The Inspiration of Daniel in an Age of Relativism
The concepts of tolerance and political correctness are having a chilling effect on the public practice of Christianity. That’s why readers will find Dr. John C. Lennox’s new book Against the Flow: The Inspiration of Daniel in an Age of Relativism incredibly timely.
John Lennox, who has defended the Christian faith in debates against the likes of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, gives every follower of Christ the intellectual foundation they will need to argue the role their faith should have in the public discourse.
While anyone who has spent time in a Sunday-school classroom is familiar with the biblical story of Daniel, he mines this classic historical account to encourage cultural bravery in Christians trying to find their place in a postmodern society.
The story of these four young men born in the tiny state of Judah around 500 B.C. and captured by Nebuchadnezzar, the emperor of Babylon, is one of extraordinary faith in God lived out at the pinnacle of executive power. The book of Daniel describes in detail how each of them eventually rose to senior positions of administration.
Yet despite their lucrative positions, Daniel and his friends were not content simply to maintain their private devotion to God. Instead, they maintained a high-profile witness in a pluralistic society that was highly antagonistic to their faith, and they would eventually be forced to face the possibility of paying the ultimate price for their religious bravery.
John Lennox proposes their story carries a powerful message for us today as Christians living in a society that tolerates the practice of Christianity in private homes and in church services, but increasingly deprecates and in some cases even punishes public witness.
“Strong currents of pluralism and secularism in contemporary Western society, reinforced by a paralysing political correctness, increasingly push expression of faith in God to the margins, confining it if possible to the private sphere,” John Lennox says. “It is becoming less and less the ‘done thing’ to mention God in public, let alone to confess to believing in anything exclusive and absolute, such as the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as Son of God and Savior.” Lennox believes if Daniel and his compatriots were with us today they would be in the vanguard of public debate.
Against the Flow is a truly fascinating examination of the life of Daniel from a leading expert on faith and science. In his first biblical work, Dr Lennox provides a unique perspective on both Western society and biblical exegesis that will make Against the Flow an instant classic encouraging Christians to speak out in our modern Babylon.
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“I read everything John Lennox writes because of his amazing blend of rigorous scholarship with practical insights and applications for all of us. You cannot afford to miss this important book! Read it, then pass it on to a friend.
Dr. Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life
“John Lennox has done it again. Combining deep thought, pervasive research and a keen eye on contemporary Western culture, Lennox has managed to draw tight, informative parallels between Daniel’s life and circumstances and the contemporary believer’s life and circumstances. . . . Finally, Lennox offers wise advice and practical application for how we can become modern-day Daniels. I highly recommend this book.”
J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University, La Mirada California
“I cannot think of a more important book for a secular, pluralist age. . . . This book is a huge encouragement to all Christians who long to live faithfully and usefully for God in a hostile world.”
Amy Orr-Ewing, Director of Programmes, Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
“John Lennox has a unique gift as a Bible teacher. He applies text to today’s world and its prevailing philosophies in penetrating ways. . . . Every reader of this volume will see the depth and coherence of the book of Daniel in a new way.”
Dr Peter J. Williams, Warden, Tyndale House, Cambridge
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