MCALPINE, STEPHEN

The church used to be recognised as a force for good, but this is changing rapidly. Christians are now often seen as the bad guys, losing both respect and influence.

In our post-Christian culture, how do we offer the gospel to those around us who view it as not only wrong but possibly dangerous?

And how do we ensure that the secular worldview does not entice us away with its constant barrage, online and elsewhere, of messages about self-determinism?

Author Stephen McAlpine offers an analysis of how our culture ended up this way and explains key points of tension between biblical Christianity and secular culture. He encourages Christians not to be ashamed of the gospel as it is more liberating, fulfilling and joyful than anything the world has to offer. He also offers strategies for coping in this world, with its opposing values, and for reaching out to others wisely with the truth.

Stephen McAlpine is an author, blogger and pastor. He also works with City Bible Forum, a network which trains and mentors Christian city workers across Australia, and he is part of an outreach initiative called Third Space.

NEW IN THIS MONTH

Encounter
Through reflections on encounters between Jesus and those he met, as described in the gospels, and significant encounters with people and places in her personal journey with God, Bishop Rachel Treweek encourages us to make new connections in our own story and to contemplate the God of encounter.

Each chapter of this carefully-crafted book ends with a prayer and a space for you to journal your own reflections.

Price – £11.99

A few weeks ago a friend offered me a book called ‘The Warrior’ by Francine Rivers, my friend said ‘it’s good’. That was an understatement. It was so exciting, so full of colour, courage, struggles.

It is so difficult to write what I could speak so much more easily. The story is of Caleb, a man with a deep longing, a man with little hope, but a man with great determination. As the story of Caleb unfolds I found myself almost a part of the story. And to my absolute joy, it’s a book that will stir your heart, a book that causes us to consider our own lives. I do hope you will enjoy this book as much as I have.

Veronica Prout

‘The Warrior’ is book 2 of Francine Rivers ‘Sons of Encouragement’ series.

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