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unChristianUnchristian: What a new generation really think about Christianity … and why it matters
David Kinnamin and Gabe Lyons
Baker Books.  2007
$17.99 (hardcover)
255 pages
ISBN: 0-8010-1300-3
ISBN10: 0801013003

Resensie deur Coenie Burger
Hierdie publikasie wat kom uit die navorsing van die George Barna groep, is noodsaaklike leeswerk vir almal wat besorg is oor die kerk in die Weste en wat probeer nadink oor die toekoms van die kerk. 

Die boek se waarde lê nie in die eerste plek in sy advies vir toekoms nie, maar in die analise wat gegee word van die huidige kerk.  Die outeurs het gesprekke gevoer met `n klomp jonger Amerikaners tussen die ouderdom 16-29 en hulle gevra na hulle siening van die kerk en van Christene.  Die prentjie wat hulle gekry het was nie goed nie.  Om die waarheid te sê dit was so negatief dat hulle tot die konklusie gekom het dat die kerk – Bybels beskou – on-christelik geword het (vandaar die titel van die boek).

Die jong mense het ses negatiewe kenmerke van die kerk uitgewys.  Kerkmense is
• Skynheilig
• Te gepreokkupeer om ander te probeer red
• Net te sterk anti-homoseksueel
• Oorbeskermd en onbewus van wat in die wêreld buite aangaan
• Ideologies en polities in hulle geloof
• En te veroordelend 

Hoewel die kritiek ook `n algemene geldigheid het, sal `n mens goed doen om te onthou dat ons hier met `n Amerikaanse fenomeen en problematiek te doen het.  Die outeurs verduidelik die kritiek, maar probeer ook telkens raadgee oor hoe die kerk en Christene die proses kan omdraai.  Oor die raad het ek `n bietjie meer reserwes.  


Publisher Comments:
It’s a difficult fact to face: the perception that most nonbelievers have of Christianity is overwhelmingly negative. Through groundbreaking research conducted on 16- to 29-year-old non-Christians, released solely through this book, Christians will see how their friends, colleagues, and neighbors really perceive them. unChristian uncovers why these perceptions exist and what can be done to reverse them. David Kinnaman, a Generation X thought leader himself, does a masterful job of providing readers hope and motivation to live the kind of life that reflects a winsome and compassionate Christianity one that reflects the nature of Jesus Christ and the principles of the historic Christian faith. This one-of-a-kind book gives readers practical examples of what this fresh expression of the Christian faith can look like in a sophisticated, pluralistic society, and captures the thoughts of respected Christian leaders on what Christianity can be known for in thirty years.
Review:
“Kinnaman, president of the Barna Institute, was inspired to write this book when Lyons (of the Fermi Project) commissioned him to do extensive research on what young Americans think about Christianity. Lyons had a ‘gut-level sense that something was desperately wrong,’ and three years of research paints exactly that picture. Mosaics and Busters (the generations that include late teens to early 30-somethings) believe Christians are judgmental, antihomosexual, hypocritical, too political and sheltered. Rather than simply try to do a PR face-lift, Kinnaman looks at ways in which churches’ activities actually may have been unchristian and encourages a return to a more biblical Christianity, a faith that not only focuses on holiness but also loves, accepts and works to understand the world around it. It would be possible to get lost in the numbers, but the authors use numerous illustrations from their research and life experiences and include insights at the end of every chapter from Christian leaders like Charles Colson, John Stott, Brian McLaren and Jim Wallis. 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 churches for years to come.” Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
Synopsis:
Based on groundbreaking Barna Group research, “unChristian” uncovers the negative perceptions young people have of Christianity, and explores what can be done to reverse them. (Powell Books webblad inligting)