By Gabe Lyons
WaterBrook Multnomah, $14.99, 272 pages
The author and evangelical leader Gabe Lyons – the founder of Q, a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society – sets out to review our misconceptions about Christians in his newest book The Next Christians: Seven Ways You Can Live the Gospel and Restore the World. “Restorers,” as Lyons names the current generation of evangelicals, work to follow Christ’s example. Although Lyons sometimes idealizes the efforts of the Christians he has chosen to interview for his work, his seven characteristics of a forward-thinking Christians are worth noting. If the church will truly produce a generation of philanthropic, intentional, culturally sensitive, Christ-centered, and engaged citizens, what a remarkable society this would be. But even if we do not agree with Lyons’ supposition that this current generation of Christians is breathing life into a new movement of social altruism, Lyons’ book is worth reading, whether you are an individual seeking more thoughtful aspiration or a church member hoping to eradicate hypocrisy, blind judgmentalism and empty words.
Reviewed by Jennie Harrop
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