EMQ » April – July 2025 » Volume 61 Issue 2
Faith Adrift Christianity: How Can We Avoid Drifting Away from God?
By Cecil W. Stalnaker
Christian Publishing House, 2022
271 pages
US$22.50
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Reviewed by Gene Wilson, church planting catalyst with ReachGlobal and author of Emerging Gospel Movements: The Role of Catalysts (Wipf and Stock, 2021).
This book is the fruit of more than 20 years of research, reflection, and observation by Cecil Stalnaker, a missionary who served in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States. Stalnaker was shaken by research finding that in Sweden, for each non-religious person that starts going to church, 26 others raised in the Christian faith turn their back on God (10). Nominal Christianity has become the norm in Europe, and North America is not far behind. The author outlines markers of nominal faith and tackles the major reasons for the drift away from living faith and practice. He also provides pastoral guidance and preventative measures to those who share his concerns. Finally, he maps out the journey toward awareness, repentance, and renewal.
Stalnaker writes with the passion of an apologist and the care of a pastor. In part 1, he describes the common traits of nominal Christians and the forces at work in their spiritual decline. Those influences are like powerful riptides. Behind them lies the pervasive and persistent work of Satan, who exploits the allure of the world and the weakness of the flesh. How does one counter the unrelenting squeeze of secularism and humanism, the pull of dangerous associations and materialism, or the pressure of sustained trials and unresolved crises?
In part 2, Stalnaker talks about resisting the tide of humanistic culture. Instead of simplistic solutions, he prescribes concise safeguards or security measures at the close of each chapter. He also looks at restoration through robust discipleship (chapter 14) and spiritual renewal (chapter 15).
The book’s value is not only in its practical and pastoral insights but also in its scope and comprehensiveness. Stalnaker considers how cultural, social, and spiritual factors work together and describes the world as the “cultural and social context in which human alienation from God is institutionalized and normalized” (59).
Any serious follower of Jesus Christ will benefit personally from reading this study, and parents will find applications to raising a faith-based family. Western church leaders should gain a deeper understanding of the riptides threatening those under their spiritual care and more effectively reach those outside the community of faith. Scripture warns, “If you think you are standing, be careful you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Stalnaker paints a dark picture of Western Christianity. However, something can be done and Stalnaker points us in the right direction. He recounts God’s work in church reformation and revival and finds hope in his mercy.
For Further Reading
Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture by Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1986).
The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society by Lesslie Newbigin (Eerdmans, 1989).
Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City by Timothy Keller (Zondervan, 2012).
EMQ, Volume 61, Issue 2. Copyright © 2025 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.
