The Suburban Christian: Finding Spiritual Vitality in the Land of Plenty

Al Hsu does an extraordinary job in the work that seeks to guide us on how to live in the suburban context. It is well researched and very balanced. There is no 'stone throwing' here to us suburbanites, but it is a thoughtful guide that challenges those who live in suburbia to do so in a redemptive fashion. In particular chapters 4 and 5 are very good and practical in terms of how to live in such a context. I would highly recommend it!

It is good to get a Christian perspective on suburbia. Of all the books that are out now that tell you about how and why North America's suburbia came about, and what can be done to make suburbia better, this book is one of the very few that tells you about these things from a Christian perspective. I really like books that offer solutions to problems we face, and/or better alternatives to the status quo. I also like hearing Christians telling us how we can live more simple lifestyles, and how living more simple lifestyles would make life better for everybody. A couple of years ago, I went on a tour of the Amish region in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and when I learned about how simple a lifestyle they still live, it really made me wonder why not many other Christians are living a more simple lifestyle! No, the author of this book is not suggesting that we should go so far as to live without electricity! And no, I am not suggesting that we should go that far either! But he believes that Christians should be living more simple lifestyles than most suburbanites (secular and Christian) are living these days, and I agree. One other thing I appreciate is the fact that this book's author talks about the fact Christian suburbanites should be having much more influence on all other suburbanites, and on everybody who lives everywhere else, and tells us about the ways in which we can do that.

I have met the author (last name is pronounced 'shee') and heard him speak a few times. His writing style reflects his speaking style: easy to follow, casual voice, yet punctuated with substance and information. While not preachy, Hsu encourages us that Christians are called to be Christians everywhere - including the 'burbs, but he challenges us to think about what that might look like and whether we can consider what God is calling us to do in our neighborhoods and churches. Extensive endnotes can lead to further reading on the subject.

It is very nicely written, in a straightforward way and without judgements etc. on living in suburbs, as most of us do. What I found very good was his summary of how suburbs gotto where they are, what they mean, and what the difficulties are of living in them.

The suburbs and suburban Christianity have been the subject of a great deal of often justified criticism, so Hsu, a suburbanite all his life, undertook the task of looking at how Christians really can live out their faith even in this too materialistic society. His approach is good, his scholarship is well-balanced, and he has some useful suggestions on how better to address the culture rather than just be carried along on its tide. I think he may be a little too gentle on how Christians need to change their lives in response to the challenge Christ laid out for us, but the book is still an excellent way to begin asking the right questions.