Roaring Lambs: A Gentle Plan to Radically Change Your World

by Robert Briner

Bob Briner would have told you, "Absolutely!" Roaring Lambs is Briner's manifesto of our proper stance regarding the "culture-shaping arena." Christians can and ought to be the movers and shakers of social change -- "roaring lambs" who infiltrate and make an impact on their workplace and world with their faith. Roaring Lambs was written from Briner's personal experience as an Emmy Award-winning television producer. It takes you into the work world strategies anyone can use. There's also a useful discussion guide that will help you and your friends put shoe leather to your faith. Bob Briner's greatest legacy may well be the way in which, through his own courageous roam, he helped countless Christians discover theirs. John their ranks. Roar with conviction -- and change your world!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Leadership, Christianity, Cultural

202 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fear writing a review, because I worry that it will not impress people enough to read this book, and this is a must-read for all Christians. In it, Briner discusses the commands to be light and salt in the world and practically applies this concept to positions of cultural influence such as those in the industries of film, television, music, art, politics, and journalism. He challenges believers to engage culture through excellent work in mainstream media, providing positive, truth-based, God-glorifying content without creating alternative (usually low quality) Christian media that does not engage our entire culture. If anyone ever wonders why I moved to L.A., I'd say that this book gives my complete answer. Just read it.

[Kate Padilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this years ago, and really connected with it then. I enjoyed it again this time around, and I really thought his message was strong and compelling. The only critique I have of it, however, is that I feel his views of culture as black or white. Either it is "Christian" or it is anti-Christian. There is no message about working within mainstream culture--in film, sports, arts, music, or literature--and not professing a strong Christian, or moral, message. I wonder how Briner would respond to someone who works in one of those industries, and who is a professing Christian in his personal life and to those he interacts with, but who doesn't necessarily proclaim his faith publicly through his medium. I also wonder how he would respond to Dorothy Sayers' essay "Why Work?" While the value of work well done is important, as he outlined near the end of the book, I feel he would say it's "not enough."

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical call to action to Christians that we live our faith out loud in whatever profession God has called us to. I found the concepts to be rather elementary, but I realize there are many churches that do not encourage their members to do this as they ought.
It was nice for me to read through each chapter and be reminded of friends of mine who are "roaring lambs" in academia, visual arts, cinema, etc.
Probably a good book to gift to a new Christian or anyone who doesn't realize God calls us to minister in our everyday lives and to be missionaries even if we're not overseas.

[Alex Seals · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was assigned this book for class, but we did not have to read the whole thing. I went back and read it, and it has some good points. Christian involvement in the media is scarce, but when they are there, it is a good thing. Christians need to influence every area of culture, as this book points out.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focusing on the Matthew passage about being salt, this book challenges Christians to get out there and do just that. He got a bit redundant and seemed somewhat narrowminded in his examples (I would add many, many more professions where we can be salt) but the challenge remains the same. It was a good reminder to encourage our youth in whatever areas they have been gifted, to be a roaring lamb.

[John Martindale · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main message of this book is that its better to light a candle then to curse the darkness and that salt is worthless if its not placed where it is needed. Briner implores Christians to enter, with quality and excellence, into the 'secular' realm of art, media, literature and education, in hopes of being salt and light where it is most needed.

[Christopher Robins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite nearing thirty years in age, this book is a clear and humble call to action that is applicable to all believers. Though perhaps clinging too much to the "good ole days" Bob's candid fumbling as a believer in the entertainment industry is refreshing.

His charge is simple: that a new generation lambs be active contributors by means of excellence and expertise in their work beyond the pew. When confronted with things in our culture that are antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Bob asks challenges believers to provide worthy alternatives. It is a charge to abandon the picket signs in favor of tools of the trade. It is this call that is powerful and needed.

The Word does say we must not be influenced by the world (Romans 12:2), but we are also reminded we cannot departure from our duty while still alive (1Corinthians5:10). Bob reminds us that the world does not need our judgment. Rather people need a dignity that arises out of working alongside them and challenging them to see things as God sees it. In this pursuit, we will not be perfect, as the author is clear to point out. But we must have faith that God chose us to be his coworkers for a reason. With this confidence, we can then rise to the task of loving others in ways we never considered. From this 1 Thessalonians 2:8 comes alive: "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too."

Let's be roaring lambs.

[Rudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message Bob Briner presents is simple: stop complaining and create a biblical alternative. Throughout Roaring Lambs, Briner gives examples of everyday life—film, art, writing, sports, etc.—and argues that Christians should be just as involved in these endeavors as they are in local churches or the mission field. It's easy to agree with this message, but I can no longer fully recommend this book to younger readers because many of the examples within are highly dated.

Roaring Lambs was originally written in 1993 and revised in 2000. Tales of VHS tapes, radio broadcasts, and newspapers will now, unfortunately, fall on deaf ears. The overall message is still applicable, but the world has changed a lot in 30 years (I write this in 2023) and it may prove difficult for younger readers to translate key principles to a modern understanding.

Also, it's worth mentioning that every avenue mentioned in this book is presented with the same response: be salt. While I absolutely believe this to be true, it does make the message very repetitive.

Ultimately, I do recommend this book. It's accessable, straight-forward, and true to scripture. But if you're curious on whether to crack it open for yourself, just understand that it reads best with a healthy understanding of '80s and '90s references.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Bob Briner’s Roaring Lambs is convicting and a call to action for the church. The book is slightly dated, published in 1993, and so are the references at times (movies coming out on tape). But the central argument and point of the book is that all Christians have been called to be salt and light, preserving a dying world. Briner contends (and I agree) that Christians have abdicated our position to do influence culture and to act as salt in a dying world. Where are Christians in the culture-producing sectors of our society? The Christian authors, writers, musicians, and artists out there mainly stay huddled together creating things only known within the Christian subculture. Ultimately having little or no impact on anyone outside the Christian ‘Bubble’. We ought to be asking ourselves and our churches, “What active strategy does this church (& do I) have regarding Christ’s command to be salt?“. Briner points out many areas we have missed the mark, but provides thought provoking questions and some potential next steps for how the Church can be ‘salt’.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my first time through this book, so I knew what I was going to encounter. That probably decreased my appreciation of it because there weren't "Oh wow!" or "Eureka!" moments. It is a good book that deals with an issue that concerns me: the lack of vision of Christians. As I try to figure out what to do with this stage of my life, this is an idea I feel the need to consider deeply. He writes about a number of potential spheres of influence, and I should make a list of my spheres and make some decisions about what the best that I can do in each of those might be instead of just stumbling along. I am woefully undereducated in the realm of citizening or of Christianing. I'm OK when it comes to adulting - or perhaps too demanding in that - but the 2 Cs need some work. He's given me a framework in which to consider them.

[David Acuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read, especially for faith-based filmmakers who aren't happy with the status quo of current "church movies" and want to achieve high art and global impact. This book challenges you to get out of what he coins "the Christian ghetto" and back out into society and culture where we belong to impact on a level deserving of the Creator of the Universe. Art used to do that, you know. The Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo's "David" statue. These things used to awe and inspire. Now we get a "God's Not Dead" quadrilogy and high five ourselves for shaping culture. Dig deeper, go farther, ask more questions and start with this book!!

[faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a super interesting perspective on integrating Christ into the culture around us. Written by Bob Briner, who was an award winning producer in TV, the book encourages taking Christianity out of the box we have put it in. He details how we are responsible to bring Jesus into places where Christians have been afraid to enter, such as film, writing, and art.

Practically, this book was very eye opening in the idea that the world around us is a mission field. Every career, every hobby, every moment is an opportunity to bring Jesus into the world around us, and share this with people who have yet to hear the word of God.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Roaring Lambs is a call for Christians to get out of their own subculture and to start influencing the world in tv/film, sports, music, art, and writing. Briner calls for the Church (the Body of Christ) to raise up and support talented Christian writers, artists, and musicians rather than limit their resources on only those going into ministry. Published in 1993, there are a lot of cultural references to the 70s and 80s, but the ideas Briner presents can still be applied to the Church today. It would be interesting to read a more up to date version of a book like this.

[Courtney May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in college and it changed my perspective on what it looks like to be a Christian in the modern world providing a perspective on Christians that I'd always thought about, but never seen put into words. He highlighted the importance of Christians outside of the traditional view of working as a missionary or for the church and the impact that can be made by just being you...ironically, as I've developed in my faith, I had no idea how this book shaped so much of how I feel now, years later. 

[Jessica Tanoesoedibjo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reminder of the call of the Gospel to bring the Truth about Christ to all the world. Particularly speaks to those in the fields of media/communication, especially as it has, in the past, often been condemned by the church. Perhaps it would be good to read this with a grain of salt -- to recall that though there is a call to faithful witness, Jesus never calls us to "make an impact" in the world.

[Kirk Weikart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A blueprint for how to bring Christianity into sections of society where it is lacking, eg, movies, TV, literature, art, academics. The author's premise is that rather than complaining about the secular evils in these industries, Christians should produce content for use and distribution in these same industries.

Unfortunately, the book is 30 years old. However, it was cool to see that Christians have made inroads in these industries since the publication of the book.

[zelote · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that commands us, as Christians, to go out and become a light in the culture, not only behind the walls of the church. We must use our talents and gifts for the work of God and not be afraid to go out and open a way in the media. Thank God because after this book was released, there are many good Christian movies, and Christians have entered many unthinkable places.

[Claudine Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with alot of what Bob says. It's time to roar in our respective fields and spheres to spread the message of love, hope, peace, joy and reconciliation and be the salt and the light of the world.

[John Dembeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated, but makes strong points about being salt in the world.

[Diana Mielecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book suggests that as Christians we should spend more time being salt and light than debating whether the church will be pre, mid or post Rapture.

[Esther Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing! I think every Christian needs to read this.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

His thesis is clear but his point could have been made in a short article than in a book. The repetition is tiring. He has excellent ideas and provides inspiring examples of how his ideals for Christians to make a difference in our larger culture (especially in the arenas of television, literature, the visual arts, and academia) have been put into place. I agree with his premise that Christians should not waste their time fighting corruption in these spheres, but rather creating enriching, redemptive alternatives. He encourages the best writers, artists, and scholars from the Christian community to branch out to the wider population and not just "preach to the choir." We do need to get out of our Christian ghetto. But I think he could have written this in the same about of space I just did instead of creating a book (yet, of course a short article would never have had the impact and staying-power of a book).

And now I'm feeling a bit bad about giving it only 2 stars (based on its quality as literature and not on its message). The message of the book prodded me to action today! I just called into the CBC's Radio Noon show from Montréal to share what I would do if the law the PQ (Parti Québécois) wants to put into place, which would restrict wearing any identifiable religious symbols as an employee of the government (including nurses, doctors, teachers, professors, day care workers, lawyers, secretaries in any sector of the government....any governmental agency), actually gets voted in.

If you're interested I said: I am a Christian. I work at université Laval (in Quebec City). Although now I do not wear overtly religious symbols now, I would start to wear clothing that identifies my faith and be more vocal about my faith at work. The interviewer noted that the law would have an opposite effect than desired then and I agreed. Christians should stand in solidarity with Muslims, who don't have a choice to wear clothing that identifies their faith, even though most Christians do not have to wear such clothing. Then I said that even if the law does not pass, I will send a petition to the government signed by Christians to show that we are not in agreement with them. If necessary, I would take to the streets. The interviewer asked me if I would be willing to lose my job in order to express my faith and I said, yes, uninhibitedly. Religious freedom is fundamental to a democracy. People of faith should not be ghettoized and treated as second-class citizens.

And I will.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't realized until reading this that in the second half of the 20th century, when this author was working before writing this book (published in the late 80s-early 90s), many churches assumed that pastors were serving God and those who were "just members" weren't as vital to teaching the gospel of Christ. I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had never ever been told there was any difference; I was taught that everyone, from the child just learning to pray, to the great-grandfather in nursing home, was responsible for living the gospel in such a way that others would want to know more. There was a tremendous push in the church I grew up in (a ward in northern Wyoming state) when I was a teen, to have "Every member a missionary"; that is, to have everyone learn what we believe and grow courage enough to speak up about it, especially when asked, but also whenever the subject comes up in conversation or could be peacefully brought up. There was nothing obnoxious about it; I mean, we were told not to get angry, not to argue, just to present what we believe and then if they weren't interested or were hostile, to drop the subject and go on living what we believe.

This book, then, was eye-opening to me, because that's exactly what it's telling evangelists and all other Christians to do; I expected that others would feel as I did, and it wasn't obvious to me looking in, that other Christians weren't getting the same encouragement to put their beliefs in view. This book did help me think through what I was doing, to see how sometimes opportunities came to speak up and I often missed those opportunities. Now at 43, having read it 12 years or so ago, I'm much better at nonchalantly mentioning where I go to church, asking about others' beliefs, listening interestedly, learning a lot, and trying to encourage good activities. I also invite people to come to church much more often than I used to. I'm not aware of more than one or two I've talked to, who joined the church, usually years after I knew them, but that's okay. I'm being an influence for good behavior, regardless of whether people change their beliefs or not.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is one that many Christians need to hear: Christians are to be salt and light to a dying world. Thus they should not cloister themselves into purely "Christian" arenas, but engage the wider culture with excellence in their fields combined with passion for Christ. Briner, a sports journalist, argues that Christians should be roaring lambs--strong people of faith who demonstrate their love for Christ in their words and actions. Christians ought to develop their talents in the normally secular fields of movies, writing, politics, art, the university, etc. in order to testify to the Gospel in arenas where it might not otherwise be heard.

A few critiques:

1. Though the premise of the book is compelling, the redundancy of the claims make it less so. Briner applies the same principles over and over to different fields (e.g. first film, then literature, then art).

2. Since the book was published in 1993, many of its examples are quite dated. As someone who was born in the late 1980s, I can scarcely remember VHS video cassettes. I cannot relate to most of his examples of movies, etc. The next generation of roaring lambs may have trouble relating to Briner's work because of its dating.

[Sean Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me a few months ago and it really was worthwhile. It was first published in 1993, so there are more chapters that could be added now, but I appreciated Briner's encouragement for Christians to get out of boycotting and grumbling and into screenwriting (for movies and TV) as well as into journalism and other writing endeavors, along with visual arts and higher education. The biggest weakness, in my opinion, is that Briner doesn't root his exhortations in the deep soil of God's sovereignty over all the world, such as a Kuyperian would do. And I disagree with Briner that all of this is the church's job to manage, though the church should be equipping and encouraging Christian disciples to work, which, I agree with him, the church has not done well. As he said early in the book, "Almost nothing in my church or collegiate experiences presented possibilities for a dynamic, involved Christian life outside the professional ministry." That's a need that this book seeks to tackle.

[Stacie Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book though I was hoping for something not quite so broad. Even so, the author succeeded in prompting me, as a reader/Christian, to want to do something about changing the way we view the efficacy of the arts, media, televsion, education system and movies. It also helped me see that to really make a difference in these areas, Christians should offer a POSITIVE alternative to the junk oftentimes put out by these culture-shapers. Instead of protesting, criticizing or boycotting we need to take the bull by the horns and move forward with positive substitutes. We really need to take seriously Jesus command in Matthew 5 to be the salt of the earth.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just finished this book last night for Growth Group. It's inspiring in that it really makes you think "yeah, I could do that." It's all about using our creative energies to produce movies, books, TV shows, etc. that are positive alternatives to what is already being put out there. It's how we as Christians can make an impact on popular culture.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated: C

Bob Briner was a lamb that roared -- a professional in sports and sports management / television who was bold in his faith in a constructive way. The book calls for other followers of Jesus Christ to offer positive alternatives rather than simple negatively attacking various media outlets (film, TV, arts, etc.)

[Kathleen Tallent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in college and loved it. It helped to lay the foundation for my view on the professional world. In everything, strive for excellence and make a difference no matter what your field of work. It also changed the way I view different forms of media. I'm looking for the movers and the changers in our society.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

The late Robert Briner was an Emmy winning TV producer, a pioneer in professional sports management, and a modern-day prophet, in my humble opinion. I love the message of this book: stop the ridiculous boycotts and be salt and light, like Jesus said!