A history of those men and women―English; European; and African―who transformed America from a geographical expression into a new nation. The study of American history has become so complex in recent years that readers now often face a choice between a broad survey simplified to the point of distortion and daunting array of specialized studies. The need remains for a lucid overview of the principal events of each period of the nation’s history; together with a balanced interpretation of their significance. Benjamin W. Labaree’s America’s Nation-Time provides such an overview and interpretation for the colonial period.
#121524 in Books WaterBrook Press 2012-03-13 2012-03-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .73 x 5.20l; .55 #File Name: 0385529856272 pages
Review
233 of 242 people found the following review helpful. Overly Optimistic About the Next Generation but Contains Excellent ObservationsBy Fr. Charles ErlandsonAs a Christian school teacher; priest; and professor of Religious Studies; I eagerly awaited my copy of `The Next Christians' and immediately set to devouring it. I was hoping for reasons to believe that the next generation of Christians in America will restore faith in God; or at least that; as promised; there is good news about the end of Christian America. However; both of these promised hopes were disappointed by Lyons' book.Let me begin with why I think the book has much value; in spite of my ultimate disappointment in it. Gabe Lyons has; in most cases; done a good job of diagnosing some of the problems with contemporary American Christianity. He's right to discern that Christians who are merely what he calls "Insiders;" "Culture Warriors;" "Evangelizers;" "Blenders;" and "Philanthropists" have not always been good representatives of Jesus Christ. Lyons has also correctly diagnosed the fact that the American culture has changed profoundly in recent decades and that many Christians have not adapted well to these changes.Lastly; he presents a lot of good tools for understanding different kinds of Christians (including the typology of 5 kinds of Christians above). Another excellent analysis he presents is the 7 channels of cultural influence employed by the gay movement very successfully. These 7 channels are: Media; Education; Arts and Entertainment; Business; Government; Social Sector; and Church. Unfortunately; Christians have not acted very much like light in these 7 spheres. Because Christians who want to "restore" the world; instead of blending with it or retreating from it; will often be tempted to become like it; Lyons wisely lists 5 practices that will discipline "Next Christians" in their quest to engage and restore the world:1. Immersed in Scripture (Instead of Entertainment)2. Observing the Sabbath (Instead of Being Productive)3. Fasting for Simplicity (Instead of Consuming)4. Choosing Embodiment (Instead of Being Divided)5. Postured by Prayer (Instead of Power)By correctly diagnosing many of the problems with American Christianity today and offering some general guidance to help Christians engage the world more meaningfully; "The Next Christians" will be a great help to many Christians.You knew there was a "But . . . " coming; and here it is.First of all; Lyons keeps referring to his research upon which he bases many of his claims - and yet he never provides much at all. It may reside in his other book; "UnChristian"; but it was the author's job to present it in the current volume as well.Second; Lyons makes it sound if "The Next Christians" are very different from their immediate ancestors. He believes that they are better prepared to be "Restorers" and not compromisers or judgers. However; he provides little evidence that this is true. In fact; the research shows that young Christians today have a very shallow faith that has been termed "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism" and bears little relationship to true Christianity. (See "Soul Searching" by Smith and Denton for the best and most up to date research on the spiritual state of American teens.) Where are all of these "Next Christians" he keeps talking about? He assumes that this generation is a generation of seekers of truth; but the truth is that this generation is no more or less seeking after truth than any other. If you read the Bible closely; or church history or the sociology of religion; then you will know that this generation is not as different or noble as Lyons makes them out to be. The fact is; calling oneself a "seeker" or "spiritual" doesn't mean you're truly seeking God or will accept Him when He comes to you. Lyons underestimates the sinfulness of this generation; and sin in general. Lyons blasts previous generations for being judgmental and hypocritical. Well; join the club: so has every generation of Christians; including the "Next Christians." He blasts the previous generation of Christians for being judged by the media and non-Christians to be judgmental and intolerant. But what does he think was the judgment of Christ; Paul; and the early church by the non-Christians and media of their day?Third; Lyons talks a lot about Christianity and "Next Christians" but relatively little about Jesus Christ and how we should make disciples of Jesus Christ. Where is his call for a radical dedication to Jesus Christ; not just to being open and tolerant and willing to engage the world? He doesn't adequately answer the "What" of how we are to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples of the nations. Yes; he does a good job of giving examples of how we can engage the world; but he falls short in getting at the root of the Christian life.Fourth; he rightly recognizes that authentic community is one of the desperate needs for this generation; but he only lists the Church as "one of the best places for this kind of community." In fact; the Church has always been THE place that genuinely embodies the community of love that originates in the relationship of the Father; the Son; and the Holy Spirit in the Holy Trinity and then becomes ours as we join the Body of Jesus Christ; the Church. This generation of Christians needs to gain a new and glorious vision for the Church; imperfect as she is; as the very Body of Christ and the means of His presence on earth. Lyons only plays into the current fashionable bashing of the Church.In summary; there is a lot of food for thought here and a lot of good diagnosis but also a lot of wrong assumptions and vague or imperfect prescriptions for how the Christians should live in the world.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Next ChristiansBy Joe DonaldsonIt is not be very often that I describe a book about the condition of Christianity in America as a 'page turner' but that's exactly what Gabe Lyons has produced with The Next Christians. This volume is a sequel of sorts to unchristian - the earlier work Lyons co-authored with David Kinnaman in 2007 (see review here). While unchristian clearly identified the current state of the church by examining the perceptions of the church by those on the outside; The Next Christians provides a prescription to restore a healthy and authentic Christianity. He identifies a new wave of NextChristians that he sees as restorers. These NextChristians possess six characteristics. They are: Provoked; not offended; Creators; not critics; Called; not employed; Grounded; not distracted; In community; not alone; and Countercultural; not "relevant".Lyons writes: "The next Christians often show up where you least expect; in every channel of culture and every sphere of social interaction. From college suites; concerts; and entrepreneurial start-ups to social networking destinations and work. These Christians will show up in their schools; participate in volunteer programs; support civic government; read medical research; be proponents for a just prison system; plant community gardens; be patrons of art festivals and local coffee shops. They will be the most enthusiastic about human rights campaigns; interreligious dialogue; and will be known on the streets of their neighborhoods. You'll begin to recognize the restorers in your own life and perhaps discover that this way of being Christian is what you've been longing for." (pp. 67-68)What follows are stories of people who are living out the six characteristics of NextChristians. You will find the examples of these people to be both challenging and compelling. I am encouraged that there is a new generation of Christians who are starting a new reformational wave that will redefine the church. My only regret is that I am not 20 years younger so that I could be in the middle of it all but that does not excuse me from being part of this wave of NextChristians. Lyons writes:"For you; the call is literally within your grasp. It's the place where you show up each day and the problems you encounter in the process. Possibly; for you its putting a dent in the never-ending cycle of poverty that destroys so many lives; neighborhoods; and nations. Or creatively addressing the malnutrition; poor health; and disease that's wrecking so many families. Or tutoring; mentoring; and fostering fatherless children. Perhaps the addiction to drugs; alcohol; career advancement; affluence; or pornography is what enslaves and torments your friends the most. Whatever it is that's broken; whatever you see wrong; remember - God's intention and method of restoration is to use you to bring his redeeming love to the world." (pp. 203-204)I have purchased copies of NextChristian for my father-in-law (read his review here tomorrow) and my daughter and son-in-law. I think this book is required reading for all generations of Christ-followers to read and consider their response.*I participate in the Books for Bloggers program of Waterbrook Multnomah publishers and was provided a copy of the book to review without a requirement for a positive review.*1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Lite-Brite and Salty!By Donald H. DoeblerDespite the play on words (and spelling) that's the kind of world we should be leaving behind as Christians; especially as next Christians... one that has been lit up and salted.I've always thought that if we could boil God's occupational responsibilities down to two requirements; they would be to 1) Redeem His creation and 2) Restore His creation. Seems He is always doing one or the other ... even if not always obvious at times.In "The Next Christians"; author Gabe Lyons makes note of the passage in Luke 4 where Jesus is quoting ancient texts that proclaim His annointing to proclaim good news to the poor; fredom for the prisoners; to set the oppressed free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Lyons says "In other words; Jesus is saying; 'Enough of what is; I see things in terms of how they ought to be; and I'm here to do something about it'. Conclusion? So are the next Christians.Next Christians are provoked to do something about changing their world; and not always with a religious slogan or identity posted somewhere. Next Christians serve for the common good; they join together in community to make a difference instead of isolating themselves. They don't work at jobs; they serve in vocations which they see as "occupational placement" for God's "greater mission." They are embarrassed by false representations of the Gospel and communicate "something authentic and true through their lives that gives pause to those who encounter them." They "create culture that promotes beauty" giving others a glimpse of the beauty of God.Basically; true Christianity means we choose to be part of the world we are in and become part of the solution to make the world what it ought to be through being the salt and light that Jesus spoke of.Lyons is great at giving many examples of people who have made very specific; sacrificial decisions to be part of this surge that is under way; but is careful to point out that first things must be first. Jesus Himself said to "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added." Lyons feels we must first and foremost relearn the Gospel story; "recovering the theme of restoration that runs throughout the whole of Scripture." The Gospel is: beautiful; redemptive; faithful; demanding; reconciling; all-powerful; restorative; atoning; grace-abounding; soul-quenching; spiritually fulfilling good news of God's love.We must first be restored before we can help to restore our friends; neighbors or community.This book will stir you; convict you; encourage you; challenge and inspire you. I dare you to read it. Just be careful though; because if you do; you may get a little too salty and make others around you a bit thirsty!
