unChristian is the second Barna Group book that I’ve read in the last few months, it’s been sitting on my bookshelf for a while now, and since it was mailed to me for free a number of months ago I thought I’d write a bit of a review from my reading.
The book, written by David Kinnaman (Barna Group) and Gabe Lyons (The Fermi Project) is the result of a number of studies interviewing young (American) adults from the age of 16 through to 29 commissioned by The Fermi Project and conducted by The Barna Group. The research was attempting to find out what these age groups thought of the Church and of Christianity, registering their impressions, thoughts and experiences of Christianity.
The title of the book, unChristian is therefore a reference to these impressions, not a reference to those who were interviewed. The authors would contend that Christianity has, in many ways become, and is definitely seen by this demographic as un-Christian, something that does not reflect it’s own subscribed practices and beliefs, and definitely something that is either anti, or at the very least does not reflect the practices and teachings of Jesus.
The book is sectioned into a number of chapters, each chapter dealing with one of the top perceptions raised by the study and then, after reflecting on the perception the authors offer an alternative to that perception that could/should be aimed for by those who would call themselves Christian. These perceptions and alternative perceptions are:
Perception: Christians say one thing but live something entirely different
New Perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.
Perception: Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting others.
New Perception: Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.
Perception: Christians show contempt for gays and lesbians.
New Perception: Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of their lifestyle.
Perception: Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality.
New Perception: Christians are engaged, informed, and offer sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
Perception: Christians are primarily motivated by a political agenda and promote right-wing politics.
New Perception: Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex issues.
Perception: Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others.
New Perception: Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.
I don’t want to harp on about the book much more, instead, as an outsider – I’m definitely not American, and do not see myself to be a participant in either of the camps that the authors seem to be conversing with, (being either “born again” or evangelical) I wanted to add a couple of reflections.
First of all, if you’re not American, don’t bother about reading the book, it’s full of American culture, reflections, political references and definitions of faith. The book also is a study of a demographic that is American, the studies were not based in the UK, or Australia, or for that matter anywhere else, so the interviews, results and stories will not be accurate to your situation. Yes, I read it, but the reality from the first chapter for me was that it was describing a completely alien culture to that which I’m a part of and familiar with.
Secondly, if you wanted to know what this demographic really thinks about Christianity do you need a book to find that out? I mean, seriously, get out of your own bubble and do your own “research” but instead call it “conversation.” It’s not hard for me to tell you what young adults in that demographic around me really think about Christianity because I know a lot of them, it’s not hard, and if you go into the conversation really interested and truly and honestly wanting to hear their voices and stories (and not in order so you can know how to convert them next week) then you may find a number of new friends and stories that can continue to be a part of your own growth and story. The sad reality that this book is needed at all is a bit concerning, Christians obviously don’t know what others are thinking, hence all the reviews out there saying “wow, this is really raw and challenging stuff.”
Thirdly and finally, one of the great disappointments I’ve had in reading the Barna Group books has been the level of theological reflection that ties the book together and that helps the author move from the perception at hand and the alternative that the authors propose would be better. It seems that they’re trying to develop an idea about an alternative perception without really providing me with a reason as to why the alternative is any better, instead, it’s more like “this seems like a nicer idea.” I wanted the authors to go deeper into the stories and perceptions and, after a while I wanted to be able to ignore the alternative ideas, sure, that could have left the American readers a lot more depressed, but possibly with a better read. Had the book continued to delve into the alternative models it would have helped to have invited in a better theological partner in order to help develop the themes and possibilities. Chapters on sexuality, politics, pride (as well as the others) were not dealt with to my satisfaction, the stories shared by the young adults were real, while I found the resulting “alternatives” to not be that “alternative” at all, and actually a little more the same old reaction that’s lead to these impressions in the first place.
To be fair, I write this review as a 30-something year old Australian Youth Worker, living in rural Australia, working within the Uniting Church in Australia and I’d like to think that most of my readers (if I still have them after this length of time) would be from Australia. This book was not written for me, and that’s why I found it a hard, and relatively bland read, if you’re an evangelical American wanting to know what the other side really think of your faith system (and don’t feel the need to actually leave the living room) then this book is probably more suited to you.
Sorry, that was a fairly negative review wasn’t it?
I think I should write a more positive review before I look at the other book from the Barna Group that I finished a while back…
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