The Colson Way

July 20, 2015
Strachan (Risky Gospel), director of the Carl F.H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement, advocates for a renewed focus on spreading "the gospel of Jesus Christ in every sphere of life" by examining the life lessons of Chuck Colson, a politician turned preacher. Structured as a treatise for social change, and primarily directed at millennials, the book is also part homily and part hagiography on the life of Colson. Some of the causes championed by Colson (and Strachan) include justice for prisoners, expanded religious freedoms, respect for traditional marriage, and demand for pro-life approach to abortion. The opening chapters follow Colson's career from political meltdown to prison reformer; he eventually finds his voice as a tireless gospel preacher and establishes Prison Fellowship, a faith-based reentry program. Strachan mainly addresses younger generations and suggests society has reached a "kairos" momentâthe hour of Christians choosing to, according to Colson, "stand for the Lord regardless of what my state tells me." The author rarely critiques or questions Colson: "He had his flaws. He worked too hard, made his schedule too full, and sometimes spoke too strongly." Strachan's philosophy for this unwieldy book can be summed up with a note Colson wrote to Southern Baptist official Andrew Walker: "Love your country, but love your God more."