EBOOK
About
Western culture is increasingly polarized, and Christians often feel they are "under siege" by the dominant secular culture. Compounding the problem is that Christians cannot agree among themselves how to respond to a culture that is increasingly "post-Christian." The authors have observed five basic responses by Christians to this feeling of "exile": (1) assimilation and acceptance of the new cultural norms, (2) withdrawal from cultural engagement, (3) anger directed toward society (and toward other Christians who don't see the issues as they do), (4) fear, or (5) seeking power to "take back the culture."
Scripture calls us to a different way, speaking into the world with a new voice. Micah calls us to "seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly" with God, Jeremiah calls us to "seek the good of the city," and Jesus calls us to be salt and light while knowing that in this world we "will have trouble." In short, we are to engage the culture we live in as disciples of Jesus. But how practically is that done?
In this book, the authors look carefully at the lives of twelve biblical characters who also lived in "challenging times" for guidance in navigating our post-Christian world. Rejecting assimilation, withdrawal, anger, fear, and power-seeking, we are challenged today with the ancient words of Mordecai to Esther: "Who knows whether for just a time as this you have come to this position in your life?"
Scripture calls us to a different way, speaking into the world with a new voice. Micah calls us to "seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly" with God, Jeremiah calls us to "seek the good of the city," and Jesus calls us to be salt and light while knowing that in this world we "will have trouble." In short, we are to engage the culture we live in as disciples of Jesus. But how practically is that done?
In this book, the authors look carefully at the lives of twelve biblical characters who also lived in "challenging times" for guidance in navigating our post-Christian world. Rejecting assimilation, withdrawal, anger, fear, and power-seeking, we are challenged today with the ancient words of Mordecai to Esther: "Who knows whether for just a time as this you have come to this position in your life?"
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Reviews
"People of faith often find themselves immersed in a chaotic and uncertain culture. In that arena, it can prove overwhelming to navigate the seemingly gray areas where principle and conviction collide with life's messy realities. Erisman and Pope's Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World reminds us that we are not the first to encounter such conflict. Leaning on the experiences, triumphs, and failures of characters in biblical times, we can draw encouragement that we are not alone in that struggle. Indeed, we can learn to find a way forward-one of grace and mercy for ourselves and the world around us, even when the path appears dark."
Hon. Toby Barker, mayor, City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
"Erisman and Pope provide thoughtful retellings of biblical narratives, offer insightful reflections on how those narratives might inform our current polarized cultural context, and present contemporary and constructive examples from their own experiences. Particularly for Christians tempted to assimilate, withdraw, seek power, or react in anger or fear, this book offers a better way. Whether you agree with their particular conclusions or not, their approach to engaging in a spirited dialogue with Scripture and one another is a terrific example for all of us."
Uli Chi, senior fellow, De Pree Center for Leadership, author of The Wise Leader