My atheist friend is having a crisis of faith. All his adult life, everything seemed so simple and straightforward. Faith was superstitious and violent; secular humanism was rational and moral. However, we now realize that this is not true and are appalled by what is replacing the Christian foundations of our culture. .
We are in a strange cultural moment in the West. More and more thinkers are coming to the conclusion that our culture is like a cut flower. The culture seemed to flourish for a time, but without Christianity, which grew and sustained it, it would eventually perish. A less benign vision of what it means to be human is gaining ground. Suddenly, big questions about faith and worldview are back on the table. It is a unique opportunity for the church.
Podcasters have noticed something is happening and are busy interviewing leading thinkers. Because books and courses take time to be written and published, so far there has been little direct public-level apologies for this cultural moment. Being Human is a new project by the British Evangelical Alliance that aims to do just that. This includes small group resources, videos and articles, as well as this book he co-authored with EA's UK Director and Head of Communications. That's also very good.
Citing thinkers such as historian Tom Holland and theologian Charles Taylor, the authors demystify ideas such as postmodernity, intersectionality, identity politics, authenticity, place, AI, and the human condition. are doing.
The book is organized into four sections: Meaning, Connection, Presence, and Participation. Each section explores competing cultural narratives and provides a holistic and embodied alternative vision of Christianity based on theological themes such as image of God and community. Each book begins with short, practical exercises for the reader, including breathing and prayer.
The authors sharply criticize faith that is reduced to individualistic soul-salvation. Peter Lynas is a trustee of Regent College in Vancouver, his lifelong graduate center for culturally engaged theology, and Regent's influence is evident on every page.
as a person This is a razor-sharp, nonpartisan Christian apologetics that speaks directly to our unique moment of cultural opportunity. Incredibly good.
The Reverend Mike Starkey is a London-based author and former Director of Church Growth for the Diocese of Manchester.
Being Human: A New Lens for Cultural Conversations
Joe Frost and Peter Linus
Hodder & Stoughton £14.99
(978-1-3998-1109-5)
Church Times Bookshop £13.49