Conscience, by Andrew David Naselli and J.D. Crowley

Andrew Naselli and J.D. Crowley's Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ is that rare book that is theologically and biblically sound, philosophically engaging, though-provoking and thoughtful, challenging and readable.  Naselli, a New Testament scholar, and Crowley, a missionary and linguist, put their heads together to discuss the idea of conscience.

Writing from the perspective of the Christian faith, the authors don't neglect the psychological view of conscience, but focus primarily on a biblical view.  I appreciate their distinction between the conscience and the Holy Spirit.  While our conscience can be changed due to cultural norms and biblical understanding, the Holy Spirit does not change.  They write that "when the message [of the conscience] is consistent with Scripture, the Holy Spirit is likely working through your conscience."

Naselli and Crowley's ideas about the calibration of conscience were particularly thought-provoking.  In a single culture and across cultures, conscience changes.  As D.A. Carson writes in the preface, American Christianity, "by determined suppression a new generation silences the voice of conscience in many sexual matters, and teases it alive when it comes to the importance of finding out where your coffee beans were grown and what we should do to protect the most recently highlighted victim."  It is certainly interesting to compare what inflames the passions from one generation to the next.

Across cultures, the differences can be even more stark and challenging.  Cultural mores regarding food, clothing, modesty, giving and generosity, personal space, ownership of goods, and many more issues vary from place to place and people to people.  In many cases, we tend to tie culture to Christianity.  Paul's example of eating with Gentiles and becoming all things to all men sets the tone for missionary work.  The authors warn future missionaries that "you can't live this kind of life if your conscience is cluttered with all manner of restrictions that God hasn't instituted."

Both moving across cultures and seeking to live a more Christian life, we have to work on calibrating and flexing our consciences.  Calibrating to bring our conscience more in line with the Holy Spirit and biblical teaching, flexing to make sure we are not imposing cultural norms on the lived Christian experience of our brothers and sisters in different cultures.  Naselli and Crowley will challenge you to consider your convictions and to rely more on the Bible to check you conscience.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!