Nose in a book.

For some of us these unusual days are freeing up more time to read. 

Perhaps we are making progress on that pile of books that have been sitting on the coffee table for weeks - dare I say months! 

For others there's the opportunity to get our nose into a book but we're not sure where to start.

Every now and again we're asking different members of the church to tell us about what they've been reading.

Ben Harding kicks things off and tells us about his latest read. 

I have just finished read Daniel Strange’s book Plugged In, which has been beautifully put together by the Good Book Company, (yes a book is more than its cover but the cover does matter). In a time where many of our evenings are filled with Netflix, Radio 4 and our social media feeds I wanted to read a book that would help me think about how I engage with the media that is bombarding my daily thoughts.


'Twitter' Review
The aim of the book, is best summarised in Strange’s own words: 'It’s possible to watch TV and read novels and play video games in a way that actually feeds our faith rather than withers it… Because you can’t escape culture. But you can engage culture.’


A bit longer and a bit Deeper! 
Strange, does a wonderful job of showing us the ‘water we swim in’ and some of the dangers of the culture that bombards us. But rather than encouraging us to run for the hills or jump in uncritically; Strange helps us see that culture is wanting to tell a story that brings meaning to the world around us. The problem is that any story being told without the gospel at the centre is ultimately one that is both full of idols and unable to make sense of the world.

Strange suggests a wonderfully simple way to approach our surrounding culture as Christians, using a four step guide: (1) Enter – Step into the culture; (2) Explore – Search for elements of grace and the idols attached; (3) Expose – Show up the idols as destructive frauds and finally (4) Evangelise – show the gospel as ‘subversive fulfilment’ (You will find out what that means when you read the book!).

Expanding our view of God

As Christians we believe in Christ’s Lordship in all of life. This book brings both encouragement and challenge as to how we put that into practice when it comes to our consumption of culture.  It encourages us to see that there are elements of the big narrative of scripture within any culture and that we can engage with it as Christians. The challenge it brings us is to not simply be a mindless consumer but to engage, critic and create culture for the glory of God!

If you are someone that watches TV, listens to the Radio and reads books (Yes, all of us!) then this book will help you to engage with culture in a way that brings honour to God and enables you to speak more naturally to your friends about the hope we have in the Gospel.