Christ and the Culture Wars: Speaking for Jesus in a World of Identity Politics

by Ben Chang

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2023

Overview

A call to engage with the identity politics of our world, and reframe the way we spread the Christian gospel.

In our modern world the gospel of Jesus is seen by many less as good news for all humanity, and more as the bigoted edicts of a bygone era. Benjamin Chang explores the stories of the revolution, tracing the trajectories of four of the biggest social justice movements—feminism, racial justice, gay pride and the trans movement—before looking at the ways Christians usually engage with these arenas of cultural conflict (mirror, argue, ignore) and identifying a better way forward.

Rather than hunkering down in our own identity tribes, arguing against other groups, or ignoring what is going on in the culture around us, Chang encourages Christians to find ways to speak for Jesus. He urges us to look at the way we tell stories, and consider whether we can re–capture hearts in our culture by telling a more powerful counter–narrative. He gives us language to use to speak about the cross in our world of identity politics. We will see that the gospel resonates with a culture when it speaks the language of the culture.

Key Features

• Provides better ways for Christians to tackle identity politics
• Encourages Christians to find ways to speak for Jesus
• Addresses the common cultural topics

Contents

• Part 1: The Stories of the Revolution
• Part 2: Three Common Christian Responses to Identity Politics
• Part 3: Finding a Way Through

Praise for the Print Edition

Ben Chang has done us all a service in this clear and simple introduction to one of the most powerful trends in West at the moment. … Only in the gospel of Jesus Christ – shared in word and deed – can the true identity, justice and hopes of the West be found.

—Stephen Nichols, Vicar, All Saints Church, Lindfield

In the confusing kaleidoscopic world of identity politics and culture wars a simple explanatory guide is a real help. In this book Benjamin Chang explains the history of some of the dominant movements that are simultaneously shaping and splitting society around us, and helps us understand the philosophical roots of how we have got to where we are. But where do we go from here? How can we share the Good News in a culture that increasingly rejects Christianity as oppressively bad news? Informed and informative, readable and engaging, this book is a handbook for those who not only want to understand the world around us, but are striving for a more effective missional engagement with it.

—Chris Wright, Langham Partnership and author of The Mission of God’s People

… challenging, succinct, insightful and practical–a vital resource in equipping Christians to think differently about engaging in contemporary cultures.

—Abigail Maguire, Head of Undergraduate Studies, Moorlands College, Sopley, UK

Product Details

• Title: Christ and the Culture Wars: Speaking for Jesus in a World of Identity Politics
• Author: Ben Chang
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 229
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Gender identity Religious aspects; Homosexuality Religious aspects Christianity; Queer theory; Sex role Religious aspects Christianity; Social justice Religious aspects
• ISBNs: 9781527109766, 9781527110311, 1527109763, 1527110311
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRSTCLTRDPLTCS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-01-22T17:32:12Z

About Ben Chang

Ben Chang is a speaker and writer, as well as working full–time in the health sector. He speaks regularly at conferences, universities and churches on a range of issues including medical ethics, mental health, identity politics and cultural engagement. He blogs at www.benchangblog.com.