There has been a recent surge in the number of books helping Christians relate to culture, as churches are seeking to be more “relevant” and “savvy” in their approach. What had been missing in conversations regarding Christianity and culture has been a consensus on what is meant by cultural matters and examples of what it looks like to put culture matters into practice.

That void has been filled by T.M Moore’s new book Culture Matters: A Call for Consensus on Christian Cultural Engagement (Brazos Press, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-1-587-43187-6). The book begins with a discussion on common approaches to culture: cultural indifference; cultural aversion; cultural trivialization; cultural accommodation; cultural separation; and cultural triumphalism—illustrating how each approach is utilized in the contemporary church. Moore then pleads for Christians to engage culture together.

To that end, Moore revisits Christian history, revealing ways in which past Christians have engaged culture. He then connects the historical examples with present day Christians working for cultural renewal, including: Augustine’s City of God and the present-day journal, First Things; Celtic art and the music of contemporary artist Phil Keaggy; Calvin’s Geneva and current educational ministries; Dutch Prime Minister Abraham Kuyper and prison evangelist and activist Charles Colson; and the poetry of the late Czeslaw Milosz and singer/songwriter David Wilcox.

Moore suggests that how followers of Christ relate to the culture of their day is a perennial question because it is so pressing and so perplexing. This book clearly articulates why this issue is pressing and makes it less perplexing because of its many helpful examples and recommendations. Questions conclude each chapter, making it an exceptional resource for individual reflection and small group discussion.

—Derek Melleby

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