Issue No. 644 of Your Weekly Staff Meeting urges you to heed this wake-up call about your role for the common good—in spite of a hostile public square. Plus, click here for recent eNews issues posted at John Pearson’s Buckets Blog, including my “Part 1 of 2” review of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift and our “Part 2 of 2” video review of this extraordinary book! And check out the 20 management buckets (core competencies).
What’s for breakfast? COOKIES! Ditto lunch and dinner! That would be the worldview and result, suggests Natasha Crain, if you asked 10 five-year-olds to form a new tiny country just for themselves!
Post-Easter Wake-up Call!
I hate to mention this—so soon after Easter—but if you embrace the Christian faith and seek to live out your faith authentically in the public square—Natasha Crain says that the culture HATES you! (Note: If you tilt toward being an agnostic or an atheist, I hope you’ll keep reading my review of this important book. Or read the book, Is God Real?)
Persevering for the Common Good
as Christians in a Hostile Public Square
by Natasha Crain (Feb. 4, 2025)
as Christians in a Hostile Public Square
by Natasha Crain (Feb. 4, 2025)
I don’t want to be labeled like some so-called “Christ-followers” who can be very uncharitable and ungracious when engaging in political discussions. Natasha Crain understands, adding: “Christians are just as guilty as anyone of being jerks.”
Still—she pushes back on our tendencies to not engage in the public square—noting four less-than-thoughtful excuses you may have used. (Ouch! Now she’s meddling!) Crain’s opinion if we opt to disengage: “If I may be blunt, this is intellectual and spiritual laziness.”
Yikes and Gulp! So maybe now would be an appropriate time to remind you of my favorite quote from Charlie Munger (1924-2023), “I never allow myself to have an opinion on anything unless I know the other side’s argument better than they do.”
As you read When Culture Hates You—this you can count on: Natasha Crain is a brilliant and logical thinker. She’s adept at using questions to gently prod and poke. She skillfully summarizes key issues in plain language. She’s respectful of diverse views. Her research is rigorous. She thoughtfully articulates a biblical worldview on complex issues—without getting lost in the theological weeds. I learned a lot.
Half the book is a short course in understanding why the culture hates Christians. (And to be clear, if you volunteer in a soup kitchen, you’re not hated for that. But…if you wander into the complexities of the “common good,” you’re not welcome. She explains.)
Part 2 of the book boldly addresses five thorny issues: 1) how the mainstream media views “Dangerous Christian Nationalists,” 2) oppressors and the oppressed (a look at “secular social justice activists”), 3) why the pro-choice movement views pro-lifers as misogynists, 4) the “Cruel Rights-Deniers” (the view from transgender activists), and 5) “Hateful Bigots” (the view from the sexual revolution).
I urge you to read the very helpful Part 1 first—to get a fresh take on prevailing worldviews. While Crain’s content is heavy (and may prompt a heavy sadness, especially in Part 2), her writing style is upbeat. I found myself cheering her on. Explaining her view that “the vast majority of culture wars today are over the common good” (because “people disagree on what is good for society”), she imagines a classroom of 10 five-year-olds—“and telling them to form a new tiny country just for themselves.” What would they create, in 30 minutes, for the ”common good” of their new kindergarten kingdom? Crain guesses this result:
1) “Cookies will be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
2) Cartoons will replace classroom instruction.
3) No one will ever be asked to pick up their own toys.”
The last rule is problematic, writes Crain, because when kids leave Legos on the floor, they are “the most painful thing on Earth to step on.”
So Crain posits three scenarios for landing on a worldview—and explains why society has problems agreeing on the common good. Are there moral standards? Crain contrasts “the shallow simplicity of bumper-sticker slogans” against a biblical understanding of right and wrong. Yet, who will decide—for example—on gender issues? “Divergent views on who or what a human being is are actually at the root of every cultural debate today.”
So should Christians “impose” their religious views on society? (Be sure to read Crain’s push-back on the word “impose.”) Each of the five “issue” chapters include succinct “Quick Responses” to five popular challenges. Example: on abortion, when you’re admonished: “You should keep your religion out of my uterus,” Crain suggests several simple questions:
• “What do you mean by religion?”
• “Do you believe society should ever allow laws that are based on values held by religious people, or do you believe we should only allow laws based on values held by atheists?”
• “If you believe it’s okay to pass laws that incorporate values held by religious people, where do you draw the line on which ones should not be allowed?”
How would you respond to this statement? “Men have no right to tell a woman what she can or can’t do with her body.” Crain suggests these questions to probe deeper:
• “How did you come to that conclusion?”
• “Do you believe that principle applies to issues other than abortion?”
• “For example, do you believe men should have a say in whether women can use their bodies to drink and drive? Why or why not?”
Wow. The five issues in Part 2 are as relevant as today’s headlines. Examples:
• “Gender Storytime at the Supreme Court” (WSJ, April 20, 2025)
• “Colorado’s Totalitarian Transgenderism Bill” (WSJ, April 17, 2025)
• “Harvard and the View from Hillsdale” (WSJ, April 18, 2025) – Note this is especially relevant to Crain’s commentary on culture and worldviews.
SO HELPFUL! Oh, my. I made 66 notes in my well-worn copy of When Culture Hates You—and that didn’t include the salient notes (endorsements) from Erwin Lutzer, Jim Daly, Mark Mittelberg, Robert J. Pacienza, Alisa Childers, and Seth Dillion (CEO of The Babylon Bee). Be sure to browse the 25 “Quick Reponses to 5 Popular Challenges” on five critical issues. So good. (Plus…read the 35 “Actions for the Common Good”—seven per chapter in Chapters 6 to 10. Excellent suggestions!)
MORE INSIGHTS:
• Would a person’s worldview about a “preborn human” also apply to a toddler? (One of many thoughtful questions—you’ve likely never thought about. Crain’s use of logic, not emotion, will cause you to think deeply.)
• Crain references slavery (unacceptable to most everyone today) and answers classic objections with this: “Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because we shouldn’t have imposed our views on others.” (See this podcast with Robert J. Pacienza.)
• The author explains “critical theory thinking,” and notes: “Understanding the linguistic equivocation involved, however, is half the battle.” She adds, “We have to remember that words like these are lobbed based on a false standard.”
• Does your workplace require you to use your preferred pronouns? Read this.
THE AUTHOR’S LEXICON delivers memorable and usable explanatory phrases: “functional deists” and “disagreement fatigue.” Plus: better definitions for “impose” and “power.” Pop Quiz: explain “intersectionality.” And this: four antidotes for Christians who “get squeamish” when asked to advocate for “righteousness in how society functions.” (Crain is an articulate cultural missionary! I’m grateful!)
BONUS BOOK! Natasha Crain teases readers with four "subtle presuppositions of culture that are confusing many Christians today: 1) feelings are the ultimate guide; 2) happiness is the ultimate goal; 3) judgment is the ultimate sin; and 4) God is the ultimate guess." Those "cultural presuppositions" are from her excellent book, Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture (Feb. 8, 2022). Read my short review.
I hope someone on your team and in your family will read When Culture Hates You. I just ordered another copy for a friend.
TO ORDER FROM AMAZON, click on the title for When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square, by Natasha Crain. Listen on Libro (6 hours, 17 minutes).
BONUS! Listen to Natasha Crain:
• Sean McDowell’s interview with Natasha Crain (Feb. 18, 2025)
• Natasha Crain Podcast (over 50 podcasts)
YOUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING QUESTIONS:
1) Natasha Crain cites George Barna’s research that “69 percent of Americans believe people are ‘basically good’—as do more than half of Christians whom researchers otherwise classified as having a biblical worldview.” One problem! Barna says that belief is one of the “Top 10 Most Seductive Unbiblical Ideas Americans Adopt.” What do you believe the Bible says about humans?
2) Read the chapter, “Should Christians Impose Their Views on Others?” Natasha Crain answers five objections, including “Objection 1: Christians shouldn’t impose their views on others.” Her response: “In every matter of public policy, someone is imposing their view on someone else. That’s just the nature of the process.” Do you agree? Why or why not? How would you guide the conversation to get to the heart of the issue?
1) Natasha Crain cites George Barna’s research that “69 percent of Americans believe people are ‘basically good’—as do more than half of Christians whom researchers otherwise classified as having a biblical worldview.” One problem! Barna says that belief is one of the “Top 10 Most Seductive Unbiblical Ideas Americans Adopt.” What do you believe the Bible says about humans?
2) Read the chapter, “Should Christians Impose Their Views on Others?” Natasha Crain answers five objections, including “Objection 1: Christians shouldn’t impose their views on others.” Her response: “In every matter of public policy, someone is imposing their view on someone else. That’s just the nature of the process.” Do you agree? Why or why not? How would you guide the conversation to get to the heart of the issue?
SECOND READS: Fresh Solutions From Classic Books
You have changed—and your problems have changed—since you read this the first time!
Book #14 of 99: Called to Serve
For your team meeting this week, inspire a team member to lead your “10 Minutes for Lifelong Learning” session by featuring "Book" #14 of 99 in our new series, “Second Reads.” The big idea: REREAD TO LEAD! Discover how your favorite books still have more to teach you and the people you’re coaching and mentoring.
Called to Serve:
Creating and Nurturing the Effective Volunteer Board
by Max De Pree
Creating and Nurturing the Effective Volunteer Board
by Max De Pree
“Contrarian wisdom” is how I described Max De Pree’s 91-page gem—a perfect book for new (and veteran) board members. Examples: “There is a reason why this is a small book. We want it to be useful, but not a burden.” And this: “We believe good people need reminders and an occasional nudge, not a sermon.”
• Read my review (Issue No. 352, Dec. 7, 2016).
• Order from Amazon.
• Management Bucket #14 of 20: The Board Bucket
• Bonus! Read my 30 short blogs on the book.
• Bonus! Listen to the AI-generated podcast.
Commenting on board committees, De Pree notes the story of the visitor from England who watched his first American football game and observed, “The game combines the two worst elements of American culture—violence and committee meetings.”
Rather than penning a 300-page snoozer, De Pree (1924-2017) crafts a coaching conversation (a series of letters) with a young leader and his first CEO/board relationship. It’s easy reading and the short epistles are extraordinary. He counsels, “A good board will measure the appropriate inputs as well as the outputs. Failure to measure what matters damages our future.”
LOL! In 2017, I “summarized” Max De Pree’s 91 pages of contrarian wisdom into 30 blogs (not a typo!) for ECFA’s Governance of Christ-Centered Organizations Blog.
• Read my review (Issue No. 352, Dec. 7, 2016).
• Order from Amazon.
• Management Bucket #14 of 20: The Board Bucket
• Bonus! Read my 30 short blogs on the book.
• Bonus! Listen to the AI-generated podcast.
Commenting on board committees, De Pree notes the story of the visitor from England who watched his first American football game and observed, “The game combines the two worst elements of American culture—violence and committee meetings.”
Rather than penning a 300-page snoozer, De Pree (1924-2017) crafts a coaching conversation (a series of letters) with a young leader and his first CEO/board relationship. It’s easy reading and the short epistles are extraordinary. He counsels, “A good board will measure the appropriate inputs as well as the outputs. Failure to measure what matters damages our future.”
LOL! In 2017, I “summarized” Max De Pree’s 91 pages of contrarian wisdom into 30 blogs (not a typo!) for ECFA’s Governance of Christ-Centered Organizations Blog.
Podcast via AI
Called to Serve (Effective Boards)
Click here to listen to two AI-generated podcasters (12 minutes, 16 seconds) who “review” John’s review of Called to Serve: Creating and Nurturing the Effective Volunteer Board, by Max De Pree. (Read John’s review.) For more podcasts, click here.
This Book Required 2 Reviews!
Some books require TWO reviews—and a podcast! Read my “Part 2 of 2” review of the new book, There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. Listen to our podcast with Malia Yim and Paul Palmer—and learn why the author references more than 25 articles in Harvard Business Review. Plus, visit Pails in Comparison Blog for more reviews.
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nice post , thank you for sharing.
Posted by: channel manager | April 30, 2025 at 09:47 PM