Imaginative cultural engagement

SEISMOS:
Christian Citizenship in a Post-Christian West
By David Landrum
Staten House. 394 pages. £14.99
ISBN 979 8 895 873 052

In his prologue the author writes: “Far too many books that cover the so-called ‘contentious issues’ of culture are long on analysis and short on prescription … I hope this reads differently and is both spiritually and intellectually edifying. Part cultural analysis: part philosophical and political commentary; part public theology; part polemic; what follows may at times seem like a jeremiad but, if you stay the course, I promise you will be rewarded with some practical and encouraging conclusions.” The author’s background and experience equip him well for his aim and task, and he succeeds admirably.

There are seven chapters. 1. Cultural Climate Change: This is a major theme and explores how we are to understand our times. He writes for “real Christians” not “cultural Christians”. For those who want to/should “resist worldly pollution while engaging fully in the world. Being holy and wholly engaged.”