It's been twelve years since Briner's book was published and lots has changed in America. And here's what I know: the reality of a post-Christian nation is here despite efforts to the contrary.
Of course, being the missiologist-type, I've had to ask myself, Why is this? My best answer...professing Christians have gotten off message. Scarier still, I have reason to believe that many professing Christians aren't authentically off message at all. Why? Because Jesus Christ and him crucified is no longer their most central agenda.
While researching various churches I've uncovered this rather interesting factoid: parishioners of churches are far more likely to think in terms of inviting people to "church" than they are of introducing an individual or group to Jesus, King of kings. That, of course, is a problem.
Although I believe the killing of the world's unborn is nothing short of holocaust and rampant homosexuality the result of "exchang[ing] the truth of God for a lie" (Rms 1:26-32), I also believe the Evil One has subversively used these things to derail the one message that truly saves while creating lasting and significant change: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (Jn 3:16).
My recommendation? Focus on preaching Jesus (in all preaching's forms)! Truly, the rest will take care of itself because when the Spirit does its work, "shameful lusts" subside and "depraved minds" think rightly (not always instantaneously, of course) (Rms 1:26, 28; Col 3:9, 10).
Consider Paul's example. "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). Would Paul have been vocal, then, about the seven things listed above? I think so. At the same time, however, I think Paul kept the main thing the main thing: philosophically and in practice.
So, although Briner's presentation of the seven deadly detours might make me feel like I shouldn't stand (appropriately) against such things, I do get his point. And it's a point, I think, worth considering.