This attitude-altering book invites Christians to cultivate boldness and humility in communicating gospel truth. By uncovering self-righteousness and spiritual arrogance, Talk the Walk by pastor and author Steve Brown shatters stereotypes and helps believers consider how they present the good news without watering it down.
The Christian faith is true, and while we may be right on issues of salvation and theology, we may miss the less articulated truths of humility, love, and forgiveness. We live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christians and their faith. Talk the Walk unpacks the call to "go out into the world" and share faith by being truthful and winsome. By helping men and women love others out of a deeper love in Christ the one who first loved us Talk the Walk helps Christians present the gospel clearly and with compassion.
Take a step back and look at others' perceptions. Explore the tools necessary to accomplish an attitude change of confidence and humility, repentance and truth. Share the message of Christ without distorting it. Speak confidently without being cold. By operating out of humble gratitude for the gospel, begin to talk the walk of Christian faith, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus.
"I have yet to figure out how to be confident enough to speak truth to people and yet humble enough to close my mouth when all I'm doing is showing off how smart I (foolishly) think I am. It's for this reason that I'm really thankful for this book. Steve is a wise and gentle pastor and he'll help you (as he has me) feel the pinch of truth while he pours in the gentle love of the Christ who knows you. Get this book. Your unbelieving friends will thank you."
Elyse M. Fitzpatrick, Author and speaker
"The believing and beloved community of God is polarized, fragmented, and often tediously self-righteous. It is not uncommon to bear the belligerence of a believer on a rant about the most recent political or scientific debate. Steve Brown's brilliant new book is a life-giving, irenic call to speak truth with the playful, kind ferocity of Jesus. Reading this book felt like taking a warm shower to rinse off the vitriol of ugly truthtellers and cleanse me of my own self-righteousness. This is a desperately needed book for a bitter and angry age."
Dan B. Allender, Professor of Counseling Psychology and Founding President, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology; author of The Wounded Heart and The Healing Path
"Ours is an increasingly post-Christian culture. For decades, old norms have been giving way to a new cultural ethos. For Christians, this new landscape has been disorienting and, at times, even discouraging. All too often, we've been tempted to respond with sharp and shrill expressions of fear rather than compassionate faith. In this timely and necessary book, Steve Brown shares how to be right the right way. I loved it."
Kevin Labby, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Presbyterian Church
"If ever there were a time to learn how to speak the truth in love, this is it. For those of us who may have never known how to best speak the truth to our non-Christian friends, Steve Brown instructs us to lace our words with kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Looking to communicate the truth of the gospel without being a pain in the neck? Talk the Walk will undoubtedly get you there. And as always, thanks, Dr. Brown. Christendom needs your talk and your walk."
Kendra Fletcher, Author of Lost & Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace, and Leaving Legalism
"Steve Brown knows that grace and truth are always flip sides of the same coin. In this touching and accessible book, he reminds us that prayerful tears are the most powerful way to share the gospel. As someone deeply interested in asserting Truth in a world full of false alternatives, I would eagerly put Talk the Walk in the hand of someone seeking answers."
Andrew Petiprin, Author of Truth Matters: Knowing God and Yourself
"I'm raising children and regularly wish to stick my head in the sand about the state of the world today, but . . . I'm raising children, so I can't. The Church is in desperate need of good, real conversations about what it looks like to stand on truth without wavering and exude grace without apologizing. Talk the Walk is just such a conversation starter, and I am grateful for it."
Jenni Young, Homeschooling mother; former Key Life staff member; blogger at Key Life Network
"Steve Brown does it again! A master at teaching grace, Steve gives us permission to believe and say what we Christians know and feel at the core of our being: 'We're right about Jesus!' Then Steve shows us how to hold to the truth in love and what that really means. This is Jesus's way of living. Don't miss this book it is possible to be right without being insufferable!"
Pete Alwinson, Pastor Emeritus and executive director, FORGE
"Ive always appreciated Steve's ability to hold close to his convictions while simultaneously avoiding the need to police others' behavior. In our highly divided times, we need voices like Steve's to guide us through the complexity of holding onto Christian truth while communicating it with love, humility, and humor. That's a rare gift."
Matt Johnson, Author of Getting Jesus Wrong: Giving Up Spiritual Vitamins and Checklist Christianity
Another 5 star book by Dr Brown! He knows more about God's grace than any other theologian on earth! There, I said it.
I listen to Steve Brown’s radio show, Key Life, in the mornings while I get ready for work. I love his deep, deep voice and common sense. This is a quick book. Some of my takeaways: If Christians do not care about people and love them first, they will not be open to hearing our message. Don’t answer questions that are not asked. There IS truth. Truth often divides and offends. Truth never changes. Truth often cuts before it heals. Only truth heals, frees and redeems. Anything else might make you feel good, but is useless and destructive. Believers and unbelievers alike weep, worry, sin, have terrible secrets and shattered dreams. God says “I know, child” and it’s His presence with us in these situations that make the difference. It takes divine intervention to believe. People won’t accept that they are sinners in need of a savior without the Holy Spirit. There is nothing I can say that will change someone without divine intervention. This is above my pay grade. Love that is based on who we are or what we have done is not love. This is reward. Loving without conditions and being silent until asked is the best witness to our God who loves us in spite of ourselves.
Not every book I read is life changing, but this one is because it takes the deepest and most important parts of the Christian faith and uses that to help us share that faith. As Christians, we are often encouraged to walk the talk, put our lives where our mouths are, but Steve Brown turns that expression on its head and challenges us to Talk the Walk, sharing his insights on how we can talk about the Christian walk in a way that demonstrates Christ and opens doors to sharing our faith. His subtitle is humorous and poignant: How to be Right Without Being Insufferable. In a post-truth culture, learning how to share THE truth with those who need to hear it is more difficult than ever, even as it is more important than ever. Brown’s first point starts with our own heart and motivation as Christians. Too often Christians approach non-Christians as the enemy. Brown rightly teaches that we need to come from a place of love and compassion before we can share the truth of Jesus and His desire for a relationship with us. Steve Brown writes profoundly in a way that is uplifting and inspiring while deeply convicting. His writing is a rare gift that is eloquent and conversational. His ideas are effective and helpful, whether you're a relatively new believer or have been in ministry for decades. Every chapter challenges us to change the way we see ourselves, and others, and maybe even how we understand God/theology as we seek to grow in how we approach sharing the truth with others. Recognizing that we’re not always right in every way even if we hold a primarily correct worldview helps us tear down barriers to being heard. As the author of How to Talk so People Will Listen, Steve Brown certainly has the depth of knowledge to teach people to communicate more effectively and uses his wisdom to help Christians be better ambassadors for Christ in Talk the Walk. He encourages us to share mindfully, without watering down the truth. Talk the Walk shows Christians how to be bold and confident enough in our faith to learn to share it in a way that doesn’t offend, even though the truth often will. Brown does address the fact that the truth offends. Brown suggests that how and when (or if) we share the truths of our faith in this climate requires deep spiritual discernment, as does knowing how much to share. He gives many tangible examples of how we can openly share the gospel without using a fire hose when a cup would do. The truth will do the offending. We should not. Brown points out that the biggest risk to our faith is the fact that we are right because holding the truth can make us mean and arrogant. We start placing divisions and setting requirements that Christ never did. Brown’s book challenges us to let Jesus really change us before we seek to change the world. When we approach sharing the Gospel with humility and grace, armed with knowledge and wisdom, we will reach people with the love of Christ. Steve Brown’s Talk the Walk is page after page of convicting wisdom. Based in scripture, Talk the Walk uses the lessons of the Bible to teach us to be better purveyors of God’s truths. Some books are worth reading and some books are worth reading over and over. Any Christian who hopes to share the Gospel effectively should read this book regularly. I know I will. I received a copy to review from the publishers, but all opinions are my own. I could not recommend this book more highly.
I would encourage everyone, especially Christians, to read this book. So many times, as Christians, we forget that delivering the message should definitely include the loving God message. God is the only true Father you will have in your life that will discipline you and will genuinely and sincerely mean it when He says "this hurts me more than it hurts you"!! Thank you for reminding me that in spite of my sinful self, I am truly loved unconditionally by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. AMEN!!!!
I’ve noticed a problem among Christians and in churches. It has caused me to examine and evaluate my own heart too. As we find ourselves in a culture that does not believe in absolute truth, we see our role to be bearers of the truth. We have a message of truth we are called to share. The problem, though, is not in the content of the message we share. The issue I've witnessed is in the way we share it. This is what Steve Brown gets at in his book Talk the Walk: How to Be Right Without Being Insufferable. Over the course of 13 chapters, Mr. Browns writes about the value of truth while also highlighting the importance of a humble attitude. The danger for Christians is the danger of being right. This is the case because one can be right but go the wrong way about it. They can hold to the right beliefs but can express it in careless ways and an arrogant manner. That's why this book points to the Christian's attitude. Each chapter opens with a Bible verse to set the tone for the content that follows. The author reminds the reader (and himself) that truth is shared with those who have been through life and are personal beings. He also takes time to speak to the place of silence in being truthful with a humble attitude. All in all, from the first chapter to the last, the thrust of the book is to how to be truth-tellers in a winsome way. Only Suggestions As bearers of truth, however, people will not always agree with us. Even within Christian circles, some do not see eye-to-eye. The case is true for this book as well. In a couple of places, Steve Brown makes suggestions to the reader that should be seen as just that. For instance, in chapter 3 he counsels to remain silent about sharing your faith unless given permission (see Brown 25-26). While one can understand his point, this general guidance should be taken as a suggestion based upon the context of the person's relationship or conversation. A more perplexing suggestion comes in chapter 11 where he uses a phrase that is meant to translate what we culturally deem a cuss word. He then uses it throughout the chapter too. While he does use it to illustrate his point, I personally did not see it as necessary to the chapter and it may end up being a hindrance rather than a help in making his point. Speak Truth with a Humble Heart These critiques do not keep Talk the Walk from being a commendable resource. Steve Brown's humble approach in this book, that he did not write it to correct others but to remind himself (Brown 3), offers an example to the character of the book. This resource reminds Christians what they say must be backed up with how they say it. If you are a Christian who wants to help others and remind yourself how to speak truth with a humble heart, then consider reading Talk the Walk: How to Be Right Without Being Insufferable by Steve Brown. I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.
I’ve noticed a problem among Christians and in churches. It has caused me to examine and evaluate my own heart too. As we find ourselves in a culture that does not believe in absolute truth, we see our role to be bearers of the truth. We have a message of truth we are called to share. The problem, though, is not in the content of the message we share. The issue I've witnessed is in the way we share it. This is what Steve Brown gets at in his book Talk the Walk: How to Be Right Without Being Insufferable. Over the course of 13 chapters, Mr. Browns writes about the value of truth while also highlighting the importance of a humble attitude. The danger for Christians is the danger of being right. This is the case because one can be right but go the wrong way about it. They can hold to the right beliefs but can express it in careless ways and an arrogant manner. That's why this book points to the Christian's attitude. Each chapter opens with a Bible verse to set the tone for the content that follows. The author reminds the reader (and himself) that truth is shared with those who have been through life and are personal beings. He also takes time to speak to the place of silence in being truthful with a humble attitude. All in all, from the first chapter to the last, the thrust of the book is to how to be truth-tellers in a winsome way. Only Suggestions As bearers of truth, however, people will not always agree with us. Even within Christian circles, some do not see eye-to-eye. The case is true for this book as well. In a couple of places, Steve Brown makes suggestions to the reader that should be seen as just that. For instance, in chapter 3 he counsels to remain silent about sharing your faith unless given permission (see Brown 25-26). While one can understand his point, this general guidance should be taken as a suggestion based upon the context of the person's relationship or conversation. A more perplexing suggestion comes in chapter 11 where he uses a phrase that is meant to translate what we culturally deem a cuss word. He then uses it throughout the chapter too. While he does use it to illustrate his point, I personally did not see it as necessary to the chapter and it may end up being a hindrance rather than a help in making his point. Speak Truth with a Humble Heart These critiques do not keep Talk the Walk from being a commendable resource. Steve Brown's humble approach in this book, that he did not write it to correct others but to remind himself (Brown 3), offers an example to the character of the book. This resource reminds Christians what they say must be backed up with how they say it. If you are a Christian who wants to help others and remind yourself how to speak truth with a humble heart, then consider reading Talk the Walk: How to Be Right Without Being Insufferable by Steve Brown.
I love Steve Brown and Who he serves! This book is so thought provoking! Great read!
Love Steve Brown. I may not completely agree with everything he says in this book but it definitely gives plenty of food for thought.
Steve Brown didn’t disappoint. Some great points to consider and challenge us In our walk. Particularly fond of Chapter 10.
Steve Brown, in “Talk the Walk”, tells the truth about Jesus in plain English. If you want to hear the truth about the Christian faith in words that invite you into the story and start you on the path to sharing the faith, read this book. It’s a gem.
