Letters to an American Christian by Bruce Riley Ashford The college campus is a confusing place. College girls coo and giggle over my little baby ("Aww, isn't she so precious!")...on their way to get information at the abortion rights table. One of my students listens as her professor speaks of the importance of religious freedom...while vocalizing his opinion that "no intelligent person could ever actually believe in Christianity." Students talk about the importance of tolerance and loving one another...then leave hurtful comments on social media towards others who don't share the same political views or life values. Yes, the college campus is a confusing place indeed. It's no wonder that every year, my students ask me questions about how to navigate this perplexing culture where they receive so many mixed messages. How should they interact with their classmate who is transgender when they've only experienced Christians ostracizing and avoiding those in the LGBTQ community? How should they respond when their professor criticizes their faith in Jesus Christ? How should they vote in an election where every candidate is characterized by mudslinging and negativity? And the list goes on... Immigration policies. Gun reform. Gender neutral bathrooms. The prevalence of racism. Am I making you uncomfortable yet? If not, how about these: Trump. Clinton. Kavanaugh. Black Lives Matter. #MeToo. In light of our cultural climate in America at present, how do we respond as Christians? How can we share that the restoration of our country and world lies not solely in laws and social reform, but in the hope of the Gospel and Jesus' return? When people feel empty and hopeless despite seeking an abortion or living a homosexual lifestyle, how do we point them to the One who gives true peace and hope to any willing to turn and surrender their life to Him? I am perfectly comfortable telling my students that these are hard questions and I don't know the perfect answer. Thankfully, Scripture does give us guidance in many of these challenging topics! So no matter the question or the controversy, I find such comfort in knowing that I love and serve a God who will restore this Earth and is making all things new! Letters to an American Christian provides a fantastic overview of a few of our culture's most controversial current events, and the relationship between Christianity and politics. Author Bruce Riley Ashford tactfully tackles the inseparable connection between religion and politics ("how is that possible?!" you may ask...well, you'll just have to read and find out), Biblical perspectives of hot topics such as freedom of religion and the legalization of gay marriage, and suggestions for how to practically apply the information he presents to our everyday lives. Written in a manner similar to C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, Ashford formats the book as if he is writing letters to a new believer navigating these hot issues during freshman year at a prestigious university. This made topics that normally leave me confused (economics, judicial rulings, and political jargon) easy to grasp and understand! I was truly amazed by the author's tone and demeanor throughout the entire book. Not once did I feel his writing become angsty or condescending (impressive considering the tenderness of the topics addressed), but instead his humor, respectfulness, and professionalism as a Christian and professor give him a credible platform to offer wisdom and speak into the reader's life. Not only does he confidently dive into these hot button issues, but with each chapter he points the reader back to Christ and the Gospel. He reminds us that we are sinful and live in a world of sinful people, and that the only true solution to these issues is Jesus: "...to doctors whose hands have been employed in abortive procedures, the Gospel introduces a Great Physician who offers eternal life, even for those who have cause temporal death." (83). "[People with gender dysphoria] are born with broken bodies, just like you and me...The answer lies not in ignoring suffering or succumbing to temptation but in offering up our broken bodies to God." (184). My rating? 5/5 I loved this book! Gospel-centered, easy to read, and incredibly practical, Letters to an American Christian helped me gain a better understanding of politics, encouraged me to think about hot issues I haven't given much thought to in the past, and gave great suggestions of how to respond to and converse about these topics in a Biblical, God-honoring way! *I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest, unbiased review! Links provided through Amazon Associates.* |
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