unChristian (follow up post)

unChristian: What a new generation really thinks about Christianity…and why it matters?
By: Dave Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons

I finished this book recently and wanted to give a quick recap and recommendation.  Let me first make this disclaimer: do not read this book if you are easily offended or want to offer an explanation for everything!  I don’t remember where I first saw this book talked about, but the title really caught my attention and here are my thoughts after reading it.

The very title of this book is an excellent summary word for the entire point of the book.  The book is directed at informing Christians about the way the rest of the world (particularly the younger generation) views them: as unChristians. There is a common term used in the book that needs some explanation.  The authors use the term “outsider” to describe anyone who is: 1) not a believer in Christ and not in church 2) people who were once but are no longer connected to a church.  Outsiders are the mission field of the believer.  Everyone who is today a Christian, was once an outsider.  New believers in Jesus come from among the outsiders.  This book highlights some of the key perceptions outsiders have of Christianity – and many of them are quite disturbing.

The book gives in depth statistical data to show the grievances against Christians.   One of the more interesting points is the data showed that outsiders are not closed to off to Christ Himself, or to what they understand as His message.  They simply do not feel that Christians are representative of what Christ taught.  If reaching outsiders with the gospel is the goal, understanding what they believe and why they believe it is of paramount importance. The book examines a number of reasons for this drift.  Primarily they all surround a real or perceived lack of authenticity on the part of Christians.  This can be demonstrated through hypocritical behavior as well as through judgmental attitudes that do not reflect the love Jesus has for “whosoever”.  The challenge the book presents to believers in Jesus is one of great magnitude and importance.  We must change the perception by living our faith as Jesus did – with compassion.  We must connect with those we would minister to as Jesus did – through truth and grace.

Why should any of this matter?  There are those who certainly subscribe to the mindset that says the world will never understand Christians and that ‘the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing’.  However, Jesus set the example for each of us in how we are to reach outsiders.  Jesus met people where they were.  He met me where I was.  And if you’re reading this and you are not a believer, he will meet you where you are!  Jesus went to whatever lengths necessary to draw people to himself.  The people who got in the way during Jesus’ time were the “religious” elite!  Religion is still affecting the cause of Christ today.  Religion has caused Christianity to become unChristianity and this generation has to make a stand!  Hell is forever – and the mission has been entrusted to us.