Gabe Lyons has written a prescient book depicting the contemporary sociological landscape.  He portrays how Christians have often gone to extremes in our North American culture by either being separatists or culture accommodating.  The result is that both of these extremes rather than connecting with their culture often alienate the culture they were sent to reach.  The encouraging news is that he has identified a group of Christians who are having a positive impact in their culture which he describes as restorers.  “They don’t separate from the world or blend in; rather, they thoughtfully engage” (p. 47).

Lyons describes how culture is shaped and impacted by identifying the primary channels of cultural influence:

·         Media

·         Education

·         Arts and entertainment

·         Business

·         Government

·         Social sector

·         Church

For many years Christians have emphasized either conversions or social action at the expense of the other.  Lyons describes Christians who are making an impact, “They believe that service to God reflects his Kingdom and tangibly expresses his love to those in need – even when conversions cannot be quantified.  They see ‘doing good’ as the perfect dance partner for conversion.  Both are important, but neither one takes precedence over the other” (p. 94).

Lyons seems to provide a helpful corrective to the “either or” mentality but I’m not sure Jesus would agree that neither one takes precedence over the other.  Jesus states in Luke 12:4-5, "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Temporal suffering is difficult but eternal suffering is far worse.

I recommend “The Next Christians” as an encouraging look at God’s work in this generation.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).