Should Christians withdraw from societal involvement and put their efforts solely into building up the church? Some leading evangelicals have suggested as much. Tom Minnery opposes that view. In Why You Can't Stay Silent, the author challenges Christians to engage themselves in the culture and use their God-given gifts to be positive influencers in an increasingly post-Christian world. Includes appendixes on how Christian can become involved.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Minnery, an employee of Colorado-based Focus on the Family, decries the decline of morality in American schools, media and laws, and calls Christians to do something about it by becoming politically active. He refutes arguments that Christians shouldn't get involved in "the world" and that the church's primary responsibility is evangelism rather than social activism. For ammunition he cites Christian reformers throughout history, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe (whom he patronizingly calls "One Mom Who Mattered"). While acknowledging that "righteousness is a very broad objective," Minnery suggests specific strategies for future activists, such as determining whether or not someone has useful experience with an issue as do, for example, pro-life activists who have had abortions. His rhetoric sometimes overcomes his facts, as when he asserts that "students who want to meet on their own for an after-school Bible study often face bureaucratic delay" in approval for their gatherings. Since he provides no examples of this, and since such delays would verge on violating the Equal Access Act, this assertion comes across as hyperbole. Readers who agree with Minnery's unabashedly Republican beliefs will probably enjoy his call to arms and strategies for confronting the culture. Others might wonder why, given the centuries of activism in the Christian church, Minnery feels that such a battle cry is necessary, unless his goal is to revive the religious right's heyday of the 1980s.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's time to make a difference,
By
This review is from: Why You Can't Stay Silent: A Biblical Mandate to Shape Our Culture (Focus on the Family) (Hardcover)
Tom Minnery believes that Christians not only have a mandate to proclaim the gospel, but to see it exemplified in society as well. He believes that we are not really forced with choosing one or the other: either evangelize or do social reform. He says we can and should do both simultaneously. He rightly argues that meeting people's basic needs (of food, shelter, clothing, jobs, etc.) is part of what it means to be salt and light in the world. And such activities also make the gospel message much more palatable, much more believable, much more acceptable.And the history of the Christian church is full of examples of the use of a whole gospel to meet the needs of whole people. Wherever missionaries went they did good deeds as they preached the good news. Hospitals were built, women and children were ministered to, hunger was dealt with, schools and job opportunities were developed, prison and work conditions were improved, and so on. It is exactly because so many Christians treated people as whole beings, not just souls to be saved, that so many people were in fact saved. For example, many people became Christians in the early days of the church because of these acts of mercy and compassion. When a plague or pestilence swept through an area, most people would flee. But it was the Christians who stayed behind, ministering to the sick and needy. Many thousands of conversions took place as a result. In this book Minnery, from Focus on the Family, provides examples of great saints whose lives were a testimony to many, not just because of the words they spoke but because of their actions as well. He looks at Theodore Weld, the Christian anti-slavery activist who made such an impact in nineteenth century America. He also examines the remarkable life of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army in England. The number of souls saved and people whose lives were changed for the better as a result of his ministry numbered well into the thousands. London saw a radical transformation because of this Christian work. The help given to the city's many prostitutes, for example, is a powerful and moving story. And practical help offered to the poor and homeless by the Salvos over a century ago still provides inspiration and instruction for Christian workers today. Other history makers and social transformers are discussed, such as the Wesleys and William Wilberforce. Their inspiring stories demonstrate what a handful of people can do when empowered by the spirit and motivated by Christ's compassion. Not only are souls saved but whole societies are transformed. And as Minnery makes clear, the opposition such world-changers receive does not come simply from unbelievers. Often the greatest critics of these men and women of God were other believers who thought their zeal to change the world was misplaced and misdirected. Many thought they should just preach a simple gospel, and forget about slavery, prostitution and other social ills. But these saints persevered, and all the world owes them a debt of gratitude as a result. This book not only provides historical examples of why Christians need to be involved in their communities, but offers solid biblical reasons for why we must be so involved. He thus answers many of the common objections, such as, "Christianity and politics don't mix;" "You can't legislate morality;" "Christians should avoid controversy;" and "Social engagement is worldly". And he provides a theological rational for why we need to be involved in our world. The command to be salt and light is just that: a command. Jesus did not say, "Hands up all of you who want to be salt and light". He said it is part of our job description. Minnery deals with other objections, such as the lament that I am just one person, and what I do cannot really make a difference. He reminds us that God often works through one person, or a few people, to accomplish his purposes. He also offers practical advice on how concerned Christians can impact their communities, on a local level as well as on a national level. Solid advice is given on how Christians can influence local issues and politics; how they can set up social actions committees; and how they can network with like-minded groups to make a difference in their communities. And several appendices offer down-to-earth advice on how Christians - both as individuals and groups - can get started in really making a difference in their church, their local community, and their world. In an age where the world in many ways really is going down the tubes fast, there is the temptation to shrug one's shoulders and simply say, well, there is no reason to rearrange deck furniture on a sinking ship. But just maybe it is this wholesale withdrawal of so many Christians from the world around them that has lead - at least in part - to its destruction and disintegration. Instead of being salt and light, and turning our world upside down as the early church did, we have simply opted out. And the world has been the poorer because of it. So this book is an urgent and necessary wake-up call for many believers. We have offered a half-baked gospel to a desperate and needy world, and we are surprised that so few heed our message. Well perhaps it is time to rethink our message and our lifestyle. And this book helps us to do just that.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worldly issues not witnessing,
This review is from: Why You Can't Stay Silent: A Biblical Mandate to Shape Our Culture (Focus on the Family) (Hardcover)
The reason I bought this book was to inspire me to witness to other people. But this book does not do that at all- only because that is not its intentions. What this book is intended to do is convince people to speak up against government injustices and apocryphal issues (Ex. abortion). And that it does well. The author actually does convince you of reasons not to "stay silent". I believe these issues are very important in the community of Christians and I recommend this book if you want to stand up for what you believe in and take matters in your own hands. It even gives specifically examples of people who made a small protest against unapproved actions by the state/nation, not trying to make a controversy over it but ends ups gathering protesters around the nation to put an end to- what was in this case a very detestable magazine providing material of unhealthy sex talk for young girls. So it can not only show you why you should, but it also can help you lead protests (even over smaller issues) in your community/nation, when issues with bad values show up.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Biblical, Balanced Approach to Witnessing,
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This review is from: Why You Can't Stay Silent: A Biblical Mandate to Shape Our Culture (Focus on the Family) (Hardcover)
This book broadens the Christian's view of witnessing, restoring it to a biblical perspective. For many years, believers have been misled to separate their influence upon souls from their influence upon society. The former has been encouraged, while the latter has been seen as undesirable. Minnery restores the biblical and historical balance by admonishing the church today to be both salt and light in a fallen world.
The author emphasizes that for too long the church has remained silent regarding the moral decay surrounding it. While political involvement and social action are not the only means to make a difference, they are important means that believers have neglected in the last several decades. This book is a must-read for all Christians who desire to have a balanced, biblical approach to the society around them.
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