How Now Shall We Live? Book

Charles Colson became famous back in the 1970s as President Nixon's hatchet man, who then "got religion" of the evangelical Christian kind. In How Now Shall We Live Colson with his co-author Pearcey lays his hatchet to the roots of modern Western culture. Colson believes there is a great battle to be fought between opposing world views, and this book is his attack on secular atheistic materialism.The first section establishes the conflict between Christianity and all forms of godless materialism. Section two traces the problem back to Darwinism. Section three pinpoints the root problem as original sin, while sections four and five call for the redemption and restoration of a truly Christian culture. The historical analysis and intellectual content are mixed with inspirational stories of Christian victory, and the whole package is delivered in a readable and cogent style. Plenty of notes, reading lists and a hefty index give the enterprise a smooth academic veneer.Most conservative Christians will agree with Colson's questions and most of his answers, while those of other beliefs may be intrigued to find the case for traditional Christianity so confidently argued. However, many will come away disappointed with an apologetic that is big on Christian triumphalism, while not asking the hard questions as to why Christianity is losing the culture wars. Colson nods in the direction of world Christianity, but never looks much further than American evangelicalism. The book is thus limited by Colson's particular brand of home-grown Christianity. He argues for a Christian world view, but only offers a Billy Graham form of religion. As a result he has produced a big book limited by a narrow vision. --Dwight LongeneckerRead More