This reflects the author’s strong conviction that we evangelicals should not neglect preaching the biblical gospel as we involve ourselves in the social issues of our day. This review was written by Hank Griffith of South Suburban Evangelical Free Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
ONWARD: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel is a very thought-provoking book and frankly one that is not always easy to understand. It demands careful reading and reflection if we are to truly profit from it. The author, Dr. Russell Moore, the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, is insightful, even prophetic at times.
The book’s subtitle is the key to understanding Moore’s thesis: “Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel.” I would actually prefer wording it slightly differently: “Engaging the Culture While Also Proclaiming the Gospel.” This reflects the author’s strong conviction that we evangelicals should not neglect preaching the biblical gospel as we involve ourselves in the social issues of our day. The opposite is also true – we should not simply preach the gospel and be silent on matters of mercy and justice that are clearly taught in the Scriptures, i.e. the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage, justice for people of all racial and religious backgrounds, compassion for asylum seekers, care for God’s creation, etc.