Product Description

Based on groundbreaking Barna Group research, unChristian uncovers the negative perceptions young people have of Christianity and explores what can be done to reverse them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #780 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Kinnaman, president of the Barna Institute, was inspired to write this book when Lyons (of the Fermi Project) commissioned him to do extensive research on what young Americans think about Christianity. Lyons had a gut-level sense that something was desperately wrong, and three years of research paints exactly that picture. Mosaics and Busters (the generations that include late teens to early 30-somethings) believe Christians are judgmental, antihomosexual, hypocritical, too political and sheltered. Rather than simply try to do a PR face-lift, Kinnaman looks at ways in which churches' activities actually may have been unchristian and encourages a return to a more biblical Christianity, a faith that not only focuses on holiness but also loves, accepts and works to understand the world around it. It would be possible to get lost in the numbers, but the authors use numerous illustrations from their research and life experiences and include insights at the end of every chapter from Christian leaders like Charles Colson, John Stott, Brian McLaren and Jim Wallis. This is a wonderful, thoughtful book that conveys difficult truths in a spirit of humility. Every Christian should read this, and it will likely influence churches for years to come. (Oct.)
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Review
"This is a wonderful, thoughtful book that conveys difficult truths in a spirit of humility. Every Christian should read this, and it will likely influence the church for years to come."--Publisher's Weekly -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review

From the Inside Flap
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?

Customer Reviews

Informative and on the mark
I found the book to be quite interesting, with a lot of insight. My experience with young adults demonstrates that they do find Evangelical Christians first and foremost anti-gay, judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. I would argue that the perceptions of the last three points are a direct result of the first one (anti-gay). The recent Proposition 8 in California highlighted all four of these findings - the Proposition was a political effort directed at taking away the rights of gay people, in the guise of "defending marriage". But, divorce is the biggest violation of marriage, is explicitly condemned by Jesus (he doesn't discuss homosexuality), and it is a much more significant issue than homosexuality when the actual numbers of people impacted are examined. Much research shows that born-again Christians (specifically Evangelicals) have among the highest divorce rates in the country. Yet, there are no Propositions being put forth to ban divorce: hence the judgmental and hypocritical perceptions by today's youth who are fully aware of Jesus' comments (or lack of) on the two subjects.

It was fascinating to read this book along side Thou Shalt Not Love: What Evangelicals Really Say to Gays by anthropologist and gay Christian Patrick M. Chapman. While "unChristian" talks about the perceptions and provides commentary, Chapman's book provides example after example of exactly how Evangelical Christians are anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, and too political - and Chapman shows the seemingly deliberate misleading information, deception and sometimes what can seemingly only be described as lies some Evangelicals use when fighting the "gay agenda". It's no wonder that today's youth have a negative perception of Christianity. They all know gay people and their experiences with gay people do not line up with the invariably negative portrayal of gays put forth by many born-again Christians.

"UnChristian" is a good read and a necessary book at a time when Christianity is becoming much too political and less impacting of society.

unchristian
Anyone who is interested in understanding how Christianity is viewed today will find the book "unchristian" a must read. As the authors state "agree or not we must come to terms with their impressions." The impressions are complex and difficult to navigate, but this book will give any person who cares or dares an opportunity to understand. How has the message of God's grace become hidden to so many today? Start searching for the answers by reading "unchristian."
Rev. Gregory Douglass, a United Methodist pastor

Just Organizes Well What Most People Know
There really isn't any new content in this book for any Christian who has read Barna in the last few years. The value present is in the way the authors organize it. Kinnaman and Lyons describe in detail how most Christians today are perceived by society as hypocritical, hyper-evangelistic, anti-homosexual, sheltered, overly political and judgmental. They then offer a few concluding thoughts as to how to change the perception for the better.

For someone who has never read any recent works by George Barna, this title may be worth the price. Otherwise, I'd recommend skipping it or borrowing it from a friend.