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Summary: An Excellent Outline of Conservative Christianity
Review: Chuck Colson has written a masterful text on one Biblical worldview. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the worldview from which he writes is one of dogmatic judgmentalism and not the worldview that I believe Jesus lived out.Colson states clearly that the Christian religion is one that is "devoted to an all-powerful, sovereign, omniscient God who demands righteousness and obedience... who dispenses severe judgment." Colson's world is one which is black and white with few shades of gray. God has laid down the law (as revealed in Scripture) and everyone should be fully obedient to it, and if not should be prepared to suffer the consequential punishment. This is similar to the worldview of fundamentalist Islam in the sense that the God that is revealed through the Sacred Scripture of tradition must be obeyed at all costs. The God revealed in the Sacred Scripture is the only real God, all others are false and harmful and will be eliminated in the end. I believe Chuck Colson to be a very sincere and devout Christian who wants, with everything in him, to do the right thing. It seems that he believes that his version of Christianity is absolutely the only correct version of any faith, and therefore he is willing to die to defend it. But it may be interesting to note that other fundamentalist leaders of different faiths have the same level of conviction, believing with equal intensity that their understanding of God is the only correct view. I have no doubt that if Mr. Colson was born to devout Buddhist parents that he would more than likely now be a Buddhist. He is a Christian only because of his life context and circumstances. There are many Biblical texts that seem to contradict Colson's worldview. Such as Mt. 5.44-47: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? This text, a statement of Jesus about God, seems to indicate that God does not meet out judgmental punishment to the evil and unrighteous. This statement appears to be saying that God showers his unconditional love and blessings on all people, regardless of perceived rightness or wrongness. My recommendation is for everyone to read this excellent book by Colson with the understanding that it is one man's and one group's interpretation of Scripture and of life and that there are many other ways to understand and interpret Scripture and life. It is my opinion that Mr. Colson has not yet come to the spiritual awareness and worldview contained in the statement by Paul that "Christ is the end of the law," and from Jesus that the "Kingdom of God is within." It is my prayer that one day he will. I believe that the greatest revelations for Mr. Colson, the tangible awareness that the abundant life is here now, may come soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Modern Worldview at its best
Review: Colson does a good job in this work of breaking down complex worldview and theological issues to the common man. While many texts on these subjects leave readers scratching their heads, this book breaks it down for the average reader. While one could maybe do without the long winded stories in the beginning of each chapter and skip to the meat, this is still none the less a good book. Nancy Pearcy adds her expertise and that helps shore up some of the more complex issues. One caveat to this book, it is done from the perspective of a very modern thinker who can put just about anything into a formula. If that is your style, you will love this book. B Joseph Dworak
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book about Christian worldview
Review: I enthusiastically recommend this as one of the best books I've read in years. How Now Shall We Live? explains and promotes the Christian worldview of the world, mankind, the culture, and, of course, how Christians should make a positive impact on our society. The books is well-researched, and offers strong arguments with extensive footnotes. The writing style is thoroughly engaging. Mr. Colson mixes potent stories with straightforward narrative. If you are a Christian, or a thinking person looking for answers not found in the secular world or the pop culture, I encourage you to get a hold of this book!
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Summary: One of the Best Books Ever!!
Review: If you have any questions about various worldviews, this is the book for you. Don't be intimidated by its length--it is so full of interesting anecdotes that you won't be able to put it down.
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Summary: Alarmist and Fear inciting
Review: In my humble opinion. I read this book twice. The first time I read it I had left a convserative Bible College. I really liked it. Then I went to a Liberal Arts college, which was also Christian and starting to re-read it critiquing this thinking the whole way. My problem with this method of thinking goes like this: He assumes that everything not somehow related to Christianity is BAD, almost inherantly evil. He assumes that if you believe in evolution as a possibility, then you aren't Christian. Frankly, it makes no difference to my Christianity whether or not the earth is REALLY old. I think that, regardless of the literacy of the Genesis story, here we are, alive and breathing because God put us here. My other annoyance is with EXPECTING THE WORLD to think the way that we do. Well they don't. Jesus never promised us good times while on this earth. Yes, the USA is a nice place to live with problems. A very far cry from a totaltarian regime that is for sure. If the USA was to come to an end, the globe would keep on spinning. Yes we are called to be salt and light, but quite frankly, when we set "the others" up as the enemy and do not engage them in discussion, we run behind our little kingdom, ever shrinking and freak out about how the nation is being ruined. Sure, read this book with a grain of salt. It gives a very good picture of what VERY conservative Christianity is thinking.
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Summary: Worth Reading Twice
Review: It's simply astounding how good this book is. It's content-rich, intellectually satisfying, spiritually convicting, and culturally and politically relevant. It's the last book I asked my daughter to read before she left for college. It's all organized brilliantly and presented with intellectual dignity. Colson and Pearcy don't hold any punches spiritually, arguing that Christianity offers the best answers to all philosophical, scientific and ideological challenges -- we must simply resolve to articulate them to a lost society. In sum, a very engaging and profound work. I'll be going through it again with each of my other three children.
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Summary: It's a crazy world...
Review: Living in the 21st century as a Christian can be a confusing process. It seems like the entire world is looking at things in a totally different way. And you know what? They do... Colson bases this book on how we, as Christians, should take a Christ-centered "worldview" as opposed to other around us. Colson offers practical guidance on living in a way that can change the world for Christ. Colson also delves into preliminary apologetics - enough so that the reader will be better prepared to defend his or her faith after reading it. Colson is very conservative. You will find yourself challenged in many areas of your life. I was challenged by thinking about the music I listen to and the television programs I watch. While I didn't agree with each of Colson's conclusions, each one was extremely thought-provoking.
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Summary: Excellent but Lacks Apologetic Tactics
Review: The book is a wonderful, comprehensive analysis of the prevailing naturalist worldview present in North America. From what I understand this view is even more pervasive in Europe. The repetition of Creation, Fall, and Redemption drives home the basis for which we should evaluate and view our culture. The book is extensive and thus, quite lengthy. Various real-life stories are included throughout that help the book from becoming too dry. The only thing missing are solid methods of shooting down the logical fallacies committed by those who hold such naturalist worldviews. This is understandable considering the weight of the book. There are numerous other resources available for such study. All in all, this book should be a must-read for real Christians and Non-Christians as well.
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Summary: Presenting the Christian Worldview
Review: This book does an excellent job in serving two primary purposes. The first is in making the intellectual case for Christ. The second is presenting Biblical Christianity, not as something that involves only spiritual side, but as an entire worldview that involves every aspect of our lives. For those of us who have a difficult time making the case for Christ except in spiritual terms, this book can be a big help (beginning with such fundamentals as the case for the existence of God). And, perhaps more importantly, it helps us better understand our role as Christians in the world at large. I heartily recommend it. And a final note. As much as I admire Chuck Colson, and whereas he provided the anecdotes, I suspect that Nancy Pearcey did most of the heavy lifting in writing this book.
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Summary: Soli Deo Gloria
Review: This book had the same effect on me that lightning has on a tree. My mind has never been the same since. This book reminds Christians that Christianity goes beyond the walls of the Church into the secular arena. Its mandate is for Christians to engage secular culture with the demands of God. The outline of the book is simple: How did we get here (the debate on creation vs. evolution)? What is wrong with us (here they show the fallacy of any worldview that denies the sinfulness of man and builds a worldview on human goodness as opposed to biblical morality)? And finally, How do we fix it (Showing that redemption is found in Jesus Christ alone)? After addressing and answering these questions Colson this shows how we, as orthodox Christians, should live. The Chapter. "Soli Deo Gloria" I read on my knees in worship of such a God. This chapter has offended several reviewers, namely the reader from Oakbrook, IL. This reader claims that Colson's list of "classical offerings" has "lyrics or imagery" as bad as the (I won't use an adjective) rock bands. First, the reader provided no source; secondly, and I have personally checked the "classical offerings" that Chuck presents and very few, if any, have lyrics at all (so much for the reprehensible lyrics Colson is guilty of presenting. Honestly, how many classical music songs have lyrics?)! All of this notwithstanding, this is one of the finest books written this decade. It has permanently changed my thinking and possibly my future. Now that I have praised it I will now critique it. Colson, and I will keep my criticism low because he has heard this complaint many times, came very close to betraying orthodox Christianity when he and Neauhus devised the Evangelicals and Catholics Together Document. I rejoice that Catholics oppose the modern day holocaust known as abortion, and their deviant doctrine notwithstanding, they strive to maintain a biblical worldview. But surely Colson realizes that Rome conceded nothing in the document and he and the Evangelicals surrendered the high ground. Fortunately this document does not speak for mainstream Evangelicalism. Please understand, Colson is my second favorite author (after John Piper) and he is a modern day prophet and I will read everything he writes, but I felt obligated to show where he erred. All in all, this is the book to read for the counter-cultural Christian. Soli Deo Gloria!
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