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He
informs us by exploring the roots of religious freedom. They are
grounded in the Bible, not national documents. Goodrich also reviews
a number of issues and court cases so we understand the challenges
facing us today with respect to our current culture. He then give
suggestions to how Christians can move forward.
I
like how he explained religious freedom and how it relates to other
freedoms. He gave an example where my religious rights might violate
the property rights of someone else. The property rights would win.
(28) It's a simple example of issues that get very complicated.
Goodrich
helped me understand how the feelings toward Christianity have
changed in the last decades. Recently, Christian beliefs were viewed
as incompatible with culture but were tolerated. Now, many often view
Christian beliefs as a threat to current culture. He looks at many
issues and suggests that the conflict most threatening to religious
freedom in the US today is the conflict between gay rights and
religious freedom. (95)
What
are Christians to do? I was surprised that Goodrich's first
suggestion was that we shouldn't be thinking about winning. “Our
primary concern is not defeating our enemies but loving them” (154)
We are to be Christlike and that means suffering. We are to consider
God's greater purposes for the world. But he also gives some very
practical suggested for individuals and churches to be prepared to live faithfully as Christ followers.
I
highly recommend this book to lay Christians and church leaders. It contains
information every Christian would do well to understand.
You
can watch the book trailer here.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
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Multnomah,
240 pages.
I
received a complimentary uncorrected proof from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
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