This book is excellent in so many different ways. I think everyone will love the book. If you are a believer you will see it as a vindication of the principles of religion. Also you will see how God is here quietly working his will. We all are just blinded by the liberal press or the limits of our own experiences. If you aren't a believer you will enjoy this book because it defines Christianity as what it truly is. You will learn about the size of the church and all that it does.
It is amazing how the authors have crammed so many different things into this one book. It is almost like two separate books set up in one cover. What makes the book even more interesting is that the authors are not bible totting church goers. They are two secularists looking at the church specifically and religion in general. Most of the book does deal with the christian and catholic church but it does talk about he march of Islam too. This secular look at the church really adds new insight to the faith. They are respectful but also realistic in their descriptions. Their descriptions will make you think for sure.
Book one in a way defines the church. To many people religion or the church is something they hate in the east coast cocktail parties or the summation of an individual's experience last Sunday at the corner church. Both perspectives are very shallow. This book, or part one of the book will expand your mind in ways that will rock your world. The book shows that the Church or the Holy Spirit is on the march. The materialism or the new Gods of humanism or science aren't comforting man in these turbulent times. Man is looking elsewhere than at the Walmart or the BMW dealer.
It dives very deep in every crevice you can think of to look at what the church is. It talks about the new trend of "megachurches" and what they are. It discusses the use of Christian businesses to meet the needs of the flock. The book covers the role of Christian Politics that both impacted American government and impacted the whole world in one way or another. The book opens with a description of a house church in China. The book also takes the reader to churches in South America, Africa and the rest of Asia. A reader, believer or not will clearly see that the Holy Spirit of God is on the March. New people are flocking to the faith in every increasing numbers. The new colors too are Conservative colors. He sort of touches how liberal rules of anything goes is dying on the vine. The authors also show the same craving for something to hold on to is sparking growth in Islam in the Middle East and Europe.
The authors also have a very good part that outlines why religion is important. They touch on the importance of religion for democracy and the market palace. These aren't new arguments but the authors present them in new and fresh ways.
Book two or the second half of this book looks at how religion is impacting on the world. In a way their study looks at the stories in the news in a new light, neither secular or from theology. It examines the terrorist war as an explosion of rage against the American exporting of materialism. This spiritual rage pushes some to take drastic action. The authors argue quite convincingly that the problem on the war against terror is a moral problem and not a military problem. That will make you rethink the news for sure.
The author have a good examination of the rise of Islam in Europe through raising birth rates, growing Muslim congregations, and a declining Western Church and civilization due to political correctness and reduced birth rates. They point out that Europe is on track to be a Islamic culture by the end of the Century.
The authors have a very good idea about using the American way of dealing with multiple religions, competition. I as an American agree with them. However I am not sure that is a viable option over there where passions run wild and memories run long. However I hope their idea catches on.
All people should read this book. If you are a believer you will love it. If you are a cocktail circuit traveler you will be shocked but also love the book.
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Top reviews from other countries
Jill Hubbard
Refreshing and recommended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 3, 2014
Dr. Peter Davies
Surprising, and a strong dint in the Secularization hypothesis.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 12, 2011
