Should Christians live and die within the "safe" (easier, more comfortable) parameters of the Christian subculture or should they eventually "go" into the wilderness of the world at large to minister (i.e. serve) and BE a "light"? John Fischer explores this question in detail in his book "Fearless Faith."

John shares numerous interesting stories/problems/issues:

A pastor confesses: "I live in two worlds: as an academic in a secular university and a pastor in the Christian subculture. To do this, I have to lead two different lives. If certain Christians from my church were to follow me around for a day, they would try to get me fired. If they knew I counseled people while we're having a beer, I would lose my job. My lifestyle in one world is an offense in the other. It forces me to live a lie, and I don't want to lie, but I am left no choice. If I lived totally the way [some in] the church wants me to live, I would lose my ministry in the world... Then I get the 'weaker brother' argument. Church members who are offended when they hear I use a clip from an R-rated movie in my teaching tell me that offends them. These people, who may have been Christians all their lives, still want to qualify as the weaker brother. How long do they plan on staying weak, I wonder?"

A woman confesses that the non-Christian women she's met at college "are not 'projects' for me. My impetus for fostering relationships is not to 'save' them. They are seekers like myself... I believe it to be an atrocity to sidle up to others purely out of evangelical fervor. There must be a sincere, heartfelt desire to simply love others rather than to mold them into my idea of what they should be."

A marketing executive points out: "The church used to be the source of the world's greatest art, but now it has turned its back on that. Now the Christian subculture is where you go to find some of the worst art." John reflects on the numerous Christian artists/muscisians (etc.) that are perfectly happy to simply MIMIC their secular counterparts and just label it "Christian" (e.g. X-Sinner and AC/DC). Huh? This is fake, inauthentic and not of the heart, to say the least. (If I want to listen to AC/DC I'm gonna listen to AC/DC, not some copycat "Christian" alternative, if you know what I mean. [Not that I listen to AC/DC; but I confess that I may groove to their riffs if I occasionally hear them on the radio] ).

A man decided to wear an overt Christian t-shirt to "witness" to people. Guess what? The shirt failed to provoke any spiritual conversations; in fact, people tended to avoid him. He later observed that when he wore his Fender t-shirt he successfully struck up conversations with strangers about guitar and music, which occasionally led to discussions about God and Christianity. Obvious conclusion: The Fender t-shirt witnesses better that the (supposedly) witnessing t-shirt.

A missionary in France went to 4000 households and gave the people a card to fill out for a free bible and study guide. Guess how many responses he received? None, zilch, nada. He naturally decided to change his evangelistic approach (like maybe try establishing actual relationships with flesh & blood people).

BOTTOM LINE: The book successfully addresses the problem of Christians being engulfed in a guarded subculture rather than engaging a godless culture. John gives you lots to think about and question.

Worthy of numerous repeat readings. Highly Recommended.

If you're tired of wondering why you keep going to church, bible studies, and Sat. afternoon potlucks and want to live a life outside of "safe" Christianity, this book delivers. I really enjoyed the fresh perspective, from a man of God, that explains why we must be a light. Pushing ourselves into culture and society is what Christ did and He's calling us to do the same.

I wholeheartedly agree with the unanimous 5-star rating this book has received from the other reviewers. Fischer's clean, unflinching, to-the-point style lays out the problem clearly and compassionately. Christianity, particularly American Christianty, has carved out a 'safe' niche within the culture at large. The problem, as Fischer points out, is that you cannot create a safe niche within a corrupted, flawed culture without being corrupted yourself. In the end, we're left with a disturbing image of a divided faith where there are two types of Christians...those who build walls to insulate themselves, and those who tear them down in an effort to engage the world and have a positive effect on it. This book will help you discover which category you fall into. It'll either make you cheer, or make you squirm. Either way, it should drive you to take action and open your heart to the incredible promise of love contained within the message of Christ. This small book contains a huge message. Read it and recommend it to everyone.

I would put this in the same category as Roaring Lambs, What's so Amazing about Grace, and The Ragamuffin Gospel. John will make you evaluate how you spend your money, your time and your energies.

John Fischer addresses with clarity, precision, and brutal honesty the issues which have been niggling at the corners of my own Christian walk for many years. He calls into question and accountability the current "exclusionist, safe, non-threatening Christian subculture" of which the vast majority of Christians partake to an extreme level. Faith on trial for being fearful? You bet...and found, in this writing, GUILTY AS CHARGED!

Hats off to Mr. Fischer for having the gumption to buck the current "Christian establishment"! I have often wondered where Christians get off thinking that just because a song is labeled "Christian" that it makes it any better than a song "outside" the Christian genre.

As one who cringes at "fish" displayed on business cards or scripture on checks, it is good to know I am not only not alone, but that there is a whole Christian Underground out there that believes Christianity is more than "witnessing"....Christians who aren't afraid to live their lives with the idea that living one's life as a Christian has more to do with our relationship with God, integrity, honesty, compassion, caring, and loving and respecting other people ...that is...HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES...than it does looking down our noses at someone else just because they aren't Christian...

THANK YOU MR. FISCHER!