Counter Culture: A Compassionate Christian Response to Poverty, Same-Sex Marriage, Racism & Modern Social Issues - David Platt (2015) Hardcover | For Bible Study & Faith-Based Discussions

I remember when I first read "Radical". I was a fairly new believer, and I was doing my best to devour anything that was recommended to me by friends and family. This book spoke to me. Everything that, then Pastor Platt, said resonated with me. Upon completion of the book, I knew exactly what my wife, my children and I had to do - sell everything we owned, give it to the church, and move to China!After being a more "seasoned" believer and looking back, I now realize the naïve understanding I had regarding what Platt was saying in his book. I believe that I would have been better served by the book, at that time, if I thought to ask someone to come along side and walk with me to discuss what Platt was really trying to get across in his book. In a way, I think Platt does that very thing himself in "Counter Culture".You can tell a shift in tone between "Radical" and "Counter Culture". There is still a sense of urgency which is rightly expressed regarding the importance of getting the gospel into the world, but I think it is more controlled in "Counter Culture". In a similar manner to his preaching style, Platt's writing is personable, relatable, and most importantly, pastoral. He has not written this book as though he has figured it out. He writes this book with the hope that others will realize how we've we've all fallen short of our responsibilities to speak out against these had issues. Platt is challenging us in "Counter Culture." He is calling for Christians everywhere to stand united in the fight against the social ills of the world. But, it won't come without challenges. He is unreservedly transparent regarding his own challenges with standing up about these issues. He has no problem explaining where he fell short with not speaking more boldly against certain issues. He calls the reader to avoid such "middle of the road walking".I really appreciate how the chapters of the book are independent from the others. Although he makes small references to previous chapters of the book, the reference does not take away from the understanding the chapter as a whole. So, admittedly, I did not read the book in order of the chapters. For example, I read "The Greatest Offense: The Gospel and Culture" (Ch 1) first, with "A War on Women: The Gospel and Sex Slavery" (Ch 5), and "A Profound Mystery: The Gospel and Marriage" (Ch 6) afterward. Additionally, there is information in the back of the book regarding how to order specific individual chapters for church groups and ministries.Each chapter offers so much insight regarding real-life examples, biblical discernment, and practical recommendations. Particular chapters I appreciated include "A War on Women: The Gospel and Sex Slavery" (Ch 5) and "Modern Holocaust: The Gospel and Abortion" (Ch 3). Such honest, eye-opening, and gut-wrenching stories of so many women and babies affected by these issues. One cannot read this book and come away unchanged.