Christians in The Firing Line (vol 1) was published in 2013 – and sought to highlight the increasing marginalisation of and discrimination against Christians in Britain in recent times. It centred primarily around the themes of sharing one’s faith at work, the ever thorny issue of same-sex relationships, and Islam.
The book was appropriately researched and written by a doctor who himself got into trouble with his professional body for sharing his faith with a consenting patient – and who received support from Christian Concern in his legal battle.
Changing social norms
Richard Scott felt the need for a follow-up volume, not just to draw attention to a batch of further relevant cases that have cropped up in the intervening decade, but because, “the social milieu (has) changed sufficiently”, with the issues around sexual ethics, Islam and street-preaching having progressed apace in very recent years. In particular, of course, transgenderism has taken on a prominence almost inconceivable a decade ago.
Once again, the cases highlighted centre around the themes of:
- Sharing Faith at Work (2 cases)
- Same-Sex Relationships (7 cases focusing variably on Redefining Marriage, Freedom to Speak and Adoption)
- Pro-Life (1 case)
- Street Preachers (11 cases, focusing on Same-Sex Relationships, Islam and Noise Disturbance).
Setting out the facts
The individual case-histories – almost all of which stem from England – vary considerably in length – from a couple of pages to over twenty. While each gives a bit of background context, they tend to stick to the significant facts – leaving out unnecessary information.
... the issues around sexual ethics, Islam and street-preaching have progressed apace in recent years
The stories are interesting, well-written and diverse – and tend to draw the reader in alongside the ‘client’, so you begin to feel their pain and the sense of injustice done to them, and the obvious bias against them, whether from employer, police or judiciary system (sometimes all three). While some cases remain open, most cases in this book conclude negatively (for the client), though wonderful are those stories that have more happy and positive outcomes.
Some of the cases you may have come across before – having been highlighted in the Christian press at the time of occurrence – many others were completely new to this reviewer. I think it’s true that to some readers, at times, it may become a bit tedious reading the details of one brave attempt at seeking justice after another – often along similar lines. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of helpful reading here – incisive information of value to anyone wishing to make a stand for biblical truths.
The author concludes his section on Street Preachers with a discussion on the ethics of this (seemingly increasingly common) practice. He admits that not everyone is “particularly well-disposed to this method of biblical exposition and evangelism”, and he suggests that “as long as our preachers on the streets continue to listen to God and preach the whole gospel (not focusing exclusively on Islam and sexual ethics), they should have our wholehearted support.”
... there’s plenty of helpful reading here – incisive information of value to anyone wishing to make a stand for biblical truths.
Standing up for the faith
In a concluding chapter, Dr Scott reiterates the essential need for Christians to speak out the truth in regard to important issues such as Islam and sexual ethics, and, in regard to the latter, to robustly challenge the questionable and often dangerous indoctrination being perpetuated in schools, universities and public spaces across our country.
He sums up: “There is a spiritual battle over the faith of this nation. This battle is neither abstract nor hypothetical … there has been a distinct shift in recent decades from passive disregarding of Christian morality to active opposition against it and those that proclaim it. Our calling as individuals and as the collective church is to witness the truth of the gospel, which necessarily includes the truth of transcendent Christian moral values. No compromise on these points can be regarded as a faithful Christian response."
Aware that while it is going to become increasingly arduous for Christians to faithfully witness to the gospel in the coming years, the author is sure that faithful witness will have an impact on the nation and can bring individuals to faith in Jesus Christ.
“This is how we can change our nation”, he assures us.
Christians in The Firing Line 2 (251 pp) is published by Wilberforce Publications and is available from re-vived.com for £11.38 (inc p&p), or direct from the publishers.
