Dave's Reader Review of 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑠 𝐷𝑟𝑦

Dear College Press Readers, 

The Ink Is Dry is a well balanced presentation useful to young adults, students, parents, teachers and mentors who want to better understand the dilemmas of our era regarding some of the hottest of today’s hot button issues. Shelly considers marriage and family, sexual responsibility, gender and identity dysphoria, and does so advocating Biblical truth with gracious compassion. 

The author clearly states his framework for discussion of the controversial topics and points of view as to their validity for our time and culture. He seeks to emulate his Master, pursuing eternal truth as revealed in the Word of God while encountering persons holding a variety of opinions. 

He  challenges Christians to lay aside the heated rhetoric of politics and power. Shelly reminds us that in a free, democratic republic, non-believers are not [and will not feel ] obligated to draft or enforce Christian morality laws upon contemporary culture. 

On the other hand, as the book’s title suggests, that which has been divinely revealed by God through the Law and the Prophets as well as the Gospels and Letters must be honored by the disciples of Jesus whom He has saved. We are not free to pick and choose current opinions, contemporary fads or even civil legislation as more learned or applicable for Christ followers. Believers must stand and live under the eternal, revealed will of God. While seeking to conform to the Word of God, we desire to graciously confront the misrepresentations of the current culture.

This book posed intellectual, emotional and volitional challenges to me. One being  because actions and abrasive practices are too often seen in the conduct of the proponents of some alternative lifestyles, this book has called me to deeper introspection. While disagreeing with the philosophy and lifestyles being pressed into contemporary culture, my heart and conduct must reflect Christ Jesus toward individuals. 

How would Jesus respond to the needs of such persons and treat each one as a human created in the Father’s image? The reflection of 1 Corinthians 6:11 continues to hold forth hope in the phrase, “...And such were some of you.”  How can I, my family, our church represent and offer that hope in today’s often hostile, adversarial environment?

Chapter 6 [“Why perspectives have changed”], has a poignant outline that needs to be shared broadly with parents, grandparents, teachers and ministry teams, many of whom are struggling with the question, “How in the world did things get this way?” 

Mr. Shelly’s “living proof” examples demonstrate ways that the grace and mercy of our Lord can be effectively offered to people in need of addiction recovery and emotional support.  Real people bringing help through the local community of Christian faith are shown to be more transformative than the practices of social “warfare,” political power struggles and self-righteous shaming. It would be helpful if Shelly and others can share more real time examples of how congregations are effectively sustaining such efforts.

The compact length and clear organization of The Ink Is Dry make it a useful resource that I will continue to use for reference. And I enthusiastically recommend it for church leaders and concerned family members.

Dave Hargrave: Served over 50 years in the preaching ministry in IL, OK, and OH. He now resides with his wife in the Cincinnati area, where they spend a lot of time serving the people around them so that the light of Christ might shine brightly!