Author: Sider, Ronald J.
Genre: Theology - General
Tags: Church, Modern Authors / Theological Issues
Series:
Rick Shrader‘s Review:
The sub-title is “Why are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World?” The title itself was enough to make me buy the book. The first chapter is packed full of interesting statistics that show that “Evangelical Christians” commit the same sins, to the same degree, as non-Christians. I was not as satisfied with the rest of the book. Sider’s answer to the worldliness of the church is 1) an emphasis on strong Lordship Salvation; 2) a preaching of a Social Gospel for “the whole man;” and 3) a recognition of a “dawning kingdom” view which sees the messianic kingdom as having already begun. These three propositions find their fulfillment in one’s “world view” as he applies it to the world outside the church. Additional dissatisfactions: Sider decries “personal salvation,” “soul-winning,” and the autonomy of the local church which was disappointing.