The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent David H. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Reading - Book Report on Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner
Bob Briner in Roaring Lambs takes a broad look at culture - literature, visual arts, television, films - and asks 'Where are the Christians?' He suggests that, instead of complaining and boycotting what we find objectionable, we should be praising the good and creating more that is good in these fields. "Despite the fact that roughly 80 percent of Americans claim to believe in Jesus Christ we’re struggling," claims Briner. This message directly summarizes the whole book.
We are called in Matthew 5: 13a; 14a to be "the salt of the earth...the light of the world." The duty of the "salt" is to be at the forefront of the battle for Christ. We need to live His relevance in every area of our lives by building the kingdom in our professional areas also. Briner specifically focuses on the importance of Christian influence in public policy, advertising, media, higher education, entertainment, the arts, and sports.
Instead of calling for a boycott on these industries, Briner suggests being the conscience of the community, speaking out for what is true and right. The Christian church must become active. One might ask, is not this already happening? Church attendance is at its highest in decades. Christian television networks are spanning the globe with the message of the Gospel. Christian publishing is producing books into every neighborhood where people can buy Bibles and helpful Christian literature.
Yes, this is all very true, but why does our culture continually sink further into sin? This is because Christians do not have a major influence on mainstream culture. Roaring Lambs goes through each area of mainstream life and highlights those who are making a Christian difference while also encouraging other Christians to positively influence their area of profession.
Scripture commands us to be the salt of the earth in every area of society. Therefore, those culture-shaping professions which are especially salt-free must be mightily reclaimed. The lambs of God must roar. Individual Christians must become roaring lambs by being informed citizens who will enter their community dialogues on social and political issues.
Our Christianity must not be a private affair. Instead we need to use our "bully pulpits" and proclaim the gospel of Christ. This work and effort however cannot be on our own. We must be convinced that with God’s help we can make a difference. This book has majorly impacted my thinking and attitude towards Christian roaring in society. I hope and pray that other Christians who read this book will feel the same way I do.
