This book took a while for me to get through because I wanted to kind of sit with the info presented and absorb it into my thinking and understanding. I’m a guy who was raised in the Christian faith and has been part of a church from my earliest memories. I’ve wrestled time and again with living in an isolated Christian sub-culture that is very disconnected to the ‘real’ world. I’ve been guilty of being many of the stereotypes detailed in this book. It’s been a process for me to try and get away from goofy thinking and unrealistic perceptions of what my life looks like and how I actually connect with the world around me.
I was impressed with the way the author’s were able to present research based information and extrapolate the message into an accessible discussion. A conversation looking at the actual perceptions people have of Christianity in America. The heart of the message here is absolutely convicting, while hopeful. Many people (while calling themselves Christians) haven’t done any favors to the ‘brand’ or perception of what Christianity actually represents. The book suggests that if we begin to live like Christ and genuinely love people who don’t exclusively reside inside the Christian culture, we can change the negative image some people have.
I think that God followers who are really interested in loving people the way Jesus modeled for us should give this book a read. It could also be good for people who are steeped in the Christian sub-culture; helping us get an accurate sense of how people on the outside of our faith really perceive us and how we might consider changing the way we view them and the lives they lead.
I’m busy evaluating and changing many of the ways I was taught to judge and keep myself separated from “the world.â€Â I’m hopeful that I can genuinely love people for who they are…even within and through our differences.
Publisher’s Info:
The New Testament writer Paul told the first-century Christians: “You yourselves are our letter . . . known and read by everybody.”
When a person “reads” your life, what does it say? What does your faith look like to outsiders?
A major new research project, unveiled for the first time in this book, describes the increasingly negative reputation of Christians, especially among young Americans.
The research shows that Christians are best known for what they are against. They are perceived as being judgmental, antihomosexual, and too political. And young people are quick to point out they believe that Christianity is no longer as Jesus intended. It is unChristian.
It shouldn’t be this way.
What Christians believe may not be popular, but Paul also advised the first believers to “live wisely among those who are not Christians” and to “let your conversation be gracious and effective.”
In this eye-opening book, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons–along with more than two dozen leading voices within Christianity–unpack the major criticisms leveled against Christians. Understand why those negative images exist and how you can best represent Jesus to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
Your life is an open book. Is it unChristian?
I read through something the other day that has gone and got itself stuck in my head. Â The essence of what I read was this: when you have absolute certainty, you don’t need faith because you have knowledge. Â Faith is only necessary when the outcome is in question…when doubt is present. Â Doubt seems to be an essential element of faith and the two kind of work hand-in-hand.
