The Last Christian on Earth: Uncover the Enemy's Plot to Undermine the Church [Paperback]

Os Guinness (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2010

The “gravedigger thesis” can be put simply: The Christian faith contributed decisively to the rise of the modern world, but has been undermined decisively by the modern world it helped to create. The Christian faith has become its own gravedigger. In the 25 years since philosopher and social critic Os Guinness first published The Gravedigger Files, much has happened: the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of the computer age, the re emergence of China and India, the rise of Islamic terrorism, and the worldwide revitalization and politicization of religion. But the central mystery of Dr. Guinness’s “spy novel”—inspired by his affection for John le Carré thrillers—remains unsolved: Can Christians regain the full integrity of faith in Christ while fully and properly engaged in the advanced modern world? This new edition of The Last Christian on Earth, which includes previously unpublished “top-secret memos,” is Dr. Guinness’s parable about the future of the Christian church in the West. Written in the grand tradition of le Carré, Fleming and Clancy, this thriller pays homage to the genre while transcending it—because the real-life ending has yet to be written!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Last Christian on Earth is an incisive and wide-ranging analysis of what has happened to bring about the decline of the Church in America and the West and an open and passionate plea for reformation and revival. Using the device of one spy writing memoranda to another on how to undermine the Church, Os Guinness helps us to see ourselves as others see us and to recognize what has really caused the damage. It is much more than a critique, and it does not finish pessimistically.

If you are saddened by the shallow and ineffectual state of the Church in America and the West and puzzled by what has caused such a sorry decline, you need to read this book slowly and on your knees. We are living in an urgent hour for all followers of Jesus in the West.

About the Author

OS GUINNESS is a philosopher, social critic and prolific author who was born in China and educated in England, and who has worked in the Washington, DC, area for more than 25 years. He has been a freelance reporter for the BBC, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies. In 1991, Dr. Guinness founded the Trinity Forum, which hosts discussions with senior leaders in business and politics. He speaks widely at universities and business and political conferences around the world. He lives in McLean, Virginia, with his wife, Jenny.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Regal; New edition (February 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830751254
• ISBN-13: 978-0830751259
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

OS GUINNESS (DPhil, Oxford University) was born in China, raised and educated in England, and moved to the United States in 1984. He directs the Trinity Forum and is a former fellow at the East-West Institute in New York. His books include The American Hour, No God But God, and The Dust of Death.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars powerful and worthy and telling, March 29, 2010

By 

Leigh Warmbrand (Newport News, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Christian on Earth: Uncover the Enemy's Plot to Undermine the Church (Paperback)

Os Guinness' newest book, The Last Christian on Earth, is an updated retelling of his original work in 1983, The Gravedigger File. It is a poignant and telling narrative, told in the style of CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters (although Guinness gives credit to John le Carre and the "grey espionage" genre). The book is a series of revealing communiqués concerning the state of the modern American church and how "undercover operatives" have worked towards its downfall, throughout history, since its inception. These messages are, for the reader, a painful assessment of the weaknesses of the modern church, mostly dealing with captivity to modern culture and trappings of consumerism. The author does not provide steps to fix these problems, but leaves it to the reader to address the issues in his local church and context and "work through the issues for yourself"; it becomes incumbent on the reader to analyze and identify the areas of weakness from the narrative and character's words, which involves a higher level of reading and thinking skills. In the end, this book is a call for realness and renewal and reformation within the local church and broader denominations. It is recommended for church leaders and the church as a whole to read through and discuss. It is a powerful book and worthy to read and work through.

This book was provided to me for review by Regal Books. The Last Christian on Earth © 2009 by Os Guinness. Published by Regal Books, [...]
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wake-Up Call, April 6, 2010

By 

E-Cowboy - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Last Christian on Earth: Uncover the Enemy's Plot to Undermine the Church (Paperback)

For those who have had the pleasure of reading Os Guinness' work previously, they will be pleased to know that "The Last Christian on Earth" is characteristically full of his sharp insight and wisdom. For those who haven't read Guinness before, it's time. And this is a good one to start with.

The book serves as an urgent wake-up call to the Church. Much of what Guinness writes is sobering; essentially, the Church has become blind to its undermining. And, as Guinness tragically shows, the undermining is its own doing!

The book is effectively and uniquely written in a "top secret" format - from one spy to another about the operation to take down the Church. Guinness uses this style to convey the urgency of the situation to the Church and to show how we in the Church have been deceived in so many subtle ways by our adversary.

This is important reading for believers today. Guinness doesn't leave the reader without challenge - there's still time and encouragement for revival and renewal.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Christians Who Like Apologetics, July 21, 2010

By 

Sterling P. Dare - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Christian on Earth: Uncover the Enemy's Plot to Undermine the Church (Paperback)

Mr. Guinness' book is challenging and convicting. I highly recommend it to all Christians who are looking for meat, not milk. His treatise on the secularization of the church is telling. We need to understand just how much secular thinking has invaded our minds. I would recommend this book for all pastors, church leaders, deacons and elders.