Cover image courtesy of christianaudio
August 13, 2014

Review: Culture Shock by Chip Ingram (Audiobook)

By Nate LaClaire

In Culture Shock: A Biblical Response to Today’s Most Divisive Issues, author, pastor, and radio personality Chip Ingram delves into some of the touchiest subjects imaginable: sex, homosexuality, abortion, politics, right and wrong, and the environment. For each topic, he explains the biblical perspective (not the “Christian” perspective, but the biblical one), the perspectives opposing the biblical perspective, and loving, researched responses to the opposing perspective. In each case, his explanation of the opposing viewpoints carefully cover the emotional as well as the rational factors behind those viewpoints. He is also clear about what is wrong about the common responses that (generally) well-meaning Christians take.

Throughout the book, I found enlightenment, encouragement, and reinforcement, and I feel that it has helped me to better understand all sides of these issues. You might think after reading the previous paragraph that this is just more conservative Christian propaganda written by some Bible thumper. If so, you are wrong. Ingram’s views on the environment, for example, are counter to those espoused by many in conservative Christian circles. The chapter on politics is similarly non-partisan. And, before you jump to conclusions regarding the other topics, you really must read the book.

Ingram encourages Christians to not just give the “Christian” response to these issues, but to “develop convictions based on research, reason, and biblical truth–and be able (and willing) to communicate these convictions with a love and respect that reflects God’s own heart” (quoted from the book’s summary on christianaudio). “Respect” – I like that.

I listened to the audiobook edition of this book and the narration by George W. Sarris was fantastic. Very easy to listen to and it definitely added to the experience of the book.

Summary
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Culture Shock by Chip Ingram
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