Rating: 
Summary: Good Source for Christian Living
Review: Colson does a good job of conducting a rather exhaustive examination of various worldviews that run contrary to Christianity that have gained acceptance through the media, schools, and assorted literature. He then describes ways that Christians can lovingly project the Christian worldview in society in an effort to regain some footing in the marketplace of ideas.His major emphasis is on naturalism, which includes a significant portion of the book devoted to examining evolution. I felt that this examination of naturalism was very good and fairly exhaustive. Naturalism is a complex belief system with various facets emanating from a core belief that there is no God. Colson didn't intend for this book to be purely an academic study of naturalism, and that's not what the reader will find when reading the book. Colson's emphasis is on explaining this belief understandably in order to show how pervasive it has become in the everyday messages that are being sent by the culture in terms of how people should live and what their perspective should be. In this way, Colson does a very good job. I didn't totally agree with everything written in the last section where he describes how we as Christians should counteract naturalism and set the record straight. But I did agree with much of what he said here, and even though I didn't agree with certain things, the whole section was nonetheless well written and well thought out. I respect what Colson had to say here, even though I didn't totally agree with everything he said. I consider this to be a very good book and a "must have" for parents in particular who are concerned about the messages their children may be receiving in schools and on television and the internet. This book clearly demonstrates that the culture is not on the side of the Christian worldview at present, and that it is a mistake for Christians, especially Christian parents, to assume that the culture is merely neutral towards the Christian faith. In fact, much of the culture's "gospel" is actively hostile to Christian ideas and ideals and while regretable, we must be diligent to correct the undercutting of Christianity in our society and lovingly stand up to this particularly where our children are concerned. I think this book provides many solids tools and facts to give Christians a formidable strategy for combatting many of the ideas held sacred by many in the culture.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading on the New Christian Renaissance
Review: For over a century the secular world has stolen, distorted, and then discarded the culture that Christians spent 1500 years creating. Its time we return our lives to the Christian culture and turned our backs on the distorted worldview Satan has crafted in its place. For someone who grew up in a fundamentalist church this is a major, but welcome, break in my thinking. How shall we live? We shall live, in every aspect of life, in the way God has placed in nature. Families need to learn again how to function God's way, businesses need to learn again *truly* compassionate capitalism, medicine needs to learn again from God right and wrong instead of ethics and legalities, and the church needs to support more than the winning of souls but the reclaiming of Western culture as Christian intead of Western. Colson starts with the ways our views of creation and fall shape us and builds to a crescendo showing us how those ideas should cause us to build a culture that can restore the world as God would have it. Along with Richard Foster and Dallas Willard, Chuck Colson is one of the most important thinkers and writers in this newly emerging, but very necessary, Christian Renaissance
Rating: 
Summary: Modern Worldview at its best
Review: Colson does a good job in this work of breaking down complex worldview and theological issues to the common man. While many texts on these subjects leave readers scratching their heads, this book breaks it down for the average reader. While one could maybe do without the long winded stories in the beginning of each chapter and skip to the meat, this is still none the less a good book. Nancy Pearcy adds her expertise and that helps shore up some of the more complex issues. One caveat to this book, it is done from the perspective of a very modern thinker who can put just about anything into a formula. If that is your style, you will love this book. B Joseph Dworak
Rating:
Summary: Francis Schaffer Would Be Proud
Review: Chuck Colson scores a direct hit with this powerful addition to the evangelical Christian apologetic arsenal. A wake-up call for the Whole Church to take the Whole Gospel to the Whole World. With razor-sharp insight, 'carefrontational' style and vivid personal illustrations and true-life stories, this book comes alive with every chapter, both afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted. A pervasive undertone throughout the book seems to be echoes of Matt.25: "I was hungry, you gave me something to eat; thirsty, you gave me something to drink; naked, you clothed me; stranger, you invited me in; sick, you ministered to me; I was in prison, you visited me . . . Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." Christianity that does not make a measurable, day-to-day, redemptive impact on individuals in spiritual/physical need is not worthy of the name of Christ. For society to be reclaimed,restored, renewed, individuals must be; for that to happen, the church must be revived one pew, one pulpit at a time. The challenge goes out to all churches and their leaders and members and attenders: GET INVOLVED IN MERCY MINISTRY TODAY: MENTORING, ANGEL TREE, PRISON VISITATION, VOLUNTEERING. Making a difference for eternity is truly the only fulfilling pursuit of a Biblical Christian. Try it today and see how God blesses your faithful delivery of Jesus' grace to a hurting planet. Buy one book for yourself and one for your pastor and a friend!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Books Ever!!
Review: If you have any questions about various worldviews, this is the book for you. Don't be intimidated by its length--it is so full of interesting anecdotes that you won't be able to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading Twice
Review: It's simply astounding how good this book is. It's content-rich, intellectually satisfying, spiritually convicting, and culturally and politically relevant. It's the last book I asked my daughter to read before she left for college. It's all organized brilliantly and presented with intellectual dignity. Colson and Pearcy don't hold any punches spiritually, arguing that Christianity offers the best answers to all philosophical, scientific and ideological challenges -- we must simply resolve to articulate them to a lost society. In sum, a very engaging and profound work. I'll be going through it again with each of my other three children.
Rating:
Summary: Should Be Required Reading for Christians
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read; to be honest, five stars isn't enough! Colson convincingly demonstrates the importance of worldview and ideas,and how almost all of today's problems stem from incorrect worldviews and bad assumptions. Especially touching are the people who are real life examples of how faith can change our nation, one community, one person at a time. He shows that a healthy nation can only come about only when our basic assumptions about God and our purpose here on earth are correct. Buy it, and put it at the top of your bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome perspective
Review: This is a very non-preachy way of explaining why Christianity makes sense in light of so many other choices. This is a very clear and easy to read book that isn't dumbed down, so the intellectually studied and the casual reader will both find it time well spent. Simply put, this book explains how the most natural thing we can do is live a Christian way of life. Yeah God for Chuck Colson!
Rating:
Summary: Soli Deo Gloria
Review: This book had the same effect on me that lightning has on a tree. My mind has never been the same since. This book reminds Christians that Christianity goes beyond the walls of the Church into the secular arena. Its mandate is for Christians to engage secular culture with the demands of God. The outline of the book is simple: How did we get here (the debate on creation vs. evolution)? What is wrong with us (here they show the fallacy of any worldview that denies the sinfulness of man and builds a worldview on human goodness as opposed to biblical morality)? And finally, How do we fix it (Showing that redemption is found in Jesus Christ alone)? After addressing and answering these questions Colson this shows how we, as orthodox Christians, should live. The Chapter. "Soli Deo Gloria" I read on my knees in worship of such a God. This chapter has offended several reviewers, namely the reader from Oakbrook, IL. This reader claims that Colson's list of "classical offerings" has "lyrics or imagery" as bad as the (I won't use an adjective) rock bands. First, the reader provided no source; secondly, and I have personally checked the "classical offerings" that Chuck presents and very few, if any, have lyrics at all (so much for the reprehensible lyrics Colson is guilty of presenting. Honestly, how many classical music songs have lyrics?)! All of this notwithstanding, this is one of the finest books written this decade. It has permanently changed my thinking and possibly my future. Now that I have praised it I will now critique it. Colson, and I will keep my criticism low because he has heard this complaint many times, came very close to betraying orthodox Christianity when he and Neauhus devised the Evangelicals and Catholics Together Document. I rejoice that Catholics oppose the modern day holocaust known as abortion, and their deviant doctrine notwithstanding, they strive to maintain a biblical worldview. But surely Colson realizes that Rome conceded nothing in the document and he and the Evangelicals surrendered the high ground. Fortunately this document does not speak for mainstream Evangelicalism. Please understand, Colson is my second favorite author (after John Piper) and he is a modern day prophet and I will read everything he writes, but I felt obligated to show where he erred. All in all, this is the book to read for the counter-cultural Christian. Soli Deo Gloria!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent but Lacks Apologetic Tactics
Review: The book is a wonderful, comprehensive analysis of the prevailing naturalist worldview present in North America. From what I understand this view is even more pervasive in Europe. The repetition of Creation, Fall, and Redemption drives home the basis for which we should evaluate and view our culture. The book is extensive and thus, quite lengthy. Various real-life stories are included throughout that help the book from becoming too dry. The only thing missing are solid methods of shooting down the logical fallacies committed by those who hold such naturalist worldviews. This is understandable considering the weight of the book. There are numerous other resources available for such study. All in all, this book should be a must-read for real Christians and Non-Christians as well.
| 
