Book Nook

I am currently reading a book entitled God’s Continent - Christianity, Islam and Europe’s Religious Crisis by Philip Jenkins. Jenkins has written several books on the state of global Christianity (You may have read a review of this book in a recent issue of Christianity Today). I have read parts of his previous book entitled The New Christendom which I think is fabulous. God’s Continent examines the rise of Islam on the continent. I have been slowly plotting my way through the first chapter. I won’t bore you with the statistics done on the future trends of Islam in Europe. It seems a lot of research done on the future trends of Islam paints a worse case scenario of the rise of Islam then what is actually true. Jenkins doesn’t deny that there is an inherent tension between Islam and Christianity, but he doesn’t think it is a big of a deal as the researchers make it. I don’t know enough about the estate of Islam in Europe right now to form an opinion. In any case, it is an interesting book to read as we begin to think about Vienna.

One statistic that perked my attention is that it takes 2.1 births per family unit to sustain the population of a European country. Most of the birthrates in Europe are well under 2.1 per family units. The decline of birthrates seems to be connected with the rise of secularism. Secularism encourages autonomy and living for oneself (which system of thought contrary to the gospel isn’t!). The gospel, on the other hand, is other-centered and believes life is found in being relationship with the Godhead and giving our lives away to others. Being in community is essential to the gospel. Having kids is a natural extension of this gospel life. I am not saying you have to have 12 kids (if you do or what to, more power to you), I know that I am pretty tired out trying to balance life with 2 kids. When we move to Austria we will have a biggish family because most couples have one child. I think it is going to be very interesting to see how people will view us as a married couple with 2 kids. Hopefully, in our brokenness and weakness people will catch a glimpse of the gospel that overflows with life, community and other-centeredness as we engage those who have run from their Father in Heaven.