David Kinnaman is president of The Barna Group, which provides research and resources that facilitate spiritual transformation in people's lives... read full description
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Feb 20, 2008
Bagger
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May 16, 2008
Karen
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I picked up this book on a whim and almost tossed it aside when I realized it wasn't going to be about what I thought it was going to be about. But something made me read the first sentence - "Christianity has an image problem" - and that surely caught my attention.
The book is written by an evangelical Christian and has several sections of text written by active Christians. The discussion primarily centers around research conducted over a three year period dissecting vi More...
The book is written by an evangelical Christian and has several sections of text written by active Christians. The discussion primarily centers around research conducted over a three year period dissecting vi More...
Feb 01, 2008
Nate
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Oooh.... Shocking..........
Non-Christians have negative views of Christians!!!!! We're not the majority!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!
Oh yeah. I almost forgot. That's what I think about American Evangelicals, too.
Seriously, this book is a good wake-up call for Christians to stop majoring in the minors and actually start living in a way worthy to be called Christian.
I like the fact that with every negative attitude, there is a positive response or More...
Non-Christians have negative views of Christians!!!!! We're not the majority!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!
Oh yeah. I almost forgot. That's what I think about American Evangelicals, too.
Seriously, this book is a good wake-up call for Christians to stop majoring in the minors and actually start living in a way worthy to be called Christian.
I like the fact that with every negative attitude, there is a positive response or More...
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Mar 24, 2009
Aoife
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I dunno, dawg, this book was all over the place for me--to coin a Randy Jackson-ism. I wasn't really feelin' it toward the end, and it got a little pitchy in the middle, around the whole homosexuality part. I dunno. Paula?
There! Now I am HIP and WITH IT! and MEDIA SAVVY! and CREATIVE! and TUNED IN! Maybe now "outsiders" my age will be drawn to the Christian faith as though by a magnet!
Alas it's not so simple, and I would caution anyone from taking the research o More...
There! Now I am HIP and WITH IT! and MEDIA SAVVY! and CREATIVE! and TUNED IN! Maybe now "outsiders" my age will be drawn to the Christian faith as though by a magnet!
Alas it's not so simple, and I would caution anyone from taking the research o More...
Dec 26, 2007
Steph
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This book challenged me, ruffled my feathers, and inspired me. But, unfortunately, I wasn't all that surprised by the perceptions of Christians that were expressed. In fact, I found myself agreeing with the "outsiders" viewpoints, a lot.
The biggest challenge put to me, I think, was the reminder that Christians don't have to like or agree with those perceptions - there were other times I found myself disagreeing with the perception or saying things like "but that's just becau More...
The biggest challenge put to me, I think, was the reminder that Christians don't have to like or agree with those perceptions - there were other times I found myself disagreeing with the perception or saying things like "but that's just becau More...
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Aug 05, 2008
Chris
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Fantastic book. David Kinnaman and the Barna Group conducted extensive surveys to determine how Christians and Christianity are perceived by younger generations. Kinnaman's book is a summary of the survey's results and a discussion of their practical implications for the Church and church leaders. He identifies and examines the common perceptions of Christians as antihomosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, old-fashioned, too political, out of touch with reality, and so on. This book is soberin
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Nov 21, 2011
Steve
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In Unchristian, David Kinnaman examines Christianity from a modern and unique perspective—as a brand. Through this lens, he attempts to understand why youth are migrating away from religion and what can be done to address this. Full disclosure—this “problem” he sees, I view as societal progress. But I was genuinely intrigued at the approach and was optimistic that I might walk away having a better appreciation of the potential value of religion. Furthermore, from the standpoint of someone who wo
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Aug 02, 2011
Juan Carlos
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The thing about statistic is that you can may them bring all kind of findings. Kinnaman share its findings and interpretations on how unbelievers in the range of sixteen to twenty nine years olds depicts christians in general as unchristians in their behavior. I[d found the book shocking because it is very easy to target christ followers when you are not one not just because they do not reflect Jesus ways, but also because we do not share their worldview. The book is one piece of research tha
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Jul 27, 2011
I met Kinnaman in Pittsburgh this winter and was immediately impressed with the clarity of his thinking and the honesty of his intentions, even if I don't always agree with him. So I had to darken the door of the Christian bookstore to find unChristian, which was well worth the effort. Its organization and depth are admirable, although as I read I feel far more in common with the "outsiders" than the Christians he is speaking to: who are these people he keeps pacifying, who might be
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Jan 10, 2011
Seth
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The book club that I am in recently finished reading UnChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, and I learned a ton reading this book. Through research done by the Barna group these two guys look at the perceptions of Christians through the eyes of outsiders.
For me, I knew some of the impressions that people have of Christians exist but the percentages shown in the research were really eye opening! This book not only points out why these negative perceptions exist but also explore how t More...
For me, I knew some of the impressions that people have of Christians exist but the percentages shown in the research were really eye opening! This book not only points out why these negative perceptions exist but also explore how t More...
Sep 29, 2009
Beau
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This is certainly not the first book to criticize the church - but it might be the first to back it up. This goes right to the heart of how Christianity and Christians are viewed by outsiders and insiders.
Every church leader should read this book. Especially those that intend to work closely with outsiders such as college ministries, parachurch, and missionaries.
What I appreciate is that this book goes beyond criticism to practical suggestions. It is not afraid to describe t More...
Every church leader should read this book. Especially those that intend to work closely with outsiders such as college ministries, parachurch, and missionaries.
What I appreciate is that this book goes beyond criticism to practical suggestions. It is not afraid to describe t More...
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Sep 20, 2009
Karson
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This is a book about Christianity in America today. The authors opinions have been formed by research, not vague feelings or hunches. I would recommend this book to Christians first, then anyone else interested in american sub-cultures and their perceptions of other groups and vice versa. The research findings in this book are a solid reminder that Jesus is recored as saying that the whole law and prophets hang on and point to the principle of loving God and other people. If you don't do t
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Oct 26, 2011
Malin
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Christians are suppose to represent Christ. Regardless of how well we do or do not do this...what is the perceptions of Christianity by the younger generation? Christianity has an image problem. I doubt this surprises you. The three most common perceptions of Christians are antihomosexual (91%), judgemental (87%), hyprocritical (85%). The next favorite phrases to describe Christians are boring, insensitive, old-fashioned, too involved with politics, overly concerneced with conversion.... O
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Aug 08, 2011
Victoria
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I read unChristian at the recommendation of a friend. We were reading a book called God Space at the request of our church, and many of the themes of that book are reiterated at greater length in this one.
UnChristian focuses on data collected by the Barnum Group, which to my understanding collects statistical data on various groups of people for to aid churches. The book focuses on the beliefs of individuals between the ages of 16-29, particularly the way that non-Christian individua More...
UnChristian focuses on data collected by the Barnum Group, which to my understanding collects statistical data on various groups of people for to aid churches. The book focuses on the beliefs of individuals between the ages of 16-29, particularly the way that non-Christian individua More...
Aug 09, 2011
If you're a Christian, you will learn about barriers you are likely to encounter today when you share your faith perspective. If you hate Christians, you'll probably just cheer when you learn what people really think about them.
According to survey information gathered by the Barna Group and the Fermi Project (both organizations with Christian missions), Christians are perceived to be hypocritical, more interested in religion conversions than friendship, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political, More...
According to survey information gathered by the Barna Group and the Fermi Project (both organizations with Christian missions), Christians are perceived to be hypocritical, more interested in religion conversions than friendship, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political, More...
Jun 14, 2011
Kelli
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I adored this book. I have to confess that I am a stats junkie, so seeing the numbers was helpful to me. I also work with young Christian adults, and I have seen first hand the changing attitudes. As someone who associates with a lot of people outside my faith, I find that many of the points made in the book rang true. In today's world, perception matters, and Christians are not being perceived well. Jesus was a radical, and the book brings us back to that radical faith. It takes us out of
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Dec 30, 2008
Iamthird
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To rebuild our lives and restore our nation, we have to restore love and concern for others. We cannot give out something we've never received.
7 elements of spiritual formation
-worshipping God intimately and passionately
-engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers
-pursuing faith in the context of family
-embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth
-serving others
-investing time and resources in spiritual pursuits
-having faith-based More...
7 elements of spiritual formation
-worshipping God intimately and passionately
-engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers
-pursuing faith in the context of family
-embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth
-serving others
-investing time and resources in spiritual pursuits
-having faith-based More...
May 04, 2010
Stephanie
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Wow. This book makes you think. The writing can be a bit dry at times, but the research is fascinating and eye-opening enough to make it worthwhile. If you are a Christian, I don't see how you can read this book without seeing it as a call to action. Kinnaman seems to be saying: okay, here is where we are...here's the data to prove it...so if we plan to move forward and stay relevant for the next generation, these issues need to be recognized and addressed. Amazingly, he manages to pull this
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Aug 08, 2011
Sean Kahlich
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This book is a wonderful resource that can help bridge the gap between "the way it's always been done" and "this needs to change." It goes deep on issues I'd want to be able to explain to someone like my mom but wouldn't really know how. Each chapter discloses the honest perception of Christianity and a challenge to create a new (and biblical) perception. This book helps put into words the frustrations of many younger-generation Christians and it reveals the real-world inf
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Jul 28, 2011
Peter
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This is definitely enough to upset the balance of comfort in us so that we can live more intentionally missional lives. The books leads me to sigh, realizing all I had suspected was true. I can no longer ignore but see these perceptions as issues that need to be addressed. Sometimes the indirect consequences of our actions cause greater harm than the good of the direct consequences. The Christian life then is much harder to maintain when we then have to consider so much. My hope is that the rese
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Jul 18, 2010
Thomas
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"As Christians of all generations allow Christ to transform their hearts, minds, and actions, their expressions of the Christian faith will change, resulting in an influence on society that we have not experienced in decades." -Gabe Lyons (unChristian)
This is a great book on how the church is perceived from the inside and outside by various generations. Some of it is hard to read and accept, but it is still valuable. To the Christian this is a great book on how to show Ch More...
This is a great book on how the church is perceived from the inside and outside by various generations. Some of it is hard to read and accept, but it is still valuable. To the Christian this is a great book on how to show Ch More...
Mar 17, 2009
Dave
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"If only our view of outsiders were more like that of
Jesus. And if only we condemned hypocrites the way he did: "They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden." (Matt 23:4)
"Think of the overwhelming perception among young outsiders that we are merely hypocrites. Does your life point people to a life in Christ that bursts with freedom to love, restoration, purity, and transparency?
"Or are you More...
Jesus. And if only we condemned hypocrites the way he did: "They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden." (Matt 23:4)
"Think of the overwhelming perception among young outsiders that we are merely hypocrites. Does your life point people to a life in Christ that bursts with freedom to love, restoration, purity, and transparency?
"Or are you More...
Sep 10, 2010
Doug
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I probably would have given this 3.5 stars if I could have. On the positive side, this book does cause you to examine your interactions with those who are not Christian and evaluate whether those interactions reflect Jesus as they should. On the negative side, while there were some very good suggestions about how to respond to some of the negative perceptions of Christianity, there were many that seemed more focused on pleasing men than reflecting Jesus. I will say that many of the opinions t
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Oct 14, 2011
Ashley
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Though this book is called Unchristian it is good for both christian and unchristian people to read. It explains how the future generations feel about now a day christians and how we need to prevent this thinking. Each chapter is a different negative view and how to change it. This book really got me thinking about my actions and words.
The author of the book goes on a research journey, as some may call it, giving out series of tests and surveys to see what our generations (15-20 yea More...
The author of the book goes on a research journey, as some may call it, giving out series of tests and surveys to see what our generations (15-20 yea More...
Jul 28, 2010
Katie
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Looks at many of the reasons I despised organized religion especially Christianity for so long (intolerance, judgmentalism, hypocrisy, violence, etc.). Unfortunately, all those same reasons remain and are even increasing in their impact. As a follower of Jesus now, I wish our church would do a study centered on this book, but I've been enjoying a small-group study on it with some close friends. A lot of the data and surveys need to be checked, I'm sure, but I wasn't really surprised by much as I
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Oct 13, 2010
marcus
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I can't say I learned much from this book. You see, my 23 year old son has been telling me much of what the author describes as "outsiders" views of Christianity and Christians. Kinnaman does provide a valuable service as he describes the results of the extensive surveys performed by the Barna Foundation. Regular church goers who can easily dismiss a long-haired 23 year old when he says "church is boring, full of hypocritical, gay-hating people, and out of touch with reality,
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Nov 29, 2008
Mary-wilkes
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Really enjoyed this book. I had a small group discipleship group that went through this over the course of a year...a little incompletely, but the chapters were full of examples about how we as Christians so often say one thing and do another. No wonder we live in a world where people do not believe Christians and are completely turned off to the gospel, in how we regularly respond and act differently from what is commanded and set forth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This should be a wake up ca
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Mar 07, 2009
David
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This book investigates recent studies that show how 16-29 year olds truly see the Christian faith. The results are not good, though perhaps not surprising: anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, old-fashioned, too political, and sheltered. The authors go beyond these simple statistics to help the reader see why young people feel this way. Though these results are depressing for those of us who are Christians, there is also reason to hope. The authors spend time in each chapter giving ide
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Jun 17, 2010
Duane
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Having just finished this book, I'm really astonished at just how much I loved this book. First, I agree with a lot of reviewers that the writing is dry, but then again, we're dealing with research and it's really hard to make numbers exciting. The research really does sell this book though. The author does a great job of proving why modern christians have such a bad image in the world. He uses chapters to discuss the different bad perceptions Christians have today and how they can try to improv
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Nov 04, 2009
Jonathan
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If you're an average, churchgoing evangelical Christian, you may have felt a sneaking suspicion that young people outside the church don't think much of your Christianity. This book confirms everybody's sneaking suspicions with solid research.
Kinnaman addresses the major negative perceptions that young people outside the church have about Christianity: that it is too judgmental, that it is antihomosexual, that Christians only want to win converts, that the church is too political, et More...
Kinnaman addresses the major negative perceptions that young people outside the church have about Christianity: that it is too judgmental, that it is antihomosexual, that Christians only want to win converts, that the church is too political, et More...
