unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman, Gabe Lyons
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Book Reviews of unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
Book Review: Depressing and Hopeful at the same time.
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is the fruit of a 3 year study of perceptions that those not it in the church have about Christians and the church. Simply put, Christianity has an image problem.
One surprise to the researchers was "many Christians have lost their heart for those outside the faith" (p.14). To me, that's a no brainer seen true by simple observation.
The title term "unChristian" takes it's clue from the most common reaction to our faith: "Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be" (p.15).
38% of those surveyed (2 out of 5) have had a "bad impression of Christianity" and 1/3 said that Christianity represents a negative image with which they would not want to be associated (p. 24).
Another lesson learned from the research is that "Christians have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for (26).
Inside each chapter is an analysis of the most common points of skepticism and objections to Christianity, and how the church can reshape the perception.
For example, the term "Sheltered." The perception is that "Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality." The solution is to reshape that perception as "engaged, informed, and offer sophisticated responses to the issues people face" (121).
But reshaping is not playing with semantics. The book is a call to action and provides practical steps and suggestions for pastors, church leadership, and lay people.
Book Review: A Must Read
Summary: 4 Stars
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.Book Review: Heart breaker
Summary: 5 Stars
Hopefully if you read this book it will break your heart and ruin you. Sad but unfortunately trueBook Review: unchristian
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent resource and must read for any minister and lay person wanting to reach the current generation and build the future of the church. While some of the results will be hard to swallow, in reflection, they are true and the research is sound. We had a book discussion with twenty-five year olds and found the findings in the book supported.Book Review: Belaboring the obvious...
Summary: 2 Stars
Most thoughtful Christians (unChristians?) are aware of the problems; I was looking for some decent courses of action aimed at correcting them. Not here.