Christianish: What If We're Not Really Following Jesus at All?

by Mark Steele

Somewhere between cold faith and hot pursuit lies lukewarm spirituality. And in the median between the wide path and the narrow road we find the middle-ground of the spiritual walk. It's something not quite Christian. More like.Christian ish . It may feel like authentic faith. It may even look like the real deal. Yet it's often easy to settle for the souvenir t-shirt—the appearance of a transformed heart—instead of taking the actual trip through true life-change. We find ourselves settling for a personal faith that's been polluted by culture, and diluted by other people's take on spirituality. Christianish tells the story of one man's journey to move from the in-between to a life that's centered on Christ. To move forward, author Mark Steele goes back to the beginning, to examine Christ's life and words. Through stories and insights that are sometimes profound, often hilarious, and always honest, Mark delivers a compelling look at what our faith is all about.  So rediscover what it means to live like Christ, and ditch the ish . 

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction, Religion, Faith, Ebooks

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Mark is the Founder, President, and Executive Creative of Steelehouse Productions. Mark is also a well-known author, speaker, comedian, and film writer/director. Mark graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1991 with a degree in Drama, Television, and Film Telecommunications. He then spent the next seven years as a writer and director at Impact Productions. In 1998, Mark launched Steelehouse Productions with his longtime friend and associate Kevin Anderson.

Mark also has a long-standing history of stand-up comedy and performance in both stage and film as well as producing and directing film projects for both the corporate and artistic worlds. He speaks regularly at media and artistic conferences and events across America.

Mark has written several books incorporating humorous stories from his personal life while weaving in spiritual truths. Flashbang, Half-Life/Die Already, and Christianish have been released to great commercial success and overwhelmingly positive reviews. Mark also writes extensively for VeggieTales in his role as Chief of Creative Affairs for Big Idea Entertainment, Inc.

Tulsa World Review: Flashbang
Crosswalk Review: Christianish

He is a frequent contributor to Relevant magazine and Collide magazine, and recently retired from creating and producing the Steelehouse Podcast weekly with friend and fellow director Jeff Huston.

Relevant Magazine: “Gnashville”
Relevant Magazine: “Who Is Really Lost?”
Collide Magazine: “Rough Edit”

Mark’s next book is his first collection of fictional short stories entitled “Ounce of God” (2012).

Reviews

[Wyndy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is good, are we following what Jesus taught and walked or are we following what we think the Christian church teaches. As everyone knows those are not the same thing. Have we become so worried about what our church and fellow members think of us that we have lost sight of what Jesus and God think of us? The writing is very good. Mr. Steele uses examples from his own life to illustrate principles that Jesus taught and show how we follow and how we diverge from those teachings. He had quite a few very good points. But, I found myself getting bored by the 5th chapter. It could be the difference between male and female but I really found his personal illustrations just taking up too much of each chapter. He starts out each chapter with an illustration but it seems to me to be at least half the chapter. I would have preferred the illustrations to be shorter and more to the point, I found them exceedingly long-winded and detailed. I also found myself skipping that part of the chapter by the mid-point and going for the relavency in the Christian walk. Like I said he did have some good points but if I hadn't been reading the book for review purposes I would have put it down and not picked it up about half way through.

[Christy Trever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christianish by Mark Steele is a book guaranteed to unsettle readers' ideas of what it means to be a Christian. Steele, a stand up comic uses his skills well in this book. Several sections were so laugh out loud funny that I had to read them to my husband, others had me snorting and chuckling. He uses humor to bring readers in, and then compels further interest through his pointed look at how Christians are making Christ look bad because we want faith to be comfortable rather than real. Living a Christianish life means calling ourselves Christian without ever being stretched into the new beings God wants us to be. This is the rare book that actually made me laugh AND cry! Steele's story about a young man working his way through a ropes course while battling acrophobia brought me to tears, and Steele used the powerful story to demonstrate what real faith looks like. Stepping out in fear, but constantly trusting in the Father's plan and love, never freezing and turning tail. Sometimes we need someone to shake up our faith, and Steele is the perfect person for the job.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Followers of Christ are called Christians, so what are those that are going through the motions or putting on airs , attending church services out of duty called? "Christianish"
I found this book to make me think about why I attend church services. Is it for me to get to know my Savior, to please my family, or so the neighbors think I'm a better person than I am.
I liked the way in which Steele put everyday situations into reflecting on my way of thinking about my relationship to Christ. I would encourage anyone who calls themselves a Christian to read this book and give some thought as to why you are following Christ.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly could not finish it. No where in the 1st 120 pages did I find anything other than the author on an Ego trip. I donated this book and I hope someone else reads it and it motivates them to do great things for mankind.

[Mark-robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and convicting all at the same time. Mark is a good writer and has called us as believers to live at a more authentic place and making our message not about us. I really recommend this book - especially in a small group setting.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Mark has a very engaging and funny style -- loved his stories -- and then how he related them to whether or not we are really following Jesus -- or just "acting Christianish...." Too often the latter, I'm afraid.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Steele uses humor and anecdotes from his own life to illustrate where the modern Christian church has gone awry, and how to get back on the basic path: following Christ instead of cash, culture, and counterfeit "stuff".

(Errors found in Kindle text: Page 16, This was unfortunate he had / unfortunate AS he had ; 16, Ironically this defense / Ironically, this defense ; 17, In all honesty I didn't want / honesty, I didn't ; 19, As a church community it is time / community, it is ; 20, for me personally my efforts / personally, my efforts ; 55, been willing to effectively plan / willing to PLAN EFFECTIVELY ; 55, Well, yes he does / Well, yes, he does ;

Page 62, For far too long the Christian church / too long, the Christian ; 69, For most people the size of their school / most people, the size ; 124, Fortunately for history the Israelites went / for history, the Israelites ; 142, decision comes in to play / comes INTO play ; 232, my theater background my team was / background, my team ; 237, in order to not offend / order NOT TO offend ; 275, and most of all to continually love / most of all, to LOVE CONTINUALLY .)

[Brenten Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING 4.24 STARS

Very thoughtful book. I have been wanting to read it for almost as long as it's been out, but I finally got to it. I did manage to glean a lot of poignant quotes from the text and enjoyed the style of writing as well as the content.

There's a lot to consider here and Steele relates it in a compelling and transparent way that keeps the reader tuned in to the end - even though conviction is likely growing with each page turn.

[Betty Campa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buen libro que nos muestra que nuestro estándar en el cristianismo es Jesús y no los demás. A través de sus experiencias Mark nos enseña que el camino verdadero es Jesús siguiendo su ejemplo y significado por la vida, lograremos ser en verdad seguidores de Cristo.

[Milton Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reminder to put Christ first. B

[Raechel Lenore]

Wasn't able to finish this, but what I read was interesting.

[Ela · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He doesn’t simply want each of us to reach the final destination in one piece. He wants us to have grown on the journey- to have conquered obstacles and discovered truth and become more like Him so that the destination means more.”

Yes.
No more to the easy way out, no more excuses.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christianish: What If We're Not Really Following Jesus at All?

From the Cover

It may feel like authentic faith. It may even look like the real deal. Yet it's often easy to settle for the souvenir t-shirt—the appearance of a transformed heart—instead of taking the actual trip through true life-change. We find ourselves settling for a personal faith that's been polluted by culture, and diluted by other people's take on spirituality.

Christianish tells the story of one man's journey to move from the in-between to a life that's centered on Christ. To move forward, author Mark Steele goes back to the beginning, to examine Christ's life and words. Through stories and insights that are sometimes profound, often hilarious, and always honest, Mark delivers a compelling look at what our faith is all about.

My Review
This was a great book to read. Jesus tells us he will spit lukewarm Christians from his mouth (Rev. 3:16). This author challenged himself to step out of that lukewarm mode to become boiling hot! Throughout the book he uses examples and stories to engage the reader. At the end of each chapter, he provides a diagram and questions to help readers stretch to that boiling point. I appreciated that this was not hit you over the head preaching but subtle urging to give our all to Him. It took me longer to read this book because I had to "stew" on each chapter days to absorb it. I definitely recommend this book for those who are looking to reach beyond the stretch.

Love and Blessings!
Margaret

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked portions of this book and stuck it out until the end. Unfortunately, I don't feel like I could recommend it to anyone. The premise is good: following Christ takes more than words. It got lost in long childhood stories, generalizations about the modern church, and worries about too much grace. I believe if we truly understood the magnitude of grace we would respond in obedience. We need to learn about it more not be wary of it and try to do our Christian responsibility. My guess is the author and I would have more in common if we had a conversation, but as a narrative I have too many disagreements.

[Warren Benton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5
I thought this was going to be a fun quirky read with lots of pointing and laughing at things us Christians do. WRONG. Steele comes on hard and hardly lets up.
"When we come at the world with haughtiness, what exactly do we believe it is breeding?" "In short it is priming a generation to hate Christians and therefore be spiritually unprepared to receive the truth.""Life is observed therefore it is ministry"

Steele tells of his own Christian upbringing and his many failings as a christ follower. He also points out general ways we really need to improve our stance not just our beliefs.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you follow what Jesus taught, or do you follow the ways that man has compromised and are just Christianish? Mark Steele wrote a book that includes funny things he did but always shows how man has compromised to make most churches lukewarm as described in Revelation 3. He shows that going to church, carrying a Bible and doing good deeds is not what makes a person a Christian. He points out that when he finds himself slipping and becoming Christianish, he goes back to check just what Jesus said.

[Emily at Reaching While Rooted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steele does an amazing job. Not just a pretty cover, Christianish is funny, anecdotal and at the root... PROFOUND. This book challenged me and made me truly consider the way I live and portray my Christian faith. This book makes the reader truly examine where they are on their faith walk, and cuts deep. This book is for anyone looking to improve their relationship with Christ, and the world. Bravo Steele!

[Thalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great read if you are looking to evaluate where your walk with the Lord is headed. It is a way to delve into what the world sees about your Christian faith and whether you are making a solid statement for Christ or a driving influence that chases people away from the savior. This book makes you think about your message for the church contains. Thank you, Mark Steele, for your humor that makes this makes this manual enjoyable and eye-opening.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with most books of this genre, there were some solid sections that caused me to think and consider aspects of my walk with Christ. That said, I found much of the book a bit too focused on story telling (with the goal of setting up his point). The stories often helped establish the author's point, but the balance felt skewed.

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steele's chapters pulled me in with his anecdotes, then hit me with hard truths chapter after chapter. Even when I found the pattern, I was still sucked in.

I'm currently living a "Christianish" life, but am praying for the strength and wisdom to change.

[Carl Wunsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous, convicting and challenging. An excellent and enjoyable book. While there is nothing earth-shatteringly new here, it is a good reminder of how I should be living, and where I have been slowly slipping.

[bookbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Very thought provoking.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will review later.

[Angelica]

this is such a great book so far and im only half way through!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a lot of good points about the modern popular church culture. We need to point to Christ, not ourselves and not to how Christ can get you the latest popular opinion/gadget/wealth.

[Deborah LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

In light of the recent political changes in our country, I've been wrestling quite a bit with what it actually means to be Christian, as in, a follower of Christ, versus how the religious right has defined it. Steele raises some great questions and doesn't shy away from calling out the many Justifications and defenses we as Christians often cling to. And, he's funny.