The World Has Changed: Our Message Must Not
Rebecca Manley Pippert
Book Review by Bec Giuliani
What is the book about?
The Author, Manley Pippert, talks about the recent collapse of absolute truth and the shift from objective authority to personal preference in western culture. She then contrasts this picture with the longing for identity, meaning, and purpose that God has placed in every human heart. She speaks about our need as followers of Jesus to recover our confidence in the gospel so that we truly believe the gospel is relevant to secular people today and that God and His gospel still have the power to change lives.
Her solution is not pre-rehearsed speeches or scripted conversations, but she instead focuses on our need to deepen our love for Jesus and discover him fresh, our need to allow the truth of the gospel to have its full effect in our lives – from this position we can then find effective ways to communicate the gospel. The book is broken into 3 sections.
The first section talks about the means of evangelism – the way in which God has chosen to use his people to share the good news of the gospel. She demonstrates how God is for us, how he goes before us, and how he intends to use us – even with our fear and sometimes flagging faith. She speaks about how we’re not meant to be able to evangelise in our own strength and in our own abilities, but that we need to be reliant and dependent upon God to give us the courage and the strength to evangelise.
The second section talks about the message of evangelism. In this section she goes through the gospel in a confident, compassionate, and compelling way. She addresses some of the common questions and objections we can expect from western secular worldviews and how we can engage with people well, showing them love and respect.
The final section talks about the method of evangelism. It talks about how we’re to proclaim the gospel through conversation, through questions, through interacting and engaging with people in a meaningful way, noting that regardless of their experiences or questions – we can be confident in our message and the way in which God uses the gospel to bring people into relationship with him.
What was enjoyable about reading this book?
I really enjoyed the use of personal stories from the Author's life. Manley Pippert shares the story of how she discovered Jesus along with the many, many conversations she has had with people around the world as an evangelist. At the end of each chapter there are a few questions for reflection or discussion, I found helpful as they prompted me to stop and think.
Who would like to read the book?
Anyone who wants to be confident in the way they love and engage with people to share the gospel.
Becky Giuliani has held a variety of roles with the Vocational Education and Training industry and is currently working for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). She enjoys thinking and talking about the way the teachings of Jesus inform and interact with our work, relationships, and culture. Becky also serves on the Board of Engage Work Faith.
Additional Summer Reading Guide Book Reviews
Metanoia: A memoir of a body, born again Anna McGahan. Book review by Simon Hill
Eleanor Oliphant is completely Fine, Gail Honeyman. Review by Susan Harris
The Zookeeper's Wife, Diane Ackerman. Review by Craig Broman
Ministry of a Messy House, Amanda Robbie. Review by Susan Harris
