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Different: Our witness and the sins that work against it
We know about the ‘serious� sins we should avoid, we even know about the ‘respectable� sins we should be tackling, but what about the ‘imperceptible� sins? Could it be that we’ve become so assimilated to the culture around us that we’ve become deaf to God’s Word � taking on habits and desires that are unhelpful for us and damaging to our witness?
In Different, author David Martin calls us to live out a radically different and courageous Christianity within our Western culture. He pictures a Christianity that is vitally alive, attractive, and that stands out so much from the world around it that outsiders are drawn in. Be challenged to break free from the subtle undercurrent of our secular society and embrace the call to stand out and live for Jesus boldly and publicly.
In Different, author David Martin calls us to live out a radically different and courageous Christianity within our Western culture. He pictures a Christianity that is vitally alive, attractive, and that stands out so much from the world around it that outsiders are drawn in. Be challenged to break free from the subtle undercurrent of our secular society and embrace the call to stand out and live for Jesus boldly and publicly.
- GenresChristian
75 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
18 people want to read
About the author
David Martin
893Ìýbooks22ÌýfollowersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ database.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 25, 2019
Here is the maths, in vague order of importance:
+1 star. No sports analogies.
+5 stars. The gist of this book, which is 'Here's how a four everywhere-ingrained lifestyles run roughshod over radical faith and witness'. Very very challenging for me, for you, for the whole modern-day west.
-2 stars. Now, this might just be me being a young student fellow-me-lad, but the middle two chapters, careerism and sentimentalism, didn't seem too applicable to me. It's obvious not every page in the world is interesting to everyone (that there is such a book as 'Chess Life annual 2017' is testament to that), but a little more engagement with the underlying mentality of the subjects could have gone a long way.
+0 stars. Just like the best hiking shortcuts, the author is a little ramble-some at times making it harder to follow. At the same time, this makes the hike/writing more fun and less standard-issue.
=4 stars
I'll conclude by sharing the final and best paragraph, which is so good I almost feel the rest of the book was written just to precede it:
+1 star. No sports analogies.
+5 stars. The gist of this book, which is 'Here's how a four everywhere-ingrained lifestyles run roughshod over radical faith and witness'. Very very challenging for me, for you, for the whole modern-day west.
-2 stars. Now, this might just be me being a young student fellow-me-lad, but the middle two chapters, careerism and sentimentalism, didn't seem too applicable to me. It's obvious not every page in the world is interesting to everyone (that there is such a book as 'Chess Life annual 2017' is testament to that), but a little more engagement with the underlying mentality of the subjects could have gone a long way.
+0 stars. Just like the best hiking shortcuts, the author is a little ramble-some at times making it harder to follow. At the same time, this makes the hike/writing more fun and less standard-issue.
=4 stars
I'll conclude by sharing the final and best paragraph, which is so good I almost feel the rest of the book was written just to precede it:
'Christians don't need to have caravans, careers, comforts or even a country to call their own. Christians have Christ. What we need is the courage of our convictions.'
March 18, 2019
David has written an excellent, thoughtful and punchy little book that skewers some of the pervading sins of the church in the western world today. He unashamedly identifies comfortable and wealthy western Christians as his audience, remarking that our much less privileged brethren in other parts of the world will little recognise the sins of materialism, careerism, sentimentalism and nationalism that he writes about so pointedly. Even more specifically, middle class Irish Christians (like me) are who David clearly had in mind as he wrote this. The chapter on nationalism was especially powerful and moving, as a generation and more of evangelism on this island has been largely tainted by sectarianism and divisive suspicion and hatred.
Thanks be to God, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Even with it's direct and challenging style, this is a book that drips with God's grace and the hope that comes from the gospel. The unstoppable advance of God's kingdom rings as a clarion cry throughout, and one element of this that comes through strongly is the importance and centrality of the local church. A second is how the people who make up the local church are absolutely indispensable to one another in remaining faithful, especially in the midst of a hostile and uncomprehending culture.
As an example of the centrality and importance of the church he writes this: "The church is not simply a social club that meets the interests of a select few in any particular community. Neither is the church the property of any small group of people with membership cards and voting rights. It is not an alternative source of entertainment, a platform party or person, or a hobby for a few enthusiasts and a take-it-or-leave-it option for your average Christian. The church is the clearest sign to the world that Jesus has indeed been raised from the dead and that all who truly trust in him are destined for glory.
As an example of the importance of the people who make up this community of belief to one another he writes this: "It is my experience that the greatest need among younger generations such as mine is to find older people who are prepared to be courageous enough to remain sober-minded and steadfast in the face of massive cultural shifts. These two qualities are at a premium today because as the older generation looks to their progeny, they feel a huge emotional investment What loving father or mother does not want to embrace their children in all that they are and choose to do? What devoted grandparent does not want to see their little grandchildren affirmed and encouraged in their loves and passions? But the trouble today is that so much of what the younger generation wants to be applauded for is simply madness. We experiment with absolutely everything, and it is tearing our society and indeed our very selves apart. Jobs are temporary, marriages are expendable, sexuality is fluid and personhood is a guessing game. The last thing we need is to be affirmed in these patterns."
To close, how about this as a call to action: "Jesus is not looking for casual belief. He is looking for committed believers who are active in their pursuit of all things that please him, who find themselves compelled by his love for others and who count the things of this world as nothing if only some might be saved. Such faith is fully aware and alive to the fact that God is a very personal, intimately committed, all-controlling, passionately focused lover of our souls. Given this, to not live for him is an act of sheer madness." Amen!
Thanks be to God, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Even with it's direct and challenging style, this is a book that drips with God's grace and the hope that comes from the gospel. The unstoppable advance of God's kingdom rings as a clarion cry throughout, and one element of this that comes through strongly is the importance and centrality of the local church. A second is how the people who make up the local church are absolutely indispensable to one another in remaining faithful, especially in the midst of a hostile and uncomprehending culture.
As an example of the centrality and importance of the church he writes this: "The church is not simply a social club that meets the interests of a select few in any particular community. Neither is the church the property of any small group of people with membership cards and voting rights. It is not an alternative source of entertainment, a platform party or person, or a hobby for a few enthusiasts and a take-it-or-leave-it option for your average Christian. The church is the clearest sign to the world that Jesus has indeed been raised from the dead and that all who truly trust in him are destined for glory.
As an example of the importance of the people who make up this community of belief to one another he writes this: "It is my experience that the greatest need among younger generations such as mine is to find older people who are prepared to be courageous enough to remain sober-minded and steadfast in the face of massive cultural shifts. These two qualities are at a premium today because as the older generation looks to their progeny, they feel a huge emotional investment What loving father or mother does not want to embrace their children in all that they are and choose to do? What devoted grandparent does not want to see their little grandchildren affirmed and encouraged in their loves and passions? But the trouble today is that so much of what the younger generation wants to be applauded for is simply madness. We experiment with absolutely everything, and it is tearing our society and indeed our very selves apart. Jobs are temporary, marriages are expendable, sexuality is fluid and personhood is a guessing game. The last thing we need is to be affirmed in these patterns."
To close, how about this as a call to action: "Jesus is not looking for casual belief. He is looking for committed believers who are active in their pursuit of all things that please him, who find themselves compelled by his love for others and who count the things of this world as nothing if only some might be saved. Such faith is fully aware and alive to the fact that God is a very personal, intimately committed, all-controlling, passionately focused lover of our souls. Given this, to not live for him is an act of sheer madness." Amen!
February 22, 2019
Different is a short book (only 80 pages!) aiming to bring to the forefront the sins that we may not notice in our churches. The ‘nothings� that the Western world are prone to in our time in history.
Well what are they? They are: materialism, careerism, sentimentalism, and nationalism. David Martin does not call these out for no reason. No, he wants us to realise that they are there, and that they affect our witness to the outside world.
The book is written in an engaging and witty way. I was able to read the whole book in one go. Now, it does poke where it hurts, but not in a mean or holier-than-thou way. For myself, the challenge of what you do with free time (‘Caravans and the Exodus�) struck home massively.
The book also feels very personal. It was clear that the pointers had come directly from David’s own experience. Instead of feeling beaten up and left alone, the author reaches out his arm, and wants to work together with you to solve the issues.
The examples used also hit very close to home. In fact, I laughed out loud at one point imagining a man fitting a large TV into a small car. I have seen this happen many times. This caused my wife to ask what I was doing, and to having a good conversation about the topic!
I think that every member of a local church will find this book immensely useful and challenging. Read it through thoughtfully and prayerfully. It may not be that each chapter is as challenging for everyone, but across a church family I believe each chapter will find someone to confront. I recommend buying a few copies, and sharing them liberally around your church. It will be good for your brothers and sisters, and good for their outreach.
Big thanks to 10ofthose for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book through their Blog Review Program.
Well what are they? They are: materialism, careerism, sentimentalism, and nationalism. David Martin does not call these out for no reason. No, he wants us to realise that they are there, and that they affect our witness to the outside world.
The book is written in an engaging and witty way. I was able to read the whole book in one go. Now, it does poke where it hurts, but not in a mean or holier-than-thou way. For myself, the challenge of what you do with free time (‘Caravans and the Exodus�) struck home massively.
The book also feels very personal. It was clear that the pointers had come directly from David’s own experience. Instead of feeling beaten up and left alone, the author reaches out his arm, and wants to work together with you to solve the issues.
The examples used also hit very close to home. In fact, I laughed out loud at one point imagining a man fitting a large TV into a small car. I have seen this happen many times. This caused my wife to ask what I was doing, and to having a good conversation about the topic!
I think that every member of a local church will find this book immensely useful and challenging. Read it through thoughtfully and prayerfully. It may not be that each chapter is as challenging for everyone, but across a church family I believe each chapter will find someone to confront. I recommend buying a few copies, and sharing them liberally around your church. It will be good for your brothers and sisters, and good for their outreach.
Big thanks to 10ofthose for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book through their Blog Review Program.
March 12, 2020
Eek. I was sort of expecting a nice, short, uplifting read. But this is a challenging book. At just 75 pages I'm surprised at the punch it's packing!
It tackles four major areas of sin that compromise Christian witness: materialism, careerism, sentimentalism (not a real word but you see what he means), and nationalism. You might look at that list and think 'I don't struggle with any of those'. I thought that too. Turns out I do. You probably do as well.
Unfortunately, this book is actually let down slightly by the brevity, in that these are major topics that need more attention, and massively by the editing and proofreading. There are lots of missing words and extra words throughout that make for a slightly jarring reading experience.
It tackles four major areas of sin that compromise Christian witness: materialism, careerism, sentimentalism (not a real word but you see what he means), and nationalism. You might look at that list and think 'I don't struggle with any of those'. I thought that too. Turns out I do. You probably do as well.
Unfortunately, this book is actually let down slightly by the brevity, in that these are major topics that need more attention, and massively by the editing and proofreading. There are lots of missing words and extra words throughout that make for a slightly jarring reading experience.
May 20, 2020
Great book. Really enjoyed being challenged! Section on Nationalism seems especially relevant at present.
December 9, 2021
A short but self-reprimanding book
December 19, 2022
(3.6) A short book that does its job quite well. It’s punchy and is designed to expose our blind spots as comfortable Christians in the West and encourage us to be courageous instead.
May 17, 2021
completion note: Hurrah for Northern Irishmen, specifically those who write incredibly short books that I can get through in an hour in order to feel like I’ve accomplished something.
★★★½☆ | 3.50 stars | RTC
★★★½☆ | 3.50 stars | RTC
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