The Air We Breathe

Tom Holland

It is not necessary to be a Christian to appreciate the force of Glen Scrivener’s argument in this punchy, engaging and entertaining book.

Gavin Ortlund

Brilliant, fascinating, readable and winsome! Glen Scrivener’s The Air We Breathe powerfully demonstrates how Christianity has shaped our Western values so much that we don’t even notice it. Highly recommended for skeptics, inquirers, believers, doubters and anyone wondering whether following Jesus still makes sense in the modern world.

“Fantastic book”

Absolutely fascinating, eye opening book not only explaining how Jesus has shaped western culture but also putting forward the argument that his death and resurrection are something we should all put our faith in. Great book for believers and non believers alike.

“Fantastic book”

Absolutely fascinating, eye opening book not only explaining how Jesus has shaped western culture but also putting forward the argument that his death and resurrection are something we should all put our faith in. Great book for believers and non believers alike.

“Offensive Apologetics!”

Though it shouldn’t be judged by its cover, it is well worth getting the physical copy for the cover is a great work of design making it immediately appealing. Thankfully the contents of the book live up to the high expectations that the cover sets.

If the best form of defence is a good offense, that’s where this book steps in. The many defensive apologetic books are so helpful, but this one puts what we believe on the front foot. Glen Scrivener shows how the values western society champions today, such as equality, compassion, freedom and progress, all arise out of the Christian faith. He does so by merging biblical teaching with historical recounting and myth busting.

Glen writes with three audiences in mind: those who have no faith, those who are giving up on the Christian faith and the already convinced believer. He writes in his usual creative yet compelling way that draws the reader in. Read it to be encouraged and buy a copy to give to an unbelieving friend.

“Offensive Apologetics!”

Though it shouldn’t be judged by its cover, it is well worth getting the physical copy for the cover is a great work of design making it immediately appealing. Thankfully the contents of the book live up to the high expectations that the cover sets.

If the best form of defence is a good offense, that’s where this book steps in. The many defensive apologetic books are so helpful, but this one puts what we believe on the front foot. Glen Scrivener shows how the values western society champions today, such as equality, compassion, freedom and progress, all arise out of the Christian faith. He does so by merging biblical teaching with historical recounting and myth busting.

Glen writes with three audiences in mind: those who have no faith, those who are giving up on the Christian faith and the already convinced believer. He writes in his usual creative yet compelling way that draws the reader in. Read it to be encouraged and buy a copy to give to an unbelieving friend.

“An excellent, helpful and faith-affirming book.”

This is an excellent book which thoroughly debunks the myth that Christianity has not had a profound and transformative influence for good on how we see the world. It certainly has and continues to do so in so many of the attitudes and assumtions that we take for granted today. This is a very readable, accessible, helpful and faith-affirming book and I loved it.

“A great book to give to an unbeliever!”

In the pages of this excellent book, Glen Scrivener opens up two thousand years of history: from the current day pandemic and social justice wars through to the very beginning in the Book of Genesis, there is a strong biblical narrative that weaves its way like a watermark throughout all of human history. From the world of ancient Greek mythology, to the brutality of the Roman empire, the Medieval period and the Reformation of the Church in the Sixteenth Century, through to the great evil of Nazi Germany and the civil rights movement of the 1960s and into modern times, there is the inescapable fact that humanity has a deeper value and this points to the God who created us and sent His Son to die for us.

The author also helpfully takes us on a brief tour of the Enlightenment period, science, philosophy and atheism through to the political issues of the modern day and explores all the different attempts to suppress Christian faith throughout the centuries. But the Christian Gospel cannot be eliminated, because all of the values and morals that society needs to hold onto point to something deeper:

“The Kingdom without the King is not a place of liberation so much as a place of judgement. But in this democratic republic, we are all the judges, and we are all the judged. We desperately need a person above and beyond the values - a person who does not simply expect our best but who forgives our worst.” (p201)

In closing, not only was this such an enjoyable and educational read, but I often find it a challenge to find a suitable modern book to give to an unbeliever - but I would not hesitate to present “The Air We Breathe” to someone who is wanting to explore the Christian faith.

Disclaimer: The Good Book Company provided me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

“A great book to give to an unbeliever!”

In the pages of this excellent book, Glen Scrivener opens up two thousand years of history: from the current day pandemic and social justice wars through to the very beginning in the Book of Genesis, there is a strong biblical narrative that weaves its way like a watermark throughout all of human history. From the world of ancient Greek mythology, to the brutality of the Roman empire, the Medieval period and the Reformation of the Church in the Sixteenth Century, through to the great evil of Nazi Germany and the civil rights movement of the 1960s and into modern times, there is the inescapable fact that humanity has a deeper value and this points to the God who created us and sent His Son to die for us.

The author also helpfully takes us on a brief tour of the Enlightenment period, science, philosophy and atheism through to the political issues of the modern day and explores all the different attempts to suppress Christian faith throughout the centuries. But the Christian Gospel cannot be eliminated, because all of the values and morals that society needs to hold onto point to something deeper:

“The Kingdom without the King is not a place of liberation so much as a place of judgement. But in this democratic republic, we are all the judges, and we are all the judged. We desperately need a person above and beyond the values - a person who does not simply expect our best but who forgives our worst.” (p201)

In closing, not only was this such an enjoyable and educational read, but I often find it a challenge to find a suitable modern book to give to an unbeliever - but I would not hesitate to present “The Air We Breathe” to someone who is wanting to explore the Christian faith.

Disclaimer: The Good Book Company provided me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

“A fascinating and thought-provoking read”

Having previously not heard of Glen Scrivener, I was really intrigued by the title and description of this book, especially without not having come across a book on the topics he has written about, whilst diving into history to enable the reader to take a closer look at the values they hold dear to them in the modern Western World, whether they are a Christian, new to faith, or don’t have any beliefs at all, but are interested in making sense of life.

It’s one that I feel needs to be read in order to fully understand what the author has written, and each individual needs to experience those thought-provoking moments it offers. This book has indeed helped me to think more closely about the values I hold close to me, and to learn more about the history of the influence that Christianity has had on the world in the past, and in the present day.

“A fascinating and thought-provoking read”

Having previously not heard of Glen Scrivener, I was really intrigued by the title and description of this book, especially without not having come across a book on the topics he has written about, whilst diving into history to enable the reader to take a closer look at the values they hold dear to them in the modern Western World, whether they are a Christian, new to faith, or don’t have any beliefs at all, but are interested in making sense of life.

It’s one that I feel needs to be read in order to fully understand what the author has written, and each individual needs to experience those thought-provoking moments it offers. This book has indeed helped me to think more closely about the values I hold close to me, and to learn more about the history of the influence that Christianity has had on the world in the past, and in the present day.