The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Grace H. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Reading - Book Report on Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner
"You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world," Matthew 5:13a; 14a. This verse states the theme of the book Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner. He calls it "his gentle plan to radically change the world." Throughout the book, Briner emphasizes the importance of Christian influence in every area of life.
The statement, "you are the salt of the earth" is an urgent call to the Christian community. Briner gives the analogy of how without salt, food tastes bad because there is nothing to bring out the flavor. In the same way, without active Christians working toward a common goal, the world tastes flat, dull. Just as salt permeates and mixes with food, enveloping it in flavor, so can Christians affect every area of life. Christians can help by demonstrating moral thought process in our world and bringing focus back to God.
"You are the light of the world," is also a very strong statement. One quote in Briner's book said, "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness". This quote constantly comes to mind in daily life. Why spend your energy putting a negative spin on things you don't like or agree with when you can use that energy to do something for God in a positive light. Are people more likely to come to Christ because they hear us complain about issues or because they see our encouragement and joy? Christians must light their candles to demolish the darkness and seek out each shadow, placing brilliant lights in its place.
Briner makes the great point that the world will never become righteous or even change its ways, but he believes that it is not the Christian's job to change the world, but merely to preserve it until the Son returns. Just as salt is used to dry and preserve food, so Christians are here to keep the world on a righteous path as long as possible. Briner struggles with the negativity Christians dish out toward Hollywood, television and the media. Churches promote pulling out from the secular areas of life which is the exact wrong response. Churches must encourage Christians to infiltrate every position, to make them more balanced and moral. Instead of starting an organization to boycott bad movies, TV shows, or media, start colleges that teach students to make movies with a Christian theme, or politicians to bring forth worthy laws. When Christians speak out in judgment against other people's ideology they give a negative outlook on themselves. Believers must offer alternatives that work. Christians, don't change your path or degree because your passion is not in a "righteous" field. Take the challenge and soak that area in your light and salt, to influence it and offer a godly perspective.
How do we do this? Encourage younger generations to get inspired about making wholesome movies, designing modest clothing or using dance and music to praise God. Christians must not stop all exposure to things just because of immoral teaching. For how can you change the wrong unless you know what it is? So, "Fight the good fight of the faith," by being the salt that preserves and the light that banishes darkness, 1 Timothy 6:12.
