Customer Reviews

Why You Can't Stay Silent: A Biblical Mandate to Shape Our Culture (Focus on the Family)

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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.

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.

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.

The author Tom Minnery serves as the Vice President of Public Policy for Focus on the Family and the intent of this book is really to respond to a book from Cal Thomas that chastised Christians for putting too much of an emphasis on political action as a redeeming force for mankind. Minnery challenges Thomas' assertions by putting forth the argument that Christians have always been a redeeming force within culture - a change agent for the good of mankind - not in an attempt to bring people to salvation, but more of an agent of God's common grace on all men. Minnery begins by stating that there are just some things so wrong or so outrageous that as followers of Christ we just can't sit and do nothing - silence would be tacit endorsement!

The book continues with historical examples of Christians who have engaged their culture for the cause of Christ throughout history. Of course, some Christians believe that controversy should be avoided at all costs and Minnery directly confronts that position and explains that a biblically-informed worldview understands that controversy with the world system should actually be expected by followers of Christ.

Minnery stresses that as followers of Christ the way we engage the culture is of primary importance - we must not be ugly to people even when we disagree on issues. He then counters one of the greatest hurdles to so many who want to get involved, but don't know how - the feeling of inadequacy or the question of what can one person really do to make a difference? Minnery gives numerous examples where one person did make a difference...or could have if they had been available for the Lord's service!

The book was good, but not outstanding. The argument that Minnery uses is more of the populist approach to activism (if we all do something, we can make a difference) as opposed to the fundamental biblical approach (God has called us to engagement regardless of the results). However, for those questioning if Christians actually should be involved in cultural affairs, the book does give some compelling arguments and examples from history where followers of Christ made a significant difference for the betterment of all mankind!

Minnery does such a great job basing Christian activism in Biblical and historical realities that you won't be able to sit silently anymore. I devoured the book in a few hours and I can't wait to encounter the world and win a victory for Christians.

just reading the poo-poo by publishers weekly of this book has peaked my interest. w/such scathing, unabashed opinions this must really have some great information and a real plan to action. no wonder these publications are fast becoming irrelevant.

The phrase which makes up the title, why you can't stay silent,
has a flaw, IMHO.
I have 0 problem with the exhortation by TM for us to speak out.
I call your attention to what seems IMHO to be a fault in logic.
The title phrase 'why you can't stay silent' appears to include
an error in thinking.
Let's say that it is true that one cannot stay silent. Fine. OK.
I'm not silent. I'm speaking out. I claim that I cannot remain
silent. True or not (that I must-not, ought-not, should-not stay
silent), fact remains that I am not silent. The silence does not
exist. It's not going on. What IS going on is the speaking out.
You ask me (why) to give you a reason FOR SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T
EXIST (my silence). There isn't any silence going on, and you're
telling me to explain the WHY of the fact that it doesn't exist.
?How come there isn't any silence? Yes, I can say WHY speaking
out makes sound/waves, since the sound exists, and since sound
has a source (my mouth or typewriter). As to having to give the
'reason' (why) for something that doesn't EXIST (silence), I do
not have a way to 'explain'/answer your why with a justification
of the existence of something (silence) that does not exist. The
word why presupposes that something exists (the silence, or the
ability to remain silent), and that another ought to 'explain':
why can't you (whatever), or why isn't there (silence/whatever).
How can something that doesn't exist have a reason for it's NON-
existence? Fine and dandy that you should tell me to shut up or
that I ought to speak out, but for you to expect me to 'explain'
(the cause behind something that never happened) is to ask me a
real word 'why' in a phrase that has an equally real word 'not'.
Why not? I could be there like Ralph Kramden all day. I cannot.
Why not? Red flag. Instead of trying to answer/justify something
that doesn't-exist/never-happened, the comment (not a reply to a
faulty question) could either be an explanation of why there IS
a speaking out or why one SHOULD remain-silent/continue-to-speak

I think that a more logical or suitable title for a revised book
would be something like 'Why One Should/Must Speak Out', or else
'Why Remain Idle When There Is Work to be Done'. The WHY invites
an explanation of something or some activity/condition that IS,
not non-existent. Q.: Why didn't you? A.: What? Better that the
challenge be YOU OUGHT TO or YOU SHOULD be able to (an opinion).

Satan tries to screw up logic by using the word IF about things
that DON'T EXIST. When you then try to answer a question having
IF as a presupposition, you talk about something nonexistent. It
doesn't exist. Never did. Ain't gonna. And yet IF makes it real.
Re-read Genesis 3, Matthew 4, Luke 4. IF 3x. Unreal like Why Not