A friend recently handed me a book by a an author I have been blessed and challenged by in the past few years, Eric Metaxis. I had read his biography, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy several years ago and am currently reading his biography, Luther:
This latest published book from Eric Metaxes, though a fraction in length of previous books, a mere 139 pages, may be the most impactful yet. In this short by powerful volume, Metaxis sounds a wake up call to the church in America today, pastors and parishioners, ministers and members.
Drawing parallels with the German church in the days of Bonhoeffer just prior to the rise of the Nazis party and the evil reign of Adolph Hitler. From his historical research in writing the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Metaxes reveals and warns that the church today is behaving in similar ways and failing to stand up and speak up in the face of current lies and deception.
I want to wholeheartedly recommend this book to my brothers and sisters, fellow pastors and ministers. Eric Metaxes has began an urgent conversation that needs to be had among God’s people in the face of Marxist ideologies and policies that are being forced upon America in our schools, media, and politics.
I am not saying that I agree with everything that Metaxis rights or that I have an answer to what the church’s response needs to be in the face of critical race theory, cancel culture policies, gender and sexual confusion, but to stand by and pretend that we are to do nothing is not an option. This book has stirred something that has been in my heart strongly for the past few years. It’s time for God’s people to first go to our knees in humble confession, repentance and consecration first. Then we must pray for conviction and courage to stand up and say and do the right thing no matter the cost.
Speaking the truth of God for His purposes is simply our duty. It is not extra credit Christianity; it is basic Christianity. Actually it is simple Christianity.
Eric Metaxis, Letter to the American Church: Salem Books: Washington, D.C., 2022, page 100.
We all face the choice of playing it safe or doing the right thing. Playing it safe has short term benefits, but long term costs. Doing the right thing has short term costs, but long term benefits. Author Joco Willinks wrote, “The cost of discipline weighs in ounces and the cost of regret weighs in tons.” I pray I will not be guilting of playing it safe but will have the courage to do and say the right thing, the hard thing, the unpopular thing even if it costs. Below is a “Prayer of Courage” I learned from a counselor in the midst of a bout with depression in 2006.
When I am tempted O Lord, by the timidity that seeks that which is safe rather than that which is right, remind me of the steadfast love of Jesus and help me to never betray y commitment to Him. Amen.
Author unknown, share by David Dickerson, LPC
And there is no middle way. We sink or swim. We either step out of the boat and miraculously walk on water to Jesus, or we drown. At it happens we cannot remain in the boat. And those who remain in the boat will drown surely as the one who has stepped out of the boat and does not walk to Jesus on the water.
Eric Metaxes, Letter to the American Church, page 115
RESTORING HOPE 