This is the third title in Australian journalist Greg Sheridan's trilogy about Christianity in the modern world (including the best-selling God is Good for You).
The first Christians had to deal with a cultural environment that was very negative to their new faith. These first Christians, however, were very effective in spreading the gospel. Greg Sheridan compares this first century negativity towards Christians with our current western world. Today, many voices despair of the lack of meaning and purpose in our lives.
Greg Sheridan highlights the resilience, purpose and success of the early Christians. They were persecuted and ridiculed, but with Jesus at the centre of their lives, they served the poor, looked after those discarded from communities because of plagues and redefined the equal value of all humans as an imperative.
The latter half of the book highlights the journeys of several significant people. Included is the story of Leila and Danny Abdallah, who endured great suffering with grace-filled forgiveness. Also, others are included who have had an input into the Christian narrative, including Jordan Peterson, former US Vice President Mike Pence, and Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen television series.
Greg Sheridan’s book covers a wide range of ideas and current examples, some of which may not suit everyone’s persuasion; however, the text cannot be ignored. He writes in an easy, journalistic style and is gifted in being able to analyse big cultural/religious topics with a genuine love of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. We can certainly learn a lot from the success of the early Christians.
Well worth a holiday read!
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Susan Harris - Susan is now retired from the education profession. She has enjoyed a productive and fulfilling working life in schools, while also enjoying a loving home life with husband Roger and, together, parenting 3 daughters. Susan is now Nanna to 8 grandchildren.
One of Susan’s loves has always been reading. Retirement has allowed more time, and she has joined a Book Club. She also volunteers at Engage Work Faith and is a member of Rotary. Reading allows her to experience worlds beyond her own. Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: “We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us.”
Image: Photo by Milica Dukić on Pexels
