No Fear: Tony Perkins's new book applauds those who stand for faith despite hostility

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Christian Examiner) – With the release of his book No Fear, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins recognizes the challenges that face the courageous new generation of Christians, who will need to act with boldness to defend their faith in a hostile culture.

"I wrote No Fear to inspire a new generation of followers of Jesus Christ to be bold in living out their Christian faith in the face of intense spiritual, cultural, and political opposition," Perkins said.

The book, out today from WaterBrook Press, recounts the stories of young people who showed no fear and took action to effect real change for Christ.

Todd Starnes of Fox News endorsed Perkins's uplifting collection of fearlessness. "This book is good news for America! Tony Perkins has discovered a new generation of young people who love following God more than the crowd."

Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, agreed. "Tony Perkins offers strong, respectable role models for young Christians to emulate as they enter into the world of adulthood," Graham said.

With an approachable, inspiring voice, Perkins relates the testimony of the Kleins, the Oregon bakers who were fined $135,000 for declining to make a same-sex wedding cake; of Ryan Bomberger, who was sued by the NAACP for an anti-abortion campaign he ran in his black community; and of UCLA student Lila Rose, who challenged the nation's largest abortion provider despite death threats.

Despite the threats, despite the hatred, despite the rejection, they [the disciples] decided to obey God rather than man. In other words, they chose to be empowered by a reverent fear of God rather than to be paralyzed by a cowardly fear of what others might think, say, or do in response to their following God. Today, I see a swelling wave of younger people choosing to do the same thing.

Perkins praised the way that these and other Christians mastered their fears of earthly consequences. "Having faith in God means you overrule your fear with a greater fear of disappointing the One who created you and called you to be a world changer," Perkins wrote.

The book is intended for younger or newer Christians who are seeking increased awareness about how to interact with a culture that claims tolerance but attempts to suppress the Gospel.

Perkins frequently refers to biblical and cultural Christian heroes to show his readers what a life without fear can accomplish.

"Despite the threats, despite the hatred, despite the rejection, they [the disciples] decided to obey God rather than man. In other words, they chose to be empowered by a reverent fear of God rather than to be paralyzed by a cowardly fear of what others might think, say, or do in response to their following God," Perkins wrote.

"Today, I see a swelling wave of younger people choosing to do the same thing."

One of the young heroes Perkins wrote about is his son, Tony, whose eagerness for Sunday School helped Perkins become a Christian. In elementary school, Tony resisted the teaching of evolution, and in his career, Tony's pro-life activity lost him a job on a police force but found him a position as a reporter.

The father's love and pride evident in Perkins's story about his family help readers to see what joy can come from following their heavenly Father's will to share the gospel message without fear and stand boldly for the truth.

Each chapter is followed by discussion questions that make this book ideal for groups. Read an excerpt of Perkins's book here.