Mohler is perceptive, analytical, and wise in his treatment of so many different topics covered in this book. His work is unique in a handful of ways. For instance, there are 25 chapters, making each about 6-8 pages in length. The coverage is quick but sharp and insightful. Another unique aspect is the presentation; Mohler frequently engages with a line of thinking, recent headline in the news, or literary work on the culture and then weaves in his own biblical evaluation. It is less of an advancement of his own ideas and more of an application of wise biblical truth to contemporary issues of the day. Anyone familiar with the daily news briefing Mohler delivers each morning will find this material very similar, just in written form.

In an increasingly divisive, immoral, and relativistic world, Mohler is skillful in equipping Christians with compelling, faithful, and biblical responses to current challenges. While no reader will become an expert from one read over any of the areas Mohler addresses, there are many helpful truths to glean here. Entire books have been written on each individual topic and for those who don't pursue the philosopher's life in the study for extended hours each day, Mohler's work is a fine sketch on a multitude of prevalent issues. I presume that for many, this will be a launching point into deeper conversations sparked by these topics. My only critique comes from the book's occasional brevity. A few of the chapters are almost so short they could be left out. The reader can barely become oriented to the landscape and argumentation put forth before the next chapter rolls around.

In the preface, Mohler references Jesus' summation of the law, to love God and love neighbor. He states that the Christian life can summarized by the two great commands to love God heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:36-40). These two great commandments provide the grounds for his thesis and purpose in the book. "We must first understand our culture and its challenges because we are to be faithful witnesses to the gospel. We are called to faithfulness, and faithfulness requires that we be ready to think as Christians when confronted with the crucial issues of the day. This is all rooted in our love of God. But Jesus also commanded love of neighbor, and Christians must be driven by love of neighbor as we confront the issues of our day" (xvii-xviii). Yes, and not only does Mohler seek to help believers be ready, but he realizes the finality of this world, its forms, and ideas. "In the end, the culture and its challenges will pass away. But our Lord has left us here for a reason-as His people, we are to be salt and light in a dying world" (xviii).

While the entire book was solid, a few chapters were of particular interest. Chapter 5 introduces the culture of offendedness which, in my opinion, is a culture that has only grown since Mohler wrote back in 2011. While to be offended formerly carried a very serious weight to it as it indicated causing someone to fall, fail, be brought down, or crushed. And Jesus spoke a very serious warning to those who offended the little ones (Matt. 5:29). However, today, "all that is required is often the vaguest notion of emotional distaste at what another has said, done, proposed, or presented. That shift in the meaning of the word and in its culture usage is subtle but extremely significant" (31). Mohler sums it up with a great point, namely that Christians, "given our mandate to share the gospel and to speak openly and publicly about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, Christians must understand a particular responsibility to protect free speech and to resist this culture of offendedness that threatens to shut down all public discourse" (33). One can't help but think how society is already being encouraged toward oversensitivity.

Additional high points included his chapters on terrorism, natural disaster, public schooling, and the coddled, soft generation of young people.

Terrorism reminds us that we live in a dangerous world and moral relativism is stripped of its disguise in the face of unavoidable evil (ch. 7). "A naive non-judgmentalism often masquerades as moral humility. But a refusal to make moral judgments is not humility. It is insanity." (49). Mohler goes on to cite how the university culture has wholeheartedly embraced this as a comprehensive worldview.

In his chapter on public schools, Mohler alludes to the checkered historical background of the public school which pales in comparison to the controversies they are facing today. On the positive side, public schools have brought hundreds of millions of American children into a democracy of common citizenship, but this vision has been largely "displaced by an ideologically driven attempt to force a radically secular worldview" (60). Mohler ultimately arrives at the conclusion that it is time for Christians to begin formulating an exit strategy. As new headlines and wave after wave of novel educational initiatives aimed at teaching the next generation a new moral ethic come on to the scene, Christian parents will have to make a decision. As it is their responsibility to disciple, train, educate their children, who will be up to the task? The public school would love to stake their claim.

Chapters 10-11 were also enjoyable as Mohler interacts with a growing trend of the coddling of young people. More often than being split on political values, America is more often split on two competing visions of America: hard or soft. These two views are pitted in terms of coddling vs. competition, therapy vs. truth, and self-esteem vs. pride in genuine achievement. Unfortunately, soft America has left "most young Americans unprepared for the real demands of adulthood" (81). ( )

Dr. Al Mohler recently re-released a series of essays – revised and expanded – that speak directly to the issue of Christian response and involvement in culture. Culture Shift seeks to speak to a wide swath of cultural issues – from education and natural disasters to technology and the establishment clause – with Dr. Mohler’s characteristic wit, wisdom, and biblical foundation. Leaving no stone unturned, he addresses the issues that many are too engrossed with to even notice. In the preface he writes:

Aristotle once described our challenge as the problem of a fish in water. Knowing nothing but life in the water, the fish never even realizes it is wet. This describes the situation of many Christians in America – they do not even know that they are wet (xv).

We live and move in amazing days of fascinating technological and medical advances, and the ever-present task of the Christian is to be able to present a well-thought-out, studied and Scripturally-grounded response. Dr Mohler’s book provides an incredible starting point, yet must be relegated to that usage.

A legitimate response to this book is not merely to be culturally informed, but is to begin a new quest to pore over the Scriptures, to commit them to memory, to be so utterly drenched in God’s Word as to be as capable to speak to cultural issues as Dr. Mohler.

If we were to do these things, what sort of culture shift might we see?

A helpful analysis of today's culture written by a key evangelical leader. Mohler should be listened to, and this book should be read by Christians and non-Christians alike to get a view of where our culture is headed. It will be worth publishing this book in further, updated editions as the culture continues to change. ( )

This is an excellent collection of essays from Al Mohler. With his incisive wit and intellect, he cuts to the heart of many of the issues battling it out for the conscience of America today. Expect to be challenged by what he says, no matter which side of the issue you come from.

Highly recommended for those concerned with the shape of the future of our country and, indeed, the world. ( )

With his characteristically sharp intellect, Al Mohler addresses some of the most pressing cultural issues of our day. He argues that it is the Christian's responsibility, both to God and to their fellow man, to actively engage these issues head on before they lead to a further decay in American cultural norms. He answers the questions of how to respond to abortion, natural disasters, the "new atheism," and the current trend in public education. This is an important book for anyone wanting to tackle these and other issues effectively. ( )