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The Daniel Code: Living Out Truth in a Culture That Is Losing Its Way
How can we learn to be effective culture warriors?
We live in dangerous times. Not only does violence stalk us in the form of terrorism and crime, but our culture itself is crumbling. Our society tolerates and even praises what would once have been barely spoken of. If we stand up we are branded as intolerant, the term today’s culture considers the inexcusable offense. If we don’t speak up, people won’t know biblical truth. How is a Christian to respond?
Inspired by the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, bestselling author O.S. Hawkins shows how we can engage our broken culture with integrity. Daniel was a young man who “wrote the book” on how to survive in a pagan, permissive, and perverse culture. His value system was challenged at every turn.
Daniel steps off the pages of scripture and into our modern culture today to reveal some timeless principles—a sort of “Daniel Code”—that enable you to not simply exist in our culture but to engage it and survive it as well. You will discover that the same God that ensured Daniel’s victories is here for you today.
We live in dangerous times. Not only does violence stalk us in the form of terrorism and crime, but our culture itself is crumbling. Our society tolerates and even praises what would once have been barely spoken of. If we stand up we are branded as intolerant, the term today’s culture considers the inexcusable offense. If we don’t speak up, people won’t know biblical truth. How is a Christian to respond?
Inspired by the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, bestselling author O.S. Hawkins shows how we can engage our broken culture with integrity. Daniel was a young man who “wrote the book” on how to survive in a pagan, permissive, and perverse culture. His value system was challenged at every turn.
Daniel steps off the pages of scripture and into our modern culture today to reveal some timeless principles—a sort of “Daniel Code”—that enable you to not simply exist in our culture but to engage it and survive it as well. You will discover that the same God that ensured Daniel’s victories is here for you today.
- GenresChristianSpirituality
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2016
78 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 22, 2016
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by BookLook/Thomas Nelson. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
I am rather slow at giving up on people, much to my annoyance and frustration sometimes, and that includes authors. Having read some previous books by the author [1] and having found them a poor lot of books in general, it may be of some surprise that I gave the author yet another chance, even if the book has the same irritating title gimmick as some of the author's previous books. Yet somehow the contents of the first half of the book of Daniel [2] agree with the author, and this is a much better book than they were, largely because the author is able to write without focusing on himself or his own supposed expertise in dealing with businessmen or understanding scripture and instead focuses his attention on the alarming connection between Daniel's times and its corrupt leadership and our own contemporary period, something that ought to be closely monitored and considered and reflected upon by this book's readers, and given the inexplicable popularity of the author, since he is allowed to publish book after book despite his widely uneven quality as an author, that is likely to be many readers, who will likely gain something of great value here.
Rather than a superficial devotional or a vain appeal to businessmen in search of spiritual insight like the previous books I have read of this author, this book is a powerful commentary on the first half of the book of Daniel, focusing mainly (but not exclusively) in its narrative portions rather than its prophetic portions. The author has not forsaken his love of gimmicky titles either for this book or for its chapters, which are organized in the following fashion: The first four chapters are focused on encouraging readers not to give up, give in, or give out but to be resistant, consistent, and persistent when dealing with our contemporary culture. The author then shows how in Daniel God reveals the scope and the hope of human history through the statue of world empires and the hope of Jesus Christ. The author then painfully reminds his readers that we have what we tolerate, and looks at how to live with pressure, live with principle, live with perspective, and live with protection, told through the story of Daniel's friends in the fire. The story of Nebuchadnezzar losing his sanity is told in three chapters about the way down is up and two parts of the way up is down. Five chapters on our perverted culture are given through the vantage point of Belshazzar's disastrous party, talking about who God is speaking to in our presumptuous, prideful, promiscuous, and perverted culture. Finally, the story of Daniel and the lion's den is given through five chapters on the four different worlds we live in: a private world, a personal world, a professional world, and a public world, before the author encourages readers that they can survive culture shock and makes a plug for retired ministers in his Mission: Dignity project. All in all, it is a very solid effort, and a commentary on Daniel I am happy to have and likely to make some use of.
In the end, despite my enjoyment of this book, which quite surprised me to be honest given his previous efforts, I feel rather mixed about this effort. If Mr. Hawkins can write this well, why does he produce so many books that are simply puffed up and superficial garbage? I wonder if it will ultimately be to the writer's benefit that I found this book to be of such quality since it will likely only increase my expectations for the author in the future, and given his track record he is not likely to perform to increased expectations. Clearly, though, the author's excellence here is because he is writing from the point of view of a culture in the state of disaster--it is little wonder here that so many of the stories show either godly people or their ungodly governments faced with the threat of destruction--and that seriousness in the biblical material given brings out the best of the author in pointing to the seriousness of our own times. This is not a lighthearted and superficial book that one can read as a nightly devotional. Instead, this is likely a book that you will turn to on a sleepless night or a book that one will read that will cost hours of sleep, as do the people in my own life I refuse to give up on like this author. Whether that is ultimately a good thing or not will be up for the reader to judge for oneself.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
I am rather slow at giving up on people, much to my annoyance and frustration sometimes, and that includes authors. Having read some previous books by the author [1] and having found them a poor lot of books in general, it may be of some surprise that I gave the author yet another chance, even if the book has the same irritating title gimmick as some of the author's previous books. Yet somehow the contents of the first half of the book of Daniel [2] agree with the author, and this is a much better book than they were, largely because the author is able to write without focusing on himself or his own supposed expertise in dealing with businessmen or understanding scripture and instead focuses his attention on the alarming connection between Daniel's times and its corrupt leadership and our own contemporary period, something that ought to be closely monitored and considered and reflected upon by this book's readers, and given the inexplicable popularity of the author, since he is allowed to publish book after book despite his widely uneven quality as an author, that is likely to be many readers, who will likely gain something of great value here.
Rather than a superficial devotional or a vain appeal to businessmen in search of spiritual insight like the previous books I have read of this author, this book is a powerful commentary on the first half of the book of Daniel, focusing mainly (but not exclusively) in its narrative portions rather than its prophetic portions. The author has not forsaken his love of gimmicky titles either for this book or for its chapters, which are organized in the following fashion: The first four chapters are focused on encouraging readers not to give up, give in, or give out but to be resistant, consistent, and persistent when dealing with our contemporary culture. The author then shows how in Daniel God reveals the scope and the hope of human history through the statue of world empires and the hope of Jesus Christ. The author then painfully reminds his readers that we have what we tolerate, and looks at how to live with pressure, live with principle, live with perspective, and live with protection, told through the story of Daniel's friends in the fire. The story of Nebuchadnezzar losing his sanity is told in three chapters about the way down is up and two parts of the way up is down. Five chapters on our perverted culture are given through the vantage point of Belshazzar's disastrous party, talking about who God is speaking to in our presumptuous, prideful, promiscuous, and perverted culture. Finally, the story of Daniel and the lion's den is given through five chapters on the four different worlds we live in: a private world, a personal world, a professional world, and a public world, before the author encourages readers that they can survive culture shock and makes a plug for retired ministers in his Mission: Dignity project. All in all, it is a very solid effort, and a commentary on Daniel I am happy to have and likely to make some use of.
In the end, despite my enjoyment of this book, which quite surprised me to be honest given his previous efforts, I feel rather mixed about this effort. If Mr. Hawkins can write this well, why does he produce so many books that are simply puffed up and superficial garbage? I wonder if it will ultimately be to the writer's benefit that I found this book to be of such quality since it will likely only increase my expectations for the author in the future, and given his track record he is not likely to perform to increased expectations. Clearly, though, the author's excellence here is because he is writing from the point of view of a culture in the state of disaster--it is little wonder here that so many of the stories show either godly people or their ungodly governments faced with the threat of destruction--and that seriousness in the biblical material given brings out the best of the author in pointing to the seriousness of our own times. This is not a lighthearted and superficial book that one can read as a nightly devotional. Instead, this is likely a book that you will turn to on a sleepless night or a book that one will read that will cost hours of sleep, as do the people in my own life I refuse to give up on like this author. Whether that is ultimately a good thing or not will be up for the reader to judge for oneself.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
March 24, 2019
Excellent book based on the book of Daniel. Daniel is my favorite book in the Bible and this author does an excellent job relating the first 6 chapters of Daniel to our current culture. Daniel navigated the Babylonian culture (not so different than ours) over 2500 years ago with great courage and conviction. This book is the code to unlock the "how to's" on living in a culture that has lost its way. This is the first book i've read from this author, and look forward to reading his other books now.
May 10, 2018
Very interesting points and digs deeply into Daniel's story, pointing out thoughts and ideas about his life and him that may normally go unnoticed. Gives applicable ideas for today's world and culture, draws interesting comparisons to his world and ours, and was a well-paced read. Worth looking back at for reference and reading again for details and thoughts looked over the first time.
February 14, 2021
Dr. Hawkins commentary and comparison of the time of Daniel and today challenges us to live a life dedicated to God in the midst of a lost culture. A must read to help develop a firm foundation, a strong stance, to have a vibrant victory in our culture today.
September 22, 2017
An engaging and inspirational book. Will definitely reread this book again.
June 20, 2025
Great for Boomers that believe this world is doomed. If you still have an ounce of optimism left in you, don’t read. We read it as a Sunday School class and while some chapters were okay- the authors personal agendas really shines through and obscures some of the meaning.
November 4, 2016
About the Book:
How can we learn to be effective culture warriors?
We live in dangerous times. Not only does violence stalk us in the form of terrorism and crime, but our culture itself is crumbling. Our society tolerates and even praises what would once have been barely spoken of. If we stand up we are branded as intolerant, the term today’s culture considers the inexcusable offense. If we don’t speak up, people won’t know biblical truth. How is a Christian to respond?
Inspired by the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, bestselling author O.S. Hawkins shows how we can engage our broken culture with integrity. Daniel was a young man who “wrote the book” on how to survive in a pagan, permissive, and perverse culture. His value system was challenged at every turn.
Daniel steps off the pages of scripture and into our modern culture today to reveal some timeless principles—a sort of “Daniel Code”—that enable you to not simply exist in our culture but to engage it and survive it as well. You will discover that the same God that ensured Daniel’s victories is here for you today.
My Review:
Love, love, love O.S. Hawkins books. They are phenomenal and worth every penny. They also make great gifts because they are always so beautifully bound. True piece of art in so many different ways. While reading The Daniel Code, I thought this book is a masterpiece for this day in time, as well as this generation.
It is fitting to say the least. Daniel, was a man of honor. He loved God and you seen it in his manners and motivations. And even though his was put in certain places and instances that would of drove others to their knees, Daniel would stand steadfast. He had the faith that I want. He trusted God with his all.
If you are sitting there thinking this book title sounds familiar, then you are right it should be because O.S. Hawkins, has written many of the "code" books. He really comes to us in the culture we now live in and he meets us there with Jesus. Most if not all of his writings are very profound to my husband and I and we enjoy reading them.
The part in this one that discusses intolerance was a great read. It discussed intolerance in today's world. Basically what we will put up with. He mentions someone that he knew that made a bold declarative statement, "You have what you will tolerate". I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. It is really sad to see what type of nation we have in today's world. We should definitely shoulder on and fight this fight for the Lord with all of our might. The Daniel Code is a great book for helping us in this endeavor.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
How can we learn to be effective culture warriors?
We live in dangerous times. Not only does violence stalk us in the form of terrorism and crime, but our culture itself is crumbling. Our society tolerates and even praises what would once have been barely spoken of. If we stand up we are branded as intolerant, the term today’s culture considers the inexcusable offense. If we don’t speak up, people won’t know biblical truth. How is a Christian to respond?
Inspired by the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, bestselling author O.S. Hawkins shows how we can engage our broken culture with integrity. Daniel was a young man who “wrote the book” on how to survive in a pagan, permissive, and perverse culture. His value system was challenged at every turn.
Daniel steps off the pages of scripture and into our modern culture today to reveal some timeless principles—a sort of “Daniel Code”—that enable you to not simply exist in our culture but to engage it and survive it as well. You will discover that the same God that ensured Daniel’s victories is here for you today.
My Review:
Love, love, love O.S. Hawkins books. They are phenomenal and worth every penny. They also make great gifts because they are always so beautifully bound. True piece of art in so many different ways. While reading The Daniel Code, I thought this book is a masterpiece for this day in time, as well as this generation.
It is fitting to say the least. Daniel, was a man of honor. He loved God and you seen it in his manners and motivations. And even though his was put in certain places and instances that would of drove others to their knees, Daniel would stand steadfast. He had the faith that I want. He trusted God with his all.
If you are sitting there thinking this book title sounds familiar, then you are right it should be because O.S. Hawkins, has written many of the "code" books. He really comes to us in the culture we now live in and he meets us there with Jesus. Most if not all of his writings are very profound to my husband and I and we enjoy reading them.
The part in this one that discusses intolerance was a great read. It discussed intolerance in today's world. Basically what we will put up with. He mentions someone that he knew that made a bold declarative statement, "You have what you will tolerate". I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. It is really sad to see what type of nation we have in today's world. We should definitely shoulder on and fight this fight for the Lord with all of our might. The Daniel Code is a great book for helping us in this endeavor.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
December 28, 2016
We live in a culture that tolerates and praises sin. Violence is the norm and comes in the form of terrorism as well as crime. If a Christian stands up for Biblical values he is labeled "intolerant" or a "bigot". Christians are told to keep their "religion" to themselves and to "stop spreading lies and hate". People don't realize that God said sin is sin.
So, what are Christians supposed to do in a society that will eat you alive if you even speak God's name? O.S. Hawkins has written a book called The Daniel Code (Living our truth in a culture that is losing its way). He uses the Biblical example of Daniel to guide Christians on how to respond to the issues of today. Daniel was placed in a culture that cursed the One True God. Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon and wanted to be worshipped.
In this book you will find ways to engage our broken culture with strength and honor. Daniel survived a pagan, liberal, and difficult society. His story was written and included in the Bible because it has had significance throughout history. There will always be cultures who say "evil is good and good is evil". Studying Daniel's story can help Christians to grasp how to react and engage with non-Christians.
With so many young people (and some older people) living so freely (even though they are not that free) with sin, we need to know how to captivate others for Christ's sake. The Daniel Code gives an in-depth study of the book of Daniel and how he overcame the ungodly society he was placed in. The author gives tons of background information as well as very detailed scenarios that happened during that time.
When I think about how my children will have to grow up in this crumbling culture, my heart breaks. But, with Godly examples such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we have all we need straight from the Bible. Speaking the truth in love is what we are called to do. People NEED to hear God's truths. If we hide them for ourselves, who are we helping? If we don't speak up, who will?
When sin infiltrates a society and becomes the norm, Christians need to stand strong and speak up. Live out your life in a Christ-like way. Always point back to Jesus and His love. Most importantly, always show love. If Christians shout down other people about their sins, they are not going to hear you. They only see judgment, intolerance, and foolishness.
So, what are Christians supposed to do in a society that will eat you alive if you even speak God's name? O.S. Hawkins has written a book called The Daniel Code (Living our truth in a culture that is losing its way). He uses the Biblical example of Daniel to guide Christians on how to respond to the issues of today. Daniel was placed in a culture that cursed the One True God. Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon and wanted to be worshipped.
In this book you will find ways to engage our broken culture with strength and honor. Daniel survived a pagan, liberal, and difficult society. His story was written and included in the Bible because it has had significance throughout history. There will always be cultures who say "evil is good and good is evil". Studying Daniel's story can help Christians to grasp how to react and engage with non-Christians.
With so many young people (and some older people) living so freely (even though they are not that free) with sin, we need to know how to captivate others for Christ's sake. The Daniel Code gives an in-depth study of the book of Daniel and how he overcame the ungodly society he was placed in. The author gives tons of background information as well as very detailed scenarios that happened during that time.
When I think about how my children will have to grow up in this crumbling culture, my heart breaks. But, with Godly examples such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we have all we need straight from the Bible. Speaking the truth in love is what we are called to do. People NEED to hear God's truths. If we hide them for ourselves, who are we helping? If we don't speak up, who will?
When sin infiltrates a society and becomes the norm, Christians need to stand strong and speak up. Live out your life in a Christ-like way. Always point back to Jesus and His love. Most importantly, always show love. If Christians shout down other people about their sins, they are not going to hear you. They only see judgment, intolerance, and foolishness.
October 22, 2016
We live in a culture that has drifted from its moorings. Violence abounds. We tolerate and even praise what would once have been spoken of in embarrassed whispers. There are new assaults on religious liberties every day. How do we live out our faith in a culture headed the wrong direction?
That is the question posed by pastor and author O. S. Hawkins in his latest offering, The Daniel Code: Living out Truth in a Culture That Is Losing Its Way. The author explains that the Old Testament prophet, Daniel,
grew up in a culture built on biblical truth and centered in traditional family values. And then he found himself living in a culture that was hostile to everything he had ever known. His value system, his truth claims, and his moral compass were challenged repeatedly at every turn. His world was suddenly a world of pluralistic thought. But Daniel had a different spirit about him. He was a man of integrity who not only engaged his culture head-on but actually was used by God to transform it. And—just in case we need to be reminded—Daniel’s God is still our God!
The author uses the first six chapters of the book of Daniel to lay out principles and guidelines for how we can stand firm in the midst of our changing culture. Based on the examples and illustrations the author uses, the book is aimed at an older generation. The cover of the book is crafted to make it suitable for use as a gift book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
That is the question posed by pastor and author O. S. Hawkins in his latest offering, The Daniel Code: Living out Truth in a Culture That Is Losing Its Way. The author explains that the Old Testament prophet, Daniel,
grew up in a culture built on biblical truth and centered in traditional family values. And then he found himself living in a culture that was hostile to everything he had ever known. His value system, his truth claims, and his moral compass were challenged repeatedly at every turn. His world was suddenly a world of pluralistic thought. But Daniel had a different spirit about him. He was a man of integrity who not only engaged his culture head-on but actually was used by God to transform it. And—just in case we need to be reminded—Daniel’s God is still our God!
The author uses the first six chapters of the book of Daniel to lay out principles and guidelines for how we can stand firm in the midst of our changing culture. Based on the examples and illustrations the author uses, the book is aimed at an older generation. The cover of the book is crafted to make it suitable for use as a gift book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 30, 2017
Known for his "code" books, author O. S. Hawkins brings us the latest in his code books: The Daniel Code.
Using the book of Daniel from the Bible as a guide, the author draws comparisons between the time that Daniel went through and that of present day. Are things as bad as they seem? If yes, what can we do about it? Daniel is an amazing example of a truly faithful servant from his diet to his worship to his faith. How can we use that example in our own lives? While the book is a great idea, I felt that a lot of it kept repeating the same idea over and over again. Perhaps the assumption is that saying it multiple times, different ways will sink in better? Regardless of that one issue, the book is overall good and gives the reader inspiration to return to the book of Daniel. The book itself is small, easy enough to tuck into a bag or purse and take on the go. A great read while traveling or even when waiting at the doctor's office. This would make a great gift for any adult reader.
Using the book of Daniel from the Bible as a guide, the author draws comparisons between the time that Daniel went through and that of present day. Are things as bad as they seem? If yes, what can we do about it? Daniel is an amazing example of a truly faithful servant from his diet to his worship to his faith. How can we use that example in our own lives? While the book is a great idea, I felt that a lot of it kept repeating the same idea over and over again. Perhaps the assumption is that saying it multiple times, different ways will sink in better? Regardless of that one issue, the book is overall good and gives the reader inspiration to return to the book of Daniel. The book itself is small, easy enough to tuck into a bag or purse and take on the go. A great read while traveling or even when waiting at the doctor's office. This would make a great gift for any adult reader.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews