How Now Shall We Live?

Rating:
Summary: Too vague on the necessity of a young earth
Review: I am writing this to share what I have found about Chuck Colson's belief on the age of the earth. As previous posters have indicated, he does not take a stand on the age of the earth in this book. He walks right up to the door of God's Creation, but refuses to step through. In my mind, that loses some credibility of this writing. As a conservative born again christian who has heard great things about this book, and actually is using this book in our small group, I was concerned.

Chuck Colson writes in another writing "The Age of the Earth", "Of Course, the age of the earth is not as important for creation as it is for evolution. The important thing is that God created the world, not when He created it. Christians can be open-minded about the question of age, and follow the evidence wherever it leads".

I am submitted in clear conscience that when he created it, is VERY IMPORTANT.

The reason is the concrete linkage between the perfect creation that God created in 7 literal days and the current falled world we live in with death, struggle and suffering. If the WHEN does not matter, then death, struggle and suffering can pre-exist Adam's fall. When sin entered the world, death, struggle and suffering entered the world. This is a BIG matter to this christian.

When you leave a literal interpretation of the Bible - errors in logic naturally occur. The result is non persuasive arguments which harden hearts rather than win souls.

I was disturbed by some of the other phrases in the book, but this confirms my feelings of doubt. While others are free to read the book, I cannot fully back it.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: This book will be a classic. It is uplifting and refreshing It discusses, with many true examples, the difference that faith in God can make in an otherwise gritty and uncertain world. Since reading this book, I have purchased copies for each of my children (now I only have to get them to read it!)

Rating:
Summary: Keep On Hand For Future Reference
Review: This book is divided into three major parts, the first part being the most powerful, in my opinion. Mr. Colson does an excellent job as he thoroughly explains evolutionism and creationism, why the theories exist, and why creationism is the only theory that is actually truth. Colson includes and excellent story about a father and his troubled daughter whom he raised in a Christian family and seems to be losing her faith in the church. Very convincingly, this story is used to show how a child being raised in today's society can live in a Christian family but be totally turned off to Christian values just because of public education's belief system mixed with a plethora of outside negative societal influences. I would recommend keeping this book for future reference just for part one alone! If you ever need to defend Christianity, this is an excellent source. Virtually all subjects are talked about such as crime, sex, drugs, music, and art. Though the book is long, it is very intelligent and worth your time. I wish that I could convince many others whom I know to read this!

Rating:
Summary: Mandatory reading for Intelligent Americans
Review: If you only read one book this year, let it be this one! Charles Colson gives you the 10,000 foot level view of our culture and traces the problems in our society, back to their philisophical origins. From Frued to Stalin to Einstien, the autheor shows how we have been shaped and corrupted by 100 years of ideas and new philosophies, that haven't even worked for the those who created the teachings.

Our attitudes about Science, Sex, Liberalism etc., can all be traced to specific people who often fell pray to their own theories.

This book will open your eyes and help you see more clearly the forces at work in our society and how they ultimately lead us to our own destruction. Colson also gives us a glimpse of hope for the future that starts with knowledge and a real understanding of the importance of God in our survival on this planet...it's worth a second read.

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Summary: God don't want no dumb Christians
Review: Obviously I am being a little facetious with my title, but this is Colson's point in what a previous reviewer called a "heavy" book. I grew up with Francis Schaeffer's "How Shall We Then Live?" so I compare Colson's to that classic.

Colson doesn't deviate much from what Schaeffer was warning in the 1970s -- what started out as a Christian worldview thousands of years ago is slowly being eroded away by situational ethics, naturalism, political correctness, multiculturalism, whatever you want to call it.What is sad, as Colson points out, is that in the 30 years since Schaeffer did his analysis things haven't gotten any better.

Some reviews say Colson is pushing his Christian worldview or bias. I agree -- Truth is biased. There is no gray area with the Truth. As Christians, we are to have all areas of our lives transformed into God's image. All means all -- music, entertainment, literature, education, finances, our personal lives, work, etc. A non-Christian, and I would warrant that even a not-very-dedicated believer, would have a hard time swallowing Colson's viewpoints. To the unbeleiver wisdom is as foolishness.

But this is exactly Colson's point -- and the point that the Bible makes. The world is on a fast track to hell and time is running out. Things are only going to get worse, especially when people harden their hearts to the Truth and continue to be bamboozled by what the secular worldview has to offer -- compromise, deceit, misplaced and nonexistent values.

I don't expect complete agreement with my analysis or Colson's, and maybe it is the height of arrogance to say that what we believe is the only truth. But whether we or you believe it or not does not make God's Word Truth -- His Truth (the only Truth) stands by itself awaiting our answer to the question "How Now Shall We Live?"

Rating:
Summary: Christian Philosopy and How To Live It Out
Review: This is a "heavy" book by Charles Colson. It delves into the various world views that people in our country currently believe. Colson argues (very well) that the Christian world view makes the most sense.

But he goes on to show how real people are living out that view of the world. If what Christians believe is true, then how should we live? Colson shows real people who have lived out there faith. Reading this book has changed the way I live. I recommend it whole heartedly.

Rating:
Summary: Helps us understand Christianity
Review: This book surprised me.

Chuck Colson's maco-outline has three main headings: Creation, Fall, and Redemption. Several years ago, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a talk where he said that the three pillars of eternity were the Creation, the Fall and the Atonement.

This thought-grid is important because these three issues strike at the heart of Christianity. Atheists and every other brand of theist need to understand the Christian outlook on these three things because like the Godhead, these three are the one central doctrine of Christian. If you understand these three, then you have a good handle on Christianity.

For example, out understanding of the Creation and the Fall of Adam gives the reason why we need Christ as a redeemer. And since we believe that Christ is our redeemer, then there is a certain way we need to live.

This book is a missionary book-it shows non-Christians what Christians believe; and helps Christians know what they should believe.

Mr. Colson's style is frictionless. His words are invisible. There is no gap between his ideas and our understanding. Oh, what I wouldn't give to write like that!

Rating:
Summary: Living God's Way
Review: Charles Colson is truly and extraordinarily gifted author who has captured the essence of God and his plan for our lives. His intellect speaks loudly throughout this book. He, unlike many other Christian authors, has tasted political success and has been in very powerful positions during his lifetime. He has chosen a different life as a God-follower. In his book he very deliberately describes the error of our ways with historical accounts and world-wide political failures that accurately show how a humanistic viewpoint has failed to produce utopia like many once thought. He truly defined the term "world-view" and helped me understand how my view of God determines my thought patterns and ultimately my destiny in life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding "the fall of mankind" and the "Savior" who saves.

Rating:
Summary: Well researched and thoughtful
Review: Colson & Pearcey have written a very solid book. It provides answers to questions that Christians get challenged with every day. If you've ever questioned parts of Christian philosophy, or been asked hard questions, or simply want to see others' perspectives on what got us to where we are today (as a society) and what needs to be the focus going forward....then buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great read, mildly flawed...
Review: Very intelligently written, this book is an excellent outline of the "Christian Worldview" for those who are interested in sharpening their own thinking on it. His ammo for debunking the current state of "naturalistic" and "post-modern" thinking is good, but I think Chuck is stepping out of his area of expertise when he critiques modern culture, especially music. So a couple of the last few chapters drag the book down a bit. But it was otherwise an excellent read, and I highly recommend it to people who struggle with what it means to be an intellectual Christian in this modern age.