Review of "The Next Christians" by Gabe Lyons

In his most recent work, “The Next Christians: How a New Generation is Restoring the Faith,” Gabe Lyons shares what he calls “good news about the end of Christian America.” Over the last few years a number of books have emerged that look at the changing face and nature of Christianity both in the United States and around the world. Philip Jenkins, Phyllis Tickle and others have been exposing the shift taking place in the midst of Christianity. Lyons adds his experienced and wise voice to this growing chorus attempting to articulate the restless spirit of a new generation of Christ-followers.

Lyons begins his exploration by confessing his own embarrassment to be called a Christian because of the negative perception the label held for society. Out of this general framework Lyons begins to explore and articulate what is different about what he calls the ‘restorers’ of the faith. Through the book he makes it clear that there is much hope to be had for the future of Christianity and the church. Many of the descriptions of the ‘restorers’ centers around the creation of culture, community and the fulfillment of calling.

“The Next Christians” offers the church a glimpse of hope in the midst of a season of change. Lyons agrees with Phyllis Tickle that a shift is taking place within the faith and in this work he articulates why this shift can be a good thing and not something to fear. Lyons makes it clear that this shift is one towards restoration of the ‘first things’ of the faith. Pastors should especially take note of Lyons’ conclusions.



I received a free copy of this book in return for a review. I was not asked to give a positive review. Look at www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks for more information.

Review of "Seeds of Turmoil" by Bryant Wright

In his new book, Pastor Bryant Wright tackles the sticky subject of the turmoil and crisis in the Middle East. Titled “Seeds of Turmoil,” Pastor Wright explores the Biblical roots of the current state of affairs in the Middle East and specifically in Israel. His analysis begins by looking at the narrative of Abraham and his two sons Ishmael and Isaac. It is out of this basic narrative that Pastor Wright builds his argument that the root of Middle East turmoil has its roots in the the departure of Ishmael from God’s people. He moves from the Biblical narrative and links it with the unrest found between Jews and Muslims.

What Wright does right is offer a Biblical perspective on the historical and textual roots of the Middle East crisis. Instead of building just on sensational claims or fear, Wright works to show that there is a cause to the turmoil. He does this with a clear respect and honor for Scripture and its truth and with a good understanding of history.

The book does not, though, take into account a few vital issues when it comes to the turmoil in and around Israel. First, Wright does not seem to take into account the departure of God’s Spirit from his people during the exile to Babylon and the ‘grafting’ in of the Gentiles through Christ into God’s covenant people. These two basic issues can help shed some light on how we should look at the state of Israel today. If God’s people are no longer defined by ethnic or national boundaries then the question of the physical land in Israel is put in an entirely different light.

Second, Wright equates the survival of the modern state of Israel with the blessings of God through the book. While this may seem fine at first, it exposes some problems when it comes to the actions of Israel towards Palestinian Christians and its brutal techniques in settlement policies. This is not to say that the Palestinian side is free from culpability - far from it. Yet, the actions of Israel when it has come to Christian persecution and settlements has been less than Biblical. These are difficult issues and we cannot give a ‘free pass’ to the state of Israel when it comes to these vital issues. We must ask the question - ‘Who is our Brother in Israel?’ Would it be the Israeli Jew or the Palestinian Christian? These are questions I wish Wright would have explored.

In all, Pastor Bryant Wright offers an informative and important book that speaks directly towards the current turmoil in Israel and the Middle East. Pastors and lay-people alike will be interested in what Wright has to offer.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”