For the record, I obtained this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.When I studied James and took a long hard look at the passages on controlling the tongue, I couldn’t help realizing that the way Christians interact with each other in person and on-line often falls short of the high standard presented by James. It was very convicting, especially in the context of social media. While I have had some very productive and mutually agreeable interactions and discussions, I have also had some moment For the record, I obtained this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.When I studied James and took a long hard look at the passages on controlling the tongue, I couldn’t help realizing that the way Christians interact with each other in person and on-line often falls short of the high standard presented by James. It was very convicting, especially in the context of social media. While I have had some very productive and mutually agreeable interactions and discussions, I have also had some moments when I let my anger get the best of me, usually in the context of politics. So, I have since kept my eye out for books that might offer suggestions on managing the tongue (and the typing fingers) and was thrilled to get a copy of this book. While I have some criticisms of its content and don’t necessarily agree with everything the author suggests, I have found the book to be insightful and profitable for Christian growth.As should be obvious from the title, the target audience is Christians, especially those in the United States. The author has rightly noted that we Christians have become frustrated with our waning influence over our culture and political system, a frustration that often manifests itself in outrage, ranting over issues increasingly beyond our control that affect our lives. I remember being amused at the people who assembled on the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s election to the presidency to scream at the sky. In recent years I have seen plenty of screaming on my social media feed over from Christian conservatives like myself, Christians who should be able to constructively air their disagreements without doing so in an unchristian manner. So, I think the author has a legitimate criticism.The author also notes that Christians often look to political power to protect them, and I am inclined to agree with him. For example, consider the 2016 presidential campaign, which pitted Donald Trump, a very ungodly man known for unchristian conduct who reached out to Christians, against Hillary Clinton, an ungodly woman whose platform would likely continue President Obama’s policies that empowered those who were trying to force Christians to choose between their livelihoods and practicing their professions consistent with their Christian beliefs. Given that a conservative Supreme Court justice had just died, and Donald Trump had promised to replace him with a conservative, many Christians held their noses and supported him, contributing to his victory, and he has pursued policies favorable to Christians. Although I didn’t want Clinton to become president, I chose not to vote for Trump on account of his character, but am completely sympathetic to those who chose to do so. They didn’t want a Clinton presidency, and the only way to avoid it was to vote for Trump. The principle of sowing and reaping has never changed. That said, there is a difference between supporting a certain political candidate or party because you think it will do the most good and putting your hope in them to save you. When Donald Trump was elected president, I saw it as nothing more than a temporary reprieve from political changes that are increasingly adverse to Christians, an opportunity to build up my faith and that of others for the hard testing that is sure to follow. So, I agree with the author. Don’t put your faith in politicians or political power. Such is more likely than not a broken reed that will wound the hand that leans on it.Although I found much to agree with and benefit from in this book (and there is a lot more content than I have discussed above), I did find something to criticize. All his criticism seems pointed at the Christian right. As noted above, the conduct of the Christian right too often less than praiseworthy and unworthy of its Lord and Savior. However, my social media feed includes members of the Christian left, as well, and I haven’t been impressed with their conduct either. Furthermore, I have seen on-line opinion pieces characterizing as idolatry such things as supporting Trump or standing when the national anthem is being played. Not too long ago, a Christian coworker was talking about Trump supporters with such a condescending tone that I actually envisioned him as a Pharisee in the temple thanking God that he wasn’t like one of these Trump supporters (see Lk. 18:9-14). Whenever I see such things, I can’t help but notice that whatever stands their political opponents are taking seem to be idolatrous, and whatever stands they are taking are always the epitome of righteousness. How convenient! Although this may simply reflect my cynicism, I envision Christian leftists reading this book and its strong criticism of the Christian right only to conclude that they are the guests of honor at the I’m-ok-you’re-not-ok corral. They need to recalibrate their values to Christ just as much as the Christian right does.Aside from the above criticism, I enjoyed the book and hope to be a better Christian influence on account of its suggestions.
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