The term “life-changing” is overused in today’s world. But today I have to say it: I’m in the middle of reading a life-changing book. For real.
A few weeks ago I received a gift from my friend, Janelle Woodyard. It’s a copy of the book, Roaring Lambs, by the late Bob Briner. I was in the middle of a deadline at the time and couldn’t start reading right then. But last week, I finally got a chance to pick it up…and now it’s hard to put it down!
Published in 1993 by Zondervan, Briner’s Roaring Lambs challenges all Christians, but especially those in the arts, to get out of the Christian world and get into the secular one. He says that we do a good job in our churches, in Christian schools and colleges, in Christian publishing, in Christian bookstores, and Christian television.
But then he goes on to say:
…despite all the fancy buildings sophisticated programs, and highly visible presence, it is my contention that the church is almost a nonentity when it comes to shaping culture. In the arts, entertainment, media, education, and other culture-shaping venues of our country, the church has abdicated its role as salt and light.
Culturally we are lambs. Meek, lowly, easily dismissed cuddly creatures that are fun to watch but never a threat to the status quo.
It’s time for those lambs to roar. (Roaring Lambs, page 30)
But his roar may not be what you expect. Briner challenges Christians to become active in their communities, not as the boycotting, protesting sign-holders you might imagine, but as hard working, community-loving school board members, entrepreneurs, writers, actors, Rotary Club members, coaches, and television personalities who are respected and looked up to in the community.
Then, he says, we should use our influence to bring Christian values into the culture. Write informative, well-thought-out letters to the editor, talk reasonably about Christianity (rather than foaming at the mouth), defend a moral standard with reason, create secular stories that present Christians being real people, not saccharin-sweet pansies.
After all, if all we do is encourage each other with the joys of our life in Christ, we won’t make a difference in the culture.
We complain about how Christians are presented in the media. He says it’s because writers don’t know real Christians, consequently they write about us as they’ve seen us and as other have already written about us, and those that follow simply repeat what’s already been done. That’s the standard because it’s the only one they know.
But what if we get into the community, live a truly Christian life, and make friends with non-Christians? Then we have a chance to influence them with our God-given wisdom, insight, and compassion, and ultimately God’s mercy, grace, and love.
He says if we want to change the world, we Christian writers need to be writing screenplays, novels, stories, and letters to the editor–not only for the Christian, but for the lost.
Please know I don’t believe he’s saying (and I’m certainly not saying) that we shouldn’t be writing to encourage the body…after all, that’s what Briner did when he wrote this book for Christians! But I think he’s saying that if we want to influence the world, we can do that through our writing for the world.
The timing of my reading this book is perfect. (Thank you, Janelle!) I have a story–a book/movie of my heart–that I feel has to be written. I’ve put it off long enough. It’s time to get serious.
And maybe by getting serious and writing what He laid on my heart over four years ago, I can influence the culture. That’s my prayer and my goal.
“It’s time for believers to confidently carry their faith with them into the marketplace so that our very culture feels the difference.” Bob Briner (1935-1999)
From the Roaring Lambs Ministries website: Start a bible study, write a faith-filled book, compose a Godly song, join a secular organization or charity and let your light shine forth. Live Godly by exemplifying Biblical principles of morality and ethics at home and in the workplace!
Let’s go out and roar!
Vonda
