Slow to Judge

Last week I had the great honor of flying to Nashville to present at the sales conference for Harper Collins Christian Publishing (Zondervan & Thomas Nelson).  I spoke briefly on the topic of a book I have coming out next summer with Thomas Nelson entitled Slow to Judge: Sometimes It’s OK to Listen.  The book is about a lot of things, but it is especially about the problem Christians have of being judgmental and being perceived as anti-this and anti-that.  Too often Christians are defined by what they are “against.”

The big idea in this book is that it is possible to stand up for your faith, bear witness to it, defend it against detractors and yet not do so in a judgmental way because we have taken James’ advice: be quick to listen and slow to speak.

The book is part of the Refraction Series.  Here is a link to 2 minute video on YouTube about the series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omBd_s13jfI

If you are interested in culture and faith, then you will want to track this series.  The first book is already out: How to Pick up a Stripper and Other Acts of Kindness by Todd Stephens.  A second book is out as well: The Reluctant Journey: Fulfilling God’s Purpose for You by Richard Leslie Parrott.

Slow to Judge is scheduled to release next summer.  I hope you’ll look for it particularly if you find yourself up close and personal with Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and people from an assortment of faiths or no faith at all. It is chocked full of Scripture and events which have taken place over the last 30-40 years.  We’re living in interesting times. Here are my chapter titles:

Chapter 1        A Listening Heart

Chapter 2        “Do Not Judge” . . . Really?

Chapter 3        A Book by Its Cover

Chapter 4        Love & Forgiveness

Chapter 5        Homophobia, Islamophobia, Christophobia

Chapter 6        The Problem with Tolerance

Chapter 7        Authentic Tolerance

Chapter 8        Listening to a Muslim: Fetullah Gülen

Chapter 9        Listening to the Pagans: C. S. Lewis

From time to time I’ll share an excerpt from the book.  In the meantime watch for the Refraction Series.  The goal of the series is to help align God’s people with God’s purposes. My own effort has grown out of a radio show I co-host called “A Show of Faith.”  It airs Sunday evenings 7 to 9 pm (Central time) on 1070 KNTH The Answer out of Houston.  But, you can listen live weekly via the Internet or on the I Heart Radio app.