In college, I remember reading H. Richard Niebuhr’s classic work, Christ and Culture (New York: Harper & Row, 1975). The book was heavy lifting for the uninitiated undergraduate student, but it outlined five views regarding the relationship between Christianity and culture. Niebuhr wrote fifty years ago, and since then many books and articles have provided insight and guidance about the Christian’s relationship to the broader culture. This has been a struggle for Christ’s followers from the beginning, and I believe there has been no time in my remembrance that helping Christians navigate those treacherous waters has been more critical than today.

Christians in Culture is a timely collection of contributions that provides an introductory survey of Christian thinking about culture, with some academic heft on thinking about, engaging with, and navigating the culture. In addition to editors Bracey and Talbot, all eight contributors serve at Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee. Each demonstrates sound Christian thinking that is both biblically and theologically integrated and intellectually responsible.

The fifteen chapters are divided into two parts. Each chapter is written as an independent piece, obviously drawing from each contributor’s area of interest and expertise. The subject matter of each chapter is related to the others by the general overarching topic but not tied to them as a progression or development of thought or argument. The articles can stand alone as a collection of contributions, though they present a shared commitment to a Christian worldview of culture—in keeping with the book’s title. This is a collection of perspectives, not a collaboration. The book does not present a unified argument for a specific, systematic Christian approach to culture. With this in mind, reading the book allows one to enjoy and benefit from each chapter as separate entities rather than expecting a manifesto on “Christianity and culture.” This will enable readers to pull this book from the shelf as a helpful resource on specific topics related to culture and Christian worldview.

In part 1, “Establishing the Christian Worldview,” four chapters reflect on what a Christian worldview includes and what it means to think Christianly. Subjects range from Christian cultural engagement and the role of ideas to an examination of the classical conservative tradition and a primer on the essential aspects of creation, fall, and redemption (with a very thoughtful teasing out of the implications of these essentials).

In part 2, “Applying the Christian Worldview,” eleven chapters reflect the thinking of the contributors on specific elements of culture, such as tradition and history in chapter 5, the arts and entertainment in chapter 7, popular culture in chapter 8, labor and vocation in chapter 10, technology in chapter 11, and even sports and recreation in chapter 15. Each chapter contains clear and insightful Christian thinking, again possessing both academic credibility and consideration of practical implications. No new ground is broken, but the chapters address a broad spectrum of issues.

It is significant to note that while reading a collection from multiple contributors such as this, the influence of many Christian thinkers is evident. Some of these are expressly acknowledged and referenced throughout the book. From Francis Schaeffer to Kenneth Myers, Edmond Burke to Rod Dreher, and C. S. Lewis to Bruce Little, the contributions in this book are built on, or reflective of, much of the thinking on culture and Christian worldview that has preceded this publication. Also, David Dockery’s foreword helps set the stage for readers. He provides thoughtful context, outlining a rationale for the work and its reading.

However, some limitations are worth noting in much of the work on Christianity and culture. As a social systems theorist and Christian educator, I find that most efforts dealing with this subject matter are strong on worldview and theology. Still, they either assume a shared understanding of culture as a construct or fail to define it. As a result, the literature often leaves readers without a robust understanding of what culture is, how it works, its purpose, and how it is created and shaped.

Given the complexities and challenges of the present culture in which Christians find themselves, and the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which culture influences the thinking and sensibilities of Christians, such understanding is essential. It may have been helpful to include such material in this collection. Christian thinkers must establish and articulate a workable and accurate baseline knowledge of and appreciation for culture as a dynamic, powerful, and necessary social construct. This would strengthen Christian cultural analysis, critique, engagement, and navigation.

The faculty at Welch College represent their institution well. Bracey and Talbot have put together something that should prove helpful to readers and provide relevant content and context for discussions among Christians on this subject.