Customer Reviews
Thorough study on what why non-christians are staying right where they are... 
2008-05-27
This study is extremely comprehensive and yet the facts and statistics are so compelling that it doesn't drag down the text into monotany at all. If you are unsure about how to evangelize or what you might be up against when taking on the "great commission" this is a must read. Everyone who is leading people in the church should know the truth about how they are being percieved from the outside and re-position themselves with the knowledge that will enable you to move forward through this generation of skeptics and moral relativists. Have fun reading and implementing programs that will help your outreach to become more effective!
Bigotry is still bigotry 
2008-05-23
This book started off good and provided new insights as to what the new generation of folks believe about religion and religious issues. Basically he says there are many legitimate reasons why the younger crowd is turned off by Christianity. In some respects, very interesting book.
Why, then, did I not finish? Not only did he feel homosexuality is a sin, but his smugness comes through as he feels Christians need to take a more accepting of these poor "homosexuals". I almost threw up. Those church folks, who still believe it is a sin, will continue to see the young folks leave in droves. These people are perverting the teachings of the Bible to fit their own bigotry. They are no different from folks who waived the Bible in the air to defend slavery or to reject women's suffrage. That will not bring the younger crowd in.
It is ironic. He is writing primarily to those conservative Christians to tell them what they can do to bring the younger generation back to church. As long as they have these outdated beliefs, such as homosexuality is a sin, they will not be able to reach the younger crowd. I couldn't even finish the book.
As long as these Christians continue to believe homosexuality is a sin, they will be perceived as anti-gay.
In the process of studying the views of the younger generation, he was able to break this generation into three parts: 1) a group that he calls "outsiders" are composed of atheists, agnostics, those belonging to another religion other than Christian (which he includes "Judism, Islam, Mormons and unchurched adults who are not born again Christians" in this group); 2) Mosiacs (those born between1984 and 2003) and Busters (those born between 1965 to 1983).
Through his findings, he concluded that this group of people with 70% believe the Bible may not be completely accurate, but many do believe it has much good values which will help in their lives. Younger crowd seems to also believe that Jesus was not without sin and it is possible to have a meaningful life without "Jesus".
Disdain for evangelicals is strong among this group. (I wonder why?) In fact only 2% see evangelicals in a positive light.
The outsiders believe Christians are anti-gay (91%), judgmental (87%) and hypocritical (85%). Only a small percentage strongly believe that the labels "respect, love, hope, and trust" describe Christianity. Only a minority believe Christianity is genuine, or a religion that makes sense, or relevant to their lives. Most believe that modern Christianity no longer seems Christian".
The author says the majority of these younger folks believe in marriage equality and allowing gays to adopt children.
Even though the book itself was a disappointment, the hope is with the younger adults who tend to say no to bigotry and who have a different perspective on religious beliefs. There is hope.
Evangelical Leaders Must Read This 
2008-05-21
If the research presented in this book is anywhere close to accurate then evangelical leaders must, absolutely must, take a long, hard look in the mirror. If we had set out to look as bad as possible in the eyes of our non-believing neighbors, I don't know that we could have achieved a favorability rating of 3%. 97 out of 100 of our neighbors between the ages of 16 and 29 believe that we're either harmless or harmful.
It is clear to me that there are serious, serious flaws in the way we've been "doing ministry." The fruit of our efforts -- usually heartfelt, passionate, and often well-resourced -- is that of the 85% of our young neighbors who know someone who claims to follow Christ, 85% of them see no difference at all in the way their Christian friends live.
This not a perfect book; if I could give 4 1/2 stars I would on account of the research methodology. I have concerns about the ways Barna and his organization delineate evangelicals and born-agains, and though I'm not a sociologist I know enough about survey research to believe that better metrics could be created than the already very good ones currently on offer.
So there is ample fodder for quibbling if anybody wants to do that. But to indulge in such sniping around the edges would be to avoid dealing with the very hard facts presented in this book.
Read it, and weep. And then pray and fast and study and work to figure out what 21st century evangelicalism ought to look like. As good as the 20th century version may look to some of us...well, it's not about us, is it?
A Need is Needed 2008-05-15
What have we become? What have we done with our faith but trash it for political agendas and attempting to 'reclaim american for Christ"?! We have sadly became blinded, as "christians", by following and living by slogans that tickle the ear, instead of living and following Scriptures that convict the heart through our ears!
Jesus was a radical with His Message and rebel in His Ministry on earth. He felt our pain, He cried, He was hungry and homeless, He lived as we lived, so He may say in His own way, "I been there."
When will we realize that we no longer live out the commandments of Christ? When will we see that Webster's dictionary comes closer to defining the "Christian" better then our lives reveal. It was once said that if we want others to know what we believe, they should just watch how we live our lives.
We need to wake up people!!! We need to see that we fail Christ when falling for religion, what Christianity has become! It don't find how to live as a Christian should in Pat Robertson, or James Dobson, or any religious organization that represents only a bigger agenda of conforming minds by their words, instead of transforming hearts by The Word.
People, we need to wake up, and The UnChristian is just evidence of that need.
Great Experience 2008-05-15
unChristian is an in depth, world's view of Christianity. Or, rather, Christians themselves. As a Christian, it makes me look at myself in a more intense light. What do people see when they look at me? Is what I saying matching what I am doing? The research in this book tells it all! Read carefully, and be prepared to blow your mind!
unChristian: examining the world's objections 2008-07-01
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.
Shake off the Sand 2008-06-17
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.
Does it matter? 
2008-06-05
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!
Just a thought 2008-06-03
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.
that explains it 2008-06-03
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!
