Recently, many best selling bible studies have focused on what it means to be a Christian in today's modern American culture. It seems the comfortable living standards and consumerist attitudes that permeate culture have caused concern. Many christian thought leaders have begun to question what a truly sold-out christian would look like in modern America. Should Christians be satisfied with just the house, picket fence, 401K retirement plan? Examples of these studies include John Piper's 2009 study "Don't Waste Your Life", which encourages participants to live the biblical reality: "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." The more recent "Radical Small Group Study" by David Platt suggests Christians have changed the God-centered gospel to fit human-centered preferences. Other examples include the 2011 "Living Crazy Love Study" by Francis Chan. Chan's study encourages participants to pursue the crazy, relentless, all powerful love of God. In 2010 former corporate executive turned president of World Vision, Richard Sterns, published "The Hole in our Gospel" which chronicles his struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. With so many leaders from a variety of backgrounds addressing the same issues, perhaps we should take notice and ask ourselves- are we truly living a sold-out life for Christ?
