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heathercottledillon's review against another edition
3.0
This book reveals the results and conclusions of a major research project on the perceptions of Christians by outsiders, particularly young Americans. The research shows that Christians are best known for what they are against. They are perceived as being judgmental, anti-homosexual, and too political—specifically, too conservative. The majority of the young people contacted by the researchers believe that Christianity is no longer what Jesus intended. The authors break down the reasons that these negative perceptions are out there and assert that although some of these points are unfair, most of them are based on Christians’ “unchristian” behavior and attitudes. They use what they learned to offer suggestions for how Christians can fight their negative reputation and live more like Jesus, showing others that their faith is authentic.
I already knew a lot of the information that this book presents; there’s nothing earth-shattering here. We all know that Christians often don't practice what they preach, and society has noticed. Still, the statistics make it seem more real, and there are a lot of good strategies for changing the public’s perception of Christianity. Each chapter concludes with mini-essays from famous and celebrated Christians on that section’s topic, and I think the book as a whole benefits from this variety of viewpoints. Basically, this book isn’t going to change my life but it has motivated me to be more careful about how I present myself to others.
I already knew a lot of the information that this book presents; there’s nothing earth-shattering here. We all know that Christians often don't practice what they preach, and society has noticed. Still, the statistics make it seem more real, and there are a lot of good strategies for changing the public’s perception of Christianity. Each chapter concludes with mini-essays from famous and celebrated Christians on that section’s topic, and I think the book as a whole benefits from this variety of viewpoints. Basically, this book isn’t going to change my life but it has motivated me to be more careful about how I present myself to others.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
We read this in bookgroup and I think all of us were glad when we finished it. It was written by and for the evangelical Christian community. David Kinnaman describes the research commissioned by Gabe Lyons in the 2006 timeframe. The purpose of the research was to find out what 'outsiders' (non-Christians primarily), particularly the 18-30 age group, think of Christians. The book describes the main sticking-points for why Christianity is becoming less compelling to the young cohort. It is a call for evangelical Christians to become more like Christ and less like 'Christians.' Since we're labeling, our bookgroup falls into the 'progressive' Christian camp so we often found ourselves in the 'outsider' group in terms of our understanding of things. We tried to use the book to consider where we fall short - even if it is in different areas than the author described. It's good to stretch outside our comfort zone and this book helped us do that.
rachelfsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of data, but not many surprises... The church in America has a lot of PR work to do. :/
amandakitz's review against another edition
2.0
It's truly incredible how accurately the author's research felt the pulse of the public's reaction to toxic Christianity and proceeded to recommend a slightly more 'friendly' version of the same toxic theology.
The author accurately assessed that the public, especially young adults, view Christianity as hypocritical, conversion-obsessed, anti-gay, sheltered, extremely political, and judgemental. Instead of renouncing the theologies and beliefs that led to this, repenting and asking the public for forgiveness for so grossly misrepresenting the historical Jesus, he tries to keep the beliefs and change the packaging. The book still insists LGBTQ+ people are living in sin and ought to be confronted on it (p. 188 had an especially awful moment on that), as well as fully biblically inaccurate mumbo jumbo like 'Jesus is a Christian' (p. 154) and the belief in Satan as a real spiritual being as a tenet of evangelical Christianity, the certainty of which is shaky at best if you do a half-decent look at the bible with some basic exegetical training (p. 158)... it baffles me how he can do these acrobatics to maintain judgmental and biblically inaccurate beliefs and still call Christians to compassion.
Overall, the research, data, and findings were not horrible, but the interpretation was mildly disastrous at best. The guest-writer sections were hit and miss, some of them ironically portraying the same out-of-touch, judgmental, and anti-gay sentiments the book openly stated as problematic in public perception of the church. Others were insightful and tasteful. The book clearly earned two stars, and I hope that in this decade the church gets its act together and learns to properly repent and turn away from toxic theology and praxis, as well as learning how to properly do basic exegesis before thinking of writing a book referring to 'biblical living'.
The author accurately assessed that the public, especially young adults, view Christianity as hypocritical, conversion-obsessed, anti-gay, sheltered, extremely political, and judgemental. Instead of renouncing the theologies and beliefs that led to this, repenting and asking the public for forgiveness for so grossly misrepresenting the historical Jesus, he tries to keep the beliefs and change the packaging. The book still insists LGBTQ+ people are living in sin and ought to be confronted on it (p. 188 had an especially awful moment on that), as well as fully biblically inaccurate mumbo jumbo like 'Jesus is a Christian' (p. 154) and the belief in Satan as a real spiritual being as a tenet of evangelical Christianity, the certainty of which is shaky at best if you do a half-decent look at the bible with some basic exegetical training (p. 158)... it baffles me how he can do these acrobatics to maintain judgmental and biblically inaccurate beliefs and still call Christians to compassion.
Overall, the research, data, and findings were not horrible, but the interpretation was mildly disastrous at best. The guest-writer sections were hit and miss, some of them ironically portraying the same out-of-touch, judgmental, and anti-gay sentiments the book openly stated as problematic in public perception of the church. Others were insightful and tasteful. The book clearly earned two stars, and I hope that in this decade the church gets its act together and learns to properly repent and turn away from toxic theology and praxis, as well as learning how to properly do basic exegesis before thinking of writing a book referring to 'biblical living'.
dbg108's review against another edition
3.0
I skimmed this book for the main points. Not much was surprising for me. There are a number of helpful tidbits here and there, including a short and characteristically thoughtful essay from Andy Crouch at the end that's worth the price of the book.
gbdill's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly eye-opening and insightful. The whole premise of this book is to find out what the author terms "outsiders" (those who are not believers) think about today's form of Christianity and the people who call themselves Christian. After conducting several years of research and surveys, the statistics and responses are quite bleak and dismal. In general, today's younger generation think of Christians as: antihomosexual, hypocritical, focused on converts, sheltered, too political, and judgmental, just to name a few. This, not to add: old-fashioned, irrelevant, and hollow. Sadly, even many Christians (such as myself) think the same about the state of today's brand of Christianity and its adherents.
But, there is hope. It is never too late to redefine the true sense of what Christianity is. A Christianity that can become known for what we are for rather than what we are against. A Christianity that focuses on community rather than individualism. A Christianity that cares and loves all people regardless of race, religion, sexuality, and gender. A Christianity that cares for the world's ills rather than a couple of hot button topics. A Christianity that focuses on a deep spirituality rather than a facts and knowledge driven faith. A Christianity that is about love and grace rather than rules and regulations. A Christianity void of politics but truly concerned about problems rather than legislating morality and seeking political power.
I particularly enjoyed the last section of the book that solicits insight from emerging leaders, both conservative and liberal, within evangelical Christianity and how they foresee Christianity 30 years from now if we head in the right direction. I think their ideas are very plausible and doable. But, I believe it takes a completely different way of thinking and doing, especially from those who are ingrained in their old ways. I have hope for the Body of Christ, that it truly will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world someday like it once was. But, it will indeed take time.
I highly recommend this book to both those outside of the Christian faith and those who are desiring to see an old and tired Christianity become something new, refreshing, and invigorating to both the individual and the world community. I applaud the author and the Barna Group for their objectivity in the research that was conducted and in its presentation of the facts. I look forward to reading more from David Kinnaman and its co-author Gabe Lyons.
But, there is hope. It is never too late to redefine the true sense of what Christianity is. A Christianity that can become known for what we are for rather than what we are against. A Christianity that focuses on community rather than individualism. A Christianity that cares and loves all people regardless of race, religion, sexuality, and gender. A Christianity that cares for the world's ills rather than a couple of hot button topics. A Christianity that focuses on a deep spirituality rather than a facts and knowledge driven faith. A Christianity that is about love and grace rather than rules and regulations. A Christianity void of politics but truly concerned about problems rather than legislating morality and seeking political power.
I particularly enjoyed the last section of the book that solicits insight from emerging leaders, both conservative and liberal, within evangelical Christianity and how they foresee Christianity 30 years from now if we head in the right direction. I think their ideas are very plausible and doable. But, I believe it takes a completely different way of thinking and doing, especially from those who are ingrained in their old ways. I have hope for the Body of Christ, that it truly will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world someday like it once was. But, it will indeed take time.
I highly recommend this book to both those outside of the Christian faith and those who are desiring to see an old and tired Christianity become something new, refreshing, and invigorating to both the individual and the world community. I applaud the author and the Barna Group for their objectivity in the research that was conducted and in its presentation of the facts. I look forward to reading more from David Kinnaman and its co-author Gabe Lyons.
pocketcramps's review against another edition
2.0
I was recommended this book by several people, so once my refund check came in, I journeyed to the strange land of Christian retail and picked it up. While I agree with just about everything said in the book, I was bored to tears reading it.
davehershey's review against another edition
4.0
This book investigates recent studies that show how 16-29 year olds truly see the Christian faith. The results are not good, though perhaps not surprising: anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, old-fashioned, too political, and sheltered. The authors go beyond these simple statistics to help the reader see why young people feel this way. Though these results are depressing for those of us who are Christians, there is also reason to hope. The authors spend time in each chapter giving ideas on how to overcome these stereotypes.
Overall this is a must-read for any Christian leader, or really for any Christian.
Overall this is a must-read for any Christian leader, or really for any Christian.
winkattheduck's review against another edition
5.0
I'll write a full review of the book on my blog sometime in the next week or two. Easy read, but hard issues. More than I can write about in the little time I have left on my lunch break.
jmcphers's review against another edition
4.0
If you're an average, churchgoing evangelical Christian, you may have felt a sneaking suspicion that young people outside the church don't think much of your Christianity. This book confirms everybody's sneaking suspicions with solid research.
Kinnaman addresses the major negative perceptions that young people outside the church have about Christianity: that it is too judgmental, that it is antihomosexual, that Christians only want to win converts, that the church is too political, etc.
For each perception, Kinnaman describes what he learned from his research. Then he conjectures (usually without any support) about what is causing the trends he's observed. Finally, prominent Christian leaders weigh in with their ideas about how to change the perception. It's an effective organization for the book, and by the end I was both a little depressed about the perceptions and a little hopeful about how they can be changed.
The suggestions outlined by Christian leaders are excellent but not mind-blowing: become a force for social justice. Stop making so much noise about being against bad things; spend more energy on being for good things. Love everybody. Be like Jesus. Get outside the Christian bubble. Be humble. Get out into your community and serve. You get the picture.
Kinnaman's writing is logical but full of cliches and amateurish writing. Hopefully, though, you're not reading this book as literature. It's important information for a church that is feeling less and less relevant to the next generation.
Kinnaman addresses the major negative perceptions that young people outside the church have about Christianity: that it is too judgmental, that it is antihomosexual, that Christians only want to win converts, that the church is too political, etc.
For each perception, Kinnaman describes what he learned from his research. Then he conjectures (usually without any support) about what is causing the trends he's observed. Finally, prominent Christian leaders weigh in with their ideas about how to change the perception. It's an effective organization for the book, and by the end I was both a little depressed about the perceptions and a little hopeful about how they can be changed.
The suggestions outlined by Christian leaders are excellent but not mind-blowing: become a force for social justice. Stop making so much noise about being against bad things; spend more energy on being for good things. Love everybody. Be like Jesus. Get outside the Christian bubble. Be humble. Get out into your community and serve. You get the picture.
Kinnaman's writing is logical but full of cliches and amateurish writing. Hopefully, though, you're not reading this book as literature. It's important information for a church that is feeling less and less relevant to the next generation.