Margaret Wiltshire reviews ‘The Daniel Dilemma’ by Chris Hodges (2017, Nelson Books).
How should we live as believers in a pagan world? This is a problem which confronts us all, especially as what was formerly ‘Christendom’ becomes more and more hostile to Christ. It was also the dilemma which faced the young Daniel when he was taken into exile into Babylon. Should he show respect to their gods, or should he stand firm in his faith in the One True God?
In this timely book, Pastor Chris Hodges is not concerned with the prophecies found in the Book of Daniel, but with the life of Daniel. Daniel managed, without compromising his beliefs or values, to serve in high office under four different Babylonian regimes for a period of 70 years. How did he stand his ground and honour God – and even be used powerfully by him - in a corrupt culture?
Focus on Personal Discipleship
Hodges takes lessons from Daniel’s character and the way he persevered through these years, applying them to our lives today. Each chapter is organised around one of these lessons, which include knowing our identity in the Lord, allowing him to transform us into his likeness, settling our core values, being ready to stand our ground, avoiding idolatry, identifying pride, getting our priorities right and dealing properly with our emotions.
Daniel managed, without compromising, to serve in high office in pagan Babylon for a period of 70 years. How did he stand his ground?
In this sense Hodges includes a lot of material concerned with personal discipleship that has already been written about many times elsewhere. But Hodges is not only concerned with teaching believers how to overcome inwardly; he is also concerned to address how we react outwardly, in seeking to confront the issues of the day and bear faithful witness to those who don’t believe.
The author shows us that “we can hold firmly to biblical beliefs without becoming obnoxious, insulting or mad”,1 if we learn how to focus on winning hearts more than winning arguments. However, Hodges’ outward focus is sadly limited to the final chapter, though it perhaps makes up the book’s main contribution. It could have been expanded on considerably.
Truth, Love and Grace
Nevertheless, this is an easy, logical and practical book to read that will be both helpful for the beginner and a good reminder for the more mature. There are some accompanying resources (a study guide and DVD) available separately for readers who would like to explore the issues in more depth, whether alone or with a group.
There will always be cultural challenges and the need to confront them with God’s word, and with love and grace. What we believe about ourselves and about God will influence every decision we make in this respect. Though the author writes with particular concern for the USA, in our own divided nation which has forsaken its Christian heritage this book provides an apposite reminder to “hold God’s standards high and his grace deep - just as Jesus did”.2
‘The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise’ (265pp, paperback, audiobook, e-book) is available on Amazon for £9.90 (paperback) and elsewhere online. Find out more about the book on the publisher’s website.
You may also be interested in Living in Babylon by Dr Clifford and Mrs Monica Hill.
References
1 Quote taken from here.
2 Ibid.