fundamental freedoms are under assault and our institutions have turned against the citizens and constitution they swore to protect.
February 7, 2022
On the surface, one would think this was simply a political call to action or full of doom and gloom rhetoric. It is actually more than that. It is a reminder of who we are as Americans rooted deep in faith and the principles and truth of the freedom we have solely from our Creator. It will not speak to everyone and it addressed some very hard realities, but it also has a lot of lessons that can be applied to one's own life. It is written in a sort of Bible Study/Small Group format. It leaves you plenty of room to think and consider the topics covered, right down to reflection questions after every chapter, the last of which being the ultimate one that can be asked of any of us: What are you prepared to do?
November 9, 2022
This book helped me face the past few years, knowing I wasn't alone in my belief that we were all being played during the pandemic ("plandemic") and gave me encouragement to stand strong without caving in to the cancel culture and other woke agenda out to constrain our freedom. I would recommend the read to anyone with a mind of their own, who loves America and the freedoms we are blessed with, and have the God given right to live by.
December 22, 2021
Real, encouraging, humbling, convicting
This is a great look at the current state of American society and the American church. There is a constant call to action throughout, instead of just patting yourself on the back for being a good Christian. Fantastic read. Pretty quick read also.
This is a great look at the current state of American society and the American church. There is a constant call to action throughout, instead of just patting yourself on the back for being a good Christian. Fantastic read. Pretty quick read also.
September 16, 2022
Excellent! Honest, revealing and tells the truth in a way that is applicable to everyday Christian. Chapters a short and sweet but filled with so much to think and discuss. I read the book as the author discussed each chapter on his show in detail. It’s a book to keep in the shelf and review as needed.
October 22, 2022
Wonderful
If you listen to Steve regularly, you will love this book. His voice, emphasis, sarcasm, convictions is heard throughout. Love the group discussion questions at the end of each chapter! If you want a book that helps you to feel empowered to do something in your county, state, country-- this is the book for you!
If you listen to Steve regularly, you will love this book. His voice, emphasis, sarcasm, convictions is heard throughout. Love the group discussion questions at the end of each chapter! If you want a book that helps you to feel empowered to do something in your county, state, country-- this is the book for you!
December 18, 2021
The Country We Live In
An accurate depiction of the winners and losers in our current status. Do we have the faith and the courage to make a change. A great read for everyone who claims to be Christian.
An accurate depiction of the winners and losers in our current status. Do we have the faith and the courage to make a change. A great read for everyone who claims to be Christian.
March 26, 2022
Spot On
This is a great truth-telling book. It is a fast read, but chock full of what we need to hear for this age. We, as believers, need to start standing up to what the culture is shoving down our throats as truth and again turn to the truth of the Word of God.
This is a great truth-telling book. It is a fast read, but chock full of what we need to hear for this age. We, as believers, need to start standing up to what the culture is shoving down our throats as truth and again turn to the truth of the Word of God.
September 25, 2023
Read this over the weekend and strongly endorse it to any of you who are looking for a concise cut-the-shit way of explaining why things are the way they are in the world right now while providing actionable steps you can personally be taking to navigate it all.
December 21, 2021
I highly recommend this! What a powerful and convicting message for believers who are dismayed by what is transpiring in the world around us.
December 25, 2021
Easy, interesting read.
December 29, 2021
An important read during the current trouble.
June 20, 2022
Always good work from Deace.
December 31, 2024
It was ok. Informational in regards to politics and ones beliefs.
January 10, 2022
Passionate, Compelling, and Brutally Honest.
An inspiring call to action.
An inspiring call to action.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews