Review: Controversy shouldn’t keep Christians silent, Platt writes
Sometimes not speaking is really speaking. The powerful intimidation of the “political correctness” mindset has silenced Christianity into a mute acceptance of an immoral culture.
Bestselling author of “Radical” David Platt, former megachurch preacher and current president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, sees the effects of a flesh-driven civilization around the globe.
In Print | Guy Orbison Jr.
Bestselling author of “Radical” David Platt, former megachurch preacher and current president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, sees the effects of a flesh-driven civilization around the globe.
In “Counter Culture: A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture in a World of Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Abortion, Persecution, Orphans and Pornography 
,” he exposes the worst, most pervasive sins of the world. Platt contends that Christians do not hesitate to get involved in popular issues like poverty and slavery, yet “on controversial issues like homosexuality and abortion, where Christians are likely to be criticized for our involvement, we are content to sit down and stay quiet. It’s as if we’ve decided to pick and choose which social issues we’ll contest and which we’ll concede.”
,” he exposes the worst, most pervasive sins of the world. Platt contends that Christians do not hesitate to get involved in popular issues like poverty and slavery, yet “on controversial issues like homosexuality and abortion, where Christians are likely to be criticized for our involvement, we are content to sit down and stay quiet. It’s as if we’ve decided to pick and choose which social issues we’ll contest and which we’ll concede.” In Print | Guy Orbison Jr.
Although many among the Churches of Christ will not agree with Platt’s social-driven purpose for the church, individual brothers and sisters will come away from the book with a renewed courage to stand up for their faith in their daily lives.
To this end, each chapter ends with “First Steps To Counter Culture,” useful advice on how to pray, participate and proclaim.
Both the pulpit and the pew will find much useful information in this book. Platt’s statistics and assertions are documented in nine pages of endnotes. Within the text of the book, many Scripture references substantiate his claims.
Yet he acknowledges that the goal of this book “is not information about the Gospel and social issues; it is application of the Gospel to social issues.” The objective in taking a stand against Satan’s forces is the salvation of souls, he says. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the means by which the war must be waged and won.
Most readers will close this book with a renewed desire to be counted for Christ. It has the potential of energizing the apathetic and emboldening the fearful, to live out the countercultural Gospel of Christ.
Guy Orbison Jr. has more than 40 years of experience in preaching and writing. He has served as a pulpit minister for the Durango Church of Christ in Colorado for 26 years and teaches in the congregation’s preacher training program. He conducts up to 20 gospel meetings each year.
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