When
culture conflicts with scripture, speak out. Author Eric Metaxas maintains
what’s happening in American is similar to what happened in Germany during the
1930s when the church was silent in the face of Hitler’s atrocities.
In the book’s introduction, Metaxas writes: “Critical Race Theory—which is atheistic and Marxist—and radical transgender and pro-abortion ideologies are all inescapably anti-God and anti-human.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor, challenged the church to stand up against forces that oppose God and family. So he and others drew up the “Barman Declaration,” stating that the German state must not govern the Church. But only a sixth of the pastors signed it. Bonhoeffer paid for his opposition with his life. But his insight lives on, as pointed out by Metaxas throughout the book.
Since Romans 13 states believers are to bow to government, many Germans felt they could not disagree with their Fuhrer. I especially appreciated Metaxas’ comments on the parable of the talents. He likens those who fail to speak out because they might be wrong to those who buried their talent in the sand—just to be “safe.”
Metaxas is a cultural commentator whose work has appeared in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He has written a biography on Bonhoeffer. Endorsements from people such as Anne Graham Lotz and Erwin Lutzer speak to the respectability of Metaxas’ message.
Published in 2022 by Salem Books, the book is easy, understandable reading with short chapters. Thought-provoking and inspirational.
