Gray Matters: Navigating the Space Between Legalism & Liberty

Culture is in right now for Christians. Engaging it, embracing it, consuming it, and creating it. Many (younger) evangelicals today are actively cultivating an appreciation for aspects of culture previously stigmatized within the church. Things like alcohol, Hollywood's edgier content, plays, art openings, and concerts have moved from being forbidden to being celebrated by believers. But are evangelicals opening their arms too wide in uncritical embrace of culture? How do they engage with culture in ways that are mature, discerning, and edifying rather than reckless, excessive, and harmful? Can there be a healthy, balanced approach--or is that simply wishful thinking?

With the same insight and acuity found in his popular Hipster Christianity, Brett McCracken examines some of the hot-button gray areas of Christian cultural consumption, helping to lead Christians to adopt a more thoughtful approach to consuming culture in the complicated middle ground between legalism and license. Readers will learn how to both enrich their own lives and honor God--refining their ability to discern truth, goodness, beauty, and enjoy his creation.

Author: Brett McCracken
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 08/01/2013
Pages: 270
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.49h x 5.54w x 0.63d
ISBN: 9780801014741

Review Citation(s):
Christian Retailing 08/01/2013 pg. 16

About the Author
Brett McCracken is a Los Angeles-based journalist. He is the author of "Hipster Christianity "and has written for the "Wall Street Journal," the "Washington Post," CNN.com, the "Princeton Theological Review," "Mediascape," "Books & Culture," "Christianity Today," "Relevant," "IMAGE Journal," "Q Ideas," and Conversantlife.com. A graduate of Wheaton College and UCLA, Brett currently works as managing editor for "Biola Magazine" and teaches journalism at Biola University. Follow him at his blog, The Search, at www.stillsearching.wordpress.com.