David Kinnaman. Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, October 1st, 2007. 255 pp.
When I first picked up this book I wasn’t sure what the direction of the book would be. Was this going to be another book from a Millennial who was going to compromise the Christian faith while it talks about statistics that demonstrate that Christianity has a PR problem today? Was this going to be written from the perspective of being man-centerd in which the author was going to address problems with some kind of pragmatic gimmick instead of a solution that was biblically driven? I must say that I was glad to see that the author lived up to being an Evangelical and even said in the book that one cannot compromise clear biblical conviction. I would also say that at times the solutions he proposes is very good and something I resonate strongly with especially his discussion about the need to genuinely love the non-Christian and homosexuals and also for Christians to start living like Christians in light of God’s grace. Even at times when I disagree with him as to what is the main problem I do think his exhortation is edifying.
What the author has found in his studies and surveys is disturbing and some of it cannot be brushed aside. What stood out strongly for me was his analysis of surveys from Christians themselves and how it reveal that Christians can be just like the World and at times be hypocritical. I expect non-Christians to get Christians and Christianity wrong. But to see some of the sad state of affairs from studies directly surveying Christians really made things sobering.
I want to re-iterate again that this book stood out to me as being different than some of the literatures out there (book and non-book forms) which would use such data to call for Christians to forsake biblical truths, with the familiar theological liberal mantra “the Church must change from it’s biblical ways, or die from being no longer relevant.” I think even if you disagree with the book there is lots to learn from it and I don’t want to take away from this even as I share some of my disagreements with the book in this review.
The author argues that part of the Christian public perceptions problem is that Christians today are too political, anti-homosexual and judgmental. Often these three complaints come together as a package when it comes to Christians being conservative on social issues. It’s not that the book argues these aren’t important but the book expressed that Christians have become too focused upon these issues. The author believes that this bad public perception of Christianity would end up hurting Evangelicalism in the long run and ultimately turn people away from Christianity. However is this the case? While the book was published in 2007 there have been other studies and newer studies since that puts some holes to the authors’ thesis.
First off studies have revealed that Conservative Christians are not concerned with only single issues or merely political social issues. Christians actually give more money and time for other causes more than they do to the social issues that are politically divisive. Arthur C. Brooks argues that studies have revealed how the factor of being more conservative, religious, and less reliant on the government result in higher rates of giving time and money to both religious and secular cause in his book “Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism.” In fact, in a May 2015 commentary titled “On conservative religious activism, the numbers speak for themselves” Rob Schwarzwalder and Pat Fagan presents presuasive evidence that Evangelical Conservative Christians has done more for the poor and the needy in proportion to social conservative issues. The good works of Biblical Christians in the areas that non-Christians can agree with is still a strong testimony in light of these findings!
Secondly studies reveal the opposite direction of trajectory than the ones the author predicted concerning Conservative Evangelicals. According to the book one shouldn’t expect Conservative Evangelicals to make any gains while the more liberal mainline denominations would in light of their stance on social issues. We see instead the opposite according to a much publicize Pew Forum report in May 2015. To quote the study directly, “The evangelical Protestant tradition is the only major Christian group in the survey that has gained more members than it has lost through religious switching.”
While the book is not without it’s problem I do think it is still helpful to critically read it.
Purchase: Amazon
Good summary.
While I do see Christians today being less judgmental and more accepting of homosexuality, this is also a prominent social trend. The Bible, particularly the epistles of Paul and several passages in the OT, are clearly anti-homosexual.
I doubt the trend we see today has much to do with the Bible and much more to do with the more enlightened attitudes of “The World.”
Thanks for the review SJ. Lord bless.
You’re welcome
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging and commented:
Thanks for your review Pastor Jim!
You’re welcome Vincent! Thanks for sharing this
My pleasure Pastor Jim!
Not sure if this comment posted already but my computer messed up:
This was actually a pretty formative book for me when I read it some time ago (6+ years?). I remember finishing the book and feling supercharged to try to spread the truth of Christianity in a winsome manner. And quite seriously minutes after I finished and felt this supercharge of missional energy, a man showed up at the door of the house I was staying at at the time (a pastor’s house) and said he needed spiritual help. He entered the house right when I cracked open the door and kept saying he needed prayers.
I prayed with him and then thought he was going to leave, but he would not. He kept looking at the cat and saying he wouldn’t hurt a cat, and that he’d tried to kill himself a couple times that night by speeding and going through stop signs. I kept a short distance between he and I because he seemed clearly disturbed in some way.
Finally he did leave, answering the prayer I was saying over and over in my mind to God to protect me. I called the police but nothing ever came of it that I know of.
I’m still not sure how or why that happened, and I’m hoping I made an impact, but I don’t think I’ll know until the hereafter.
But I can’t help but think on it once in a while and wonder if what I did made a difference; if somehow that was God leading someone who needed help to where they needed to be.
Anyway, liked the review and I think I recall thinking along the same lines of critique here and there as well. Thanks for posting!
Wow neat to hear this back story J.W. I am glad the Lord use the book
[…] Review: Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity… and Why it Mattes…– This is a book I really enjoyed, though I share some of the concerns raised in this review. It’s worth reading the review to get an overview of the book’s content and some of the issues it raises. If I may be permitted a somewhat brief story here: […]
Thanks for sharing this
I think that Christians should try stay out of politics & getting involved in passing opinions & judgments on social issues. You only have to look at the raging arguments that go on in the comment section of Youtube videos that deal with controversial subjects where Christians try to force their opinions on others. Jesus said his followers were to be no part of the world & I guess it just irks me when I see Christians getting involved with debates about issues such as the gay marriage issue as a current example. We know the Bible’s standards of morality & as Christ’s followers it is up to US to try & live by them in OUR personal lives. But should we really expect non-believers to be expected to follow the Bible’s standard on morality? As soon as we start pushing Bible viewpoints of morality on non-believers, like it or not, we are being judgmental by expecting them to accept a standard of conduct of which they don’t believe in. I remember a fellow Christian giving me advice many years ago when I was getting all riled up about some issue that was going on at the time. He said that as Christians we should just be concerned with leading people to Jesus & then let Him by means of the Holy Spirit bring about the changes in a person’s life & attitudes rather than trying to force change upon them ourselves. That was when I was in my mid 20’s & I’m now 54 but I’ve always remembered his wise words.
I agree with you the Gospel comes first. We must never forget that. however I also think there is a role for speaking up against what is evil. I do see there is a role for speaking against what is wrong as Christians (which also allow us to point to Jesus Christ as the Savior since we all fall short).
Proverbs 31:8-9 comes to mind:
“8 Open your mouth for the mute,
For the [e]rights of all the [f]unfortunate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And [g]defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”
I think of John the Baptists and the Prophets were examples of that when they even address kings and those in authority.
I think we must never push a mere political agenda, mere moralism is dangerous. I think there is a place to stand for what is right and also give the Gospel hope.
What do you think?
You raise some good points Jim. I think it is a fine line to walk between speaking out in a way that draws attention to wrongdoing with a view of helping people to hear & understand the Gospel & getting into a defensive argumentative situation that comes across as judgmental. As soon as we reach the latter point sound reasoning ability is lost & it’s unlikely that a person will then consider what we have to say. Once you reach the point of arguing people suddenly put up their defensive barriers & sensible discussion goes out the window. I heard in a talk at a local church recently where the speaker highlighted the acronym FLUTE. Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance & Empathy. He said that if we as Christians could apply these qualities then we would let the love of Christ shine through for others to see.
I appreciate that distinction. I think truly loving someone makes the difference and people can tell. There’s no faking love. I believe we must truly love all sinners we witness to. I think lots of times it has gotten me out of “trouble” or not have things escalate. But at the same time I’m not naive to realize that Jesus who is full of love and truth was still rejected and crucified. But we must never let that be an excuse from not loving those we are witnessing to. Thanks brother!
[…] Review: Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters by … […]
Yes! There is a great need for “Christians to start living like Christians.” Our worldliness clothed in a distorted spirituality is a turn off to many. https://spurgeonwarquotes.wordpress.com/
Amen