** Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the chance to review this book**

Faith Among the Faithless was an interesting read that connected the story of Esther to living in today's post-Christian world. The book switched between two dialogues-- the retelling of Esther's story, and the commentary that author Mike Cosper provides. I enjoyed the introduction into King Xerxes. I was unaware of a few of the historical details, and I always think that gives breadth and understanding to any Biblical account.

This book relies on the premise that Esther and Mordecai were living among people who did not share their convictions. Instead, they, as Jews, had to assimilate into the Persian culture. Even when the Jews did all they could do to fit in, however, they were still ostracized and targeted. Likewise, Christians in today's modern world are also attacked for our beliefs. Our values do not match those of the secular world around us. Like Esther, we have two choices: Pretend that we are not God's people and assimilate into society, or stand up for our beliefs, even when they could cause our world to be uprooted.

I loved Cosper's discussion about the lack of God's presence in the Book of Esther. A lot of people do not realize that God does not make a direct appearance in the book, and I think it's a fascinating subject to explore.

While I enjoyed this book and its discussion of living as a Christian in a secular age, I did not feel like it differentiated itself from other books about Esther. Much of the discussion was basic and seemed to reinforce what most Christians already know. It is a good book for a new believer or those who have not studied their faith, but it is not very value-adding for more seasoned Christians. Overall, I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

This book did not get my attention at the beginning. I could not get through it. I love the book of Esther, but had a very hard time getting into this material.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I would not have typically picked up a book on the Book of Esther, but this title sounded intriguing so I gave it a try. Im not a big fan of traditional commentaries as leisure reading, but Faith Among the Faithless is much more than a traditional commentary. Its a fascinating examination of the social and cultural aspects of Esther, and how this can be applied to our own time. It's humbling to realise that, despite the faith concessions that me may make in society, God's grace will always meet us.

In Faith Among the Faithless, Mike Cosper takes a fresh look at the Old Testament book of Esther. If you’ve spent much time in church, you’ve likely heard a sermon based on Mordecai’s plea to Esther that she is in her position “for such a time as this.” Well-meaning Christians use the phrase ad nauseam for encouragement and reassurance that they’re in the right place doing the right thing. It quickly becomes trite and Hallmark-esque. Thankfully Cosper takes a different approach. Do we compromise our beliefs or fully assimilate with the culture around us? Do we grasp for power? Is there another way to live among the faithless? Faith Among the Faithless focuses attention on the relevance of Esther in our contemporary culture.

The Narrative
Cosper retells Esther’s story using… well, story-telling techniques. He shows, instead of just telling. Cosper paints vivid pictures of Xerxes’ banquet hall and parties. He takes the reader down dark back corridors for hushed conversations between Mordecai and Esther. He reveals Hamon’s inner thoughts. Cosper writes of Xerxes:

The king was “merry with wine” (1:10), which is a polite way to say he got drunk and stupid. The citizens of Susa were stunned by the spectacle of the “King of Kings”—glassy-eyed and tongue-tied, staggering through a crowd of peasants. Xerxes began shouting for the queen.

Does this take some elaboration and imagining? Sure, but Cosper is careful to stay faithful to the text. It’s the story-telling technique in Faith Among the Faithless that brings a freshness and sense of intrigue to the narrative.

The Insight
Interspersed in the narrative of the story, Cosper provides well-researched historical details and his own insights into what this all means for contemporary readers. This is the meat of the book and what makes it unique. Cosper writes:

The truly dangerous idea in Persia and Babylon (and the only real heresy) was to believe that your religion was the one true religion. It disturbed the tidy order of things. It made for religious dissidents, and it caused friction amid polite pluralism. In our world, the same is true, although for different reasons. Where their world was overtly pagan, ours wears a mask of secularism.

In our age of secularism, many Christians call for Daniel as a role-model. He lived and worked among the Babylonians, but he refused to comprise his beliefs, even under threat of life and limb. Cosper says there’s a problem with using Daniel as the role model we should follow. He writes:

Most of us aren’t a Daniel. In fact, we are far from it… Christians in general consume as much mass media and are as addicted to pornography, as likely to divorce, as consumeristic, and as obsessed with social media as the rest of our world. Again, we’re immersed in a secular age, and it’s had a profound effect upon us.

Esther’s story is different from Daniel. She was born in exile, and it’s all she knows. She’s disconnected and out of touch with the practices of her people—the practices that were supposed to separate them from the pagans around them. She lives a life of compromises, and she sins. Cosper points out that her great moment is not a show of force, but vulnerability. We are far more like Esther than Daniel, and there is much we could learn from her. Cosper writes:

Esther’s story reveals a way forward in a culture where people of faith find themselves at the margins of society. She neither clutches for power nor seeks self-protection. Instead, she faces reality, embraces weakness, and finds faith, hope, and help from a world unseen.

The Conclusion
Faith Among the Faithless is an important book. It doesn’t gloss over the difficulty of living as a Christian in a secular culture. It doesn’t minimize or ignore the compromises and sin. There are no saccharine calls to just love and embrace joy. The book of Esther doesn’t mention God. It’s two main Jewish characters are exiles who have assimilated to the pagan culture around them. Cosper writes, “I believe that’s why God is ‘hidden’ throughout the story. It is the story of a group of people finding their way back to God through a darkened world; finding their voice for faithful, vulnerable witness; and seeking to ensure that the generations after them don’t make the same mistake.” We all need that story. You can get a copy of Faith Among the Faithless here.

Oh my goodness, what a great resource on Esther. I am sadden by the fact that we don't do more with Esther in our culture today because she teaches us total trust in the Lord regardless of the outside circumstances. I love it. We need that more in our world today by Christ followers. You should read this book and even use it to form a series in your churches about how to live faithful in a very chaotic and self-centered world. Love this book.

The title of this book got my attention because it isn’t always easy to be a Christian in this day and age. Some guidance on how to navigate during a period when everyone is allowed to say what they think, but Christians are usually put down when they do, is definitely a topic I felt most of us could use a little help with right about now. I liked how the author, Mike Cosper, would describe a part of Esther’s story, and then add details about the circumstances and other meanings that helped me to better understand the story of Esther. As he went back and forth between what we face today and what Esther was up against, he also added some thoughts on how the information might be applied. His approach was very systematic and easy to understand. The author also mentioned other sources to provide a well-researched look at this.

I felt the book was worth reading, and I think it offers some well-balanced information; however, one thing that baffled me was why his church decided to buy an old elementary school and convert it into an arts center, with two art galleries, two music venues and studio spaces. Since they hosted mostly non-Christian artists, when word got out that it was owned by a church, it fell apart and they ended up closing. They felt they were doing a great service to the community, and the author is disappointed that it wasn’t seen that way. To me, the entire venture seemed filled with pot holes: Did they censor the material that was brought in? Allow any kind of art and any kind of music? I don’t see how a church could support all music; if they did, many Christians would turn against them, and it seems as if the secular public would have trouble believing that the artists were free to do as they wanted.

Very thorough book on Esther, sometimes complicated by the author's personal feelings. I enjoyed the read, which drew me back to Scripture, but the author occasionally opined a bit too much. I would have loved a little more historical background instead of some of those personal narratives, but overall enjoyed the book. I will most likely buy a copy for future reference, as it is a compelling read.

A title is sometimes all it takes.  "Faith Among the Faithless" was all this book needed to capture my attention, but then the added "Learning from Esther How To Live in a World Gone Mad" elevated my interest to a new level.  Esther, an unlikely young woman chosen to be queen, found herself with a difficult task.  She lived among those who didn't believe the same as her and the decisions she had to make put her at risk.

Mike Cosper compares Esther and her situation to Christians in today's world - a "world that has gone mad".  The overall message is that there is a better life than the madhouse around us, but that life isn't easy to live. It comes with opposition and trials.  Cosper expands on many aspects of our culture that go against God's ways, but He also says that "God Himself is at work in the world gone mad."
What do we put our faith in and what are we allowing to influence us?

"Faith Among the Faithless" met my expectation of comparing Esther's culture to today's world.  The author delved into many subjects and his research was more than just surface information.  One example was the tradition of rending clothes.  Cosper explained that "tearing garments was a common expression of mourning, and in some circles of Jewish life today, it is still practiced.  It's called kriah, and it's done more subtly now." The author continues explaining  and goes into detail of what it signifies. After a few paragraphs of explaining the significance of tearing one's clothes and  the vulnerability of one who practices it, the author brings us back to our world by saying, "This kind of weakness takes courage...Are we courageous enough to weep with those who weep?"  This is just an example of the many practical applications that Cosper offers as he tells Esther's story.

The author's telling of Esther, comparisons to her culture and ours, and the applications he gives make this book one to ponder.  Do you know what you believe and in Whom your hope lies? Are you deliberate in making our world a better place? Cosper compared Esther's acts to those of Jesus. She loved her people enough to risk her life for them. Do we understand that kind of love in a world of self indulgence.

Most of the book was easy to understand; but, sadly it often read like a report. The information was interesting. The reader will gain more understanding of Esther's courage in her world and inspiration to live better in ours.  Sometimes the writing can feel "in your face" and impersonal so approaching this book as if you are listening to a lecture would be best.  Lectures are not always meant to entertain, but rather to make you think and that is what "Faith among the Faithless" does.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Personal Rating: 3.56                Star Rating: 4/5

It had its good and then its bad. It was an ok read for me, some of it was hard to take in. Some parts felt like the author was forcing his views.

I did love the refresher that the author, Cosper, reminds us that in a world without God, how it can simply lack meaning. We can spend an entire lifetime searching, needing and wanting to know the meaning of life, without ever truly finding it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early digital copy for my honest review!

The author used the book of Esther as his basis for living out our faith in the present. He gave the history of what was going on at the time the book was written and some of the Jewish traditions about it. It was well done and helpful.
I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review,.

Faith Among the Faithless

Learning from Esther How to Live in a World Gone Mad

by Mike Cosper

Thomas Nelson

Nelson Books

Christian , Nonfiction (Adult)

Pub Date 08 May 2018

I am reviewing a copy of The Faith Among the Faithless through Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:

In his book Faith Among the Faithless Mike Cosper reminds us how Christianity can survive in a world that is becoming more and more secular.

Cosper reminds us that in a world without God, we can spend a lifetime searching for satisfaction and meaning, without really finding it.

There are parallels from our world and Esther’s , like Esther’s world sex, and labels have become a part of the norm, perhaps we are not sent off to exile but in many ways we are left to feel like Exiles in our own communities simply because we believe.

I give Faith Among the Faithless five out of five stars!

Happy Reading