The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Chandler K. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Reading - Book Report on Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner
Roaring Lambs is an inspiring book that should be read by all Christians concerned with being a shaping force in our culture. Written by successful television producer Bob Briner, it is a battle cry and a challenge to Christians to become agents of change in our world.
This book was written to show Christians how to be roaring lambs. What are roaring lambs? Salt: 'Stinging, biting, cleansing, and preserving' (Roaring Lambs Pg.38 line 30) that permeates our culture with the influence of Christ. Briner uses several common media tools as examples for being salt in our world. The idea that binds these examples together is that we should not only denounce the evil these tools broadcast, we should replace it with something better. Briner repeatedly makes the case that Christian principles are not found in popular media syndicates because no one is putting them there. In other words, it does no good to simply complain about the condition of T.V. or best selling literature if we do not take the steps to provide a beneficial alternative. Briner wisely states that we are hurting the Christian cause most when we lose our calm, rational, evangelical roots and become nothing but whiney voices fiercely opposed to anything the slightest bit offensive. Trying to drown out or suffocate sin with boycotts, bans, and restrictions is a heartbreaking misrepresentation of the ministry Christ wants us to pursue. So Briner asks, how should we voice our opinions? How can we see Christian principles being praised and respected by a media dominated culture? How can we all be roaring lambs?
The opinions of Christians are relevant and need to be heard. Yet all too often the only opinions we hear are ones of opposition and negativity. As a part of society with a reputation for intolerance, Christians need to be mindful of praising the good things we see on T. V., read in books, hear on the radio, and contemplate in the art galleries. If we let the decision makers at influential corporations know that we appreciate the wholesome programs they provide, they will be more inclined to produce more of the same. One large reason television companies do not air shows with Christian morals is because they don't realize the enormous amount of people who would watch and enjoy them. These companies view the Christian audience as small and unimportant.
Along with expressing our beliefs, Christians should strive to work among the most powerful and influential people running the industries that produce our entertainment. High ranking employers would hire Christians regardless of their own religious views if they saw people who were industrious, technologically savvy, well educated, and business minded. It is critical that we become the most we can be in Christ and offer our services to a world indulged in immorality and characterized by insensitivity.
Our most effective and inclusive weapon is prayer. Every Christian, regardless of social status, education, or physical ability, can pray for God to work in the hearts that decide what we will view and hear.
