unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
By:
David Kinnaman Gabe Lyons
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Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5
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.
Publisher: Baker Books
Customer Review: 4 out of 5
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.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
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
Customer Review: 2 out of 5
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.
Customer Review: 4 out of 5
For the book, "Unchristian" - This is a powerful book meant to educate those of us looking to help Christians evangelize in a more positive and meaningful way.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Thought-provoking - Unchristian is a thought-provoking, valuable,intelligent, must-read for those Christians who have been in the church for a long time, in particular. I highly recommend it.
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