The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Kayla M. during the 2009-2010 League.
Mission: Read - Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner
In his book Roaring Lambs, successful TV producer Bob Briner urges fellow Christians to influence the world for Christ by living out their faith as confident believers who "roar" the Gospel message as they work in culture-shaping professions. Briner opens his book with a question he had wrestled with for years: Can a Christian live out his faith and advance God’s kingdom in careers other than the ministry? Through the rest of Roaring Lambs, Briner will answer this question with a resounding yes by depicting believers as they make an impact for Christ in many influential careers.
First Briner exhorts his readers to pray for God’s will, help and guidance before embarking on their mission to "roar" for Him. Then he examines the church’s current impact on American culture. While Christians in the U.S. have formed a thriving subculture of music, literature and academe, Briner asserts, the church as a whole is failing to shape mainstream American culture. Concerned, Briner urges believers not to run away from mainstream culture, but to "rush into it" (pg 33) and make a positive impact on it for Christ. Next Briner discusses Jesus’ statement, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13), and its implications for Christians today. Just as salt acts as a seasoning and preservative when it is shaken onto meat, we as Christians can slow the process of decay in our world by obeying Jesus’ call. To influence the world, however, we must be in contact with it – shaken onto it to demonstrate Christ’s relevance to a flavorless and decaying world. Throughout Roaring Lambs, Briner refers to a culture-shaping strategy, the act of "replacing evil with good" (pg 42). Instead of complaining about the spread of evil in our world in certain areas, we can take action in those fields by offering "positive uplifting alternatives" (pg 51), thus penetrating the
Briner then examines several professional fields that need the preserving salt of the Gospel – journalism, movies, television, literature and the visual arts. He encourages believers to enter the cultural conflict of ideas, because we need Christian writers and speakers to represent Christ and His Word in an accurate, honoring light. Briner cites Cal Thomas and William Murchison as two successful columnists who have integrated their faith and values into their writing, setting an example for other believers to follow. He also argues that simply rating and reviewing the negative content in movies is a misuse of Christian resources. Instead of merely exposing the evil in movies, he suggests that believers should pool their resources to produce God-honoring films with uplifting content. Likewise, a Christian perspective will never enter the field of television unless believers make a positive effort to produce good TV shows and to reward the networks who air them. Briner also discusses the world’s need for uplifting literature with good themes, written by lambs willing to roar. In the field of visual arts, Briner asserts that Christians’ job is "not primarily to protest" sinful art displays "but to proclaim" (pg 145) the Gospel message through paintings, sculpture and photography.
I would recommend this book because of its relevance to Christians today and its motivational, applicable message. Briner’s positive approach to living in a sinful world is a refreshing perspective. Roaring Lambs has encouraged me to take action and provide positive alternatives to the evils in our culture instead of merely complaining about them. Briner’s exhortation to be active and positive, not negative and reactionary to the surrounding world, provides encouragement and direction to the church and to me. Many statements in Roaring Lambs spoke powerfully to me. When Briner was challenging believers to stop keeping their faith private, he argued that Christianity is the "most important aspect of our lives." Why then keep it "in a closet?" (pg 70) Briner’s powerful point has encouraged me to be more openly Christian, more confident and more ready to roar. The message of Roaring Lambs also encouraged me to develop my talents and to consider careers in journalism, politics and writing that will honor Christ even in the thick of cultural conflict. This influential book is definitely worth a read, and I trust the Lord will continue to use it to further His kingdom.
