The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Emily M. during the 2007-2008 League.
Book Report on "Roaring Lambs"
As Christians, we are called to be salt and light, but what does that actually mean? Many Christians would say that it means to be a missionary and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in foreign lands. There is a tendency for the idea to form in our minds that this is the only way we can be salt in this world, and that the only thing those who are not called to be pastors or missionaries can do is give money and prayers to those who have the calling. The reality is, we are not "second class Christians" if we have some other occupation; our American culture is just as much in need of salt as the rest of the world. The movies, music, books and art of America testify to our need for a savior. This concept is the topic of Bob Briner's book "Roaring Lambs."
The culture we live in is a modern Babylon; movies, books, music and all kinds of art promote the way of the sinful world, and make it look glamorous. The secular world dominates these fields because Christians don't want to get involved. We are satisfied with simply not patronizing the inappropriate movies, books and profane music; and we are also satisfied with what Bob Briner calls the Christian "sub-culture." There are books and music that are almost exclusively patronized by Christians. Rarely do we market our movies and music to the nation at large. What we have done is condemn what the world produces without presenting an acceptable alternative. Those who are unsaved in Hollywood need a savior just as much as the unsaved in Africa. We need people who are not afraid, who are well grounded in their faith, to go into every facet of society. Christians should also endeavor to excel at whatever they do; if we are "working as to the Lord," (Colossians 3:23) then we ought to be doing our best all the time.
A wonderful example of what Bob Briner is talking about is the Clapham Community. The Clapham Community helped William Wilberforce in his battle against the slave trade and in the reformation of society. These included people like Hannah More, a popular writer and playwright whose works were extremely influential; Granville Sharp, a musician who played regularly for royalty and the nobility; Josiah Wedgwood, an artist who designed the Queen's own dishes; James Stephen, a gifted lawyer; and William Wilberforce, a politician and one of the greatest orators of his time. All these people used their talents and gifts to touch every part of society for the glory of God, and the Lord used them to change the world. The Lord still gives his people all kinds of gifts, we need to use these gifts to glorify him; when we do that we become effective Christians who are salt and light in the world.
