Title Details

Dick Staub is an award-winning broadcaster, writer, and speaker, whose work focuses on understanding faith and culture and interpreting each to the other. He is the radio personality behind The Dick Staub Show, a nationally syndicated daily broadcast he hosted for fifteen years, and The Kindlings Muse podcast at www.thekindlings.com. He is author of Too Christian, Too Pagan and Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters. His commentaries can be read regularly at www.dickstaub.com

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Savvy.

1 The Popular Culture We Are In.

2 The Christianity We Are In.

3 The Story We Are In.

Serious.

4 God’s Deep Presence.

5 God’s Transforming Presence.

6 God’s Loving Presence.

Skilled.

7 Countering Culture like Aliens.

8 Communicating in Culture like Ambassadors.

9 Creating Culture like Artists.

Epilogue.

Notes.

The Author.

Index.

The early Church apologist Tertullian asked the famous question, "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" In other words, what does secular culture have to do with Christian culture? Cultural commentator and radio personality Staub poses a variation on this query for the 21st century: how will Christian culture influence popular culture? Staub's short answer is that Christians should not "Cocoon," "Combat," or "Conform" in relation to popular culture, but transform it by first understanding it. Staub has an extensive knowledge of popular culture and quotes rock songs, movies and other mainstream media in a style that is not forced or clumsy. His model of what a culturally savvy Christian should be is C.S. Lewis, who "enriched culture by countering culture, communicating within it, and also creating it." Lewis, according to Staub, was able to transform the written word because first and foremost, he was a good Christian. His work emerged from a solid faith in God, which Staub believes should be the goal of all Christians. Staub's analysis of popular culture can be simplistic at times, but his passion and talent as a writer make this an enjoyable read for Christians who struggle with how to be faithful in a secular world. (Apr. 20) (Publishers Weekly, November 13, 2007)"Dick Staub has watched from a unique vantage point as our culture—not least our Christian culture—has been sliding into more and more of a muddle and a mess. Now he offers a sharp, many-sided analysis of where we’ve allowed ourselves to get to—and a bracing, fresh prescription for how Christians can and should be leading the way through and out into a wiser, richer mode of being human. This is an urgent book for our times—and for our health."
—N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham, England

"The most inspiring aspect of Dick Staub's book The Culturally Savvy Christian is his adamant belief that people of faith can rise from the grave of cultural obscurity to artistically and intellectually enrich our woefully superficial culture. It is a persuasive and hugely encouraging manifesto."
—David McFadzean, Hollywood writer and producer and co-creator of the television show Home Improvement

"Those of us who are not 'up close' to most of popular culture need and welcome guides through the mazes it represents. Through the years I have found Dick Staub to be an imaginative and reliable guide. He has a rather worked-out world view, which helps him make judgments, but listens patiently to other voices. Then he interprets, especially in ways that help young people—a generation often overlooked by leaders in communities of faith—to find meaning, direction, and vocation."
—Martin E. Marty, Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago

"I've learned as much about what I call 'worldly Christianity' from Dick Staub as almost anyone on the planet—he's the apostle of earthy engagement, the high priest of Christian cultural criticism, the gracious guru of a spirituality that demands your hands be dirty and your knees be skinned before you're let in the door. Star Wars, The Matrix, The Simpsons, tomorrow’s paper—Staub finds grace in every image, turn, page, and notion."
—Dwight Ozard, (deceased) writer, pundit, speaker, and consultant to nonprofit ministries and NGOs around the world