Fear has slipped in the American culture. Xenophobia, arguments of national safety at stake because of terrorism taking place elsewhere, consequences of Pax Americana deployed worldwide, all frame our ideas of freedom, and heavily influenced faith as well. The magnitude of suffering we witness on the global stage - whether from acute acts of terrorism, chronic violence, or sudden injustice - invites a torrent of fear and raises a thousand questions. Yet our actions as a nation seem to undermine the very virtues we so passionately profess. Faith should be a beacon of hope, a testimony of God's truth that sets us free. Stephen Bauman takes Jesus Christ's Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount as guidance for Break Open the Sky.

Both Bible, and Christians elsewhere can teach so much on meekness, peacemaking, being poor in spirit, faith, truth, and love. This book is not self-help guide #67,873 to become better people. It hopes to rediscover God's plan with mankind to shine His light, provide hope and shelter, make His Kingdom visible on Earth. Christian life should be divine and dusty, uncertain, and adventurous again. Bauman shares a lot from his experience on Mercy Ships and mission field trips throughout the world. He knows the theologians and thinkers he's quoting, and really appeals to fellow believers that find their lives locked up in this very cage of fear that shouldn't be there. Let's break open the sky, and disrupt the culture of fear!