unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman, Gabe Lyons
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.99 You Save: $8.00 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.97 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
Book Review: Does it matter?
Summary: 2 Stars
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! Book Review: Just a thought
Summary: 5 Stars
The previous reviews and the book express a theme very common in the New Testament. The description of the understanding of "christian" sounds an awful lot like the biblical description of the Pharisees.
Both Jesus and Paul were condemned by the religious people of their day for "not being Jewish enough" (by the understanding of the Jewish culture of their day). I would think that the non-religious people of the New Testament had the same opinions of the traditional religious people as are found in this book.
Perhaps this is not a new issue, but the same old issue: over time the traditional church drifts away from what God desires to do with people inside and outside of the faith. And the words of Jesus, then and now, are intended to bring them back into the purpose of God.
Book Review: that explains it
Summary: 4 Stars
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!Book Review: Thorough study on what why non-christians are staying right where they are...
Summary: 4 Stars
This study is extremely comprehensive and yet the facts and statistics are so compelling that it doesn't drag down the text into monotany at all. If you are unsure about how to evangelize or what you might be up against when taking on the "great commission" this is a must read. Everyone who is leading people in the church should know the truth about how they are being percieved from the outside and re-position themselves with the knowledge that will enable you to move forward through this generation of skeptics and moral relativists. Have fun reading and implementing programs that will help your outreach to become more effective!Book Review: Bigotry is still bigotry
Summary: 1 Stars
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.