The Coming Tsunami: Why Christians Are Labeled Intolerant, Irrelevant, Oppressive, and Dangerous―and How We Can Turn the Tide

by Jim Denison

In The Coming Tsunami , pastor and cultural scholar Dr. Jim Denison addresses the gravest threat Christians in America have ever faced—four cultural tidal waves threatening to submerge Christians in America and the biblical morality they proclaim. Through proactive, biblical steps, he helps us redeem these challenges so that we can live the way Jesus calls us to live.

This book is a warning sign.

The coming cultural tsunami is the gravest threat Christians in America have ever faced.

Caused by four cultural “earthquakes,” the cultural acceptance of four specific ideologies has seismically shifted our world.

With the rise of a “post-truth” culture, the expansion of the sexual revolution, the attraction of Critical Theory, and the advance of secular religion, Christians are increasingly labeled as intolerant, irrelevant, oppressive, and dangerous—the antithesis of the life Jesus calls Christians to live.

These tidal waves are threatening to submerge Christians in America and the biblical morality they proclaim. And the ultimate repercussions of these issues—the coming tsunami—have yet to be fully experienced.

In The Coming Tsunami , pastor and cultural scholar Dr. Jim Denison of the Denison




The coming cultural tsunami will greatly impact Christians in the coming years. It will undoubtedly influence and affect your children and grandchildren. However, unlike tsunamis in nature, which cannot be stopped once they have been created, it's not too late to stop the moral tsunamis of our day.

But Christians must act now.

The rain is falling.

Genres: Christian, Social Issues, Christianity

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 25, 2022

About the author

Jim Denison, PHD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues through The Daily Article at DenisonForum.org and is the author of over 30 books.

He has taught the philosophy of religion and apologetics at several seminaries. Dr. Denison serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health, where he addresses issues such as genetic medicine and reproductive science. He is a Senior Fellow with CEO Forum, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, the International Alliance of Christian Education, and Dallas Baptist University’s Institute for Global Engagement.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Denison is the Theologian in Residence for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Prior to launching Denison Forum in 2009, he pastored churches in Texas and Georgia. Jim and his wife, Janet, have two married sons and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Glynis Box · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DARKER THE ROOM, THE MORE POWERFUL THE LIGHT! Within my lifetime, I’ve seen the American culture turn morality on its ear. John Adams, a founding father and second president of the United States wrote, “our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Our culture no longer shares a common belief in absolute truth - right and wrong as defined by God’s word. I have looked on with amazement as our country unravels and wondered, “How did we get here?!?” The rise of a “post-truth” culture is the first of four earthquakes identified by Dr. Jim Denison in his latest book, The Coming Tsunami.

In Part 1, he states, “As multiple earthquakes hundreds of miles away from any shore can result in a singular, sweeping tsunami that plunges a country’s coastline into chaos, so too can long-past cultural upheavals threaten to drown Christianity.” Although there are dozens of such cultural seismic shifts, the author examines these four: relative truth (your truth vs. my truth), the sexual revolution, Critical Theory and the rise of secular religion.

Part 2 examines the waves engulfing our culture and how those who stubbornly hold onto Biblical truth are put at risk. Spoiler alert: Jesus’ followers are told to expect persecution (John 15:18-20, Matthew 24:9-10, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 John 3:13). The idea of cheap grace – walk the aisle, get your fire insurance and move on down the road – is a myth. The current culture will no longer allow Christians to casually sit on the fence straddling both worlds. We are forced to choose sides and the decision to follow Jesus publicly will cost us something – family relationships, friendships, jobs…

Part 3 examines how biblical Christians can stand with courage and hope even as the comfortable life we knew slips away. Paul said, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all.” Romans 12:18 Unfortunately, our culture will not live peaceably with Christians as long as they insist on the absolute truth of the Bible.

So, what’s the answer? Retreat from the culture to avoid interaction with those with whom you disagree? Lash out at a world-gone-mad and beat them over the head with a Bible? Or learn to speak the truth in love and stand your ground – whatever the personal cost? The author states, “Our calling as Christians is not to flee, even from imminent danger. Rather, we were given a mandate two thousand years ago to do just the opposite.” We are called to be the light in a culture growing darker by the day.

I was delighted to read an advance, complimentary copy of The Coming Tsunami scheduled for release on January, 25, 2022. Not only does Dr. Denison analyze the bewildering shift in our American culture, but gives encouragement and suggestions for how to publicly stand in faith in a hostile culture. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own and I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to understand the culture in which we find ourselves.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that needs to be read by all evangelical Christians because it is a warning and a call to action. The warning is that a tsunami is coming our way, preceded of course by earthquakes like the sexual revolution and acceptance of the LGBTQ lifestyle. The author does a masterful job of explaining how our culture got where it is today and then gives succinct and practical advice about how Christians should be reacting to the new culture. The book was fast-paced and relevant, making it a book that all pastors, lay leaders and evangelicals should read. When I first started reading, I was concerned that only the problems with the current culture would be portrayed, but I was proven wrong as the author offered so many solutions to what is happening and what we can do to stop the tsunami from overtaking us. The whole theme is that it’s never too late for God to work, so in faith, we need to go forward and represent Him here on earth. The research was well done and provoked many thoughtful discussions between me and my husband. I highly recommend it for church study groups to tackle and discuss how they will plan to face “The Coming Tsunami.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of his launch team. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Jeannie Bordovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. How did we, as a country founded on Christian principles, get to where we are today? How do we change the cultural tides of postmodernism, the sexual revolution, critical theory and secularism? How can I make a difference in today's world? Dr. Denison explains the history and backgrounds of these cultures and then offers solutions that every Christian can use to engage people and change the culture around us. The book is easy to understand and reads quickly.

[Don Harton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than I expected. Denison ‘landed the plane’ well.

The takeoff was a little rough for me: I suppose Denison was going for ‘warning’, but I read ‘fear this’. And I don’t think fear is the right approach to culture - or even to evil. Not when we worship the Lord of the Angel Armies!

So I had to set down the book for a while and sort of ‘steel myself’. I even added an inscription at the front: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Ps 91:1 NIV)

With my ‘armor of light’ in place I pressed on through section two. And in section three Denison gets to the point, to the encouragement and exhortation. I suppose you could skip the first two parts, or just enter knowing it gets better!

Denison makes his case, then gives good practical suggestions for believers to live ‘in the world but not of it’.

[Bobby H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars. Solid writing. There are places where author comes close to fear-mongering without crossing the line. The sections in practical advice comes through in an intelligent and logical fashion. Read the book after the author spoke to an apologetics class I was taking.
I would recommend this to those who think culture is "not as bad as people think it is,"

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

truth

Thank you for this enlightening book. Opening eyes on unknown realities and updating known realities to God’s glory.
Highly recommend

[Margie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on facts involving current culture and how Christians should respond in love.

[Trisha Sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read for Christians wondering how to navigate a world that seems increasingly hostile to Gospel-centered morality. Hiding our heads in the sand, shrinking into our Christian "bubbles," cannot be the answer. Dr. Denison helps highlight reality while encouraging believers to be mindful of God's sovereignty.