Dr. Al Mohler's book, Culture Shift, is one of the smartest reads of this year. It is a short, succinct manual for engaging the culture with Christian truth. I am a very critical reader, and I have very little criticism for Culture Shift. One point of criticism was the insertion of chapter nine: "Needed: An Exit Strategy from Public Schools. The Crisis Christian Parents Face."

It seems strange to write a book on engaging culture but then include a chapter on withdrawing from a critical cultural battleground. Dr. Mohler did a lot to clear up this discrepency when I interviewed him last week, but it is something that I think will still strike readers as odd. That is why I wrote Experiencing Culture Shift for RelevantMagazine.com.

My educational background is a patchwork of Christian schooling and public schooling with a year of homeschooling in the middle. If your experience is similar to mine, you probably have some strong opinions about public schools and Christian schools shaded with humorous, hurtful, awkward and wonderful experiences.

What is your educational background like?

What are personal views about Christian schooling/homeschooling/public schooling?

Any good stories?

What do you know about climate change? I mean, really. Other than "feeling" it is getting hotter or rejecting it outright because "liberals" promote it or running scared because "those pesky scientists" say it is occurring or giving it your sweeping approval because it makes you feel smart. Other than those reasons, what do you really know about climate change?

Unfortunately, most people know precious little about global climate change, although if you ask them about it, they will probably dribble off a patchwork of facts and figures they picked up from MSNBC in their dentist's waiting room.

So, where can someone go to get a basic grasp on what everyone is talking about? Is there an unbiased resource out there?

Actually, there aren't that many. Becuase this issue has become so polarized, most resources I have looked at come with a seriously-biased slant. Before you waste time filling your mind with useless propoganda (what I call "faction"--a mix of fact and fiction), research who has written the work you are considering. Here are two basic guidelines:

1. Make sure the person is qualified to write the work. If the book discusses the validity of climate science, make sure the author is a) a scientist and b) active in a related branch of science or at least seriously involved with this issue. Likewise, if you want to discuss the validity of various economical solutions, it might be a good idea to find out what an economist has to say.

2. Check out the person's employer. Many resources are funded by think-tanks whose sole mission is to push the agenda of a particular political faction. I would urge you to stay away from these.

Once you have weeded out everything using these two guidelines, you will find ... well ... not alot.

Recently, I began sifting through the garbage to find an apple core of unbiased substance and I am proud to recommend a great book that is written by a Atmospheric Scientist who is employed by MIT. In "What We Know About Climate Change," Kerry Emmanuel outlines the basic foundations you need to begin discussing this issue with confidence--and he does so with brevity (you can finish this book in an afternoon) and simple language.

Want a fair presentation on the controversial subject of global climate change so you can understand and contribute to the conversation? Pick up this book and you will be well on your way.



Anyone know of another informative resource--book, web or otherwise?