Owen Strachan: The Colson Way, reviewed by Kelly Monroe Kullberg
Chuck, however, was animated. He was aware of competing forces and said that Jesus calls us to unity and to function wisely and effectively as the Body of Christ in a confused and hurting world. I was invited to the Colson Center, where new and old friends discussed challenges and opportunities. Chuck encouraged my work to unite teams to build in ten pillars of culture — now called, The America Conservancy.
The Colson Way is unique in that Strachan unpacks Colson’s last few years and moves his vision forward to help light our way. Chuck understood our times. He faced a Hydra of aggressors. He navigated similar waters of government corruption, threats to the sanctity of life, and repression of free speech including sharing the gospel and its implications. He saw what was coming and he spoke with prophetic urgency.
Sometimes silence is golden. More often, silence is yellow. Cowards too often give up the ground of culture to more aggressive challengers, and to the destruction of human lives.
To awaken and unify younger Christians — to help us become actual leaders — Chuck died with his boots on. The least we can do is pick up the torch.
My husband and I were among those with Chuck the day of his stroke. We had spent the afternoon with a few dozen leaders of Christian organizations. Chuck wanted us to default to collaboration. He saw the need for a united witness and projects for the Church’s survival and renewal against mounting odds. His vision was one of human flourishing in every sphere of culture. All agreed to this default to collaboration. To close the meeting he asked, “Does everyone agree to a united witness, and that we stand and work together?” Yes, we agreed. For clarity he asked again, “Does anyone not agree to a new kind of unity?” Silence. All agreed.
“What is the Church’s strategic plan for America? How can I volunteer?”
Owen Strachan is associate professor of Christian Theology and director of the Center on Gospel and Culture at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
He wanted us to “break the spiral of silence” by speaking biblical truth and Christian worldview into an increasingly hostile and secular marketplace of ideas. He spoke of our need to find and to develop a more winsome and prophetic voice. He foresaw the power of encroaching totalitarianism that will not tolerate Christians and truth-seekers. When we understand that the Lord is on the throne, the rule and domain of kings and dictators is diminished. Autonomous man wants the throne for himself and will kill, steal and destroy to have it. Though he did not use these words, Chuck knew that a new cycle of the Tower of Babel is rising.
Category: Fall 2015, Living the Faith
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