CROSS CULTURE
IN REVIEW To Be Like Jesus! Christian Ethics for a 21stcentury Salvation Army BY DEAN PALLANT What does it mean to live an ethical life in the 21st century? Former leader of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission and current secretary for communications for the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, Lt-Colonel Dean Pallant tackles many pressing topics in his new book To Be Like Jesus!, including the power of governments and corporations, abortion, racism, singleness, marriage, divorce, same-sex relationships, pornography, social media, refugees, human trafficking and more. Lt-Colonel Pallant encourages readers to develop their opinions and actions inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and informed by the Bible, science, previous generations of Christians and many other sources.
Live in Grace, Walk in Love A 365-Day Journey BY BOB GOFF Fans of Bob Goff’s first two books, Love Does and Everybody, Always, can enjoy a daily dose of the author’s witty storytelling and unique perspective with his new devotional book Live in Grace, Walk in Love. The book takes readers through a calendar year with 365 short reflections exploring how we can step out in love and confidence in every aspect of our lives. Each entry begins with a passage of Scripture, accompanied by a personal story and a spiritual encouragement or exhortation. The entries conclude with a question or two, prompting the reader to reflect and make a change in their life that day. Live in Grace, Walk in Love offers food for thought for 2020 and beyond.
Rings of Fire Walking in Faith Through a Volcanic Future BY LEONARD SWEET As a new year and a new decade begin, many are wondering what lies ahead for Christians around the world. In the face of cultural changes from economics and communications to bioethics and beyond, how can Christians respond with hope and continue to lead people to Christ? Bestselling author and popular speaker Leonard Sweet faces the future head-on in Rings of Fire, which takes readers through the “rings of fire” Sweet believes Christians will need to confront this century. This book is a “first-responders manual to help you assess the situation and assist the Spirit as the situation requires,” Sweet writes. His book examines everything from world religions to #ChurchToo to genetic engineering. Sweeping in its scope, Rings of Fire is sure to stimulate creative thinking for individual or group study.
IN THE NEWS Jesus Is King of 2019 The bestselling—and most talked about— Christian album of 2019 came from an unlikely source. Debuting at number 1 on the Billboard charts with the equivalent of 264,000 sales in the United States in its opening week was Jesus Is King from infamous hip-hop artist Kanye West. West’s gospel turn has been in the works for a while—the debut of his Sunday Service pop-up church at the Coachella music festival in April was an early public sign of his newfound faith. References to Christianity have existed in his music for many years—one of his early hits was 2004’s Jesus Walks—but Jesus Is King brings faith to the forefront. West has reportedly said that he will no longer make secular music—only gospel going forward. Reaction to West’s new direction has been mixed. Many Christians have been happy to welcome him into the fold. Reviewing Jesus Is King, Focus on the Family’s Plugged In magazine declares: “Kanye West’s laser-like focus on Jesus here is breathtaking.” Others have noted Sunday Service’s cult-like vibes or pointed out that West is monetizing his faith in questionable ways—for example, selling hoodies that say “Holy Spirit” for $225. For West, at least, his intentions are clear: as he sings on God Is, “God, God is/He, he is my all and all (and I’ll never turn back).”
Disney+ Content Warnings Spark Controversy When Disney+, the company’s new online streaming service, launched to much fanfare in November, subscribers were quick to notice that a disclaimer had been added to certain Peter Pan comes with a content old favourites. Films such disclaimer on Disney+ as Peter Pan, Dumbo and The Aristocats come with a content warning from Disney that reads: “This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.” The disclaimer attempts to address the existence of racially or culturally insensitive scenes in otherwise beloved films. Peter Pan, for example, which was released in 1953, includes a scene that caricatures Indigenous people. Disney has not made public the criteria it is using when deciding whether to apply the disclaimer to a particular film. Opinion in response to the disclaimer was varied, with some saying it was a good discussion starter about the broader issue of racism embedded in culture, while others said it did not go far enough, or should apply to films such as Pocahontas, which is presented without a disclaimer. Salvationist January 2020 27