| Review – Fearless Faith |
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Living
Beyond the Walls of Safe Christianity
Author — John Fischer
Publisher — Harvest House
Review by Tom Gilbert
The author of this book did something
very courageous. He spoke out about something that concerns
him. It concerns him personally as well as anyone else
who claims to be a Christian.
John Fischer's Fearless
Faith (Harvest House), takes us beyond the
safe walls of Christianity. It's direct, biting, and controversial.
Fischer was very aware of the potential controversy of
his book. He was also cognizant of his place in the whole
dilemma. As a result, the book is also loving and considerate.
The author, as he freely points out, makes his living
off the very audience he's writing about. While reading
it I could sense his occasional discomfort, but his conviction
came through loud and clear.
A Christian subculture is something that seems attractive
to many. The more books, music and movies from Christians,
for Christians, about Christians the better…right?
Fischer contends this is dangerous to what believers actually
should stand for. Could it be that Christians are losing
sight of the real meaning of the Gospel? How can transformation
take place if we insulate ourselves from the world, all
in the name of protecting ourselves from the evils of
it?
The book's first chapter reminds us that Jesus already prayed
to the Father to keep us safe from the evil one. He didn't
pray that we be removed from the world. Retreating to
the safety of a Christian society separate from non-believers
is not what Jesus had in mind.
We must show by the way we live that we are truly followers
of Christ. Unfortunately, the Christian subculture has
contributed to some shallow thinking-a "dumbing-down"
in order to be acceptable to the broadest common denominator.
The Gospel (and God) already is fully capable of meeting
anyone where they live, at their level. It is dangerous
for us to water down the real message, and worse, fail
to be bold and fearless in trusting our Lord.
The book points out that we don't have to indulge in sinful
things to be informed about culture. We can have intelligent
discussions with non-Christians about society and culture
and perhaps better reach them than through hip/trendy
pop-cultural megachurches. Throughout the book Fischer
ably illustrates examples of this. Even better, he includes
comments from other followers of Christ who are living
a fearless faith. The message, of course, is that if these
people can live their faith, without compromise and still
involved in the world, then so can we.
The message of the Gospel is salvation for all. By creating
a bubble world of safe Christian practices and interaction,
not tainted or soiled by the real world, believers are
cutting themselves off from the very people they need
to reach. Yes, fellowship among believers is important,
but we must go beyond "preaching to the choir".
Everyone is in need of God's love and kindness-remember,
"Whatever you do to the least of these…."(Matthew
25:40).
The book warns that we must get back to a fearless faith and
real witnessing to others of the Power of God to heal
our brokenness. Becoming rich and successful (famous)
in a sanitized version of the world is insulting to the
real Gospel message.
Maybe this is why Bob Dylan stopped making such overtly Christian
albums.
The biggest challenge here may be the continuing struggle
we face between living the life God chose for us versus
the life we choose. Self is still at the crux. We just
don't realize it. Having a Christian worldview doesn't
necessary mean we have all the answers. We can grasp some
of The Truth, but we are still only seeing through a veil.
As much as we want everything to be either/or-black or
white-we can't comprehend the fullness of the reality.
That's ok, we don't need all the answers today. We just
need to love and we do that best by letting God love us
and love through us.
We are all living in the world regardless of how much we
separate ourselves from it. Taking ourselves out of the
world isn't what Jesus wants. Since He prayed for our
safety in a dangerous world shouldn't our actions show
we know and believe that? Fischer asks us to find ways
to witness to others and at the same time grow in our
faith precisely by our day-to-day involvement in the world.
He also doesn't discount entirely the importance of Christians
having a place to be together. Naturally, any new believer
needs assurance, training, support and encouragement.
However, like all young birds, there is the time to fly
the nest. We are not more Christian in a "Christian"
subculture.
I guess one of our greatest fears is that being in the world
we will succumb to its temptations and fall away from
righteous living. What is this but our doubt that God's
grace will prevail? Instead we must fearlessly go through
each day holding to the promise that in Christ we can
do all things. Out in the world is where Fischer tells
us faith can make a difference. We get a good wakeup call
from reading this book. More important will be acting
on the call to be real, sincere and caring so the world
will see and be attracted.
John Fischer is an artist, thinker, communicator driven to
create and
personally deliver a message of deeper understanding of
God, confirming those seeking a faith that intersects
the real world. Visit his website,
The
Fischtank
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Scripture taken from the Holy
Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
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the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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