Book Introduction
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To the world, I am many things—a professor, a wife, a new mom, a writer, a basic white girl, an extrovert, an Independent, an overachiever, a Californian, and a millennial. And as much as I strongly identify with all those things, the only thing that I should, and want to, be known for is being a Christian. Yet in today’s world, particularly in the United States over the past few decades, this is by far the most controversial and least popular of all my identities. Being a Christian is neither popular nor politically correct. For many, being a Christian means being narrow-minded, judgmental, self-righteous, ignorant, racist, sexist, antigay, and a radical fundamentalist. I will be the first to admit that, unfortunately, there are Christians everywhere who are all those things. In fact, this is not the first time that Christians have created a bad name for themselves (hello, Crusades, indulgences, colonialism, slavery, etc.), and it will most certainly not be the last.
The real question becomes, What does it look like to be a Christian in a time when being a Christian is unpopular? I am in no way claiming that I am the voice of my generation, but what I can say is that as a millennial, I am watching an entire generation walk away from the church, abandoning or watering down their faith, compromising on biblical truths, and trying to overcompensate for the bad reputation Christian believers have gained. On the other extreme, I also see Christians becoming hardened, clinging to their beliefs and shoving them down the throats of anyone who will listen. Instead of channeling wisdom and discernment, there are many Christians who do not know how to pick their battles and others who don’t know how to stand up for their beliefs at all. Afraid of coming across as judgmental, many Christians don’t take a stance on anything, and as a result, their faith wavers in the face of the smallest resistance to their beliefs. Others are desperate to demonstrate that they are Christians but don’t know how to communicate their beliefs effectively to others. And some are not afraid to communicate their beliefs but are misguided on what the Bible actually teaches.
I am writing this book because I fundamentally believe that it is not only possible but is also our duty as believers to be effective ambassadors for Christ in a world that does not understand our beliefs, customs, convictions, and experiences. However, I am not naive to the fact that this job, although more important than ever, has become more difficult than ever. As ambassadors for Christ, we do not want to come across as insensitive to the cultures and belief systems of those around us. But at the same time, it is our job to accurately represent the gospel without succumbing to a watered-down version of Christianity in the process. Our job rests on the tension between truth and love, which is one of the most difficult balances to strike. In fact, this balance is impossible to find without the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit.
As the next generation of leaders, we have the opportunity to change the reputation of Christianity in the United States and in the world. As much as we can learn from the generations above us, they are limited by their own experiences and the culture and environment that they grew up in. Research tells us that we have more access to education and are more tech savvy, connected, globally minded, and diverse than previous generations. And with these trends come important questions about politics, gender, sexuality, race, poverty, morality, activism, and the role of the church. Given the rapidly changing political and social climate, it is no wonder that Christians are having a hard time reconciling the vast amounts of information they are receiving on a daily basis with what the Bible actually teaches. In a post-truth era, with a constant influx of news rapidly infiltrating our information sources, the need for clarity is ever more apparent. Ironically, despite the high levels of education we have received and our abundant access to information, very few young people actually know what the Word of God says and how to interpret it, especially in a different cultural context. Biblical illiteracy is rampant, and as a result, the confusion surrounding what it means to be a Christian has become increasingly apparent.
In writing this book, then, I hope to inspire a generation of Christians who are not only aware of the important issues of the day but also know how to effectively talk about them as an ambassador for Christ. In doing so, I hope to remind and teach my fellow believers what the Word of God says and how to reconcile biblical truths with cultural and political trends. I wholeheartedly believe that it is possible to stick to our beliefs, not accepting a watered-down version of Christianity, without coming across as judgmental, insensitive, or rude. In fact, the Bible shows us a perfect example of how to do this through the life of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus was often controversial and unpopular and went to the cross and died for His beliefs. However, Jesus was known for His compassion, grace, kindness, and love. Even those who killed Him could find no fault with Him. Like Jesus, as Christians, we should strive to be blameless and unashamed in a world that wants to place blame and shame. We need to do better and be better, not because our salvation depends on it but because we are doing a disservice to an entire generation who is lost and confused, desperately seeking truth, and unsure of what to look for or how to identify truth when they find it. I hope that in reading this, your faith is refreshed, your love for God is amplified, your hope is restored, and you feel empowered to take on the mission of Christ in a world that is increasingly in opposition to Christianity and what it stands for.
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A brief note on what this book is and what this book is not:
- Although I am a millennial writing from the perspective of a millennial, this book is not just targeted toward millennials. I believe that all generations of Christians need to hear this message, and the issues brought up in this book are not just questions in the minds of millennials; they are questions in the minds all believers living in the world today. So don’t let my Harry Potter and pop culture references deter you from reading this book! As believers, we are all one in Jesus Christ, so I think it is important for us to all be on the same page. Christ’s reputation here on earth is shaped not just by a handful of believers but by the entire body of Christ. Therefore, my intention with this book is to start a dialogue among believers of all different ages about how Christ could be better proclaimed in this rapidly shifting world.
- My primary goal with this book is to create an attitude shift among believers. Therefore, I am looking at the big picture here, and I do not want to get bogged down by the minutiae of any particular issue; I want to get at the heart of the issue, not the issue itself. There are many books and resources out there that address in more detail every topic that I bring up in this book. However, I don’t want to just parrot the arguments and resources that are already out there. Instead, I want to take a step back, pull out a wider lens, and ask the bigger questions that are being neglected. I do not claim to be an expert on any issue brought up in this book. I am, however, a devoted follower of Christ who desires for the gospel to be proclaimed and for Christ’s love to be magnified in this world. I am not trying to spark controversy or advocate for a particular set of policies, ideologies, or political parties but rather to get us all to think about the areas where we are perhaps missing the point. I want us to think critically about the messages we are proclaiming, asking ourselves whether they are of this world or from our heavenly Father.