Reviewed by: Connor Salter, Professional Writing student at Taylor University

Introduction

Title: Lifeviews: Make a Christian Impact on Culture and Society

Author: R.C. Sproul

Publisher: Baker Book House Company

Publication Date: 1986

Format: Paperback

Length:  220 pages

OVERVIEW

“Every Christian is a missionary,” R.C. Sproul says in the first chapter of this book. In other words, all Christians are called to spread the gospel wherever they are, and that involves understanding the culture they live in. This becomes difficult in America because, despite claims that America is predominantly Christian, most Americans really think about the world in ways that are based on philosophical views that don’t fit with Christianity. Sproul examines these philosophical views (including humanism and existentialism) and explains their flaws. Then he describes how Christians can apply their worldview to major areas of American society (including economics and art).

Sproul wrote this book in 1986, which means some ideas and solutions he describes aren’t as timely as they used to be. For example, in talking about literature, he mourns the fact that it’s rare to see any novels in Christian bookstores. While that was certainly true at the time, authors like Ted Dekker have since made Christian fiction into a huge industry. However, the attitude Sproul describes many Christians having about literature is still generally true. Most of this book is like that – discussions where the examples feel slightly dated but the ideas are just as relevant as they were over thirty years ago.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 out of 5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians trying to understand secular worldviews, Christians interested in the faith and science debate, Christians seeking to learn how to intelligently change and interact with American culture.

Christian Impact

The author helps readers understand various political and social issues in a biblical context, as well as why certain philosophical views conflict with Christianity.

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