Christ and the Culture Wars: Speaking for Jesus in a World of Identity Politics

by Benjamin Chang

  A call to engage with the identity politics of our world, and reframe the way we spread the Christian gospel.   In our modern world the gospel of Jesus is seen by many less as good news for all humanity, and more as the bigoted edicts of a bygone era. Benjamin Chang explores the stories of the revolution, tracing the trajectories of four of the biggest social justice movements – feminism, racial justice, gay pride and the trans movement – before looking at the ways Christians usually engage with these arenas of cultural conflict (mirror, argue, ignore) and identifying a better way forward.   Rather than hunkering down in our own identity tribes, arguing against other groups, or ignoring what is going on in the culture around us, Chang encourages Christians to find ways to speak for Jesus. He urges us to look at the way we tell stories, and consider whether we can re–capture hearts in our culture by telling a more powerful counter–narrative. He gives us language to use to speak about the cross in our world of identity politics. We will see that the gospel resonates with a culture when it speaks the language of the culture.

Genres: Christian, Cultural

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[Peter Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of the book provides a helpful overview of how various social justice movements have emerged and evolved into today's form of identity politics. It is a very good introduction and will be beneficial to those seeking to orient themselves. Part 2 highlights three inadequate Christian approaches to this climate - to mirror, to argue or simply to ignore the broader cultural critique. Part 3 proposes a different way - yet perhaps this is the weakest section of the book. Following Glynn Harrison, Chang proposes that Christians "tell a better story" - and yet, for all the championing of using narrative, the approach is still very didactic in approach. I think Chang's approach would have benefited from some real-life stories exemplifying his approach.

[Melissa Grant-Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written, thoughtfully considered and relevant book. It is divided into three parts: part 1 gives a brief overview of the historical events associated with each of the major identity movements, part 2 covers the common Christian responses to these movements and part 3 covers alternative ways to respond. Importantly, this book is not a systematic study of what the biblical views on the different aspects of identity politics are, but rather it reviews how they are deeply rooted in Christian principles. It considers how to restore dialogue between the church and those that are strongly embedded in the assumptions and narrative of identity politics.
The part I found most helpful was the breakdown of how identity politics movements did not spring up out of nowhere, but are the product of several movements with compelling motivations and philosophical assumptions that had been brewing and combining over centuries. Admittedly, I would have liked it if the author explored these points with a bit more depth, but I acknowledge the aim of this book was to target a broad audience with less depth of content rather than an exhaustive study of the intricacies from an academic perspective.
I consider this book especially - but not exclusively - relevant for church leadership and those interacting with youth closely, whether parents/guardians, youth leaders or those working in education at all levels.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book in a bookshop not knowing what to expect. After reading it I found that I was much better informed on identity politics and the considerable changes in thinking that have taken place in the western world in a relatively short space of time.
Part 1 focuses on 4 areas where changes have occurred assisted by a very informative history of various movements.
Part 2 looks at how Christians have responded, and are responding to the changing world of identity politics. The author quite rightly points out the mistakes that Christians have made and are making.
Part 3 endeavours to provide help to Christians in order to tell what the author calls a better story. I found this to be the weaker part of the book. Perhaps I’m demanding but I was looking for more.
Nonetheless this book is of great help to Christians who desire to share the never changing Good News in a rapidly changing world.

[eunice · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

very thought provoking. everyone in this world seeks to find the same justice, equality and freedom no matter the religion. so what makes christian’s different? i love the use of practical applications of a christian narrative into daily life. culture wars is so prominent in our generation

pov:
“story telling yields soft power, deploying the method of attraction to make people want to do things.”

“we’re called to not retaliate, turn the other cheek and love our accusers.”

“identity in christ that offers unshakable fail proof security.”

“we all have a God shaped hole in our lives.”

“one & God make a majority.”

[Frank Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very well written book on a topic that I find distasteful, but recognise I need to pay attention to. The authors outlining of the problem and the challenge was excellent, as were some of his conclusions. Unfortunately for me, the most important conclusion – that we need to tell a better story was disappointing. I agree with the idea, but wish that idea had been fleshed out a lot more.

[Elizabeth Tso · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just OK for me. There have been loads of books in similar veins in recent years (such as Being the Bad Guys and others). This one missed a bit of the mark in the chapters that presented current social and political movements. Unfortunately, it used some ‘preferred pronouns’ which I thought was unhelpful.