unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters Reviews

• Somberly, Prayerfully

  
  By A1CHM200OEN65X on 2007-12-26
  I grew up in the church. My parents were ministers. I did overseas missions work, and I now write novels with characters who deal with the spiritual questions we face in the world of steel and greed and humanity. My first twenty years of life I was a gung-ho believer, ready to change the world. The next twenty years, I tried to change the church through ministry positions, toeing the lines, trying to gain the respect and authority to have a say.
  
  I believe I wasted my time. There are too many who want to hold onto what has always been, instead of seeing it for what it has become. I wish I had simply done all the things I felt I should be doing--helping the poor, the HIV-infected, and knowing Jesus as a lifestyle, not just on Sunday mornings. "unChristian" is one of the most precise books I've come across, for its unflinching stare into the mirror. It deals with most of the critical observations that "outsiders" have, but these are really the same observations of any honest Christian. In fact, by working for the past fifteen years outside of the "ministry," I could've identified almost to a T every criticism outlined in this book. Simply step out of the ivory tower and you'll see and hear all these issues raised.
  
  While "unChristian" can come across somewhat dry and prosaic in its dispensing of information, it is a valuable and necessary dissertation on the ills of our current form of Christianity. It's also a sincere and noble call back to those things that we should be about. The authors don't pull punches, but they do write with grace and love for the church of Christ's followers, regardless of denomination or style. This should be a book for every Christian to consider somberly and prayerfully.
  
  

• The 'C' Bomb

  
  By A2V7UVKOFG57IW on 2007-10-10
  The C Bomb
  
  By Bill Dahl
  
  I was reading a blog recently and appreciated the author's heartfelt apology about his inadvertent "church sucks" post. Trust me, we have all said and written stuff that we regret. It's when we overlook the fact that we are all fallible (or we assume we are bulletproof), we're really in trouble. I shared with the author that I was delighted to note that he is human, and a sensitive and lovable one at that. I welcomed him to the foot in mouth club - we're ALL members. (many of us have multiple memberships).
  
  Yet, his apology for the "church sucks" post ( "confession and repentance") illuminated other issues for me (and I assume, many others). We have the A-bomb, the F-bomb, and whether we like it or not, we now have the "C-bomb." The term "C-bomb" refers to Christians, Christianity and the Church. This is NOT my opinion. It is an empirically verifiable fact, as evidenced by the research conducted over the past several years by the Barna Group. I have also written extensively about my own personal struggle with the C-bomb. You can find some of my more cogent thoughts here: The Next Questians - [...]
  
  This research is laid out in David Kinnaman's newly released book (October 2007) entitled, UNchristian - What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity. Kinnaman has been George Barna's protégé over the last 12 years and is President of the Barna Group, unequivocally the ongoing source of reliable social research about Christians, Christianity and the Church.
  
  This book is sobering. I wept at certain parts of it. We Christians have made a mess of Christianity in North America and the established Church most certainly has its share of the blame. As Kinnaman says, "We can't change what we are known for unless we change how we live." (p. 231). This "living" includes the "life" of the Church. Kinnaman goes on to say that we must "discern how deep and serious the problems are, so that our missional engagement in the coming years won't be more of the same."
  
  We have to embrace the uncomfortable truth that the Church as an institution provides much of the momentum to preserve the status quo --- more of the same. Although the natural reaction to those who presently have a vested interest in the Church to "church sucks" is likely to be a defensive and perhaps polarizing one, I wonder if the reaction does not also contain an element of denial...a terribly important element that we must ALL come together to overcome.
  Listen to Kinnaman and the Barna Group:
  
  "The nation's population is increasingly resistant to Christianity...the aversion and hostility are, for the first time, crystallizing in the attitudes of millions of young Americans. A huge chunk of a new generation has concluded they want nothing to do with us. As Christians, we are widely distrusted by a skeptical generation. We are at a turning point for Christianity in America. If we do not wake up to these realities and respond in appropriate, godly ways, we risk being increasingly marginalized and losing further credibility with millions of people." P. 39.
  
  The reality is the C-bomb is not being stored in some underground bunker. The C-bomb has detonated in our midst! What shall we do? Walk around in stunned silence? Continue to deny that we are the walking wounded as others avoid us? Are we going to pick up the pieces and rebuild a remnant of the memory of more of the same? something that doesn't produce the results that bring glory to our Lord and Savior by focusing on more of the same or will be become capable of coming together in a new revolution of hope:
  
  "A revolution of hope is not just a matter of reading a book or hearing an inspiring sermon. True, a book or sermon or personal encounter may be a vehicle through which hope wins our hearts. But a revolution of hope makes radical demands of us. It requires us to learn new skills and habits and capacities: the skills of a new way of thinking, the capacities of a new way of living....it is a new way of life that changes everything." - Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change - Jesus, Global Crises and a Revolution of Hope. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN Copyright © 2007 by Brian D. McLaren. P. 283.
  
  I want to learn a new way of living that changes everything. I am not coming `armed' to life anymore. I'm coming surrendered. The C-Bomb has detonated. The devastation is all around us. Yet, for those of us with a love of Jesus, and a thirst for imagining the future, and our respective roles in it, my prayer is that God's Spirit will provide each of us with eyes to see and ears to hear a "new thing" that He is doing in our midst. Kinnaman's book also has dozens of suggestions about what that might look like.
  
  I believe the blog authors apology contained the essence of the attitude I need to maintain today, as we approach the Christian life --- come surrendered Bill, come humble, be prepared to learn and unlearn. Come to listen. Come to pray. Come to celebrate Christ alive among us. Come to be inspired by God's Spirit.
  
  Humility. It's a powerful thing. Unchristian - What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons is a literary seismic event that will rearrange the face of faith.
  
  Buy this book. Read it on your knees. Stay knelt until you are able to rise surrendered to what you thought you knew about being a Christian.
  
  One of my Top 10 for 2007.
  
  Bill Dahl
  http://www.ThePorpoiseDivingLife.com
  
  
  

• good news gone bad

  
  By AQ990HW13DP08 on 2008-01-09
  In his book The Heart of Christianity (2003) Marcus Borg of Oregon State University describes how his university students have a uniformly negative image of Christianity. "When I ask them to write a short essay on their impression of Christianity," says Borg, "they consistently use five adjectives: Christians are literalistic, anti-intellectual, self-righteous, judgmental, and bigoted."
  
  Christians might object, rather defensively, that it's unfair to draw sweeping conclusions based upon the report of one person. If you think that way, you'd be right in your logic but wrong in your conclusion. A new book called unChristian (2007) by David Kinnaman of the Barna Group presents objective research that supports Borg's subjective anecdote. Kinnaman's three-year study documents how an overwhelming percentage of sixteen to twenty-nine year olds view Christians with hostility, resentment and disdain.
  
  These broadly and deeply negative views of Christians aren't just superficial stereotypes with no basis in reality, says Kinnaman. Nor are the critics people who've had no contact with churches or Christians. It would be a tragic mistake, he argues, for believers to protest that outsider outrage at Christians is a misperception. Rather, it's based upon their real experiences with today's Christians. In addition to their statistical research, the book includes anecdotes from people who were interviewed, follow-on comments at the end of each chapter by some 30 Christian leaders, and reflections about why we've come to such a place and how we might make it better.
  
  According to Kinnaman's Barna study, here are the percentages of people outside the church who think that the following words describe present-day Christianity:
  
  * antihomosexual 91%
  * judgmental 87%
  * hypocritical 85%
  * old-fashioned 78%
  * too political 75%
  * out of touch with reality 72%
  * insensitive to others 70%
  * boring 68%
  
  It would be hard to overestimate, says Kinnaman, "how firmly people reject-- and feel rejected by-- Christians" (19). Or think about it this way, he suggests: "When you introduce yourself as a Christian to a friend, neighbor, or business associate who is an outsider, you might as well have it tattooed on your arm: antihomosexual, gay-hater, homophobic. I doubt you think of yourself in these terms, but that's what outsiders think of you" (93).
  
  Gabe Lyons of the Fermi Project who commissioned the Barna research remembers his first look at the data. "I'll never forget sitting in Starbucks, poring through the research results on my laptop. As I soaked it in, I glanced at the people around me and was overwhelmed with the thought that this is what they think of me. It was a sobering thought to know that if I had stood up and announced myself as a 'Christian' to the customers assembled in Starbucks that day, they would have associated me with every one of the negative perceptions described in this book" (222, his italics). Sad to say, Marcus Borg was even more right than he knew.
  
  

• Satan and the world never thought well of Christianity

  
  By A2UW6GU9EXLQ62 on 2008-02-02
  Methods such as surveys, observations, and testimonies infrequently produce a definitive reason why a specific social group with a large population has adopted certain behaviors. Researchers drawing any conclusion from these methods must assume that those participating in the study are objective and those interpreting the data are objective. These methods become less reliable when the effect (i.e. a % of mosaics and busters stop going to church) is the only objective part of the study. Unless cause theories can be implemented into a test group in a controlled environment, the real cause will never be discovered. With this many variables, researchers can afford only an educated guess at best.
  
  Kinnaman and Lyons increase the number of variables in their research by imposing their own set values and cultural influences. Both authors assume that the church is primarily for the unsaved; therefore, the church should be tailored to attract the unsaved rather than be a place to encourage and disciple Christians. They assume that if the church reflects cultural trends, that sinners in droves will stampede the church doors to get saved. They also assume that church culture (jargon, etiquette, polity) is not part of discipleship because the church should reflect a secular culture. They also assume that the pleasures of this world have little influence in causing a falling away from the church. They also assume that cultural relevance is the primary method for drawing people to Christ and keeping them in the church. They also assume that God's will and marketing trends are synonymous with each other. They also assume that a Christian's primary role is to be liked by the unsaved. They also assume that every Christian should be perfect, that is, always saying everything with perfect love and wisdom. With these set of assumptions, it is obvious why they believe that the church universal is Satan incarnate or at least one of its imps. "IF IT WERE NOT FOR CHRISTIANS THERE WOULD BE LESS PEOPLE GOING TO HELL!"--balderdash!
  
  Sure, the church can do a number of things to make Christianity more palatable, but when the dust settles, a crucified Messiah will always be a stumbling block or foolishness to the world, and many people will be drawn away by their own lust. Jesus must have failed many people in Israel since the Jews accused Him of being a blasphemer; Paul must have failed since most in Israel and the surrounding Greek areas hated him.
  
  When we stand before God, we cannot blame imperfect Christians and outdated churches as an excuse for not following Christ: "God I did not become a follower of Christ because some Christian offended me when he told me that homosexuality is a sin; it hurt my feelings."
  
  However, in our efforts to change this falling away, every church should be designed to give Christians the tools to be self-feeders so that they can have a personal relationship with Christ and the skills to reach the unsaved.
  
  
  

• More than just lies, damned lies, and statistics.

  
  By A2XSIX8SWTO6HN on 2007-12-29
  This could have been a useful means of addressing an interesting development in our culture. The original idea was a good one, but Kinnaman and Lyons have added something new: gross incompetence. A well reasoned professional approach would have made this a landmark text. Instead, it is better suited to hold up the end of the sofa with the short leg. The entire point of the book is to decry how the percentage of Christians is declining in American society. Page 76 of the text puts the number at 73% for those over 41 and at 65% for those younger. Unfortunately, page 46 claims four out of every five Americans (80%) are Christian. Unless you are counting the deceased, there is no mathematical way for this to occur. It gets more absurd. As part of the analysis, a category of Outsider was created (about 24% of the population) which consists of: Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Mormons, Muslims, Pagans, and the Unchurched. This group of Outsiders apparently has the ability to change its characteristics from chapter to chapter. For example, page 152 claims that Outsiders are one of the four faith groups that make up the Christian electorate! (Apparently there is no non-Christian electorate.) Sometimes members of the Unchurched, also referred to as the deChurched, change categories as well. On page 74, the majority of teenagers are described as Christian and most of them leave the church within 10 years of joining (this means over 50% leave, in case either of the authors wants to know). The teens are described as having made a commitment to Christ at some point in their lives, but since they left the church they should now fall in the Outsider category. Do the math. If most leave, less than 50% remain, but the next graph shows 65% have made a commitment to Christ that is still important! They aren't Outsiders anymore (at least for this page). Are they the prodigal teens? In addition to inconsistent analysis, you'll also find misinformation about the founding of the Holy Roman Empire (it was in 962 not 337). Additionally, a Religion Professor from Rice University blatantly lies when claiming that enrollment at secular colleges and universities didn't increase from 1990 to 2004 (yes, it did, 28% at private and 13% at public, according to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities). The level of analysis never gets beyond hoping that the church will be less judgmental to Outsiders while claiming that only those who follow Christ can be virtuous (page 217). I guess slandering two-thirds of the world's population is the author's idea of withholding judgment. As an aside, the authors never mention the 1998 study by Hadaway and Marler that showed that almost 50% of the Christian population lies about church attendance (they are typically Unchurched). I guess that makes the Outsider category larger than the Christian one. I wonder what a professional analysis of the data would reveal. Unfortunately, this text has probably stifled any honest look at the changes in American religious demographics.
  
  
• disturbing
  By A1QPL6O2VF5DVK on 2008-02-01
  For some reason I had a hard time finishing this book. I would read awhile and then put the book aside for some time before picking it up again. I knew I needed to read it, but had a difficult time doing so. Perhaps it is because I don't really want to know how bad things are for Christianity and the future. In spite of the positive comments about the future found in the back of the book, the body of material is disturbing indeed.
  
  It has not escaped notice that the 19-35 yr. olds are largely absent in our churches. We can keep children through High School and then . . . . what happens to them? Although the book is not specifically addressing the needs of children raised in the church, the material gives great insight into what their peers are thinking and, undoubtedly, what causes many of them to leave the fold as well.
  
  The book has heightened my sensitivities and has caused me to repent of certain attitudes. God help us to be the people he has created us to be.
  
  
• Necessary and disturbing
  By A4NTF1W4QD1CM on 2007-10-27
  This book shows that most people under 40 have a negative view of evangelical Christianity, citing research from the Barna Group. The fact that most non-evangelicals despise evangelical Christians is not news. But this book admits the truth: most of the animosity that people feel toward Christians isn't because they hate us for telling the Truth. It's because Christians have been aggressive, impolite, arrogant, and rude. When we aren't embarrassing ourselves with gross displays of intolerance, we're working to elect politicians who are hostile to the basic institutions of secular democracy - without evangelical Christian voters, there never would have been 30 years of Republican dominance, and young people would be growing up and starting their lives in a society with a strong and growing middle class, a strong social safety net for the poor and disabled, competent health care, sane environmental regulations, and less dependence on foreign oil. Our TV evangelists were right - the apocalypse is on its way. But we helped to bring it, and young people know it.
  
  I'm not sure that this book has good recommendations for how Generation X and Millennial Christians should try to live our Christian commitments in the coming years. We're inherited a huge mess from the Baby Boomers. This book sticks with the notion that we've communicated our Christianity to our secular neighbors in a poor manner, but that our fundamental beliefs are correct. The author even recommends that we continue to be involved in politics and that the best way to improve public morality is to pass laws limiting people's behavior, and bemoans that younger generations don't share the theocratic ideal that our nation's laws should be based on the Bible and not on democratic processes. Perhaps this is my formal letter of resignation from the evangelical movement, but I think we need to face the fact that some of our basic beliefs may be wrong, and that the failures of our elders resulted naturally from these false beliefs. Is the Bible really "inerrant," in the sense that we can pluck verses out of it and take those random sentences as universal statements of absolute Truth? Are Christians really called to be the nation's morality police? Can we continue to fight science, when all attempts to do so, including our recent dalliance with "intelligent design," have been spectacular failures? Can we continue to be a movement dedicated to "conserving" some great American past, when it's obvious that the past wasn't so great, and that being "conservative" just draws reactionary, authoritarian people who don't genuinely follow Christ's teachings?
  
  These are some of the questions those of us under 40 are going to have to answer. This book isn't perfect, but it's a great conversation starter.
  
  
• Very disappointing
  By A4CYCUGQ9KLUR on 2007-12-26
  I bought this book on a recommendation, thinking that it would treat seriously the reasons why the Christian church does not appeal to the younger crowd (whom the author calls Mosaics and Busters), that is, those under 30. While the writers pinpoint the problems well enough, their solutions are tired, old, craftily recycled bromides that I still doubt will work.
  
  For example, the chapter on how the Church's hostility toward gay people has turned off this up-and-coming generation, the authors relate heartbreaking stories of gays who have been attacked and vilified by so-called Christians, and rightfully lament the behavior of their co-religionists. Unfortunately, they continue to decry "homosexual behavior" and simply believe that by showing compassion so-called Christians can convert gay people to a life of celibacy through faith in Christ, which they then mistakenly believe will make Christianity more acceptable among the young since they see how humane Christians really are. It is the same old "love the sinner and had the sin" approach, but just packaged in a more slick and manner, using a lot of social science techno-babble.
  
  The writers each belong to an evangelical research foundation/project, the Barna Group and the Fermi Foundation. Their credentials and affiliations sound impressive, but beware. They may have done the statistical analysis of why the "new generation" has eschewed Christianity, and even provided a solid explanation (that Christians give the impression of being intolerant and unloving people) but it appears they use their resources mainly in an effort to dress up the Church's image rather than seeking to understand the Gospel more completely -- especially its call to love others and accept those who are different.
  
  It seems never to have crossed their minds that the best way to get younger people to think seriously about Christianity might be by actually accepting gays fully into the church as equals, who can express their God-given sexuality just as straight people can.
  
  I can't help but wonder whether these guys would have tried to get 19th-century Christians to "understand" how hard slaves had it and to empathize with their situation rather than actually calling for their freedom.
  
  In sum, don't believe the hype of this book; it is definitely not what it appears to be. In fact, the glib protestations of its premise being different simply make it all the more dishonest.
  
  
• Good advice in spite of a fatal flaw in the research
  By A1YMRAQLM2PL2C on 2008-01-30
  "Christianity has an image problem." That's how unChristian begins, and it is the problem it attempts to resolve, not by explaining the Christian faith to non-Christians, but by urging professing Christians to fix their image in 6 specific areas. According to the research done for this book (from the Barna Group), Christians are accused of being hypocritical, insincere in their efforts to convert people, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political, and judgmental. Because of these accusations, the writers contend, evangelical Christians, or those who are considered to be "born again," have lost the respect of those outside the church. These non-Christians consider the Christian faith as it is practiced today to be unChristian, that is, "they think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be" (p. 15). Are they right?
  
  It is tough to argue with the data gathered from the research. The authors make a convincing case that even those inside the church--young Christians in particular--agree that something has gone terribly wrong with modern Christianity. I found myself nodding in agreement quite a bit as I read the accusations hurled at the faith I myself possess. If our faith has become "unChristian," we must not delay in working to fix it. And even if we are tempted to think that it doesn't really matter what non-Christians think about us since non-believers will always disapprove of what we believe (the authors field this charge and respond to it on pp. 36-39), we have to realize that perceptions, even wrong perceptions, still affect the way people respond to us. If as Christians we desire to be heard by non-Christians, then we would do well to listen first to them.
  
  As for the specific allegations leveled at us, can there be any doubt that Christians by and large are guilty of being hypocritical? It is true that for many of us our lives do not reflect what we say we believe. And we can surely understand that many of our attempts at evangelism have lacked in genuine interest for the person with whom we are sharing our faith. Yes, the Christian faith can seem "like a religion of rules and standards" (p. 123), and surely many of us have far too often made others feel like we were judgmental, setting ourselves up as the judge and jury of morality. We are known more for what we are against than for what we are for. We are too quickly associated with a political party and with antihomosexual values. What is helpful in this book is the authors' ability to help us see why we should not wear many of these charges as badges of honor. Each chapter concludes with a section from various contributors explaining ways in which we might change these perceptions of non-Christians.
  
  There are, however, a couple of areas in which I think the authors have erred.
  
  First, in chapter 5, in which the authors' deal with the accusation that Christians are unloving and hostile to homosexuals, I found the authors to be wrong about some of their conclusions. They quote (favorably) one pastor who says, "the struggle of gays being attracted to the same sex is no different than my struggle in being attracted to the opposite sex" (96, emphasis mine). Now I agree that the sin of homosexuality is no different than the sin of immoral heterosexuality as far as God's judgment of sin is concerned. But the Bible does suggest that there is a progression in reprobation, and according to Romans 1, homosexuality is further down that progression than other sins. The authors also ask if "we really want government regulating the sex lives of its adult citizens" (96). Does this mean that we should oppose a Federal Marriage Amendment? Do the authors think that government should not regulate morality in any way? I agree that "we cannot assume that politics is the only or best way to influence people" (106) and that we can further burn the bridges by which we hope to reach homosexuals by unloving political jargon. But this doesn't mean that Christians should abdicate this issue politically and cease in our efforts to influence our legislators toward a biblical morality. The authors also imply that we shouldn't speak so passionately against the right of homosexuals to adopt children because "our most important concern must be the response of young people to Christ, not merely what type of home they grew up in." While there is much to learn from this book's chapter on homosexuality, I was disappointed by these suggestions that we shouldn't fight the issue politically because of the potential that our opinions will alienate the homosexuals we should be trying to reach with the gospel.
  
  Second, and perhaps even more importantly, there is a potentially fatal flaw in the research that supports this book. On page 46 the authors tell us that in their research, "when it came to nonreligious factors--the substance of people's daily choices, actions, and attitudes--there were few meaningful gaps between born-again Christians and non-born-agains." The point is clear: this book is built upon the assumption from the research that born-again Christians do not live much differently from those who are not born-again. The authors even tell us how they identify those who are born-again: "a person has to say he or she has made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important and that the person believes he or she will go to heaven at death, because the person has confessed his or her sin and accepted Christ as Savior" (46). Based on these conclusions, the book attempts to help these "born-again" Christians recover an authentic Christian faith.
  
  But a survey cannot identify true "born-again" Christians without error. Just because a person makes the necessary profession to be classified doesn't mean he or she really is. The authors say that two out of every five adults nationwide qualifies as being "born again." Really? Forty percent of adult Americans are born again? What the authors miss is that behavior is a better identifier of regeneration. Of course, only God knows those who are truly his, but the Bible says we are to inspect the "fruit" of people's lives in discerning those who are truly born-again (1 John 3:10). I do not deny that true believers are often guilty of the accusations leveled at them in this book by non-Christians. But I do think that Christianity gets much of its bad reputation from those who are not truly born again. So I'm afraid the research for this book is skewed.
  Nevertheless, the damage is done to the Christian reputation, even if the guilty party are those who profess to be Christians but truly are not. Keeping that in mind, this book does offer some helpful advice for Christians who truly desire to convey to "outsiders" what it means to be Christian. I give this book 4 stars.
  
  
• Worth your time.
  By A24AQQVUGDMBS9 on 2007-10-07
  One thing that's always been a little challenging for me is when christians are portrayed poorly on tv and film. I love it when it's funny (think Owen Wilson in Meet the Parents). But, when it's just harsh and cynical, it kind of bugs me because it doesn't seem to accurately reflect the genuine people I know who are investing their lives following Jesus.
  
  That said though, there are some equally genuine people, who I love dearly and are not christians, who really do have some harsh and cynical views of us. And, I've been thinking lately that it might be a good idea for all of us christians to take some time and consider what they're perceiving. Who knows? We might just learn something important.
  
  If you want to get an objective read on what people think about christians and why it matters, please go get David Kinnaman's new book and give it a read. David Kinnaman is someone I trust deeply. His work is always well researched, well written, fair and honest.
  
  I think any thoughtful person would appreciate what he has to say.
  
  
  
• Bigotry is still bigotry
  By AFGYQ5FNX80CG on 2008-05-23
  
  This book started off good and provided new insights as to what the new generation of folks believe about religion and religious issues. Basically he says there are many legitimate reasons why the younger crowd is turned off by Christianity. In some respects, very interesting book.
  
  Why, then, did I not finish? Not only did he feel homosexuality is a sin, but his smugness comes through as he feels Christians need to take a more accepting of these poor "homosexuals". I almost threw up. Those church folks, who still believe it is a sin, will continue to see the young folks leave in droves. These people are perverting the teachings of the Bible to fit their own bigotry. They are no different from folks who waived the Bible in the air to defend slavery or to reject women's suffrage. That will not bring the younger crowd in.
  
  It is ironic. He is writing primarily to those conservative Christians to tell them what they can do to bring the younger generation back to church. As long as they have these outdated beliefs, such as homosexuality is a sin, they will not be able to reach the younger crowd. I couldn't even finish the book.
  As long as these Christians continue to believe homosexuality is a sin, they will be perceived as anti-gay.
  
  In the process of studying the views of the younger generation, he was able to break this generation into three parts: 1) a group that he calls "outsiders" are composed of atheists, agnostics, those belonging to another religion other than Christian (which he includes "Judism, Islam, Mormons and unchurched adults who are not born again Christians" in this group); 2) Mosiacs (those born between1984 and 2003) and Busters (those born between 1965 to 1983).
  
  Through his findings, he concluded that this group of people with 70% believe the Bible may not be completely accurate, but many do believe it has much good values which will help in their lives. Younger crowd seems to also believe that Jesus was not without sin and it is possible to have a meaningful life without "Jesus".
  
  Disdain for evangelicals is strong among this group. (I wonder why?) In fact only 2% see evangelicals in a positive light.
  
  The outsiders believe Christians are anti-gay (91%), judgmental (87%) and hypocritical (85%). Only a small percentage strongly believe that the labels "respect, love, hope, and trust" describe Christianity. Only a minority believe Christianity is genuine, or a religion that makes sense, or relevant to their lives. Most believe that modern Christianity no longer seems Christian".
  
  The author says the majority of these younger folks believe in marriage equality and allowing gays to adopt children.
  
  Even though the book itself was a disappointment, the hope is with the younger adults who tend to say no to bigotry and who have a different perspective on religious beliefs. There is hope.
  
  
  
• Does it matter?
  By A3GOH77QVD96HR on 2008-06-05
  I was very interested to read what this book was about. it didn't take long to find out though the author is a part of the Barna Research group, that he would rely on what the stats say. His target group was the Busters/Mosaics (18-29 yrs old). He used what they said about Christians and then pointed out that in order for Christians to reach this group they needed to make some changes. I kept thinking would Jesus change his message to reach a specific group? Jesus had a general message, but he also had a specific message as the need arose, the women at the well and the rich young ruler would be examples. No the gospel message is what it is, the Good News of Jesus Christ. People are going to accept it or reject it, not on our delivery, but on how the Spirit of God is moving in the life of the person receiving the message. Books like this tend to tell us in order to reach people today we need to change the message so it is acceptable, would the Apostle Paul agree? I don't think so. If this book is right in one area, it's that Western Culture does think it has a corner of the market on the truth. Ask a persecuted Chinese, or Muslin Christian if they wonder what a 18-29 year old thinks about them, and they will say no. The important thing is that the gospel message is being delivered every where. We need to stop walking on egg shells around people and preach the gospel!
  
  
• WOW!!! It's About Time!!!!
  By AEGFJ9H03EJQB on 2007-10-21
  This book is what I have felt needed to be said for so long. Wow! Some one was finally able to find a publisher to do it!! Praise God!!!
  There is a tremendous lack of love in the Church and what sums up everything in the Bible? Love. "Love does no harm to anyone so love fulfills all of God's requirements."Romans 13:10. If we do all these things and have not love it profits us nothing. Why do you think this book had to be written? Because a lack of love in the Church, plain and simple. Read this book and change, have a genuine change in the Church!!!
  God bless these people and their book!!!!
  
  
• Note to author: Your readers are not all idiots! Why treat us all like ones?
  By A15KQD8ZPQ5943 on 2007-11-02
  I found this book at the library, in the "banned books" bin which apparently was not where it actually belongs. Nobody has tried to "ban" this book.
  
  The book's chief review, from the publisher, states "Lyons had a gut-level sense that something was desperately wrong" with regard to how young people see Christianity. Unfortunately, the young people surveyed see Christianity all too clearly for what it is--- out-dated, obsolete, and counter-survival.
  
  The book's chief premise, as far as I can make out, is that modern Christian cults do not portray Christianity as the "original" Christian cult does.... and that that is a problem. The author spent much space in the book trying to explain why he believes that is a problem, though much of his excuses are special pleading that is not convincing: they are "problems" because he says so, while falsely linking effects to causes that do not belong.
  
  Population studies regarding crime and religosity throughout the industrialized world show a direct correlation: the more secular a population, the less criminal it is. Young people seeing religion in general, and the Christian cult in particular, for what it is is a GOOD thing--- not a problem.
  
  Some of the book makes no rational sense at all. The author assumes a conclusion ("Christianity is good / the rejection of Christianity is bag") and then attempted to find evidence for his conclusion. This is why I found his book to be very insulting: it assumes the reader is an idiot.
  
  
  
• View from Outside
  By A3GSPI69JGM5W9 on 2007-12-12
  As an outsider, I must say "well done." This book was very interesting and informative. I believe that the authors have come to terms with many of the problems popularly associated with modern Christianity in America. From my perspective the problem is the stereotypes addressed in this book are not true of rank-and-file Christians, but are true of the most conspicuous, visible, and vocal members of their faith.
  
  I have learned some things. I selected this book because I wanted to understand the phenomenon of religion in the world around me. In particular, I was interested in the phenomenon that is Christianity in the United States today. As the authors correctly recognized, outsiders in America are generally well-educated on the basics of Christian doctrine and the claims of the Christian faith. Still, I understand where Christians are coming from when I did not before.
  
  It appears that the word "Christian" is not of much use in predicting what attitudes a person will have. Eighty five percent of Americans self-identify as Christian. What that 85% of Americans mean by the term varies widely. This helps me to understand how Christians can claim on the one hand that this is a Christian nation and that they should be entitled to have the state acknowledge their supremacy, while at the same time they complain of being a beleaguered and disfavored minority. I used to think it was mere convenience. It is much more than that. There appears to be a minority within Christianity which does not accept the majority's claim to be members of their faith.
  
  I was not surprised to learn that "the lifestyle activities of born-again Christians were statistically equivalent to those of non--born-agains." Page 47. That is consistent with my experience as well.
  
  I would be happy to learn that many of your the Christian faith are reading this book. It is very informative for people outside their tradition as well. To me this book is not a call to action but it gives me some insight. To members of the Christian faith, this book should be a call to action.
  
  JG
  
  
  
• How many ways can you say hypocrite?
  By AA0VVVN6XPQ96 on 2008-05-04
  In recent years the Barna Group has been focusing on the failures, rather than the success of Christianity. It wasn't bad enough when George claimed that no spiritual transformation at all is occurring in the brick-and-mortar traditional church. Now the new president of his organization reiterates that position by basically saying that the Christian church is a hotbed of hypocrisy that is turning off enthusiastic young converts and supporters.
  
  What else is new? What do you expect from a generation growing up on Mario Brothers and Grand Theft Auto that only learns to communicate via text messaging?
  
  Discipleship is based on discipline. And that is the one thing sorely lacking in our Christian lives today. It is the fallacy of attempting the mass marketing of the pretense that to be a Christian all you have to do is try to be a nicer person and send in your tithe check that is tragically transparent to a youth culture that has grown up having to sort out truth from the hype and pitch of deceptive advertising.
  
  Ironically, the Bible says it all: "You must be born again." "The old has gone, the new has come." The big lie of the postmodern church is that conversion from unrighteous living to righteous living is a lifelong process, but the Bible clearly says it is a complete rebirth and an instantaneous happening: either you walk as Christ walked or you walk like the other guy. It does not say "Try to be perfect", but it says point-blank, "Be as perfect as your Heavenly Father." The Old Testament makes it very clear. Only one person every 500 years or so makes it to perfection, and it takes 144,000 of these perfect ones before Christ can return. So the only really redeeming value of this book is that it clearly documents, using statistical research, what is really obvious to the rest of us: "our righteousness is like filthy rags", just as the Bible says. This book is dull, statistical, and redundant. Kinnaman needs to stick with research and leave the writing to the writers...
  
  
• We're still doing it...
  By A1KRX8UTNQ6UOZ on 2008-08-02
  Yet another book trying to keep the focus on man instead of God. We have a book at the house from the 1940s (yes, the 1940s) calling the Church to see the danger of our man-centered Gospel.
  
  It isn't about us or what the public thinks of us, it's about God. If we're a surrendered people and our desire is to point all people to Him, as Jesus said, "If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me", then we should expect the masses to reject us. Jesus said the majority would reject Christianity; He said the way was wide that leads to destruction, and narrow that leads to life.
  
  Jesus never chased after anyone. He told it like it was. He's a God of Love, but also a God of Truth, and we will all face Him someday.
  
  The very first word He preached was, "Repent". This will never be popular with people who want God on their terms.
  
  Should the Church change it's message? Only if it is preaching anything other than "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand...". Should the Church change it's focus? Yes, back on God where it belongs. Should the Church change it's approach? Yes; we need to get out of the brick and mortar building and live it out on the streets.
  
  Jesus taught the truth in love because He cared where the "sheep without a shepherd" were headed. To the woman at the well, He, without any reservations or hesitation, told her that she was living with someone who wasn't her husband, which she knew was wrong. He didn't condemn her, but reminded her that she was headed in the wrong direction and started sharing God's truth with her. That's the Gospel, folks.
  
  It isn't an "us against them" mentality. It is a "I do what I see My Father doing" mentality that we need to foster in God's people, and send them out on the streets where the people are. We need to be lighthouses pointing people to God, not to religion.
  
  The real book that needs to be written is: Are we willing to count the cost? Are Christians willing to give up their lives like our Example did to reach the world for God? Expect rejection and persecution. It comes with the territory. Jesus was the most humble, loving, person alive, but he also drove the money-changers out of the temple with a whip, because He loved His father first. (There's a reason why the first 4 commandments are the first 4, did you realize that?) It cost Him his life, of course. Are we willing to count that cost, ourselves?
  
  
  
  
• Didn't Read It
  By A2W3URIHCDUGDL on 2008-08-18
  I agree that the church has to change but can someone please tell me why we (the church) should go to the "world" and ask the "world" what the church of Jesus Christ should look like?
  
  
• Evangelical Leaders Must Read This
  By A1UASZVUWBUY45 on 2008-05-21
  If the research presented in this book is anywhere close to accurate then evangelical leaders must, absolutely must, take a long, hard look in the mirror. If we had set out to look as bad as possible in the eyes of our non-believing neighbors, I don't know that we could have achieved a favorability rating of 3%. 97 out of 100 of our neighbors between the ages of 16 and 29 believe that we're either harmless or harmful.
  
  It is clear to me that there are serious, serious flaws in the way we've been "doing ministry." The fruit of our efforts -- usually heartfelt, passionate, and often well-resourced -- is that of the 85% of our young neighbors who know someone who claims to follow Christ, 85% of them see no difference at all in the way their Christian friends live.
  
  This not a perfect book; if I could give 4 1/2 stars I would on account of the research methodology. I have concerns about the ways Barna and his organization delineate evangelicals and born-agains, and though I'm not a sociologist I know enough about survey research to believe that better metrics could be created than the already very good ones currently on offer.
  
  So there is ample fodder for quibbling if anybody wants to do that. But to indulge in such sniping around the edges would be to avoid dealing with the very hard facts presented in this book.
  
  Read it, and weep. And then pray and fast and study and work to figure out what 21st century evangelicalism ought to look like. As good as the 20th century version may look to some of us...well, it's not about us, is it?
  
  
• Ok read, but examination of youth culture needs to follow this book!
  By A3CFBDIKSJNYFE on 2008-08-13
  While the information is definitely useful, Kinnaman's research of a younger generation's perception of Christianity clearly has its flaws. Sure, young people today see "Christians" as hypocrites, too political, anti-homosexual and judgmental and there is a lot that Christians and the church can learn from these assessments and opinions. But Kinnaman never turns to look at his own generations and their blurred vision of reality in the first place - the generation that chooses loyalty to their tribe over truth, or tolerates any and all lifestyle choices as legitimate - Kinnaman needs to follow up unChristian with a book written to his generation addressing their own messed up perspective on the world!
  
  
• Hope for a New Generation
  By A1X8JXBG75U0M3 on 2007-11-16
  
  
  If you're a Christian and ever wondered about the perceptions people hold about your faith, you need to read this book. After three years of research, David and Gabe have discovered six areas of skepticsm that those outside the faith have of Christians. These "outsiders" think we're too hypocritical; insincere in our evangelism efforts; antihomosexual; sheltered and out of touch; judgmental; and too political. As I read this book, I had to honestly look at my own life and ask how I've been interacting with the people in my relational world. Am I contributing towards these negative perceptions in any way?
  
  One of my favorite quotes in the book is, "We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for." That line alone will keep you up at night as you wrestle with the ways you represent Christ to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.
  
  Although the findings are eye-opening, it's just what the Christian community needs--a wake-up call for all of us to be more intentional and committed ambassadors for Christ to a generation in desperate need of God's love. The good news is that it's not too late. We have an opportunity to help change the perceptions, one life at a time. A revolution is in the making and I, for one, want to be a part of it.
  
  This book is a must read for every serious Christ follower and will be talked about for years to come. My thanks to David and Gabe for bringing the tough, but very real, issues out into the open and offering us hope and solutions for lasting change.
  
  
  
• Great Insights and Suggestions
  By A3VO8VAJEA61YY on 2007-11-19
  This really is a great read. It doesn't overwhelm you with too many stats, while at the same time giving you helpful information you can use. It really is a gut check on where you are as a beleiver and where your church is in relation to your community. Like I said, it is a great read.
  
  
• Belaboring the obvious...
  By A3VMZKGJIEN2ZG on 2008-03-19
  Most thoughtful Christians (unChristians?) are aware of the problems; I was looking for some decent courses of action aimed at correcting them. Not here.
  
  
• A Must Read
  By A15CANTMBHD8RT on 2008-04-05
  UNChristian is a must read for anyone who is concerned about the relevancy of the Evangelical Christian faith to the younger generations. More than just exposing the serious perception problems, UNChristian offers alternative perspectives and responses that are meaningful and helpful. UNChristian is also easy to read in a few sittings.
  
  
• that explains it
  By AQLOL3N8SQT9B on 2008-06-03
  this book was disturbing enough to spark a fire in me and my church. we recently completed a series called "unchristian" based on the discoveries of the barna group presented in this book. with ammunition to find out if this was true locally, i went to atlanta with a video camera and a microphone. amazingly, all the people we interviewed shared the same opinions as those presented in the book. this book accurately depicts the viewpoint of those on the outside looking in. i highly recommend all Christians and all pastors read this book. it will challenge the modern church to change methodology without compromising the message of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom!
  
  
• A "must read"
  By A3QBQCC199BZ50 on 2007-11-25
  I found the information from this book very eye opening and also practical in understanding what the 19-29 yr. old generation may be experiencing - as well as our children who are in the same age group. I appreciated the fact that this is not a "Christian bashing" book, nor does the author suggest or imply compromising the gospel for the sake of relating with a culture or generation. I suggested the book to two older adult Christians we know personally. Unfortunately they were not open to reading it based on the title, assuming that it would speak poorly about Christians and give a bad image of us. Case-in-point from the book data, I guess...
  
  
• Loved this book!
  By A1HEZAQNUVRDOG on 2007-12-03
  This is one of the most thought provoking Christian books I have read. It is well written, insightful and life changing. It is a book every Christian should read.
  
  
• Painfully Powerful
  By A2AGRPD2V82FF5 on 2007-12-28
  Truth Hurts especially when its about those of us who believe we hold the truth.
  We had better change or die.
  
  
• An Important Work
  By A2G8SQ3HEX01MF on 2008-03-17
  Being creative takes courage, both in the act and in navigating the consequences generated by creativity. So David Kinnaman's ability to convert a pile of statistics into potential - potential to change a person's perspective and, thus, to change their life - is, in my view, nothing short of a corageous work of art.
  
  To call this book "art" will undoubtedly be dismissed as gross overstatement. No matter, because the potential described in these pages offers promise to those of us deeply wounded (and in many cases irrevocably harmed) by the unChristianity that has infected our lives.
  
  The author has woven what are essentially damning stats into a tapestry accessible to every level of reader and every relevant point of view held. The information presented is practical and extremely useful for all sides because of its open and honest nature. And Kinnaman weaves with a non-judgemental humility rarely seen in my experience. He could have undermined the results or come down hard on the Christian community; he did neither. His capacity for compassion resonates across every page. And he does something that brings an even greater credibility to this work: he invites other thoughtful and humble individuals like Jud Wilhite, Margaret Feinberg and Leroy Barber to address the issues that have eternal consequences for saint and sinner(if you're someone who believes Christianity is truth).
  
  One of the most important consequences of this book is its promise of restoration. I don't necessarily mean a return to Christianity by people like me, but a return to Christ-likeness by those who call themselves "Christian." The author and contributors all display a measure of courage that gives me the courage to risk faith in followers of Jesus. And I am humbled, the edge taken off my anger, disappointment and strong sense of betrayal.
  
  Perhaps, after witnessing this Christ-likeness in action, I'll find reason to forgive, having been led to that forgiveness by fellow human beings not bent on my return to Jesus - but interested in my heart, my mind, my ideas, hopes, and dreams. In other words, someone interested in friendship.
  
  For your art, Mr. Kinnaman, I am grateful.
  
  
  
  
• Read it and I Still Hate the Christians
  By A2MGJ2LB5ZJ7E on 2008-07-25
  I was force fed Chistianity for the first 16 years of my life. I'm still trying to shake off the horrors to this day. I read this book thinking I would at last find a way to forgive the church for the way it treated me and the damage it did to me all those years ago. I found myself becoming only angrier. I read this book and I still hate the Christians..perhaps even more. I'm sure that many agnostics and atheists aka thinking people may have come to their non-belief due to the way they were treated in the church as a child. The nonsense, the fears, the silly doctrine, the lies. I am one of those people. Christopher Hitchens makes more and more sense each day. Lewis Black said it best during his "Red, White and Screwed" routine. "God is a prick!"
  
  

• They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations
• The Shack
• Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope
• Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
• Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples