The Business of Is-Ness: A Review

Schrock, David. The Business of Is-Ness: How to Live in the World God Made. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2025.

It should come as no surprise that our culture faces numerous challenges today. From the inability of some Supreme Court justices to define what a woman is to the rise of transgenderism, our cultural moment seems fraught with moral and ideological confusion. What is surprising, however, is how many Christians have responded to these issues over the past decade. While faithful believers have stood boldly in the breach, addressing these problems head-on, far too many who claim the name of Christ have chosen to ignore the issues, hoping they will simply fade away. As followers of Christ, we must take up the mantle carried by our forebears in the church throughout history. We must rediscover the importance of fighting for the sanctity of truth. In every era of the church, new challenges have required fresh language and more precise explanations of doctrinal truth. For the early church, it was Christology. In more recent times, it was the inerrancy of Scripture. Today, it is the created order. David Schrock, a faithful teacher in God’s church, recognizes this reality. Through his work, he demonstrates the need for clarity and diligence in upholding the truth of God’s created order.

A Simple Structure

In his Acknowledgments, David Schrock explains the origins of this book. It began as a series of eight sermons preached at his church in the summer of 2022. At the request of Founders Press, he repurposed those sermons into the book available today.

The book retains the straightforward structure of its sermon-series roots. Each of its nine chapters addresses a fundamental question—questions we should already be equipped to answer. These include inquiries such as: What is humanity? What is marriage? What is a man or a woman? These questions are framed within the context of the first chapter’s focus: What is ontology? Schrock defines ontology as “the study of what is” or, more precisely, “the study of the way things are” (p. 7). The book’s central aim is to establish a clear understanding of reality as God designed it, and all subsequent questions flow from this foundation.

God is the true starting point of the book, as is fitting. To understand what is, we must begin with the One who created us, the One on whom we depend for every breath. The book is not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the topics it covers. Instead, it serves as an introduction and foundation. For example, when discussing the nature of God, Schrock highlights five attributes: oneness, uncreatedness, independence, eternality, and spirit. He then outlines five actions God performs. This concise approach characterizes the book’s structure.

This pattern of succinct lists continues throughout. In chapter 3, “What is the Cosmos?,” Schrock presents seven cosmological truths. Chapter 4 offers “Four truths about Adam and our shared humanity,” followed by “Four truths about the last Adam and our redeemed humanity” (pp. 57, 63). This clear, digestible structure makes the book accessible and easy to follow.

My Favorite Parts

While the entire book is exceptional, two sections particularly resonated with me. The first is in chapter six, “What is Marriage?” Like other chapters, this one includes a list of points, here called the “Nine Pillars of Marriage” (p. 95). The first pillar, “Marriage is the Lord’s,” begins with the striking statement: “Everything in creation is the Lord’s, but especially marriage” (p. 96). This foundational truth, often overlooked in both culture and the church, underscores the divine ownership of marriage. Later in the section, Schrock explains his practice of not allowing couples to write their own marriage vows. Initially, this stance surprised me, but his reasoning is compelling. While my marriage to my wife is ours in one sense, Schrock reminds us that “marriage is an institution that two people submit to” (p. 97). This perspective reframes marriage as a sacred, God-ordained structure, not a human construct to be redefined.

The second standout section is in chapter seven, “What is a Family?” Under the heading “The family makes you who you are,” Schrock writes, “It is a self-evident truth that the family you have will shape you in profound ways” (p. 122). He later adds, “God intended the family to be the place where you would find your identity” (p. 123). This simple yet profound truth struck me deeply. As a father and pastor, I am called to lead not only my own family but also the families in the church I serve. This chapter convicted me to teach these truths more clearly, so that my family and those around me may, by God's grace, be strengthened.

A Starting Point

At just 188 pages, The Business of Is-Ness is not an exhaustive study, nor does it claim to be. Instead, it serves as an excellent starting point for understanding God’s created order. This book is a must-read and one to share with others in your circle. While other works, such as Carl Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, offer detailed analyses of our cultural moment and its historical roots, they can be technical and complex for some readers. In contrast, Schrock’s book is approachable, clear, and concise, making it ideal for a wide audience. It provides a biblical framework for understanding ontology and its implications for humanity, marriage, family, and gender in a way that is both grounded and practical.

This book is particularly valuable for those seeking to navigate today’s cultural challenges with biblical fidelity. It equips readers to engage with contemporary issues confidently, offering a foundation for further study and discussion. Pastors, parents, and church members alike will find it a helpful resource for teaching and discipling others. By rooting its arguments in Scripture and presenting them in an accessible format, The Business of Is-Ness

Soli Deo Gloria

You can pick up a copy of the book at the Founders Ministries Store.