Oliver Goldsmith wrote “Silence gives consent.” This is the thrust of this follow-up work to Claiborne’s Silence Can Be Sinful (2002). Are we speaking out against the evils in our society and promoting Christian views? If we are not, who do we think will? If one needs fortification to motivate them to speak out for Christianity, then the Introduction of this book should be read and meditated upon. If one needs fortification to equip himself to do so, then this volume is a must for reading.
Brother Claiborne is well known for his vast reading and research on a variety of social, religious, history and other pertinent issues. The fruits of his labors are manifested on each radio broadcast he makes on the International Gospel Hour. (There is also a web site, http://www.gospelhour.net/, that contain manuscripts and audio files from the program as well.)
This work addresses several challenges we face as a nation. Issues such as: macroevolution, eugenics, racism, illegal immigration, cohabitation, alcohol, abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, homosexuality, government corruption, media corruption, marriage, and the sanctity of life. This volume provides excellent material that is well worth the effort to read and share with others when we have opportunity to discuss these issues. My concern is that we are more apt to remain silent than speak out as we have opportunity. Think how much better our nation could be if people spoke out more for God. I have heard reports of a “silent majority” which was believed to be morally conservative. This is sad, not that they are conservative, but that they are silent. Hopefully that will change. This work will well equip one to speak more effectively.
One of my favorite chapters is “Pesky Bible Verses” where Claiborne quotes a religious advocate for homosexuality attacking scriptures forbidding their chosen lifestyle as “those pesky Bible verses”. Brother Claiborne uses the concept of “pesky Bible verses” against other areas of concern. For example, brother Claiborne writes concerning the Sermon on the Mount:
How do you suppose a liberal theologian reacts to these well-known words from Christ’s great sermon? “Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads to life, and few there are who find it (Mt. 7:13-14). These verses give bushels of trouble to liberal theologians like Robin Meyers. They are unquestionably ‘pesky Bible verses’ for all Universalists. (Page 75).
Another suggested use for this material--share with our young people. Parents want to shield their children from the harsh and evil realities of the world for as long as they can; however, there comes a time when they must be equipped to face the world. They need to be made aware of the issues they will encounter, how to respond to them, and how to fight efforts to move such evils into the mainstream in various ways including proposed laws. They need to have the resources to make effective arguments against the forces which would destroy our nation.
“Life is filled with swift transition…” goes the popular hymn and indeed it is. Life is filled with transitions, changes—joys and challenges; but also adversities, sickness, setbacks, uncertainties, temptations and trials. Sometimes we may seem plagued with various difficulties to the point we think we are overwhelmed, but often can look around and find someone we would not want to change places with. Even though we can find someone in worse shape than ourselves, the “misery loves company” policy is not always comforting. How can we get through this life, but live it to the fullest? The only life that is truly fulfilling is the Christian life, and the only book to show us the Christian life is God’s Book, the Bible. Brother Jason Jackson’s work, Stronger than Ever: Heavenly Advice for Earthly Life and the True Stories of Real People Who Overcame Adversity and Are Strong Because of the Power of Christ, is an important resource for those who both need to prepare for difficult times that will come (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:1f) or weather the storms that have risen in our lives. Do we really trust God and His word? Really trust? In whom do we place our trust? These are important questions we should reflect on seriously and re-examine our lives accordingly.
For example, Robert Plant wrote these lyrics in tribute to his wife: “If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.” It is a wonderful thought in regards to marital love (although not original with Robert Plant); however, marital love is far short in comparison to God’s love for us individually—both quantitatively and qualitatively. A Christian married couple is enveloped by God’s love for both of them—before, during and after their marriage and respective lives. The Psalmist wrote these words showing God’s love for us and how much we can depend and rely upon Him: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3, NKJV). Drawing from this Psalm, Jason Jackson writes:
How bad can things get in life? This psalm envisions the worst. How crucial it is that we teach our children, “No matter what happens to us in this life, we must never doubt God’s love for us. No matter what, always trust in God.” Look at the history of God’s reliability, this psalm implores. Even if he should permit suffering in our lives, it is a divine complement to his glory (cf. 2 Thess. 1:3-5). (Page 178).
This book offers straightforward teaching from the Scriptures and advice from the experiences of others on how to live a life in spite of setbacks and adversity. It discuses adversities created by our own sins but also adversities created by the sins of others or events that appear to have no explanation whatsoever. Jason Jackson makes the excellent point that God is always the solution, not the cause of the problem. Some tend to dismiss the fortification of one’s faith from the word of God (Rom. 10:17) and that is a grave error. We fail oftentimes because we do not believe, we do not believe oftentimes because we have not studied, we have not studied because….
Some fail to fully understand that a victorious life is not one that ends at the grave. There is a popular motto that states “Success is a Journey, Not a Destination.” While there is truth in that, the Christian life is both the journey and the destination. This book will provide sound counsel from the Scriptures on how to prepare ourselves and our children so we can be as Jeremiah described: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8-9, NKJV).
Posts
