The Myth of the Non-Christian: Engaging Atheists, Nominal Christians and the Spiritual But Not Religious, By Luke Cawley

The Myth of the Non-Christian

Engaging Atheists, Nominal Christians and the Spiritual But Not Religious

by Luke Cawley

The Myth of the Non-Christian
paperback
  • Length: 240 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
  • Published: February 12, 2016
  • Imprint: IVP
  • Item Code: 4450
  • ISBN: 9780830844500

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There's no such thing as a non-Christian.

Somebody might self-identify as spiritual but not religious. Or they might be a practicing Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim. Or they might call themselves an atheist, freethinker or agnostic. But the one thing that people never describe themselves as is a "non-Christian." So Christians who want to "reach non-Christians" need to realize that they're not all the same. Evangelism is not one-size-fits-all.

Luke Cawley shows how Christians can contextualize the gospel in different ways to connect with different kinds of people. Here he unpacks the religious identities of three key demographics: the spiritual but not religious, committed atheists and nominal Christians. Each group has particular characteristics and requires specific approaches and practices to make the Christian faith plausible, desirable and tangible to them.

Filled with real-life stories of changed lives, this book is a practical and hopeful resource for helping people to encounter God.

"The world of real estate is ruled by one word repeated thrice: location, location, location. In the real world of relationships, which is the real estate of life, one word reigns supreme: context, context, context. Luke Cawley has written the new go-to book for contextual apologetics. This book is everywhere thoughtful and judicious; it is wide-ranging and deeply illuminating."

Leonard Sweet, E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism, Drew University, bestselling author of From Tablet to Table, creator of preachthestory.com

"I am convinced that we need to rethink evangelism in light of the increasingly missionary situation of the church in our time. This is a top-class book that will help God's people do just that. We might just become a more genuinely good-news people in the process."

Alan Hirsch, author and activist

"I've been equipped and inspired anew by this book to better understand and connect with the many different kinds of people who don't yet follow Jesus. Ditch the one-size-fits-all approach to being a witness: let this book help you do the things that may actually meet our friends' felt spiritual needs."

James Choung, national director of evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, author of True Story

"I have read many books on helping people to faith in Christ, but this is one of the best. Perceptive, well-read, full of illustrative stories and extremely practical. Buy it and use it!"

Michael Green, theologian and evangelist

"While many people think of apologetics and cringe for fear of engaging in heated, insensitive arguments, The Myth of the Non-Christian presents a refreshingly different perspective. Listen to people, love them, help them connect to Jesus in a way that makes sense to them. It's a simple yet profound concept that can transform the ways we engage people with the gospel. Luke Cawley winsomely communicates to people of diverse backgrounds that following Jesus makes intellectual sense and satisfies our deepest longings. This book is a gift to all of us who are seeking to share this message!"

Jessica Leep Fick, author of Beautiful Feet

"Luke Cawley's book is a brilliant resource for anyone interested in any form of Christian apologetics—for evangelists, teachers, pastors and indeed for anyone who wants to engage those who don't understand what Christ offers that the culture cannot. The book is full of captivating snippets of conversations you and I have every day. It will make every reader more able to understand those who do not know Christ and more able to present him in ways they can understand. Cawley covers the gamut of unbelievers—skeptics, atheists, the unchurched and the spiritual but not religious. Importantly, Cawley is not afraid to engage the serious topic of spiritual reality. The text is highly accessible without compromising depth and should be read by all who ever want to talk with nonbelievers."

Mary Poplin, professor and author of Is Reality Secular?

"A riveting back and forth between compelling principles of contextualized apologetics and life story. Luke speaks powerfully and prophetically about what apologetics in our day should look like as he gives the reader a fresh glimpse of what happens when our head and heart come together in our striving with people. Luke has an obvious love for God and for people. He paints a picture of what it looks like to do an apologetic and evangelistic ministry with impact and compassion. Theory, practice, heart, passion and presence—few books bring this level of integration together as The Myth of the Non-Christian!"

R. York Moore, national evangelist, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

"Suppose Christians take seriously the call to spread the gospel, to answer questions about the faith and to give a reason for the hope that they have in Jesus Christ. If we shoulder this crucially important task, shouldn't we seek to engage and speak to actual people rather than our idealized notion of a 'non-Christian'? Absolutely! Luke Cawley shows us why and how. He combines a much-needed diatribe against 'one-size-fits-all' apologetics with some very practical and easily accessible suggestions on how engage in apologetics. I cannot imagine a better book for a community of people who desire to share their hope with a world that desperately needs Christ!"

James Beilby, professor of systematic and philosophical theology, Bethel University, St. Paul, author of Thinking About Christian Apologetics

"I recommend The Myth of the Non-Christian to any Christian interested in evangelism and apologetics. As a vocational minister, however, I would especially recommend it to other vocational ministers and church leaders. It will help us understand the challenges in reaching post-Christian Westerners for Christ as well as best practices for doing so."

George P. Wood, Influence, April 15, 2016

"Real-life encounters, provocative sidebars, and questions at chapters' end help readers further interact with the book. The New Atheists and approaching nominal Christians are also considered. Recommended to anyone wanting to more effectively share the Gospel."

Gerald Wisz, CBA Retailers+Resources, March 16, 2016
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CONTENTS

Part I: Engaging Diverse Contexts
1. Flexibility
2. Plausibility and Desirability
3. Tangibility

Part II: Engaging the Spiritual but Not Religious
4. The Temple in the Desert and the Mysterious Massage
5. Does Christianity Enable A Richer Spirituality?
6. Inviting Others into an Experience of Christian Spirituality

Part III: Engaging Atheists
7. Dawkins on a Bike (and Other Tales)
8. Isn't Faith in God Irrational and Outdated?
9. Creating Safe Spaces for Exploring Questions

Part IV: Engaging Nominal Christians
10. The Pimp, the Planter and Their Friends
11. Don't You Realize I've Been There and Done That?
12. Communities That Facilitate Rediscovering Jesus

Epilogue: Adventures with Ukrainian Comic Book Jesus
Appendix 1: Comparative Statistics for Canada and the United Kingdom
Appendix 2: Did God Command Genocide?
Appendix 3: Suggested Further Reading
Acknowledgments
Notes
About the Author

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Luke Cawley

Luke Cawley is the author of The Myth of the Non-Christian and Campus Lights. He also coedited and contributed to Healthy Faith and the Coronavirus Crisis. What he writes flows from his work as director of Chrysolis, a small non-profit organization he helped start in 2012 with the aim of engaging a diverse range of people in conversation about the story of Jesus and his possible relevance for today.