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Whistle Stopper - unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
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List Price: $17.99
Our Price: $11.07
Your Save: $ 6.92 ( 38% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Baker Books
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 277.3083
EAN: 9780801013003
ISBN: 0801013003
Label: Baker Books
Manufacturer: Baker Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2007-10-01
Publisher: Baker Books
Studio: Baker Books
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: unChristian: examining the world's objections
Comment: If Christians want fulfill the Great Commission and spread the Gospel throughout the "educated" world, then they must first understand what they're up against. This book explains why non-Christians are turned off to organized religion, and allows lay people to plan for and anticipate objections. It's also a wake-up call for pastors, elders and other church leadership to change -- or become less relevant in an increasingly secular society, whose images of church are formed by stereotypes perpetuated by the liberal left using their favorite tools: public schools, the media and socialistic government officials.
We can learn to uphold our values without judging others. The price of proselytizing is to separate the sin from the sinner and to accept the human condition, of which we are a part. Continued "holier-than-thou" attitudes only serve to push away potential believers. It also means recognizing that no matter how good we try to be, were it not for Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross, then all Christians would be considered hypocrites. Fortunately, our sins are remembered no more. This book reminds us not to be too smug about that fact.
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Summary: Shake off the Sand
Comment: This book is a call to an honest appraisal of the situation from the "Gallup" among Christians - the Barna Group. I am fascinated by research for what it can tell us, what it does not tell us, and the newly formed questions after reviewing what we have learned. While non-technical in its voice, this research-based book presents understandable information for the masses. The message, loud and clear, is that the way Christians see themselves and the way non-Christians see them are very different. It is time for such Christians to pull their heads out from under the sand and shake the sand out of their eyes, ears and mouths.
This undesirable "outsider" perception of Christians is far from what they are called to be by Christ. How Christians handle this will be the test. To argue that Christians are being perceived unfairly or inaccurately misses the book's point: that these realities are very real for non-Christians. Arguing from within the Christian perspective, Kinnaman calls for better listening, consideration and grace for outsiders of all stripes. A truer expression of Christ is the answer.
My only objection is the definition of "born-again Christian" (in the glossary) which focuses on "go[ing] to heaven when they die." While the book speaks of bringing heaven to earth, this definition may leave readers confused.
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Summary: Does it matter?
Comment: 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!
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Summary: Just a thought
Comment: 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.
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Summary: that explains it
Comment: 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!
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
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