Customer Reviews

The Embarrassed Believer: Reviving Christian Witness in an Age of Unbelief

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

It was a good read. Hewitt doesn't try to spare anyone's feelings during the book, including his own. He hits hard and doesn't pull any punches on the Embarrassed Believers, but delivers a matter of fact lay out. It's not high Christology (you theology majors know what I'm talking about); it doesn't claim to be. But should still challenge even the most seasoned believer. I think the end was a little lacking because it left a lot of questions and provoked thought, but doesn't really give you an answer to the questions it raises...it doesn't even really make a step in the direction of answering questions. However, I would still recommend that you read it. It's worth the small amount of effort you need to get through it and you'll have more than your fair share of food for thought.

The Embarrassed Believer is a well-articulated challenge for Christians to become obvious "believers" (through words, actions and witness) rather than just be "bystanders". Hewitt defines "bystanders" as Christians who are embarrassed to publicly articulate and live out their beliefs and values in an age when media elites and popular culture denigrate, if not out-and-out deride or ridicule, religious believers, particularly Christians.

Hewitt asserts, probably correctly, that although media elites put up a facade of widespread indifference or hostility to traditional religious values, the number of people in America who actually share the media's view is relatively small (IF they would turn off the tube long enough to think about it).

Ironically, while Hewitt repeatedly states that popular culture has descended to a dangerous level of incoherent, violent, immoral chaos, he says that he goes to see practically every new movie with anything other than an NR rating. Talk about a disconnect! Also, while he argues that Christians need to more fully engage the culture rather than retreat from it, he doesn't provide many specific suggestions for doing so.

I think the best "action step" Hewitt suggests is for Christians to become more active in cultural and social institutions (presumably as shining examples to others) rather than trying, in vain, to change the country through the political process. Think about it: social phenomenon and cultural abominations arise from an immoral or amoral society, and then we propose to improve or turnaround the situation through laws and government programs rather than through active participation in the society. Doesn't make much sense, does it? Also, Hewitt points out that rather than merely boycotting things we don't like (which seldom seems to accomplish anything positive as far as I can tell), Christians should actively support, with dollars and encouragement, things we like and want to see more of. "Find something good and praise it."

This book is good for Christians who already know what they believe, and are tired of yet one more program to help Christians "find" or "discover" the truth in their religion. Hewitt accurately protrays the truth of the Christian faith for Christians, and the need to speak up without embarrassment for the faith. He shows how proponents of other religious systems, also claiming the truth as they know it, are not shamed by the media, but rather, lauded. What has happened to Christians? Reading the Bible is helpful in answering that question (the Way of the Cross is real), and Hewitt has much to say about how to cope with, and be proud of, being a Christian believer. A well thought out book from a real thinker.

This book is for anyone who has ever been wary about something like praying in public. It will develop or change your approach to personal evangelism.. I found Hewitt's words challenging, but in the end realized they were God's words echoed through Hewitt. Add this book to the list of believer preparedness reading you already have, it's a must.

Hugh Hewitt has written a book which is both provocative and challenging to Christian believers in the U.S., who are most likely influenced by what he calls the "elite media," and he urges them to counteract this influence with truth, salt, and light. Not one to merely criticize, he uses his own life as an example, especially in very candid and frank moments of weakness, and he shares these insights with the reader with a great deal of grace.

This is an excellent read, and highly recommended for those who want to examine how they can impact their culture for Christ.

Hugh Hewitt challenges readers with a thoughtful essay on the sad state of American culture, the confusion that exists within American evangelicalism, and the responsibility of Christians to engage a hostile public square with the integration of faith and intellectual pursuit. Hewitt's book doesn't bore the reader with lengthy lamentations, but rather provides a series of clever rhetorical snap shots which combine to lend strong support to his argument. Hewitt's writing style is clean, crisp and stimulating enough to capture the attention of Christians and non-Christians alike. I highly recommend Hugh Hewitt's book to all who are serious or, for that matter, even curious about the role that faith should play in the life of the mind.

I was attracted to this book by its premise: that our society's pluralism and disdain for Christianity has pushed believers into the closet (so to speak). However, Hewitt's work reads like a loosely-connected string of essays that don't end up leading toward any real conclusions. There are many good nuggets here, but you have to put up with an overall lack of flow and coherence to find them. Also, the author doesn't seem to consider the possibility that Christians might legitimately grapple with a proper posture toward neighbors of different faiths who find their beliefs meaningful and life-changing. We are called to tell our story, but how do we do that in a winsome, open way? A chapter on that issue would have lent balance to this work.

(Disclosure: I know the author and got a free copy of the book from him. But he had no idea I would post this review.) Hewitt blames the spiritual and moral decline of American culture on the shrunken influence of Christianity, and he calls for Christians to regain their boldness of times past. With years of experience in broadcast journalism, Hewitt is well positioned as a social observer. His writing is somehow genial and hard hitting at the same time, and filled with telling anecdotes. Admittedly, the few sports stories in the book do include a silly football illustration, and once in a while a platitude pops into view. ("God-centered people are happy," Hewitt says, but was Jesus happy, even most of the time? Not an easy question.) For every platitude, however, there are several sharp observations elsewhere--such as on the difference in embarrassment quotient between "I believe in God" and "Jesus is my savior." Surprisingly, one of the people most often and most respectfully quoted isn't a Christian at all, but a Muslim mystic. All in all, the book is entertaining but also informative, thought provoking and even discomforting--in short, highly worthwhile.

A must for anyone who has ever felt uneasy while praying over a meal in a busy restaurant. A book that should be read by every beleiver who for whatever reason has been timid about sharing their belief. Hewitt sets the standard high and at times I felt exhaused when considering the changes I needed to make in my approach to day-to-day evangelism. I also realized that it wasn't Hewitt who was setting the standard so much as it was God's echoed words through Hewitt. This book is a stirring read that will change you.

Hewitt makes great points in this book. Chrisitans need to speak out more, and not be afraid to say what they believe in. Outspoken christans are made fun of, especially ones that are in the public eye. Please read this book, you will love it.