Many years ago, Charles Taylor wrote a book called “A Secular Age” that has been frequently hailed as one of the most important books ever written about Christian witness in a secular culture. Problem is the book is almost 900 pages and most people are intimidated to crack it open.
So, Alan Noble (along with James Smith, in his book “How Not to be Secular”) has attempted to summarize Taylor’s main points, while bringing his own insights to bear upon the subject, in order to help us know how to plant the seed of the gospel into the soul of 21st century culture so that it might take root. Noble challenges us to be prepared to present a “disruptive witness” — one that challenges a society of people who are constantly distracted from sincere contemplation and introspection, and constantly immersed in a world that has been drained of any reference to transcendence (57). Today we need a witness that “unsettles people from their stupor” (60).
Very helpful reading for Christians concerned about how to live and communicate effectively in a world that is not like it used to be.