Because We Are Called to Counter Culture: In a World of Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Persecution, Abortion, Orphans, and Pornography (Counter Culture Booklets) by David Platt

Because We Are Called to Counter Culture: In a World of Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism, Sex Slavery, Immigration, Persecution, Abortion, Orphans, and Pornography (Counter Culture Booklets) Reviews

• 
  Hope

  This short, simple booklet is amazingly helpful and challenging. Platt writes about "hot button" issues and gives practical advice for how to get involved. What can you do about world poverty? Not much. But you can make a difference in your own city as you pray and ask God to put you in touch with needy families. (I know from experience that He answers this kind of prayer.) Feel helpless about changing the sex trafficking industry? Find a ministry that works in that area and support them financially.
  
  I loved his emphasis on living more intentionally. How can I give toward (or participate in) these ministries if I'm squandering my time and money on other things? He also makes a strong case for the gospel message as the ultimate solution.
• 
  David

  The basic premise of this monograph is that, while (especially millennial) believers seem to be more socially conscious, the reality is this consciousness is little more than popular rhetoric in religious language. Moving from this premise, Platt challenges Christians to truly engage their faith consistently and with integrity in the practical and often unpopular realms of our everyday western life.
  
  The reader is assumed to be familiar with the principles of the main book Counter Culture, and his resource is a essentially a starter guide for applying counter cultural Christianity to our current context. Each chapter consists of brief remarks, prayer suggestions, action ideas and relevant scriptures on the given contemporary issue.
• 
  Leah Good

  3.5 Stars
  
  This short little booklet is a blitz through some key areas Christian's should be engaged in. Platts comment at the beginning of the book saying that this generation of young Christians can be both more aware and more apathetic about important social issues of importance to the church.
  
  In such a brief space it is, of course, impossible to dig into any depth of these topics. For me, it was all review, yet a good reminder of the issues touched on. I could see this being a good handout to spark conversation and more in-depth study on how Christian's ought to respond to and address issues like abortion, orphan care, homosexuality, etc.
• 
  ClaraBelle

  I love David platt, especially his secret church simulcast and his sermons! This book was the first book of his I ever read! I read it when I was 11 yo but it was easy to read and understand! However, this book isn’t for the faint of heart as it deals with the moral and spiritual issues of our day, particularly porn, homosexuality, persecution of Christians, and sex slavery! For that reason, it’s both informative and disturbing! But Platt calls us out to engage with and help our culture with the Hope of Christ, our savior!
  Rating: 2 out of 1o stars
  Recommends: for older readers ages 25+
  Warning: explicit and disturbing details about cultural issues, particularly abortion and sex slavery
• 
  Nancy DeValve

  I have had this book on my Kindle for a long time and can no longer remember when or how I got it. However, it seems like it is a mini-book designed to point you to a longer book edition??
  
  I like how David Platt encourages the church and believers to go beyond just preaching and filling up Sunday School rooms. We should be involved in reaching out to the poor, stopping the sex trade, and examining our immigration policies (ahem, he probably doesn't agree with the current President :) ). Rev Platt gives a brief introduction to each issue, then ends with prayer points, action points, and Scriptures. That's really helpful because it means we don't just end the chapter and say, "Now I know about the sex trade." Instead, we are given some definite prayer points and action steps to do something about it.
  
  
• 
  Annie Sauder

  I was recommended this book by a friend because we work with youth in our church. However, I was very disappointed that the first three pages are a tirade on abortion and how it's the greatest evil that our government allows. There wasn't a single verse to support the author's stance and it didn't talk at all about how the aftermath of an abortion can be traumatizing for the mother or anything like that. There are more Christain ways to talk about abortion that don't include the government or policies, but the first three pages were clearly the author's personal political beliefs and that's not the kind of insight I was looking for in this book. How can we talk about counter-culture if we aren't even open to discussing all sides of an issue, or even all factors of an issue?
• 
  Smooth Via

  I'm not sure what the point of this book(let) was. I downloaded it without looking at the page count. The book is so short and tackles so many topics that it is nearly completely useless. Little more than a basic statement is given for each topic. Furthermore, each statement is hardly compelling, offering only familiar platitudes. Again, maybe I have misunderstood the point of this book.
• 
  RJ Gernant

  I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This booklet is a summary and prayer challenge of all the topics covered in the book. David Platt’s books are always a must read, and this is no exception. Good research and clarity in our call as Christians and disciples living in our current culture. Now to live intentionally counter-culturally!
• 
  Art

  This was much better than I expected. A great introduction to basic Apologetics for those who may not be familiar. Clear, concise concepts based around structurally sound doctrines supported with Scripture. Would recommend.
• 
  Brooke Fradd

  Brief booklet
  
  Perhaps if it was read alongside the companion book, it would be a helpful read. As it is, there is no where near enough information to do anything but
  1-feel justified if you agree with the author
  2-be angry is you don't
• 
  Stephanie

  3.5 stars
  
  This is a short call to action booklet rather than an in-depth discussion of the issues. Taken in that context, I would say it's a fairly effective learning tool, although a bit overwhelming at times.
• 
  A'Lisa Johnson

  Relevant and challenging
• 
  Eric

  Wasn't what I thought it would be, but it had interesting chapters.
• 
  Mary Grace Hanson

  This was such a convicting and eye-opening book for me. David Platt is such a good author and so humble. It is cool to hear from his perspective.
• 
  Michael Otto

  The author covers nine topics/areas he calls Christians to stand & fight against giving Biblical reasons to do so. Each chapter has 3 things you can do to apply what you have learned.
• 
  Charlotte

  personally didn't agree with everything stated but enjoyed the rest and references to scripture. :)
• 
  Tcblack

  As a summary of a larger work it does what it should.
• 
  Matthew

  When I downloaded this title onto my device I thought I was downloading the full-length book of the same title/cover. Oops! But this 65 page booklet was still worth the read.
  
  The booklet runs through various cultural issues (like modern day slavery, sex trafficking, poverty, etc.) and poses the question, "When are these injustices going to become intolerable to Christians? What should we do?" Each chapter ends with suggestions for prayer, Bible verses, and possible actions steps.
  
  It's a passionate plea and it's good to be occasionally reminded these injustices exist.
• 
  Robin

  Compelling and convicting
  
  Read this missive when you are ready for your life mission to change. When you are ready to be the Gospel messenger you have been called to be by the author of that Gospel, Jesus Christ.
  If you're not ready for your life to count for Christ then you'll be wasting your time.
  This book is a call to action, a passive response is only possible if you are unwilling to answer that call.
• 
  Don Disney

  Good overview
  
  This is a really starting point on how to biblically encounter the culture of the world, for me it brought to light how big sex trafficking is in America. Each topic is filled by biblical support and suggestions for how you can get involved in helping in that specific area.
• 
  Julie

  Excellent
  
  We cannot all do everything but everyone can do something!! This book clearly presents today's social issues and how we, the Church, can rise up and obey God's commands to feed the hungry, visit the fatherless, clothe the naked and bring the gospel to those who have not heard! Please read and prayerfully consider where God would lead you to be obedient!
• 
  jaime fisher-Starnes

  Short And To The Point
  
  Very easy to read with great suggestions for believers to take active roles in secular topics that plague our country and the world. It is very short and does not go into great depth concerning each topic.
• 
  Steve Campise

  much needed
  
  David platt's book comes at a much needed time in society and in today's culture. Every Christian should read this to be strengthened to stand firm on a biblical worldview.