Talk the Walk: How to Be Right without Being Insufferable

I have received the paperback copy of this book and I found that the back description of this book did not provide an adequate synopsis about the topic. I had to read the press release description of the book to truly understand the foundational message. Note: You will need to be in the right mindset to read this book—in other words, get ready for some deep reading! If you’re looking for a light read, you may want to postpone this one. Overall, I agree with what the author’s message is: that Christians can speak up about faith with confidence and humility. It does, however, take the author two chapters in to get to the point of the book. I found it difficult to follow because there were so many points in each chapter that I lost sight of where it was going. There was great humour and reference to Scripture throughout. There is a lot of content that can be thinned out and sifted. I was given a free copy and all views are my own.

Steve Brown has reached the age where he feels comfortable sharing his thoughts no matter what others think. (1450/2386) That's exactly what he does here. Brown is convinced Christian faith is true but he is also convinced Christians do not have to be insufferable about it. Many Christians push truth and end up waving a red flag in front of a raging bull. Christians know how to be self-righteous, he says. Brown reminds us about the more important characteristics of humility, love, and forgiveness. I found many welcome surprises in this book. Brown writes that Christians are not called to be fixers. (364/2386) We're not here to fix others, fix our culture, fix our nation. We do bring our witness to the world but the results are up to God. Brown is strong on God's sovereignty. God's in charge and we need not worry so much. We can love our neighbor well while not constantly worrying about how to share the gospel with them. God's got it. Brown identifies the presupposition of his book: Christians are called to speak truth, often to people who do not want to hear it. (381/2386) One's heart attitude in communicating and living truth is so important. Be honest in life, Brown encourages. “When Christians hide their pain, they do not have a message to give.” (1865/2386) Be real to neighbors and let them see and inquire about the life and truth within. I really like this book. He tells great stories on himself and others to illustrate how Christians can be more irritating to others than salt and light. This book is a wake up call to Christians, challenging our honesty and effectiveness in being like Christ. Many self-righteous Christians may not like this book. It might undermine their drive to be the savior of the declining culture or the declining nation. It might make them think again about what they really believe about God and what He is doing in the world. I think this book needs to be read by every Christian. You'll be challenged. You might feel uncomfortable as Brown will encourage you to rethink how to live your witness in the world. Perhaps most interesting of all, you'll get to learn a little Latin too. I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Talk The Walk is an engaging, challenging read. I found myself strongly agreeing and strongly disagreeing with the text--sometimes within the same paragraph. At the very least it is a thought-provoking read. Do I agree? disagree? why is he right? why is he wrong? Does the Bible really mean this? and say that? Am I guilty of what he's describing? Has my mind been changed about this or that? Brown believes that it is important how we put into practice our beliefs, how we live out the faith in the day to day. He does not seem to be advocating throwing out the truth. "As someone has said, once you see truth you cannot simply un-see it." He is not one of those that redefines the virtue of humility as introducing doubt, embracing uncertainty, and throwing assurance out the window. Where the Bible is clear, plain, obvious, assertive, believers should have confidence and certainty. To not trust in God's promises is not a virtue. What Brown does seem to be advocating is selectively sharing the truths we believe. Brown seems to be saying that just because you know something to be true or something to be false does not mean you have to share that. You can remain silent and perhaps should remain silent in many situations. Sometimes speaking up or standing up for the truth you hold so dear makes the situation worse not better. You may feel satisfied that you defended God's truth, but the person on the other end, the other side, now has even more reason to distrust or despise Christians.

I just finished Steve Brown’s latest book. It was a wonderful read - I laughed and even cried! I cried because I was convicted of how ‘right ‘ I am about the Truth without love! Chapter 12 was my favorite. I hope you will purchase the book and laugh and cry like I have. Steve Brown is one of the most outlandish and profitable authors who have impacted my life. I love this man even though he won’t come and preach in my church!

Steve is the shock jock of Bible ministry. This book took enormous guts to write, and even more to read! If you prize religious rules to control your life, and the lives of others around you, even the Introduction will be a severe challenge. Both as an author and a real person, Steve disturbs the most confident Christian to take a second look to determine if the ethic of my belief matches the moral of my do. Are you ready…? Tom M. Saunders, Ph.D.