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Dutch Reformed thinkers in particular developed a theological vision for this so-called "cultural mandate." But many others had lived it out before Abraham Kuyper thought it out. Colson's long-term readers know that he treats English evangelical William Wilberforce as a model. And Colson does not hesitate to choose his model saints from across the spectrum of Christian faith. His most moving examples of conversion and action are a Russian Orthodox poet and a Roman Catholic priest.

Evangelical religion has long been blessed by a spiritual entrepreneurship that sees a need, finds a solution, and then institutionalizes that solution. Thousands of such parachurch entities now exist to aid the church's mission. And Charles Colson is one of the most visible and listened-to parachurch leaders.

The curse of such activity has been that believers and parachurch leaders alike have mistakenly thought of these organizations as the arena where the real ministry takes place. Colson calls us to focus on the church as the primary arena for Christian life and ministry—and as a word from a paragon of parachurch leadership, it should be heeded.

Next month: Can Christian politics escape ideology?

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Being the Body by Charles Colson is this month's selection for the Christianity TodayEditor's Bookshelf. Other sites of interest include:

Read our extended interview with Charles Colson

Buy the book online

Buy other books of Charles Colson

BreakPoint Online offers transcripts, articles, and columns by Colson. Listen to Colson's daily or archivedBreakpoint broadcasts at oneplace.com.

Charles Colson's other books include (available on Christianbook.com): How Now Shall We Live?, The Body, Against the Night, Justice that Restores, Science and Evolution, The Christian in Today's Culture, Why I Believe in Christ, Life Sentence, The Problem of Evil, Loving God, and Born Again.

Christianity Today printed a profile of Colson in 2001 called, "The Legacy of Prisoner 23226." Colson is also a regular columnist for Christianity Today

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June 2003, Vol. 47, No. 6