Letter to the American Church
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- Create Date：2022-10-18 11:21:33
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Eric Metaxas
- ISBN：B0B3K59ZTY
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Reviews
Larry
，
I was listening to my favorite iPhone app， and heard an interview with the author， Eric Metaxas， just before the book was released。 The link to that interview is at https://crossexamined。org/letter-to-t。。。By joining the book launch team， I received an advanced digital copy of the draft。 I also immediately ordered a copy via Amazon。 I was still reading the digital copy when my hardcopy arrived， so I gave my newly purchased book to my pastor。 I basically used the interview （at the link above） and I was listening to my favorite iPhone app， and heard an interview with the author， Eric Metaxas， just before the book was released。 The link to that interview is at https://crossexamined。org/letter-to-t。。。By joining the book launch team， I received an advanced digital copy of the draft。 I also immediately ordered a copy via Amazon。 I was still reading the digital copy when my hardcopy arrived， so I gave my newly purchased book to my pastor。 I basically used the interview （at the link above） and my digital copy to do a full book report， and used the report in a Sunday School lesson at my church （GMBC。life）。Eric to the church: "But the question comes to us in the American Church all these years later: Will we heed Bonhoeffer’s cry for a full-throated faith that does not hope but that knows God has defeated death， and that lives in a way that makes this plain to anyone who cares to see？ Will we kick away the traces of our dead religiosity and fear-based pieties and speak truth whenever we have that opportunity， come what may？ Will we wipe away the false boundaries between our faith and everything else—whether “politics” or culture—and act as though Truth is a Person who knows no bounds， who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them， and who died that we who are the crowns of God’s creation might at last live in true freedom， with the authority that He gave us when He died and rose from the grave？"My two favorite subjects are politics and religion （Christianity specifically）。 This book was food for my soul concerning both subjects。 。。。more
Ryan
，
Metaxas draws a compelling parallel between the American Church today and the German Church before Hitler。 Bonhoeffer had the wisdom and courage to see and prophesy what was really happening but the church ignored him。Many churches today are going along to get along with cultural Marxism but we’re headed for a crash landing。 Hope this books wokes a few more people up。
Darla L Ryden
，
WILL YOU STAND UP AND BE COUNTED？ This is not a book to read and ponder， it is a call to count the cost of being called a disciple of Christ！ There is no way to maneuver around Truth， who is the person， Jesus Christ。 The only question to answer after diving into this prophetic message is， are you willing to die for the God whom you say you serve or not？ There is no middle ground and an answer is required。 Choose wisely！
Allan Weaver
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Excellent！Reviewed by Sue C。 Weaver。A true wake up call to America's church。 Jesus asked would He find faithful when He returned。 We can not， absolutely not， ignore the longstanding facts that the church has not just been sleeping， it has been guilty of apostasy。 The CHURCH should be going into the world， but rather， the world has come into the church。 Saying a "sinner's prayer" and making a decision for Christ， then nothing changing， is NOT salvation！Believing， committing， and transformation， l Excellent！Reviewed by Sue C。 Weaver。A true wake up call to America's church。 Jesus asked would He find faithful when He returned。 We can not， absolutely not， ignore the longstanding facts that the church has not just been sleeping， it has been guilty of apostasy。 The CHURCH should be going into the world， but rather， the world has come into the church。 Saying a "sinner's prayer" and making a decision for Christ， then nothing changing， is NOT salvation！Believing， committing， and transformation， living out that faith in obedience to God， in Christ， through the power of the Holy Spirit， and seeking God's will， daily， moment by moment takes true faith and true commitment。I see， too often， worship， clapping， amening， etc。， then walk out the door and forget God until next week。That is not salvation。 That is NOT faith。 That is not Believing。 Wake up America！ Wake up parents！ Wake up Pastors and Shepherds！ Wake up politicians。 Wake up educators！ We are accountable。 You serve either God or satan。 You are saved or you are damned。America will be completely destroyed if the church doesn't fight this insidious evil that is pervasive in our government， schools， homes， universities， and yes。。。in our churches！！！Eric's book is certainly a wake up call。。。PLEASE heed this call。Lord Jesus， come soon！ 。。。more
Lynn Lohr
，
Eric Metaxas never disappointsThis is not only timely and filled with bold truth， it us calling every Christain to action。Thank you Mr。 Metxas
Daniel Burch
，
This book is a SAD mixture of the co-opting of a theologically powerful figure like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and American conservatism。 The “American Church” is by no one means in the same position as the German Church of the 1930’s。 Further， the “battles” of modern era not equal to， nor will they ever be equal to， the tragedy of the Holocaust。 This DROSS is a filled with conspiracy theories， racism， patriarchy， and white supremacy。 I will purposefully give this 0 stars because it’s trash like this t This book is a SAD mixture of the co-opting of a theologically powerful figure like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and American conservatism。 The “American Church” is by no one means in the same position as the German Church of the 1930’s。 Further， the “battles” of modern era not equal to， nor will they ever be equal to， the tragedy of the Holocaust。 This DROSS is a filled with conspiracy theories， racism， patriarchy， and white supremacy。 I will purposefully give this 0 stars because it’s trash like this that feeds the division and spurs on hate of a small-minded group in the United States of America。 。。。more
Michelle Mathia
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I have followed Eric for nearly two decades， a mutual friend， Dad Asparagus （Veggies Tale） introduced me to Eric; and shortly after， I heard he was working with the （Chuck） Colson Center; Breakpoint was （and still is） part of Moody Radio programming。 And of course， there was the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast， https://youtu。be/jotOExbddI4 Like Bonhoeffer， Wilberforce and Martin Luther， Eric wears his passionate and loving concern for the Church on his sleeve; and， it is passion and concern ampli I have followed Eric for nearly two decades， a mutual friend， Dad Asparagus （Veggies Tale） introduced me to Eric; and shortly after， I heard he was working with the （Chuck） Colson Center; Breakpoint was （and still is） part of Moody Radio programming。 And of course， there was the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast， https://youtu。be/jotOExbddI4 Like Bonhoeffer， Wilberforce and Martin Luther， Eric wears his passionate and loving concern for the Church on his sleeve; and， it is passion and concern amplified in his Letter to the American Church。 Easy read， （although I have always had to have a dictionary close when reading Eric’s books） and you too will see it is time to “wake and arise” church， take what is happening in the culture around you seriously， speak up and speak out while we， the Church， still can。 。。。more
Steve Cornella
，
A must read for the American church！Eric Metaxas skillfully and passionately points out the failures of the Lutheran Church in Germany in the 1930s。 He parallels this to the church in America today and asks the question。 Will we wake up and speak God’s truth into our culture to save it from self destruction？ Or， will we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear and reap the consequences？I highly recommend this book， which I believe is a prophetic warning to the church。
Heather White
，
This is a MUST READ。 A logical follow up from what we learned from Bonhoeffer’s experience and the parallel to the church in America today - what a path we are on！ Every Christian needs to read this， reflect on history， examine our culture and political climate， and stand boldly on the authority of God’s word。 We are living in a different age; the church still has time to repent， respond， and ACT。
Rose
，
I have many problems with this book。 First off， this is an argumentative book （as in the writing style is an argumentative Essay turned into a book）。 However， this is one of the poorest examples of an argumentative essay/book。 The author barely uses the Bible and rarely ever mentions a Bible verse to support his side。 How can you write a book about Christianity and the church and not use any Bible verses to support you stance？ Second， the author talks about idols being bad and yet talks about Bo I have many problems with this book。 First off， this is an argumentative book （as in the writing style is an argumentative Essay turned into a book）。 However， this is one of the poorest examples of an argumentative essay/book。 The author barely uses the Bible and rarely ever mentions a Bible verse to support his side。 How can you write a book about Christianity and the church and not use any Bible verses to support you stance？ Second， the author talks about idols being bad and yet talks about Bonhoeffer as if he is a god。 Bonhoeffer is talked about as the best of the best and no one， not even the Bible， is presented as higher than Bonhoeffer。 I do appreciate the history and comparison in this book。 However， I strongly disagree on many things he says that are the problem in the church。 The author uses the old good days church as the ideal church when any version of the church at any time after the 300s is a warped version of the church。 This shows the author to only be educated on what he wants which is shown even more in the lack of Bible verses used in this book。 The problem in the church is not silence or supporting others who are not “church appropriate” but that we turned away from the foundation of the church， Bible， and God: love， joy， peace， patience， kindness， goodness， faithfulness， gentleness， and self control （gal 5:22-23）。 Once we go back to that， then change will come。 。。。more
Jean Reist
，
History is a teacherThis book is a must read。 We are facing current circumstances that clearly echo voices of history。 Will we repeat the mistakes of history？ This book is not only a wake up call It carries the challenge of the hour。 Will we rally or retreat？ Each of us must answer this question。 Will we walk in faith or walk in fear？Our future requires individual choice。
Ralph Lehman
，
With the clarity and the force of a shofar blast， Eric has called the American Church into action。 In his Letter to the American Church， Metaxas follows in the footsteps of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who labored strenuously to warn the German Church of the ensuing danger as Hitler exerted greater control of the German government。 Eric is facing a daunting challenge as our government does not have a single leader such as a Hitler or a Stalin， but this ambiguity in leadership has not prohibited our gover With the clarity and the force of a shofar blast， Eric has called the American Church into action。 In his Letter to the American Church， Metaxas follows in the footsteps of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who labored strenuously to warn the German Church of the ensuing danger as Hitler exerted greater control of the German government。 Eric is facing a daunting challenge as our government does not have a single leader such as a Hitler or a Stalin， but this ambiguity in leadership has not prohibited our government from treading down a path similar that of other repressive states。Eric has identified a problem in the church that manifests itself through many facets – the church is not acting like the Church。 In issues ranging from the unborn， to sexual identify， to marriage – the Church has fallen short by repeatedly not standing up for God’s truth。 Not surprisingly， the Church has resigned itself to again sit silently by as our government becomes more oppressive and tyrannical。 When the German Church did just this in the thirties， they enabled the Nazis to exert the power they did。 Eric appeals to history to serve as a guide， but his focus is on God’s word。 Germany， which prior to the Second World War was the most educated country， fell under the sway of Adolph Hitler。 In spite of its education and Christian roots， the Church silently assented to the atrocities of the Nazi Germany。 Their religion had become hollow and disconnected from their culture。 We are in danger of likewise。For Eric， holding our government accountable and speaking up are not mere appendages to our Christian walk but are in integral part of our faith。 Though not cited in the book directly， Eric makes a strong argument for James 4:17 – “Therefore， to him who knows to do good and does not do it， to him it is sin。” The Church can sin by way of commission or omission。 The German Church’s inaction had terrible consequences not only for Germans， but for Europe and the world。 We do not know what the repercussions of our silence might be， but hopefully the church will heed Eric’s call。 。。。more
Lesley Cullen
，
If you are new to treasured author Eric Metaxas and his gift for writing， you will want to binge read all his books， starting with this one。 In his new book， Letter to the American Church， Eric is alerting the members of the body of Christ to wake up to the modern culture of lies and tyranny that threaten our religious liberties and be silent no more。 Eric reminds us that we have authority to speak out on behalf of God as German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer did during the first few months of Hitle If you are new to treasured author Eric Metaxas and his gift for writing， you will want to binge read all his books， starting with this one。 In his new book， Letter to the American Church， Eric is alerting the members of the body of Christ to wake up to the modern culture of lies and tyranny that threaten our religious liberties and be silent no more。 Eric reminds us that we have authority to speak out on behalf of God as German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer did during the first few months of Hitler’s reign。 Here is how Eric describes the circumstances of the German Church at that time and what Bonhoeffer was up against。“He （Bonhoeffer） was constantly battling with people who simply could not see the changing situation， or accept that it was changing—and that it required them to change their approach。 They seemed to think that what might have worked in 1915 or 1925 would work in 1935。 They were not alive to the urgency of the situation。 These were the same people who were convinced they could continue as they had always done， who believed that would suffice， that that was the path forward。 They refused to see the new situation and act accordingly。”As Eric states so well “and it must be said empathetically to secularize the public is actually to impose upon it a religion of another kind……。。” I believe you will find this book to be moving and relevant。 The Church can no longer avoid discussing these contentious cultural and political issues plaguing our society。 。。。more
Jeff Bobin
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Thought provoking look at the modern US church and compares it to pre-WWII Germany and the Lutheran church。 While they outline a very real problem within the church today it is a one sided presentation that fails to point out the weakness in other sectors of the church and their unfaithfulness is pursuing truth。 It is a short quick read worth the time if willing to do the work of thinking it through in broader terms。
David Landry
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Truth made aliveThis book is a Courageous look at biblical truth as it must be applied to the challenges of today。A must read for believers。
Ted Shimanuki
，
"Letter to the American Church" is a book by best-selling author Eric Metaxas which， for people of faith， makes you think。 That， in and of itself， is an exceptional reason to read this book， and pass it on to a friend。 Mr。 Metaxas uses the amazing parallels of the American Church in current times with the German Church of the 1930's in the rapid changes in their society brought on by the Nazi party。 He knows much about that time period because he researched and wrote his award-winning biography， "Letter to the American Church" is a book by best-selling author Eric Metaxas which， for people of faith， makes you think。 That， in and of itself， is an exceptional reason to read this book， and pass it on to a friend。 Mr。 Metaxas uses the amazing parallels of the American Church in current times with the German Church of the 1930's in the rapid changes in their society brought on by the Nazi party。 He knows much about that time period because he researched and wrote his award-winning biography， "Bonhoeffer: Pastor， Martyr， Prophet， Spy"。Dietrich Bonhoeffer did not remain silent as a church leader in his era， and Mr。 Metaxas calls on the American Church to not be silent as well， particularly church leaders。 In our current day of "the mainstream news" being filled with political messaging from one side of the political spectrum， the rapidly evolving social media landscape， and recent public challenges to the 1st Amendment's unalienable rights of free speech and freedom of religion -- with the outlandish view of placing someone's feelings as a higher priority than the right of free speech -- it is paramount that the Church's voice and that of Mr。 Metaxas be heard in the public square， and seriously considered。 The book identifies four common reasons which Christians in our era may give for justifying non-involvement and separation from political matters in this nation。 In this regard， Metaxas adroitly argues each reason: 1） the meaning of the word "faith"， effectively borrowing from Bonhoeffer's clarion teaching on "cheap grace"; 2） the "idol of evangelism"; 3） an apparent， but false， "commandment" to not be political; and 4） the error of placing the goal of avoiding sin as above all other spiritual life matters。 He writes convincingly on these。 I believe the strength of the book is that Mr。 Metaxas does not give a prescription of what every church leader and every church member ought to do in response to the status and direction of American society。 Just as there is diversity within the American Church， there are a wide range of responses one may be called upon to act -- based on their individual understanding， their conscience， their application of the word of God， and their relationship with God。 Here is where Metaxas accomplishes his goal: he admonishes the American Church to be doers of the faith， and to respond like Bonhoeffer in declaring what one believes to be right and wrong in the public square as opportunities present themselves。 In a pluralistic American society， it is wise to balance the one-sided "religion" of secularism -- by adding the voices of our pluralistic religious communities -- be it Muslim， Jewish， Buddhist， Hindu， or Christian。 America is founded on the ability to argue and debate what liberty means， and Mr。 Metaxas advances this cause。I highly recommend this book。 。。。more
Richard Tarrillion
，
Earth Shattering This book asks if each of us will follow God and speak against evil as He has ordained us to do？ Will we stand together against the powers of evil？ It is entirely up to us。 The USA and perhaps the whole world depends on it。 If we do， God will be with us！
Michael F。 Hayes
，
A voice crying in the wildernessEric Metaxas ， speaks truth to power， just as the heroes of whom he writes have done。 And his comparison of the German church’s silence in the face of Hitler ‘s evil to our American church’s silence about our cultural evils is spot on - As well as our personal silence
Corgi
，
A great and timely book about American Christians by Eric Metaxas。 It is a must read。
Greg Thurkins
，
A succinct challenge backed up by deeply rooted events of the past。 A book that calls to all levels of church and community leaders。 Metaxas taps into a plethora of intimate knowledge in the likes namely of Bonhoeffer， Wilberforce and Luther。 His criticisms are strong but fair painting colorful descriptions of the archetypal failed leaders and non-church churches Christians have been subjected to over the past thirty years。 Institutions focusing on atmospheres of bread and circuses rather than C A succinct challenge backed up by deeply rooted events of the past。 A book that calls to all levels of church and community leaders。 Metaxas taps into a plethora of intimate knowledge in the likes namely of Bonhoeffer， Wilberforce and Luther。 His criticisms are strong but fair painting colorful descriptions of the archetypal failed leaders and non-church churches Christians have been subjected to over the past thirty years。 Institutions focusing on atmospheres of bread and circuses rather than Christ's heroic passion of delivering truth with accountability。 Metaxas uses this less as the bludgeoning hammer of criticism it could have， rather， pointing to the delicate compass singularly focused on the immediate actions that get souls the rest of the way。 A short pamphlet reminding and motivating Christians where the mission is。 God lay with truth， truth is the essence of God。 If you are in conflict with truth， you are in conflict of God。 。。。more
Larry Pittman
，
This book is a must-read for the American Church。 Every American， male or female， who identifies as a Christ follower must read this book。 Make no mistake about it， this is a wake-up call for those who know they’ve been called to do the work of the Lord in this day and age。 For those that are floating along， just casually attending a church and doing the “religious duties”， this is a loud clanging gong that they need to get out of bed and get to work， seriously following Jesus as the Bible instr This book is a must-read for the American Church。 Every American， male or female， who identifies as a Christ follower must read this book。 Make no mistake about it， this is a wake-up call for those who know they’ve been called to do the work of the Lord in this day and age。 For those that are floating along， just casually attending a church and doing the “religious duties”， this is a loud clanging gong that they need to get out of bed and get to work， seriously following Jesus as the Bible instructs them to do。For people that are far removed from the horrors of Germany in the 1940s， you young folks， this book is a much-needed reminder/education of what happened in the well-educated and sophisticated culture of 1930s Germany。I， like many others， have asked “How did Germany （or the German people） allow that to happen？” How could the Church， the Body of Christ， stand by and let 6 million Jews be slaughtered， as well as many other atrocities？Eric Metaxas answers this question and draws ample analogies between the German Church and their circumstances and the American Church and our circumstances， the evils we face today， Marxist ideologies being one of them。If there is one criticism I have with this book， it is that people know that they need to Love God （or at least they should know）， but they don’t necessarily know how to love Him， which means there is a major disconnect in our Church today because we have not been making true disciples， which is why we are in the mess we’re in。 I think Mr。 Metaxas could have spent a little time on this issue because if we’ve been successfully making true disciples all along， this book wouldn’t be necessary。 。。。more
Timothyemmalee
，
This book was largely well-written and had a solid， well-thought-out point。 His comments on Martin Luther were particularly good。 It's a bit simplistic at times。 I don't mean that he's pointing to falsehoods， but he too often conflates evils of the past with evils of the present without sufficiently distinguishing between the circumstances of each。 It is as though he's saying， "X did this in his time and it was good， so if we don't do the same then we're bad。" This is to use history as anecdote。 This book was largely well-written and had a solid， well-thought-out point。 His comments on Martin Luther were particularly good。 It's a bit simplistic at times。 I don't mean that he's pointing to falsehoods， but he too often conflates evils of the past with evils of the present without sufficiently distinguishing between the circumstances of each。 It is as though he's saying， "X did this in his time and it was good， so if we don't do the same then we're bad。" This is to use history as anecdote。 。。。more
Glenn O'Bannon
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This book uses many lessons from history and from the scriptures。 It's an answer to those people who think Christian churches shouldn't get involved in politics， and worse， to those people that think individual Christians themselves should not get involved in politics。 He thinks that staying silent and/or not voting is not only dangerous to the country， but is ultimately quite a threat to the body of Christ itself。 Please read， then ruminate and pray about this important topic。He makes some comp This book uses many lessons from history and from the scriptures。 It's an answer to those people who think Christian churches shouldn't get involved in politics， and worse， to those people that think individual Christians themselves should not get involved in politics。 He thinks that staying silent and/or not voting is not only dangerous to the country， but is ultimately quite a threat to the body of Christ itself。 Please read， then ruminate and pray about this important topic。He makes some compelling arguments。 Recommended reading！ 。。。more
Larry
，
Easily one of the most important books to come out in years。 This book is the， Common Sense， essay for the church。 Metaxas compares the lack of reaction by the German Lutheran church in the early 30’s during the rise of Hitler to the lack of reaction of the American church today。 Speak the truth in love regardless of the consequences。 Either God is on the throne or He is not。
Justin Scherrer
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Christ have mercy; Church ave courage。
Tammy
，
brilliant and MovingI had no idea what was going to be in this book， but I was not disappointed。 so many of us realize that our leaders are not stepping up and standing up for righteousness these days。 In fact it seems like they’re staying pretty neutral and it makes it confusing and hard to know what our response should be is the body。 I think this book does a great job of making parallels to the German church during World War II and how they missed opportunity after opportunity to stand up for brilliant and MovingI had no idea what was going to be in this book， but I was not disappointed。 so many of us realize that our leaders are not stepping up and standing up for righteousness these days。 In fact it seems like they’re staying pretty neutral and it makes it confusing and hard to know what our response should be is the body。 I think this book does a great job of making parallels to the German church during World War II and how they missed opportunity after opportunity to stand up for righteousness。 If we don’t stand up now it’s only gonna get harder。 We are not called to sit back and watch things fall apart because we don’t want to offend or go against the government based on a Poor interpretation of Romans 13。 Share this with your pastor and other influential leaders in your city after you read it because it is worth being in the hands of all those who have the opportunity to not cower in fear of being unliked or offensive， but to stand tall on the promises of God。 As we stand， he will pave the way for us。 。。。more
T。M。
，
An excellent read， albeit a chilling comparison of the modern American Church to the German Church before and during WWII。 Many great points to consider as a leader in a congregation or even as a layperson。 Only issue I had was the short length of the book for the price （hardcover）， but in the end， it was well worth it。
Linda Martin
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This is a very convicting book that encourages Christians to get involved in political and social issues。 I have mixed feelings about this。 I do think that Christians should engage in trying to resolve political issues _IF_ they feel called to do it。 There have been times in my life when I stood up to corruption at great personal sacrifice and perceived possible danger， and I felt right about doing it then。 But as for right now， I'm downright elderly and am more concerned about finding peace in This is a very convicting book that encourages Christians to get involved in political and social issues。 I have mixed feelings about this。 I do think that Christians should engage in trying to resolve political issues _IF_ they feel called to do it。 There have been times in my life when I stood up to corruption at great personal sacrifice and perceived possible danger， and I felt right about doing it then。 But as for right now， I'm downright elderly and am more concerned about finding peace in my personal life， and that doesn't include rushing into political battles。 I'm not going to be guilted into something that I'm not feeling in my heart。 If I feel it is my place to speak up about a matter， I usually do it without hesitation， even if I know there will possibly be negative consequences。 I'm not so sure that my lack of concern about consequences is a good thing。 This inability to plan ahead has caused me a lot of problems over the years。So - am I going to go be an activist because I read a book encouraging Christians to get involved？ Well， I'm already an activist in some issues which I choose not to discuss here。 I don't plan to do anything more than what I'm already doing。 If Christ wants me to take a stand on something it will happen very naturally in a way that will make me want to speak out about an issue。 That is what usually happens。I think the target audience for this book is the great mass of Christians who feel that they should stay out of political activism of any kind。 Maybe they are just apathetic and self-absorbed， or too busy with their private lives。 I think Mr。 Metaxas was trying to reach them with this book。 。。。more
Barbara
，
Eric Metaxas brings the voice of Bonhoeffer not only to the American Church， but also to many western nations facing increasing loss of freedoms， religious persecution， and dangerous trends similar to what Germany saw in the 1930’s。 In just the first chapter， Metaxas wastes no time in getting to the pith of the matter， with his characteristic wit， profundity， and clear writing。 He compels his readers to examine the “hosts of reasons---and excuses” for the attitudes and behaviors of American Chri Eric Metaxas brings the voice of Bonhoeffer not only to the American Church， but also to many western nations facing increasing loss of freedoms， religious persecution， and dangerous trends similar to what Germany saw in the 1930’s。 In just the first chapter， Metaxas wastes no time in getting to the pith of the matter， with his characteristic wit， profundity， and clear writing。 He compels his readers to examine the “hosts of reasons---and excuses” for the attitudes and behaviors of American Christian leaders today that mimic those of German pastors of the 1930’s， and makes chilling comparisons between the two， invoking a sense of urgency and extending an invitation to action。In citing the words and works of William Wilberforce， Dietrich Bonhoeffer， as well as the Dutch theologian and statesman Abraham Kuyper， Metaxas issues a clarion call and prophetic warning to the American Church of the 21st century。 With compelling （and telling） chapters such as “The Spiral of Silence，” “the Church Paralyzed，” and “Be Ye Not Political” （to mention a few）， Letter to the American Church challenges the readers to learn from the past， and prepare for the future before it is too late。 As Metaxas says，“… let’s face it: what God usually asks of His people is that they actually live out their faith in all the spheres of their lives so that all of society is blessed。 And when they fail to do this， they are failing to be the Church。”Just read the book。 It’s essential for pastors and leaders， but also for any Christian who wants to be like the “Sons of Issachar - men who know how to interpret the signs of the times to determine what Israel should do。” I Chronicles 12:23 （TLV）。 This book is a both a wake-up call and call to action for 21st century “Sons and Daughters of Issachar” who need the wisdom of Bonhoeffer’s warnings made alive today that we might discern the signs of the times and not just “stay above the fray，” but lead the charge into it。 。。。more
Kathrin Burleson
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