Very much for an American audience, it bemoans the steady loss of influence of the Christian voice in the US. He feels they are just perceived as obnoxious and intolerant. He has lots of instructive stories from history and around the world to point to, and a very interesting final couple of chapters on what to do. Don't use power politics, rather be a pilgrim, an activist and an artists.
I think he fails to accept that there are aspects of the faith which are never going to be popular in society, in particular 'the offence of the cross'. ( )

Yancey writes:

“I’m convinced that human beings instinctively seek two things. We long for meaning, a sense that our life somehow matters to the world around us. And we long for community, a sense of being loved.”

Good reflection on the problem that Christians find themselves not seen as a bearers of grace, but condemnation and right-wing ideology. ( )

This was a somewhat heavy book at times - hence over a month to read it, in short chunks! - but quite thought-provoking too. The premise of the book is that evangelicals (in the US, anyway) are seen in a negative light, usually defined by what they are against. Yancey wants to reclaim the word, with its original idea of offering good news to the poor, the hungry and the thirsty.

Divided into four main sections, there's plenty that's positive in this book. I hope it will make many re-think their aims. The author suggests that those outside the church are likely to take note of three broad categories of believers who show grace: the pilgrims who walk aside them, the activists who do something about their problems, and the artists who explain through metaphors and stories.

Recommended, though the book would probably not be of much interest to anyone who is not a believer. ( )

3.25

In this book Yancey discussed the Christian view on life. But not in the typical evangelical manner. Yancey as with his other books does a great job of taking a step back from the pew and seeing more of the world. The main theme of this book is about how and why the world needs grace and what we can actually do about it. ( )

3.25

In this book Yancey discussed the Christian view on life. But not in the typical evangelical manner. Yancey as with his other books does a great job of taking a step back from the pew and seeing more of the world. The main theme of this book is about how and why the world needs grace and what we can actually do about it. ( )