Western Christianity enjoys a safe existence. We do not see churches burned and bombed simply because Christians meet in them like we do in other parts of the world. We do not see Christians imprisoned for simply possessing a Bible like we do in other parts of the world. We do not see outlandish laws passed to intimidate Christians like we do in other parts of the world. We do not see court proceedings deliberately punish Christians like we do in other parts of the world. Christians in Asia, Africa, and Europe deal with the above issues and many more every day for only one reason: they choose to believe in and worship Jesus Christ. In his new book, “The Global War on Christians; Dispatches from the Frontline of Anti-Christian Persecution”, senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and senior Vatican analyst for CNN John L. Allen, Jr writes of the challenges, atrocities, and persecution that the greater majority of Christians are facing in the world today.

Allen’s book is divided into three sections. In section one, Anti-Christian Persecution Around the World, Allen begins with an in-depth introduction that gives the book a firm footing. Allen takes a moment to define the word “persecution” ad introduces the various forms that it takes on. These forms include discrimination (societal, institutional, employment, legal), suppression of Christian missionary activity, suppression of conversion to Christianity, suppression of corporate worship, forced conversion from Christianity, violence against individuals, and community oppression. Allen them gives specific, heart-breaking, and eye-opening of Christians who have been persecuted throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, The Middle East, and Eastern Europe. He highlights individual countries within these regions of the world. Within each region, Allen profiles a single individual who suffered as a result of faith in Jesus Christ. In section two, Myths About the Global War on Christians, Allen gives the reader the common myths that surround the persecution of Christians. These myths include:

1. Christians are at risk only where they’re a majority.

2. No one saw it coming.

3. It’s all about Islam.

4. It’s only persecution if the motive is religious.

5. Anti-Christian persecution is political issue.

This is arguably the best section in the book. Dealing with each myth individually, Allen brings real-life experiences to bear on his arguments that these myths have been hindering proper communication of just how prevalent this persecution is. For each myth, Allen explains why each myth is “toxic”. In section three, Fallout, Consequences, and Response, Allen introduces what could be called the “domino effect” of persecution in the societal and political arenas. He also deals with the consequences anti-Christian persecution. Because Christians are being persecuted, there are real and measurable side-effects. So that the reader does not believe that nothing can be done in this war, Allen concludes by giving areas if involvement which includes prayer, thinking globally about the church, institutional humanitarian relief, and several others.

“The Global War on Christians” is a timely, well-researched, and concise work. Allen’s telling of the stories of fellow Christians enduring torture and hatred for their faith is encouraging, but also sobering. Because of his association and travels with news media outlets, Allen has been able to witness this war first hand. Allen’s book is not just another “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”. Although Allen recounts the lives of these martyrs, it is also a call to action to become more aware of the assault upon Christians today. Saddening. Inspirational. Convicting. I would highly recommend this book to all Christians who want to better understand the struggles and challenges that other Christ-followers have to endure in all of the not-so-safe places in the world.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Public speaking. The very mention strikes fear into the hearts of millions. To be asked to stand in front of a group of strangers and speak to them for any period of time could be classified as worst-case scenario for many. As a pastor, public speaking is my life. I regularly stand before groups of people of all sizes and deliver a prepared sermon. As a result, my public speaking class in college was waived due to “life experience” (thankfully). The fear of public speaking is often made up of smaller uncertainties and concerns. Questions such as “Will they like me?” “Do I know enough to be speaking on this subject?” and “How do I manage my time?” fuel the fear. Author, conference speaker, and founder of Dynamic Communications International Ken Davis has written a new book entitled, “Secrets of Dynamic Communication”. In his book, Davis reveals his tried-and-true methods for becoming a better public speaker.

Davis’ book is split into three parts; The Preparation: The SCORRE Process, The Presentation: The SCORRE Delivery, and The Application: The SCORRE Advantage. These three sections also provide the framework of an effective speech, sermon, or talk. In section one; Davis introduces the reader to the SCORRE acronym. SCORRE, as Davis refers to it is “acronym that describes the basic process for developing any talk.” Davis begins with the Subject of the talk and then moves down the narrowing path to the Central Theme. Next is the Objective which is simply a sentence that forces the speaker to clearly state what the talk will be about. From there, Davis begins to build strong foundation with the Rationale. This is the logical content of the talk that should “lead the listener to your objective.” Resources are the stories, illustrations, and data that bring life to the talk. Finally, Evaluation is the ongoing process of self-examination. Chapters two through five provide further in-depth detail on each SCORRE element.

In section two, Davis deals with the delivery of the talk, message, or sermon. It is here that he reveals the importance of involving the audience, body language (voice, appearance, eye contact), and setting up an environment conducive to better communication (lighting, sound, etc.). In section three, Davis deals with application. It is here that he deals with matters such as time management and humor. Davis concludes with the characteristics of an effective communicator. He uses Aristotle’s thought that “every communicator must have the qualities of logos, ethos, and pathos.” Logos is associated with logical order and reasoning. Ethos refers to moral character and passion. Finally, pathos refers to the ability of a communicator to get in touch with the audience’s feelings and emotions.

“Secrets of Dynamic Communications” is a good book. It is easy to read yet still requires serious thought. I really enjoyed the style and flow of the book. The charts, outlines, ad samples were especially helpful. This is a book that I will greatly benefit from as a pastor. If you have a fear of public speaking, and that is a part of your profession, I highly recommend this book to you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

America Christianity is relatively safe. We worship in comfortable buildings with people who believe as we do. Our churches operate within more than adequate budgets with tried and true programs for every age of person. We are free to share our faith publicly. We are free to distribute and read God’s Word without reprise. Wrapped up in all of this institutionalized safety is the individual Christian taking fewer and fewer risks for, and in advance of their faith. We choose safety over danger, average over extreme, comfort over chaos, and the known over the risky.

I recently finished Caleb Bislow’s new book “Dangerous; Engaging the People and Places No One Else Will”. Bislow is a former youth pastor who left behind his job with the church, which he considered to safe, to pursue a call to go to places no one else has. Bislow is now part of Kingdom Building Ministries where he oversees a program called Stranded. This program is a missionary training program for Christians who want to be, as Bislow says, “radical”. This training is meant to be a week-long simulation of ministering to the lesser-known and less-safe places in the world; all from a pasture in Nebraska.

The book chronicles Bislow’s personal journey(s). It is the story of his personal journey from safe and comfortable to the “dark, despised, and dangerous” people and places of the world. Bislow recalls how the vision of an African boy standing in front of an airplane holding a staff served as the genesis of his calling to, and burden for, the people of Africa. A significant portion of the book (sections one and two) covers the events of Bislow eventually preaching to the Maasai people of Africa; quitting his job, fundraising, securing travel and guides, and the difficult journey the Maasai. Section Three, treacherous Territory, is the best of the book. Here, he draws attention to the people around the world who are rarely helped and most often forgotten. There people are the Unreached, Uncontacted, Restricted, Hunted, Convicted, Infected, Marginalized, Discriminated Against, and the Enslaved. Bislow shares his trips to these people groups (lepers, gypsies, prisoners, refuges, and prostitutes). I appreciated this section greatly as it highlighted many of the desperate people whom the civilized world has forgotten. In sections four and five, Bislow demonstrates the ways in which these people can be reached and calls for more Christians to leave what is safe and live dangerously.

As much as I would not like to, I can’t help but describe “Dangerous” as oversimplified, unbalanced, prideful, self-glorifying, and corny. As Bislow travels the world and reaches out to these isolated people groups, he rarely mentions the difficulty of the travel. I have traveled overseas on mission trips and nothing goes as smoothly as the author describes it. It seems to me that from his writing all went well all the time. He doesn’t mention the negative responses to the gospel invitation from those he spoke with. This leaves the book unbalanced. In my opinion, this book feels like a “been there, done that” type of work from the author. I would like to have read more about the challenges he faced on the ground and how they were overcome. Instead, the reader is given simply get on a plane to Africa with what one chapter calls a “backpack, burden, and a Bible”. I’m afraid that Bislow’s thrill-seeking expeditions do not recognize the missional framework that is necessary to sustain long-term disciple-making processes among these people groups.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As a pastor, I enjoy reading behind authors who write on topics such as faith, religion, Christianity, the church, and missions. I also enjoy reading behind those authors who delve into the deeper areas such as; the reluctance of the Christian to share their faith with others, the widespread persecution against the church, the decline of the church in America, and the seemingly growing trend of Christians divorcing themselves from the church. It was for the reasons above that I was intrigued by Eric Shuster’s new book, “Where Are the Christians? The Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion”. Shuster is the director of the Foundation for Biblical Studies and regularly studies the faith of Christians today. Shuster sets out to solve the mystery as to where the Christians are today.

Shuster divides his book into four sections. In Section One, Who Are The Christians? A History, Shuster looks at the rise of the Christian faith through four time periods beginning with Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. In Section Two, What Is a Christian? A Definition, an attempt is made to generate a concise and exact definition for a Christian. In Section Three, Where Are The Christians? A Categorization, Shuster offers a his perspective as to the location of Christians today. He says they are leaving, hiding, vacillating, and endeavoring. In Section Four, How is Christianity to Unite? A Vision, he recommends four areas that can be strengthened to bring the Christian faith together (individual, family, church, and community).

I did not like this book at all. Section one was by far the best one. His summary of the Christian faith and the growth of the church through evangelism, corruption, and conflict were very well written and insightful. However, Shuster could have stopped after the first section and he would have had a much better book. Shuster’s attempt to define “Christian” is confusing, convoluted, and all-encompassing. As a result, there is no clear definition for the subject of his book. In sections three and four, Shuster inclusion of  graphs, lists, surveys, and charts serve no other purpose than to further muddy the waters. The number one issue I have with “Where Are the Christians?” is the erroneous theology. For example, Shuster writes, “How important is baptism? Jesus told Nicodemus, ‘verily I say unto you thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) The phrase ‘kingdom of God’ is interpreted in various ways with a common interpretation being ‘the Lord’s Church’. Using this interpretation, baptism is therefore not only a saving ordinance taught by Jesus Christ, but it is also a means of entering into a covenant as a member of the Lord’s Church”. It is my prayer that an individual who is seeking the Lord and has questions about personal salvation does not pick up this book. I cannot in good faith recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cedar Fort Publishing and Media as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”