Fair-Minded Christian Responses to Current Social Issues

In the book Culture Shift: The Battle for the Moral Heart of America, R. Albert Mohler discusses a number of issues facing our nation today. Those issues include public policy (Can Christians enter the debate on public policy?), the "right" not to be offended (Can free speech be denied because someone is offended by it?), terrorism (Have Americans learned anything from terrorism?), public schools (Should Christians have an exit strategy?), abortion (Why are liberals debating whether abortion is good or bad?), natural disasters (How do Christians explain and respond to disasters?), Islam (What challenges does Islam present to our political system and our faith?), the American family (What shape should the American family take?), and reproductive technology (What problems does reproductive technology create?).

One of the things I like about how Mohler deals with these and other issues is that he attempts to understand and represent fairly those whose views differ from his. Furthermore, he does not over-simplify the issues. When there are difficulties, he recognizes them. Finally, he presents his own Christian viewpoint without apology but in a manner that is not intentionally offensive.

As an example of Mohler's method, consider the chapter entitled "God and the Tsunami" about the great natural disaster which struck Indonesia and many surrounding countries in 2004. First, he describes the disaster and the human suffering it caused. Then he asks the question raised by secularists about how religious people can explain the disaster and suffering. Their conclusion is that while a wholly natural explanation is not satisfying, it is at least more coherent than belief in an all-powerful and good God who uses neither his power nor his goodness to prevent such a tragedy. Then Mr. Mohler notes two widely circulated Christian responses that were inadequate for one reason for another. He observes that the tragedy is difficult to explain, but that Christians best not try to explain what Scripture does not fully explain, but demonstrate God's love, weeping with those who weep, offering real assistance to those in need, and bearing witness to Jesus who brings life from death.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the chapters on Christians and public policy. I would have liked more discussion of some issues, so I rate it at four instead of five. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.