84. We Will Not Be Silenced

We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously To Our Culture's Assault on Christianity. Erwin W. Lutzer. 2020. [November] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The disciples asked Jesus an interesting question: "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" (Luke 13:23). Haven't we all wondered how many people will be saved and how many lost?

I wouldn't be surprised if some readers make the conclusion that Erwin Lutzer doesn't go far enough in his cultural analysis and the dangers facing every Christian--particularly American Christians--and other readers may reach the conclusion that he goes too far. 

If even a third of the things Lutzer mentions--calls out, cries out against--are true, there are reasons for the church--the true church--to be concerned. For better or worse--most likely worse--the American church might be said to be on the sleepy/lazy side. Believers--both as individuals and as a group--tend to fall asleep when we most need to stay alert. Consider the disciples, for example. Several times in Scripture, believers are called to wake up. The call to wake up is not necessarily a call to panic. I want to make that clear. Lutzer's call is not for Christians to join together and panic. It is a call, in my opinion, to wake up and wipe the sleep from our eyes. To look and watch. To trust and obey. To pray and praise. To perhaps make (more) informed choices. 

I love, love, love his purpose: "I write not so much to reclaim the culture as to reclaim the church." Again his goal is NOT to "take America back." 

Lutzer definitely makes a clear distinction between the one, true church--the "invisible" church--and the more inclusive "church" that seems to include anyone/everyone who has ever at any time--for any length of time--professed to be "a Christian." If a Christian is anyone who has ever at any time said "hey, I'm a Christian" then sure, it's easy to say Christians hold a majority and they have never been silenced in any way. To clarify, there is a BIG difference between a literal silencing and a silencing from FEAR of "being canceled" or "facing consequences" of our "free speech." It would be an exaggeration to say that American Christians are truly in fear of their [actual] lives for exercising free speech and the freedom of religion. 

Tolerance is a one-way street. And Christianity isn't to be tolerated. So goes Lutzer's argument that the culture has long--many, many, many decades--warred against traditional, orthodox, historic Christianity. 

Progressive Christianity--or should that be progressive "Christianity" is not silenced, and has no reason to worry about being silenced. More often than not, progressive Christianity is walking--if not skipping or leaping--with the world: hand in hand, heart to heart. Everything in perfect alignment. 

Lutzer covers just about any and every subject/topic in this one. He urges his readers to look to the Word of God and NOT the world. Our faith should not be informed--taught, guided, led--by the world. There are dangerous world views. Conflicting dangerous world views. World views that unite in one thing--their dislike and hatred of Christianity. The world NEEDS the gospel; the world NEEDS those who are willing to openly testify and witness. The world NEEDS those to speak the truth IN LOVE. (Not those who keep silent OUT OF LOVE.) Real love, true love, the love we are called to have for the world--for all our neighbors--speaks the truth with grace. Because I love you, because I truly want you to know the truth, I am going to speak the truth even knowing that you may be offended. 

Lutzer, in my opinion, keeps pointing readers back to the good news of the gospel. Yes, these things are concerning BUT look to Christ, look to Christ's promises. That's why I think it's a call to wake up and not a call to panic. 

In some ways, it might be Lutzer preaching to the choir. Those most likely to read it are likely already somewhat concerned about the world we live in, the way our culture is. Those reluctant to read it--because they disagree fundamentally with this "narrow-minded" and "hateful" world view (aka traditional, orthodox, historic Christianity)--may see what they want to see. I think the book should be read with an open mind. Don't assume the worst about Lutzer and his position. 

ETA: The poem "To Be Fit for God" in Valley of Vision (pp 254-255) sum up the theme of this book so well!

I will NOT quote the whole poem, but I will quote a few lines.

Let me never slumber, never lose lose my assurance,

never fail to wear armour when passing through

enemy land.

Fit me for every scene and circumstance; 

Stay my mind upon thee and turn my trials to blessings

that they may draw out my gratitude and praise

as I see their design and effects.

Render my obedience to thy will holy, natural and delightful.

Rectify all my principles by clear, consistent, 

and influential views of divine truth.

Let me never undervalue or neglect any part

of thy revealed will.

May I duly regard the doctrine and practice of the gospel,

prizing its commands as well as its promises.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible