By Ron Luce
Battle Cry for a Generation is a book about the youth culture in America today. It’s a call to arms, a war cry to all who will hear it’s message. Luce calls to his readers, “Take responsibility for the next generation!” The church in America has stood idly by as the largest generation on this planet has forsaken God and His Word. This book is a call to turn the tide in this generation against insurmountable odds.
Luce dissects the enemies this generation is facing, pointing some pretty direct fingers at Hollywood, MTV, and the secular music industry. Luce calls them out for making millions of dollars by defiling the souls of America’s youth. He points out that this generation is facing some of the most intense challenges in all of history with marital breakdown, point and click porn on the internet, violence and rape at an all time high, and an onslaught of media which makes these things seem normal.
This book didn’t really contain any mind-blowing revelation – but it was pretty startling just taking an accurate look at where our nation is headed if we stay on the same path. There is a desperate need for people from all walks of life to begin to reach the next generation with the message of the cross. I remember hearing Ron Luce preach this message one time – I felt compelled to enter the ministry as a youth pastor after having him lay out such a clear and vital need. I never thought it would really happen but 4 months later, here I am in Nampa, ID – a youth pastor. Amen, Ron. God must be listening to your battle cry. I have enlisted in the army.
Great book. Pick up a copy, read it, then give it to your senior pastor to read.
By Elmer L Towns
I picked up this book because I’m stepping up in the area of fasting in my life. The role that God has asked me to fill in this season of life is going to take supernatural help. He knows I’m not the natural youth pastor. I need His help in relating to young people and leading them to Christ. I was looking for some inspiration in fasting and maybe some fresh revelation on fasting scriptures.
This book was written in 2002 by Elmer Towns and I’m guessing he’s in his 70’s or 80’s. It’s a book written from years of experience in fasting and prayer. It didn’t really contain any teaching on fasting. Rather it was filled with analogies (some based on scripture, some not) that made the whole fasting process understandable and meaningful. I read many of its pages while fasting and it was very encouraging to me. If you going to read this one - I suggest fasting while you read it.
The writing is a little slow and old fashioned. I got that “I’m listening to a grandpa” feeling while reading this book. But this is a wise grandpa for sure. The purpose of the book is more experiential than teaching for sure. Towns wants you to experience and know the God he has come to know through prayer and fasting. It’s filled with little one liner prayers to pray (in hopes that you’ll pray while you read).
Knowing God Through Fasting wasn’t the most interesting book I’ve read. But it did stir me in my relationship with God and my fasting life. We could all use some more encouragement in our fasting and reading a fasting book every once in a while is a good discipline. I probably won’t read this book again, but it is worth reading through one time while you’re fasting. It really helps establish your thoughts on God while fasting. I give it a B.
