Glenn T. Stanton - The Myth of the Dying Church: How Christianity Is Actually Thriving in America and the World

The wonderful thing about Glenn Stantons new book is that it demonstrates Christs promise that he is the author and finisher of our faith. It is a call to stop trusting ourselves as the saviors of the world and to rejoice in the truth that God has got it under control. In gratitude for this immeasurable gift, his book calls us to rededicate ourselves to faithful parenting and neighborly charity.

Joy Pullmann
Executive editor, The Federalist, and mom of five little ones

If youre a parent, youve likely been shaken by reports that young people are abandoning Christianity in droves and growing up to be aimless, faithless adults. But take heartmuch of what youve heard and read in this regard is simply not true. In The Myth of the Dying Church, Glenn Stanton takes a hard look at the evidence and finds that Christianity is alive and well, even flourishing.

Jim Daly
President, Focus on the Family

In The Myth of the Dying Church, Glenn Stanton challenges some commonly held assumptions about the spiritual practices and beliefs of Christians today. This book is not only insightful and balanced, but positive and hopeful. It is a must-read for anyone concerned with the state of the church today. Based on extensive research, Stanton offers practical advice for engaging our wider culture and raising up a new generation of Christ followers.

Sean McDowell, Ph.D.
Professor, Biola University

In these turbulent and uncertain times, Christians are given to imbibing every depressing media tidbit that prophesies the continued shrinking of the church and eventual demise of the faith. This is why I am delighted to see Glenn Stantons new book, The Myth of the Dying Church. Utilizing todays leading social scientific research, Stanton offers us a more judicious and promising assessment of the state of the Christian faith in North America and around the world. More importantly, he paints a compelling picture of the churchs futureone that is grounded in reality and yet elevated by the resilient hope that we have in the gospel. Highly recommend!

Todd Wilson
President, Center for Pastor Theologians

Is Christianity declining? Glenn Stanton challenges this dominant narrative, and its about time. Stanton is not simply looking at our situation with rose-colored glasses, but providing a perspective often missing todaythat of how Christianity is not really receding. There are challenges, as he documents. The fuzzy middle is certainly shrinking. But after you dismiss the hysteria, there are obvious and truly meaningful reasons for hope. Read it and be encouraged.

Mark Regnerus, Ph.D.
Professor of sociology, University of Texas at Austin

Is Christianity on the wane? Many say so, but this book, with much evidence, argues to the contrary. Accommodated Christianity is in deep decline, but gospel-focused churches are still vibrant and growing explosively around the globe. This study is both a source of encouragement and a summons to faithfulness.

Timothy George
Founding dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, and general editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture series

Everything you thought you knew about the decline of Christianity in the modern world is wrong. Thats the conclusion Glenn Stanton reaches after combing through dozens of studies by the most well-respected scholars. Whats really happening is that some churches are declining (those that teach a liberal theology), while others are growing (those that teach an orthodox theology). The same pattern holds not only in the United States but around the globe. Stanton has done a great service by pulling together the findings of a wide range of researchers. If youve been despondent over the state of Christianity, you will find much in this book to encourage you.

Nancy Pearcey
Author of Total Truth and Love Thy Body

Glenn Stanton has continually and bravely challenged mainstream thinking on cultural issues. In The Myth of the Dying Church he uses reliable social science survey data to refute the myth that the contemporary American evangelical church is shrinking. Indeed, he provides robust evidence that the American church continues to thrive in the face of its imperfections and challenges. Kudos for this timely and important book.

Bruce Wydick
Professor of economics and international studies, University of San Francisco

What if Jesus really meant it when He said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church? What if the sky isnt falling? Glenn Stanton has a knack for looking at the data and getting past the headlines. In The Myth of the Dying Church, he allows us to see clearly the gift God has given the world in His ever-expanding church.

John Stonestreet
President, Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview

Those of you irritated by the glee with which secularists and atheists announce the looming death of religion in general and Christianity in particular need to read this book. The predictors have it wrong. Religion isnt dying. Its holding steady, and in some important cases its increasing. As Glenn Stanton shows, it all depends on how you define religion, and what message you want to deliver. Secularists desperately want to envision a dying church, but its a myth. Stantons deliciously ironic conclusion is this: its the anti-religionists who are captive to an illusion, not the believers!

Mark Bauerlein
Senior editor, First Things, professor of English, Emory University

Is Christianity really dying in America? Glenn Stanton says No! in his intriguing new book, The Myth of the Dying Church. His evidence, observations, and recommendations for mission should be seriously considered. Not only is it important that Christians discern truth from falsehood in media coverage of the church; it is imperative that we understand the mission field globally and locally so we may be the wiser laborers in the Lords harvest. His fresh voice demands our attention.