We are living in a time of rapid cultural change, when Christian views are often seen as outdated and even dangerous. This can leave us feeling anxious about how to live out what we believe and uncertain about the future of the church.
Stephen McAlpine’s first book, Being the Bad Guys, sought to explain how our culture ended up so far away from biblical Christianity and how to reach out with the gospel wisely. In this book, he explores where things are heading and what we can do about that now, both as individuals and as a church.
Stephen examines secular narratives about purpose and authenticity, connectedness and progress, and compares them to the promises made by the Bible. He shows that the Bible offers a more satisfying, more realistic and more hopeful vision of the future.
He also examines the things that cause many Christians and non-Christians to be anxious about the future: technological change, political polarisation, clashes over climate and culture wars around gender and identity. He reminds readers that God is in control and helps them to think through how they can live wholeheartedly for Christ, facing the challenges of the future with confidence and leading the way in terms of citizenship, stewardship and community.
144 pages.
Contents
Introduction
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The Church of Back to the Future
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Out-Purpose the Culture
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Out-Relate the Culture
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Outlast the Culture
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Polarisation: How to Flourish as a Community
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Technology: How to Flourish as a Participant
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Culture Wars: How to Flourish as a Citizen
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Ecology: How to Flourish as a Steward
Afterword
It’s often said that it’s far easier to expose the failings of our society (and the church) than it is to suggest healthy, realistic and, above all, manageable responses—but Steve has managed to do both beautifully. As well as continuing to reflect on the bewildering changes going on in our world, this book offers a richly biblical, sane and thoughtful way forward. Read this book, be encouraged and throw yourself into God’s great project to offer hope to a hopeless world!
Gary Millar, Principal, Queensland Theological College, Australia; author of Saving Eutychus
I invariably find Stephen McAlpine a trusted and insightful commentator on current events, and especially on the relationship between the church and the culture around it. In Futureproof he sets his sights on future events and offers commentary that is just as helpful and just as perceptive— commentary that will help the church live well in this day and prepare itself for days soon to come.
Tim Challies, Blogger; author, Seasons of Sorrow
Are you pessimistic about the future of the church? Then Futureproof is for you. Not that Steve McAlpine is unrealistic about the challenges before us. But he gives us reasons for hope and ideas for action. Eschewing superficial or trendy solutions, Futureproof digs deep into Scripture to prepare us to live well in our changing context and offer true hope in an anxious world.
Tim Chester, Crosslands Training; Author of Enjoying God
Futureproof: How to Live for Jesus in a Culture That Keeps on Changing is in the following collections:
