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If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3
Followers of Christ have every right to be concerned about the troubling shifts in our culture. On nearly every front things are different. Much of what we see is a direct contradiction to divinely revealed truth and the convictions we hold dear. At times, we feel like we've lost the battle for what's good and right.
The challenge for us now? To respond in ways that communicate the gospel without alienating people who need to hear about the good news of Christ's redemptive work. Unfortunately, many of us have responded with a sense of hopelessness and despair. Others have entwined evangelicalism with political alignments. Both strategies have made our message less than attractive and have betrayed the hope we have to offer a world gone wrong.
This Light of Mine is a call to evangelicals to pivot from being consumed in a battle for our earthly kingdom and to embrace the privilege of advancing the kingdom of Christ. Drawing from the Scriptures and the life of Jesus, Joe Stowell provides a hope-filled, courageous response that empowers us to light up the darkness by living like Jesus in a non-Jesus world.
"The world seems so weary, so wounded, so angry. Can followers of Jesus stem the tide of vitriol and pain? My friend Joe Stowell says we can. He reminds us of our high and holy call—to make a difference for good in an era so wrought with bad. I needed to read this book. I'm ready to let my light shine just a little brighter."
—MAX LUCADO
Pastor, author, speaker
"Joe Stowell has not only written a much-needed antidote for those Christians who think politics is the solution to the world's problems, but This Light of Mine also offers a way forward for those who already know better but don't know where to begin."
—ROBERTA GREEN AHMANSON
Writer, speaker, philanthropist
"Writing with a lightness of touch but without pulling his punches, Joe encourages us to take up the challenge of living attractive, gospel-shaped lives even as the winds of opposition blow strongly in our faces."
—ALISTAIR BEGG
Pastor, author and Bible teacher on Truth for Life
"People are not the enemy but the goal. The church is in great need of a different way to engage with Jesus to a non-Jesus world. Diving deeply into Scripture with a pastor's heart and a keen, sensitive eye, Joe Stowell calls the church to a better way to engage than being a shrill voice. Yes, the church is being marginalized and mocked, but so was Jesus. His way of reaching out and offering hope to those in spiritual need is still the way to go."
—DARRELL L. BOCK
Executive Director for Cultural Engagement, Hendricks Center;
Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
"This book is compelling and unapologetically countercultural, so refreshing. No matter who you are or what your political leanings are, you will feel convicted by this book. My friend Joe Stowell speaks from the Word of God: to some a stumbling stone but to us sanctuary. I pray that we will all be stirred into hope and action by the practical unfolding of the Christ-centered life to which Joe exhorts readers in this timely and important book."
—BARRY H. COREY
President of Biola University and author of Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue and Make the Most of It: A Guide to Loving Your College Years
"In a culture that has become largely hostile to biblical principles and long-cherished moral values, it can be challenging to know how we, as believers, are to conduct ourselves. That's why I'm so thankful that Joe Stowell has offered us a scriptural prescription for venturing into an increasingly dark society holding out the love and truth of Christ."
—JIM DALY
President, Focus on the Family
"This Light of Mine is refreshing, clarifying, convicting, and compellingly hope-filled. In these pages, my friend Joe Stowell takes us beyond a critique of the culture and the ways in which it is falling apart and points us to Jesus' plan. In Stowell's words, it is a plan for engaging the culture in ways that empowers the gospel and advances the kingdom. This indeed is God's plan for changing lives and influencing the culture. Joe, thank you so much for this gift of clarity during these confusing times."
—CRAWFORD W. LORITTS JR.
Author, speaker, radio host; President, Beyond our Generation
"The burden of this book is that we as believers might give a positive witness for Christ in our highly polarized and angry world. Joe warns that often the gospel is politicized, which becomes a stumbling block to many who are seeking for hope and forgiveness in our misguided culture. If you are looking for examples of how to represent Christ well without the self-righteous judgmentalism that some believers exhibit, read this book and then pass it along to a friend. And above all, let us be lights that point others to the light of the world!"
—ERWIN W. LUTZER
Pastor Emeritus, The Moody Church, Chicago
"The dramatic downturn in our culture has left many followers of Christ confused about how to respond. Some have adopted a culture-warring mentality, while others have retreated into a holy huddle hoping for Christ's soon return. Unfortunately, neither of these responses are effective in attractively advancing the light of Jesus' kingdom into the darkness of our world. Thankfully, Joe Stowell has brought clarity to our confusion by showing us Jesus' way to influence an often-resistant culture for good and His glory. This compelling read is deeply scriptural and refreshingly practical. Thanks, Joe! We needed this."
—ED STETZER
Dean of Talbot School of Theology
"This Light of Mine is a courageous book for our time. As Christians grapple with the reality of living as people of the Way in a world that is growing increasingly secular, Joe Stowell powerfully calls us to live according to the foundational values of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. All of us would do well to examine our lives in light of this book so that the love of Christ may continue to flow through us into this hurting world. This book is biblically sound, theologically faithful, and pastorally wise. But what makes it compelling is the fact that Joe has precisely lived out in his life what he is calling us to do in this book."
—FELIX THEONUGRAHA
President, Western Seminary, Holland, MI
"The gospel of Christ is much more than receiving the salvation message and asking Jesus into your heart. The gospel is a way of life that makes a clear difference for Christ in your family, neighborhood, and community. My longtime friend Dr. Joe Stowell has written a practical and powerful guide to gospel-living in this book. Thank you, Joe, for showing us what it means to shake the salt and shine the light of Jesus wherever our sphere of influence may be!"
—JONI EARECKSON TADA
Joni and Friends International Disability Center