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 Q 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.
"This is a wonderful, thoughtful book that conveys difficult truths in a spirit of humility. Every Christian should read this, and it will likely influence the church for years to come."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An engaging, challenging, and morally compelling study."--Library Journal
"Essential reading for all Christian leaders."--CBA Retailers
David Kinnaman is the author of You Lost Me and president of The Barna Group. 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 is the founder of Q--a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society--and author of The Next Christians: Seven Ways You Can Live the Gospel and Restore the World. His work represents the perspectives of a new generation of Christians and has been featured by CNN, the New York Times, Fox News, and USA Today. Gabe, his wife, Rebekah, and their three children reside in Manhattan, New York.
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?
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