BOOK REVIEW: In “Viral” Leonard Sweet wades into the cultural divide …

One book states the church in America is dead and its hope rests on the next batch of Christians. Another says the new batch of Christians embrace rather than engage secular culture, and has given up the Gospel message and the mission of making disciples.

What effect does culture have on the church today? And what are the possibilities for the church tomorrow?

Theologian Leonard Sweet has waded into that cultural divide within the church in his latest book, “Viral” (published by WaterBrook Press), in a helpful and insightful way.

Instead of choosing one erroneous side over another, Sweet brings a different view by helping his readers first understand that we now live in a “TGIF” (Twitter, Google, iPhone, Facebook) culture. This TGIF culture churns out change through technological advancements at break-neck speeds, change which Sweet says, “If you’re not willing to move with it, the world will move without you.”

“My concern is not the effect that evolving technology has on faith, but how culture (of which technology is a part) shapes Christian beliefs and forms biases, and the way Christianity is practiced in the context of culture,” writes Sweet.

Sweet goes on to describe how culture, with its technology, has shaped two divergent camps within the the church: the “Gutenbergers” and the “Googlers.” Sweet then plunges his readers into a thorough description of each camp, highlighting an appreciation for both before moving on to their weaknesses.

“Each new generation needs to start fresh, but not from scratch. This is one reason Googlers need Gutenbergers, and vice versa. When we separate ourselves from the inherited memories of our ancestors, when the texts and traditions of the past do not join the present, the future is in jeopardy. There is no future without the past. Updating is fixing the bugs, removing the toxins, and improving the connection to the original Operating System …” Sweet writes.

Without being dismissive of the Gutenberger culture, Sweet helps the reader see how the Googler culture may be exactly what the subtitle of the book states: “How Social Networking is Poised to Ignite Revival.”

“Anyone older than forty will freely admit that the world changes at a dizzying, disorienting pace. But for Googlers, change is life. It’s not daunting; it’s hopeful. It presents the possibility that advances might be introduced that will improve the lives of humanity. Imagination, vision, and the desire to make change a positive force are traits Googlers have in abundance, and these are reasons the Christian community needs to take Googlers seriously,” Sweet states.

Sweet openly admits he was born into, and easily identifies with, the Gutenberger culture,  but like many others has been able to transition into the TGIF culture of Googlers. Indeed, Sweet writes with the enthusiasm of one who has been an early adapter to change because of the possibilities he sees for the church, the foremost being revival.

“Viral” is loaded with a host of insights that will challenge the thinking of readers. It also has some opinion you may not fully embrace. For example, Sweet indulges in a lengthy rant about the near essential value of poetry for the church. While I was able to sympathize with his arguments, I can’t fully support his stance that poetry holds quite that level of significance; readers will have varying thoughts on such positions.

This is a timely topic addressed in a thoughtful manner with biblical and practical insight. “Viral” may not be a “must read,” but it definitely can be considered an interesting, even beneficial read, worth adding to your stack of books to get to.

Scotty

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”