Customer Reviews

Roaring Lambs: A Gentle Plan to Radically Change Your World

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Christians seem so often to create their own sub-culture of culture--Christian music, Christian books, etc. Briner exhorts people of faith to produce their very best work to the glory of God, but in the mainstream where everyone can be impacted. As a Christian and an artist who tries (sometimes with more success than others) to combine serving God and creating art, this book really inspired me to keep striving to do and be my best.

I have never found a more helpful book than Roaring Lambs in providing a purpose for a Christian who wants to impact the world for Christ. Briner writes to guide and encourage Christian artists who want to impact their contemporaries with God honoring music, theater, art, movies, etc. BUT, he emphasizes sharing your gifts with the world. Do not stay in the cozy, protective Christian sub-culture, but let your peers admire your skill. Venture into your cities and share your performances and creations. Offer an alternative to the world with the gifts God has given you.

If you want a book that adds fire to the protests, boycotts, and score keeping that some Christians partake in.... THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU! This book will show you were Christians have dropped the ball in areas of literature, movies, TV, journalism, etc. AND give you great ideas to change these mediums by asking you to get involved and provide God honoring alternatives.

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.''" (Matthew 28:18-20)

The late Bob Briner's "Roaring Lambs" is a book that should be necessary reading for any Christian seeking to fulfill the Great Commission in contemporary America.

"Roaring Lambs" focuses on our calling to fulfill the Lord's commission; specifically by being salt and light in our culture. Briner firmly but lovingly condemns the "ghetto" that many Christians have created for themselves by withdrawing into their own subculture. He states:

"We feel we are making a difference because we are so important to ourselves. We have created a phenomenal subculture with our own media, entertainment, educational system, and political hierarchy so that we have a sense that we're doing a lot. But what we've really done is create a ghetto that is easily dismissed by the rest of society."

Briner sums up the problem this way: "Culturally, we are lambs. Meek, lowly, easily dismissed cuddly creatures that are fun to watch but never a threat to the status quo."

Thankfully, Briner does not argue that we should mindlessly lob grenades at society from within the safety of the ghetto's walls--far too many do that already. Instead, Briner states that we must engage in the discourse of our culture. Christians must involve themselves in the culture shaping arenas of art, entertainment, the media and education. In short:

"It is time for the lambs to roar."

The rest of the book is composed of chapters examining each culture shaping field. Briner, who himself worked in the media as a producer, offers practical suggestions for people wishing to make an impact in these areas.

Having come to Christ as an adult, I personally was not raised in the ghetto Briner speaks of. Yet...I know a good deal of people who were; as well as a few who still live there. This book is a great wake up call for such people. It is liberating for them and inspiring for all who long to see God's Kingdom flourish.

Briner did all Christians a service by writing this book. It is a call to action from within the Church that leads us to go beyond the Church and into a world which is ripe for harvest.

I highly recommend "Roaring Lambs." If you finish reading "Roaring Lambs," and want more practical advice and insights on positive ways to shape culture, you can find them in Dick Staub's "Too Pagan, Too Christian." Both are excellent books and work hand in hand together.

Bob Briner writes a book that needs to be read by everyone who wants to live out their Faith in the world. Churches, which are known for supporting the mission trips of members, all but ignore the opportunity to make a difference in key areas of our culture. It's not limited to churches, Christian universities and colleges are neither leading the charge in key areas such as journalism, film, arts, and music, or even equipping others to do so.

The basic premise of this book is that we are called to be "salt and light" in the world, and are instead often just sitting on the sidelines having abandoned the opportunity for a spiritual influence in music, films, TV, and the arts. The church has become nothing more than a sub culture producing work by us, for us, and to us. Little of this work transcends the boundary and makes its way into mainstream consciousness. This is not only a missed opportunity, but is directly opposed to what we are called to do.

The typical Christian reaction to Hollywood is to protest and speak out against some of the trash that is produced. While many of these films and TV shows are little more than advertisements for violence and moral depravity, and deserve the negative reactions they receive, where is the alternative? Where are the Christian men and women in Hollywood? Where are the films and TV shows that uplift family values and glorify God? While there are some examples, they are few and far between. The saying "nature abhors a vacuum" applies to the evil present in much of what Hollywood produces. When we abandon the culture we live in, and create our own separate subculture, the result is that the values shown in the films will be filled in by those whose own beliefs contradict the Gospel message of Love, Grace, and Hope.

Bob Briner sends a powerful message. It is needed and applauded. Stop complaining and start making a difference! Those who graduate from college and head off into professions like music, art, and media, need our support. It takes a lot of courage to swim against the current. It's time we start getting involved personally or at least supporting those who do, if we truly want to be "salt and light".

Even though Mr. Briner's personal theology is a little conservative for me, his overall message is dead on. Christians can do much, much more by using their God-given talents to create beauty instead of screeching like lunatics, or worse, sticking their heads in the sand. I'm just sorry that his untimely death kept us from enjoying more from this good man.

"Roaring Lambs" is one of those get-off-your-butt-and-do-something-about-it books. Christians are no longer allowed to sit and complain about the state of the culture. Bob goes as far as to give specific examples of what a person, at any point in his or her life, can do to be salt to the world, although the emphasis is definately geared towards those who are considering or who are already in media professions. But beware, Bob delivers to the church a much needed slap to the wrist...and then tells how it can redeem itself. The book is, at the least, inspirational.

Definitly a well written book that delivers a powerful challenge. If I were to sum this into a short question, it would be this: Who has convinced us that only those called to either the pastorate or the mission fields are the ones who have to make their Christian walk and their profession one and the same? And why is this so? I know my own work in the off-shore oil field is the last place one would expect to be able to combine profession and spirituality. Yet, after reading this book, not only do I feel compelled to do so, I also know it is very much possible. Throughout the book, the theme of "being the salt" continually reoccurs. And for good reason. Briner reminds us not only has Christ commanded us to be this salt, there are very many more reasons for us to take such a position. Without a doubt, this is definitly a must-read for those who are wanting to enhance the impact they have with those they come in contact with. This book will both challenge and inspire you to reach for this type of impact.

I read this book for class, and it has changed my life. Briner's book conveys his longing for Christians to no longer be complacent; we need to become roaring lambs for Christ. Although Briner is now in heaven, I believe that he is watching to see who will respond to the question that he posed in Chapter 3: "So who in your local community speaks publicly and forcefully--yet with grace and compassion--for a Christian point of view?" When we Christians do not agree with public figures and the media, we need to offer our own opinions and feelings. Briner encourages us to become active in shaping our culture rather than complain about how others shape it.

As a young adult, I am striving to make that kind of difference both now and when I enter the "real world" in a few years. At my home church, I am preparing to use this book to lead an adult discussion group. I feel that every Christian who reads this book can be led to see the importance of being a roaring lamb in today's secular world.

I stumbled on this book years ago after reading an excerpt in a magazine. Now I reccommend it to any and every thinking Christian who truly wrestles with what God wants for their life. Full time mission work is not God' mission for every person and there are vital areas of our society that are completely lacking Christian influence. It's OUR responsibility to get out there and Briner introduces us to people who have done just that. READ IT!!!

First, I'll say that I do agree with Briner's overall premise. Christians have for too long sought to change culture from the outside. Instead, we need to become active leaders in our culture. That's a great message which needs to be heard.

But... Briner's theology is a little weak in a few areas. That can be excused, however, since he's not a theologian. Also, I disagree with some of his ideas about how Christians should impact society. For example, he writes that churches should use the latest architectural trends in building design, to make the building a work of art. That sounds nice, but if you've ever seen a building from the '60s which used the "latest" designs, you know that it soon looks dated. We don't need to be artistic in everything we do.

I still think the book is well worth reading. Just take Briner's premise, think about it, and decide what YOU can do.