Culture of the Few – Brad McKoy

Culture of the Few: Following Jesus. Transforming Culture – Brad McKoy

First thoughts:

The majority of the beginning of Culture of the Few is an explanation of different people who fit into this category and how they fit. McKoy talks about how a woman he knew changed lives with her life and death, and how Jesus Himself, a lowly carpenter, was a world changer. McKoy aims to encourage us to be world changers ourselves, and not to worry so much about being ‘out there’ – just be us and change the world with how we already are as Christians. While the aim was expected for a book of this type, the way it is presented was unexpected. It reads as a storybook, not as a motivational book. That’s not a bad thing, but it does make the content less motivating.

Allow me to expand upon what I mean by “less motivating”. I simply mean that this is not one of those books that makes you want to leap into action. Instead, Culture of the Few is that soft, quiet voice that encourages from the background. It doesn’t demand immediate action, but instead prompts you to make small, lasting changes. Whether or not this is good probably depends on the reader. Some readers need a much stronger impact to act, while other readers just need that seed planted. With the tone and message of Culture of the Few, being soft is definitely fitting – McKoy is challenging us to change our lives, not to jump into action and then allow things to go back to how they were before.

Eye Openers:

There were many eye-openers throughout this book – in one such section, it was really interesting how McKoy brings out Jesus’ choice to be identified as Son. He suggests that Jesus made that choice because God is our Heavenly Father, and Jesus was essentially highlighting that fact. That clarification came at a good time, because I have been struggling with how God and Jesus can be co-equal when one is Father and one is Son … but it makes much more sense now. Culture of the Few is full of revelations such as this one, and simple clarifications that can change an outlook completely.

Caution Advised:

The previous aside, I would advise caution while reading Culture of the Few. McKoy makes regular references to special revelations received from God, and to physical healings. Depending on your beliefs, this could be a major deal-breaker. Even having grown up in a Pentecostal church, I’m leery of such claims.

That isn’t to say they didn’t happen – of course there is no way I could know – but it does raise warning flags in my mind. I decided that it’s not going to negatively affect my impression of this book, but you can decide on where you stand on that for yourself. One way to look at the revelations is simply that McKoy and the people he writes about are communicating with God. Not just praying, but actually communicating. They are having a conversation with our Father. I still don’t know what to think about the healings, though. They are only indirectly addressed. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.