Erwin W. Lutzer, The Church in Babylon: Heeding the call to Be a Light in the Darkness (affiliate link). Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2018. 295 pages.
Erwin Lutzer grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada, not far from where I was raised. He served for 35 years at the church D.L. Moody started in Chicago. He has since retired. Lutzer is a prolific writer and a popular speaker. In this book, he addresses many of the critical issues facing the church today. Lutzer is a Christian gentleman, but he speaks boldly about the most controversial subjects plaguing Christians.
Lutzer points out that the church in America is facing enormous challenges. Eighteen percent of people who grew up attending church now claim to have no religious affiliation (15). He notes, “In a bizarre twist, freedom of speech for Christians is openly condemned by those who see themselves as the bastions of tolerance, freedom, and love . . . It’s difficult to even have a conversation with those who believe that to question their viewpoint on social issues is hateful, bigoted, and without merit” (21).
Lutzer suggests, “Today, I see the Church as having to fight on multiple fronts while at the same time trying to maintain a positive ministry of bringing hope to the world” (22). He adds, “We live in a sexualized culture bent on defiance of biblical authority” (25). Throughout the book, Lutzer analyzes the current cultural and societal condition and then suggests ways the church might respond.
Lutzer quotes Francis Schaeffer, who suggested that “There are no little people and no big people in the true spiritual sense, but only consecrated and unconsecrated people” (27). He uses the exile of some 10,000 Jews to the city of Babylon as a paradigm for what the American church faces today. He notes that “Babylon” is mentioned more than 200 times in Scripture (30). Babylon had a sexualized culture and was characterized by false prophets (34-36). It was located roughly 60 miles from present-day Bagdad and 800 miles from Jerusalem (49). When the Jewish people were taken into captivity, they lost their identity. They no longer had land, a king, or a temple (51). Lutzer suggests that the ground has shifted under the American church as well, and it must find its identity and voice.
Lutzer suggests there are three ways for the church to respond to a hostile culture. It can choose isolation, withdrawing from cultural involvement. Second, it can assimilate into the culture. Third, it can choose infiltration without contamination (57). This method has traditionally been difficult for the church to practice. Lutzer cites Jeremiah chapter 29, in which God sends a message to the Jewish exiles. God tells them to do five things: settle down where they are, build strong families, get involved in city life, pray, and remember God’s promises (59). Lutzer suggests this game plan is appropriate for today’s church as well.
Lutzer argues, “But we must stop pretending that we are a moral majority and face the fact that we are losing the culture war” (67). Interestingly, he suggests that “Prayerlessness is our declaration of independence” (69). He notes that the church must pray desperately for God’s power and for God to do a fresh work through it.
Lutzer warns that “Cowardice is very attractive in an oppressive culture” (79). He provides an interesting study of Daniel and his three friends. He suggests that they probably had been castrated in order to serve the king (82). Despite the indignities and pressures they experienced, the four men found a way to resist the culture and to exert a godly influence on it.
Lutzer suggests that “Atheism is often rooted in anger and disappointment with God” (85). He quotes Philip Melanchthon, who said, “What the heart loves, the will chooses and the mind justifies” (87).
Lutzer includes a disturbing exploration of how Canada has increasingly made it difficult for the church to speak out against cultural idolatries. He refers to Motion 103, which applies pressure on people not to speak out against other viewpoints or religions (102). Pastor Mark Harding spoke out in opposition to Islam being taught in public schools (when Christianity and other religions were not) and was given two years of probation and made to undergo 300 hours of indoctrination by an imam (102). Lutzer suggests that more Christians must be willing to speak out against unbiblical practices, even if doing so proves costly. He bemoans the fact that many Christians today “[fear] the furnace more than they [fear] God” (115).
One chapter focuses on the church’s response to technology and the power of the Internet and social media. Lutzer suggests that “We become what we enjoy looking at” (124). He warns that “The Internet has become a recruiting tool for anarchists and a platform for bloggers who pontificate on various matters with no accountability for their supposed facts or moral judgments” (125). He offers some helpful guidelines for how Christians should use social media with accountability and integrity (127).
He makes the interesting comment that “Your heart is the place where life makes up its mind” (128). He also states, “Without a willing heart, there can be no listening ear” (142). He quotes Mark Bubeck, who claimed that “We are faced with the challenge of raising lambs among wolves” (134).
Lutzer cautions against entering into arguments with people: “Remember sin is inherently irrational” (144). He cites George Orwell, who claimed that “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act” (147).
Lutzer is forthright when describing the challenges Christians will face in the future. He cites the University of Kansas, which warned people that “. . . misgendering someone can have lasting consequences, and using the incorrect pronoun can be hurtful, disrespectful, and invalidate someone’s identity” (154). Kenneth Zucker, the director for the Centre of Addictions and Mental Health in Toronto, cautioned physicians in their handling of children, because their feelings often change as they grow older. As a result, he was fired (154). Such treatment has made many physicians reluctant to say what they know to be true for fear of repercussions. Lutzer references statistics that indicate that transgender individuals are five times more likely to commit suicide than the general population and nineteen times more likely to die by suicide (157). Lutzer doesn’t hold back in his description of how these trends are contributing to the devastation of society. He cites one 52-year-old man who claimed to be a 6-year-old girl (159). The challenge is that if Christians question this behavior, they are often labelled as bigoted and hateful.
Lutzer quotes Andrew Walker and Denny Burk, who ask, “Why is it acceptable to surgically alter a child’s body to match his sense of self but bigoted to try and change his sense of self to match his body?” (161). Lutzer suggests it is a mind problem, not a body problem (161).
Lutzer cautions, “Remember, those who walk in darkness do not see things as they are, but rather see things the way they want them to be” (169). Lutzer adds, “In my opinion, the church is the last barrier against a total breakdown of sexual sanity” (170). Lutzer warns that there are at least five “false gospels” rampant among churches today: Permissive Grace, Social Justice, New Age Spirituality, Sexual Preference, and Interfaith Dialogue (192). Throughout the book, Lutzer urges Christians to behave in a loving, Christ-like manner toward those with whom they disagree. Nevertheless, he sounds the alarm that Christians must resist the gravitational pull toward a debased society.
Lutzer claims that Christianity is perfectly suited to be a change agent in society. He notes that “Salvation is a plan agreed upon by all three members of the Trinity” (230). He notes that “Other religions are man trying to seek God; only in Christianity has God come to seek man” (235). He adds, “In a nation addicted to rage, the church must keep its cool and be a calming influence of reason and broad political acceptance without being co-opted by one side or another in these escalating disputes” (236).
Lutzer makes some interesting observations throughout the book. He declares his belief that not everyone will receive the same reward in heaven (264). While I agree, I would question the scripture he uses. He also notes that “Programs can direct energy but they cannot give life” (275).
Overall, this was an interesting, disturbing book. Lutzer dares to wade into the most challenging issues the American church is facing. He offers some sound, pastoral, biblical counsel. Lutzer is a respected voice in American evangelicalism, and his thoughts are worth reading.
Because Lutzer addresses the hot-button issues of today, there will invariably be those who disagree with his analysis or proffered solutions. Also, because the moral and cultural landscape is changing so rapidly, his discussion of current issues is certain to become out-of-date before long. This kind of book has a shorter shelf life, because it addresses very contemporary issues.
I would recommend this book to Christians seeking a biblical response in a rapidly changing world. For those who want to embrace a Christian response to an increasingly unchristian world, this book offers sage counsel.
Rating: 3
