Should we as Christians be hopeful about the future? We should, if we believe that God is still in control of the universe. Certainly we see many signs of decline and decay. Christians have been here before. We need to remember that when the gospel is lived out in practice, it is the most powerful force in history, both for individuals and for entire societies.

In his new book, Renaissance, Os Guinness reminds us that it is still possible for society to have redemption and renewal. The Christian faith is still relevant in our global world. The key is for the people of God to be part of a “movement that is led by the Spirit of God, which involves the people of God returning to the ways of God.”

He says we are at a truly Augustinian moment. Augustine died in North Africa with the Vandals at the gates. The Roman Empire was coming to the end of 800 years of dominance. We are living in a world where the 500 years of Western dominance and Christian influence seem to be coming to an end.

He believes we have two global tasks. First, to prepare the global south for the challenges they will face from the forces of development and modernization. The west has been through this, so we can warn them of the dangers. Second, we will need to win back the Western world to Jesus.

To be effective we will have to do three things: engagement, discernment, and courage. We need to still be engaged in society (in the world but not of it). We will need great discernment and to act with courage. He believes the challenge will be to “trust in God and his gospel and move out confidently into the world, living and working for a new Christian renaissance and thus challenge the darkness with the hope of Christian faith.”

He closes the book with “An Evangelical Manifesto” that provides specific action items related to how we should act and how we should view the world around us. Right thinking and right behavior will be key if we are to be faithful Christians in this century.