Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity...and Why it Matters - Softcover

Kinnaman, David; Lyons, Gabe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801013003 ISBN 13: 9780801013003

Publisher: Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2007

Synopsis

The perceptions most nonbelievers have of Christianity are overwhelmingly negative. Through groundbreaking research conducted on 16- to 29-year-old non-Christians, David Kinnaman uncovers why these perceptions exist and what can be done to reverse them. Kinnaman urges readers to live lives that reflect the nature of Jesus Christ and the principles of the historic Christian faith. The authors also capture the thoughts of leading Christian leaders and clergy about the negative perceptions and what the church can do to change them.

About this title

About the Author

David Kinnaman is president of The Barna Group, which provides research and resources that facilitate spiritual transformation in people's lives. Since joining Barna in 1995, David has designed and analyzed nearly five hundred studies for a variety of churches, nonprofits, and corporations. He and George Barna write a free research report published online at www.barna.org. David and his wife Jill have three children and live in Ventura, California. Gabe Lyons founded Fermi Project, a broad collective of innovators, social entrepreneurs, and church and society leaders working together to make positive contributions to culture (www.fermiproject.com). Prior to Fermi Project, Gabe cofounded Catalyst, a national gathering of young leaders, while serving as vice president for John Maxwell's INJOY organization. Gabe, his wife Rebekah, and their three children reside in Atlanta, Georgia. To meet the contributors and learn more about this book and the conversations it is creating, visit www.unchristian.com. This work was commissioned by Fermi Project.

From the Back Cover

Christianity has an image problem.

Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental," young Americans share an impression of Christians that's nothing short of . . . unChristian.

Groundbreaking research into the perceptions of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments. The surprising details of the study, commissioned by Fermi Project and conducted by The Barna Group, are presented with uncompromising honesty in unChristian.

Find out why these negative perceptions exist, learn how to reverse them in a Christlike manner, and discover practical examples of how Christians can positively contribute to culture.


unChristian also includes forward-looking insights from respected Christian leaders, adding their assessment of the problems and their thoughts about how Christians should respond. Exclusive contributions from:

Mark Batterson
Chuck Colson
Andy Crouch
Sarah Cunningham
Margaret Feinberg
Jonalyn Fincher
Mike Foster
Dave Gibbons
Louie Giglio
Gary Haugen
Jeff Johnson
Reggie Joiner
Kevin Kelly
Dan Kimball
Michael Lindsay
Rick McKinley
Brian McLaren
Kevin Palau
Tri Robinson
Mark Rodgers
Jannah Scott
Chris Seay
Andy Stanley
John Stott
Jim Wallis
Rick Warren
Shayne Wheeler
Jim White
Jud Wilhite

From the Inside Flap

The New Testament writer Paul told the first-century Christians: "You yourselves are our letter . . . known and read by everybody."

When a person "reads" your life, what does it say? What does your faith look like to outsiders?

A major new research project, unveiled for the first time in this book, describes the increasingly negative reputation of Christians, especially among young Americans.

The research shows that Christians are best known for what they are against. They are perceived as being judgmental, antihomosexual, and too political. And young people are quick to point out they believe that Christianity is no longer as Jesus intended. It is unChristian.

It shouldn't be this way.

What Christians believe may not be popular, but Paul also advised the first believers to "live wisely among those who are not Christians" and to "let your conversation be gracious and effective."??

In this eye-opening book, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons--along with more than two dozen leading voices within Christianity--unpack the major criticisms leveled against Christians. Understand why those negative images exist and how you can best represent Jesus to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Your life is an open book. Is it unChristian?

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801013003
• ISBN 13: 9780801013003
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256