I used to wonder what 1 Peter 2:12 meant… why would unbelievers ever speak against me as an evildoer. I understood that I could expect opposition and even persecution. But I couldn’t understand how I could be regarded as ‘evil’. Well, no longer... 

Once upon a time we Christians were regarded as being among the ranks of the good guys - Rotary club, Lions club, Christians, Churches. But in the blink of an eye, we have been dropped in the ranks of the bad guys. It’s confusing, it’s troubling, it’s happening, and we all need help to think about it clearly.

Enter Stephen McAlpine’s book ‘Being the Bad Guys’. It is the most helpful book I have read in this space. This book not only helps us understand what has happened it helps us know how to live as criticised Christians. SM crystalises the big thinking in this area (secular and Christian) and makes it understandable and accessible—no easy task. But he does this with Bible and Gospel firmly in hand. He helps us see afresh from the Gospel the answers we need and what to do with those answers. ‘Being the Bad Guys’ grew my faith in the relevance and power of Gospel. It also grew my understanding and confidence in how to take the Gospel to my lost and confused community.

This is a timely and excellent book and among the rare ranks of books you ought to read. It imparts a clear theological understanding about a confusing world and gives us renewed and purposeful gospel conviction. Do your faith a favour and read this book. But can I suggest that you don’t read it on your own. This book deserves to be read and discussed together with some fellow travellers in your church. This book will help you and your church do what the Apostle Peter was asking of us, that is, to be the best bad guys we can.

You can purchase Being The Bad Guys from The Wandering Bookseller for $19.99