Book Review: The Lies We Are Told, the Truth We Must Hold: Worldviews and Their Consequences

Title: The Lies We Are Told, the Truth We Must Hold: Worldviews and Their Consequences
Author: Sharon James
Published: 2022

What is truth? Pilate’s question to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 18:38) has never been so pertinent as in today’s cultural landscape. In The Lies We Are Told, the Truth We Must Hold (Christian Focus Publications, 302 pages), Sharon James exposes the philosophical foundations of contemporary secularism before laying out a biblical vision for truth, human dignity, and social flourishing. The author – who holds a doctorate in history from the University of Wales and has spent decades researching the intersection of worldview, social policy, and biblical truth – invites readers to trace how modern culture has gotten so tangled in lies and how the gospel offers not just critique, but hope.

The first half of the book – “The Lies We Are Told” – is a sobering tour through the minds that built our cultural moment: Feuerbach, Darwin, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Reich. The memory of these thinkers may have faded with time, but James shows how their ideas are still very much alive – and bearing bitter fruit. Whether it’s the rejection of absolute truth, the breakdown of the family, or the rise of identity politics, she draws a straight line between abstract theory and real-world consequences. She doesn’t sensationalize; she simply connects the dots. The result is both chilling and illuminating.

But the real power of this book lies in Part Two – “The Truth We Must Hold”. Here, James contrasts the stench of secularism with the sweet aroma of Christ presented in the gospel. In place of the empty promises of modern ideologies, she offers the solid ground of the biblical worldview arising from a God-centred life. It’s not just a list of doctrines; it’s a vision for life. A vision where human beings are made in the image of their Creator. Where marriage and family are sacred. Where truth is not whatever we feel, but what God has revealed. And where hope isn’t found in progress or politics, but in Christ, who himself is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

What makes this book stand out is its accessibility. It’s well researched without being dense, bold without being bitter. The chapters are short, the summaries are helpful, and the flow is easy to follow. It’s the kind of book you could read alone with a pen in hand or discuss with the family around the dinner table. And yet, for all its clarity, it’s never simplistic. James handles complex topics with care, avoiding jargon and offering just enough depth to stir reflection. The text is also rich with references and suggestions for further reading.

Ideas have consequences. The current presuppositions of Western culture affect all, believers and non-believers. God urges His elect to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [their] mind” (v.2a), and collectively, the Church is described as “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). The Lies We Are Told, the Truth We Must Hold can be a wake-up call for those who are unaware the poisonous lies diluted in the cultural waters of Western society. More importantly, this book is a great resource to equip Christians to think clearly, live faithfully, and speak truth with grace.

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