The biggest issues facing our society are divisive, especially between the generations. Hot topics such as gender and race have put some parents and their kids at odds. Many in our congregations have no idea how to speak about them. However, a book called Secular Creed may help us talk about these issues in a way that is thoroughly Biblical and rich in gospel truth. Author Rebecca McLaughlin has a gentle and convincing way of showing how Jesus transformed the way we view ethnicities, sexuality, gender, and the value of all human beings.
Starting with commonly seen or heard slogans, McLaughlin addresses five ideas that offer a unique worldview. She refers to these collectively as a “secular creed”: Black Lives Matter; Love Is Love; Gay Rights Are Civil Rights; Women’s Rights Are Human Rights; Transgender Women Are Women.
In this concise little book of only 107 pages, Secular Creed will inform and enlighten people in our congregations. It’s very readable for anyone in high school and above. I believe if everyone in our diocese over the age of 14 read this book, we would be very clear on Biblical perspectives regarding the most pressing issues of our day! Secular Creed can be purchased at The Gospel Coalition store or on Amazon.
Rebecca has recently written on similar themes. Her first book titled Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion seeks to address common objections to Christianity.
Rebecca describes the book this way: “It looks at 12 reasons not to believe in Jesus and argues that—if we look at them more closely—they stop being roadblocks and instead become signposts.”
Confronting Christianity was featured as one of the only books about faith on the TED Talks Summer Reading List, and named a Book of the Year 2020 by Christianity Today magazine.
She then released a book for younger audiences titled 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity. It was written in a way in which she would be comfortable with having her ten-year-old read it. Thus, it reads as more for pre- and early teens than for those in high school. McLaughlin gives us a glimpse of her purpose when she writes, “I don’t want my kids to believe in Jesus just because I say so, or just because it’s the largest and most diverse religion in the world, or just because going to church makes you happier, healthier, and more generous to others. I want them to see Jesus for themselves and to believe that what he says about himself is true.” After reading the book, it’s become my conviction that everyone in our diocese should read this by the time they are 13.
If you are interested in a discounted bulk order on these latter titles, you can get them from Crossway.org by signing up for a free Crossway+ membership which gives you at least 30% discount on books and bibles.
By Dave Wright, Diocesan Coordinator for Student Ministries
