Two Books & a Christmas Illustration

A Tough Season For Believers is less about Christmas than it is a review of two books on the status of Christianity in America. The article is worth reading to see whether you might be interested in tracking down either book. According to the columnist,

Putnam and Campbell (American Grace) are quantitative, liberal, and upbeat; Hunter (To Change the World)  is qualitative, conservative and conflicted. But both books come around to a similar argument: this month’s ubiquitous carols and crèches notwithstanding, believing Christians are no longer what they once were — an overwhelming majority in a self-consciously Christian nation. The question is whether they can become a creative and attractive minority in a different sort of culture, where they’re competing not only with rival faiths but with a host of pseudo-Christian spiritualities, and where the idea of a single religious truth seems increasingly passé.

On my Twitter from earlier today you'll find what might be a more useful Christmas illustration which could highlight the incarnation by contrasting it to the chatter in England about Prince William's engagement to "a commoner." While some Brits discuss whether a commoner can become a royal, Christmas reminders us that a King became a commoner for our sake.

If you don't follow me on Twitter (which is limited to followers outside of creative access locations), send me a request (or you can find the Washington Post story here.)