Courage to Stand: Jeremiah's Message for Post-Christian Times

by Philip Graham Ryken

Is the world turning its back on God? Western civilization is standing at a crossroad -- a crossroad where God is beckoning his people to do as the prophet Jeremiah did. To stand up and speak the truth. To follow God, even if it hurts. To weep for the rudderless people you meet every day. To pray and influence our culture for Christ.

In Jeremiah's day, a time much like our own, public life was becoming dominated by pagan ideas and practices. Jeremiah showed courage and passion even through his sufferings -- to show us how to live for God in today's difficult times.

This is the story of his life and in it, you will find down-to-earth help and fresh examples on how to live, think, and feel in a godless culture and encouragement to proclaim the truth of God's word -- regardless of cost. Your stand may also lead to opposition, hostility and even persecution, but God promises that in the end victory will be yours as you grow in courage and devotion.

Genres: Christian Living

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Philip Graham Ryken is Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where he has preached since 1995. He is Bible Teacher for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, speaking nationally on the radio program Every Last Word. Dr. Ryken was educated at Wheaton College (IL), Westminster Theological Seminary (PA) and the University of Oxford (UK), from which he received his doctorate in historical theology. He lives with his wife (Lisa) and children (Joshua, Kirsten, Jack, Kathryn, and Karoline) in Center City, Philadelphia. When he is not preaching or spending time with his family, he likes to read books, play sports, and ponder the relationship between Christian faith and American culture. He has written or edited more than twenty books, including Bible commentaries on Exodus, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Galatians.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is kind of a commentary on Jeremiah, though it doesn't follow the flow of a typical commentary. Modern language and situations of Bible times is interesting, though I don't quite agree with Ryken's work with Jeremiah 29:11. I'm not sure he is understanding it in the context of when it was written. I also didn't agree with his elevation of "cities" and that Christians need to move to them. Christians should seek to build firm communities around them, not go on a missionary journey to the cities.

[Brandon Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing and an eye opener to what the author calls post Christian times. He goes through the history in Jeremiah's day and you can easily see how it's relating to today in America. It serves as both a warning to God's wrath and judgement but also God's love and protection for his people.

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to what is probably one of the more underappreciated books of the Bible.

[Jt]

commentary on Jeremiah

[Greg Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent "commentary" on Jeremiah. Strong slant towards his theological understanding.