The author is one of Australia’s advocates of the Emergent Church Movement - hence the subtitle, ‘Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture’. It is a well-written, provocative book, full of interest and insight. Frost is concerned that the way we “do church” is not reaching the western masses. He proposes radical solutions, which involve living in “the host empire” (the world) as “exiles”, and being willing, for example, to engage in “dangerous criticism”. At times the book is guilty of the very thing it cautions: “exiles need to be careful not throw the baby out with the bathwater” (p.76). It is good on thinking outside of our ecclesiastical boxes, but gives the impression that our Christian forefathers knew nothing and got it all wrong; good on nurturing loving community (“communitas”) but too uncritical when it comes to separation from the world. Nevertheless, its message is worthy of our study.

Review by Steven Green