Each week, the Record receives review copies of faith books from publishers. Each book is a theological argument, aimed at a particular market of comfortable North American Christians. I have chosen a few books from this overflowing inbox that seem to me to express a similar brand of middle-class suburban big box theology. They are not well written or compellingly intelligent, but they do provide a curious sociological insight. This is the face, largely, of Christianity today on our continent.
It's Better to Build Boys than Mend Men, S. Truett Cathy.
Cathy is a successful businessman, with over 1,000 chicken restaurants in the United States. He believes that "children all around us are growing up without strong positive guidance from their parents, who are busy, distracted, absent, or who choose to be buddies instead of parents to their children". I'm not sure I agree, but Cathy is wealthier than I am. He believes the world is falling apart and he spends a lot of his money mending the cracks.
A sample of his wisdom:
"Here are a few ways parents multiply a child's lack of common sense:
- Give him a weekly allowance.
- Give her a brand new car when she turns sixteen.
- Protect him from the consequences of his bad decisions."
Which leaves me wondering, why is it she gets the car, and he only an allowance?
The Power of Faithful Focus — a Practical Christian Guide to Spiritual & Personal Abundance, Les Hewitt and Dr. Charlie Self.
"Can you imagine going through life hating your purpose — grinding your teeth every morning and proclaiming, ‘Oh no, not another day serving God with my unique talents!' " This is a sequel to Les Hewitt's The Power of Focus. Though they don't say it overtly, the authors are talking about money — it is your Godly obligation to be wealthy, to be prosperous, and to thank Christ for your wealth. Many of their examples are about business people: "As these words are being written, Brett and Lyn are in South Africa with ten Christian business leaders, consulting… about how to do business Christ's way." It's all about money and Christ — as a Presbyterian you may never have seen these words in the same sentence, but here they are. Or as the authors like to say: "God wants me to thrive, not just survive!" (The exclamation point is theirs!)
Entrepreneurial Faith — Launching Bold Initiatives to Expand God's Kingdom, by Kirbyjon Caldwll and Walt Kallestad.
I'm not making this stuff up. Here's a quote from the opening chapter: "Jesus of Nazareth was, and is, the Ultimate Entrepreneur… We believe entrepreneurship is about seeing, sizing and seizing opportunities… At the time Jesus began His entrepreneurial ministry, Jewish society was held captive by Roman oppression… [B]ut being an entrepreneur Jesus couldn't help but turn the system on its head." In other words, to be Christ-like means to be bold, make money and do good.
The Beautiful Balance for Body and Soul, by Cynthia Culp Allen and Charity Allen Winters.
I have been gulping this book down the way one does that sickly sweet supermarket pop, knowing it's awful but unable to resist the sap. Mother and daughter are both faithful Christians and models. Here, they bring it all together. "The man was formed [by God], but woman was fashioned… Can you imagine the almighty Creator lovingly, gently fashioning the first woman — molding her curves, coaxing curls into long locks, stroking a blush across velvety cheeks…" (Let's stop for a cold shower, and return for more.)
"A Christlike Christian is wonderful, no matter what she looks like. But a sharp-looking Christian, with godly character and a confident smile, is dynamite! When you develop into the beautiful, godly woman that God created you to be — watch out, world!"
Yes, world, watch out.
