©1998, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 337 pp. incl. index

“You are here.” We are familiar with maps in malls and elsewhere that mark the viewer’s locale with an X and show the layout of the surroundings. In this insightful book, the author has the reader look back into the flow of history to see how and why western culture has reached its current position. Then he maps out a biblical way for Christians to begin to address and, by God’s grace, redirect culture.  To me, the most thought-provoking section of the book was the writer’s willingness to look at Christianity, even reformed Christianity, to see how a wrong emphasis and faulty interpretations had input into our arrival at the current culture.

Our world is man-centered. We often focus on ourselves and what will make life better for us. Other humans are too often treated as ‘its’ or as machines to be manipulated or used for our purposes. We look to growing civil governments to solve existing problems or stop potential catastrophes. Culturally, we live as practical atheists. We may believe that God exists but we live our daily life as if we are independent of Him and that He is unnecessary to humanity. Culture did not arrive at these attitudes overnight.

Well-researched chapters are devoted to politics, technology, economies, and the self-absorption of the lonely, modern man. The author draws from a large number of well-chosen sources. At the same time he keeps us focused on the central topic he is developing in each chapter.

Civil government is a clear need for man, particularly for sinful man. Although, God ordained that man live under civil government (Rom. 13), civil government today is philosophically and operationally man-centered. The author does an excellent job of pointing this out from a number of aspects. Without an acknowledgement of God and His ultimate authority, man’s control over others can quickly exceed biblical boundaries. Man, lacking self-government and discounting God’s sovereignty looks to government to solve any perceived or real problem. Government growth means burgeoning bureaucracies that are impersonal. Those seeking help easily become a number. Often bureaucracy’s ultimate goal is its own survival. With the expectation that the government can solve all problems there is no need or place for God in public discourse. With an emphasis on a democratic forum, the mindset of the citizens is off of ultimate divine revelation. Instead, the will of the majority is the criteria for truth in the legislation of ethics.

Among other influences, the European religious wars allowed nation-states to arise which were not as influenced by the church. The author also points out the intended open door that Luther’s view of the two kingdoms provided. This view allowed politics to be moved out from under scriptural privileges.

The author provides many additional insights, similar to the above, to politics as well as the aforementioned subjects. In his concluding chapter he addresses the importance of a Christian view of personhood. He points the reader to the Trinity and also the incarnate second Person of the Trinity as foundational points in understanding personhood. Man is created to be relational first to His Creator then to fellow humans. Only as this point is grasped, by God’s grace, and lived out, can we expect real change to occur in society.

The author provides readers with much hope by pointing us to the Source of hope. This book can be thoughtfully read. Great discussion can ensue from several people reading the work and discussing each chapter. It also is a profitable read for individuals. Footnotes at the bottom of pages often provide not only source information but additional insights.

Review ©2008 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia