Damage Control: How to Stop Making Jesus Look Bad [Paperback]

Dean Merrill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

People don't like Christians. It's a sad fact, but it's true. Instead of being seen as representatives of a loving God, Christians are often seen as narrow-minded, exclusionary, or pushy. In Damage Control, Dean Merrill examines what Christians can do to stop making Jesus look bad. "Let's shine a light on what we're doing wrong--and what we, as 'field reps,' could do better," he says. In three parts, Merrill looks at God's "shaky plan"--why God left his reputation in the hands of fallible humans--the ways we hurt God's cause without realizing it, and the ways we can help God's cause. This insightful and energizing book will show Christians how to engage in spiritual disciplines, peaceful practices, and evangelism to represent Christ for who he really is.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As Merrill tells it, "the cause of Christ is at the mercy of human handling." And therein lies the problem. Christians believe that God chose fallible humans to be his ambassadors on earth, but these emissaries routinely botch the job. This honest and provocative book points out how Christians often fail to make their faith attractive, and how unintended hindrances bury the message of God's love. Merrill focuses closely on how words are among the worst offenders: Christianese mystifies, overwhelms, antagonizes and manipulates those who don't hold similar beliefs. He also addresses Christendom's fractured unity, group agendas and frequent hypocrisy. The good news is that Merrill also describes how Christians can overcome these deficiencies by choosing effective vocabulary, using cogent reasoning when discussing God and tailoring the message of Christianity to individuals. Readers can't help being challenged by Merrill's message of change and love. He'll offend a few, encourage many others and cause some Christians to make huge changes in how they relate to the people around them. This is a necessary and timely book. (Mar.)
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From the Back Cover

People don't like Christians. Christians are often seen as narrow-minded, exclusionary, or pushy instead of being seen as representatives of a loving God. It's easy to think that the actions of others are causing the problem, but are you aware of how much your neighbors and friends are forming their opinions of Jesus by watching you? This book will help you determine if you're hurting God's cause without realizing it, and how to become part of the solution instead. Damage Control takes an honest look at what's wrong-and what's right-about Christianity today. It offers specific ideas for making your faith attractive to those around you. Jesus started a global revolution, then left us as ambassadors to carry on his mission. Damage Control shows how to engage in spiritual disciplines and peaceful practices so you can represent Christ for who he really is. "Readers can't help being challenged by Merrill's message of change and love. He'll offend a few, encourage many others, and cause some Christians to make huge changes in how they relate to the people around them. This is a necessary and timely book."-Publishers Weekly "A welcome book, full of wise counsel."-Harold Myra, executive chair, Christianity Today International "Dean Merrill has given us a 'high definition' version of the biblical theme of ambassador. He reminds us this journey starts with acting like the One we say we represent."-Byron D. Klaus, president, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri "Through powerful stories and convincing application of Scripture, Dean Merrill perfectly portrays the Christian's role as 'God's ambassador.' Damage Control can make a real difference in how the church impacts a skeptical but needy world."-Wess Stafford, president and CEO, Compassion International Dean Merrill is the author of The God Who Won't Let Go and Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Church. He has also collaborated on a number of other books, including Jim Cymbala's Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books; annotated edition edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801065658
• ISBN-13: 978-0801065651
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dean Merrill is the author of eight books and the co-author of 29 others. His most recent solo book was Damage Control: How to Stop Making Jesus Look Bad (Baker, 2006). His collaborations have included titles with such varied voices as:
* Compassion International president Dr. Wess Stafford
* Hobby Lobby founder David Green
* Philippine missionary survivor Gracia Burnham (New York Times bestseller)
* "Black Hawk Down" hero Cpt. Jeff Struecker
* Brooklyn Tabernacle pastor Jim Cymbala (Christian Book of the Year, also a Gold Medallion)

Merrill has also been published in more than 40 Christian magazines. His career has included editorships at Campus Life, David C. Cook, Leadership Journal, Christian Herald and Focus on the Family. From 1997 to 2004, he was vice-president and publisher at International Bible Society. Since then he has given full time to independent writing.

Merrill's education includes a bachelor of theology degree from Chicago Bible College and a master of arts degree in journalism from Syracuse University. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs; they have three married children.

For a full list of his titles, see: www.deanmerrill.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every non-Christian could benefit from Christians reading this book., May 4, 2006

By 

Fred Flintstone "Freddie" (Nampa, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Damage Control: How to Stop Making Jesus Look Bad (Paperback)

If the American church followed the widsom and insight contained in "Damage Control, How to stop making Jesus look bad," I think unbelievers would be even more compelled to accept Christ. In this book, Dean Merrill provides us with a candid look at how those from the outside of Christendom may see those of us on the inside. It's time someone stepped up to the plate and preached this message to the choir. I was challenged, encouraged, and convicted while reading "Damage Control." If you are serious about reaching the lost, this is a must read. I enthusiastically recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing interpretation of societal perspectives which so frequently render Christ in poor view, April 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Damage Control: How to Stop Making Jesus Look Bad (Paperback)

No one does more damage to the message and image of Christianity than Christians themselves. Damage Control: How To Stop Making Jesus Look Bad by Dean Merrill offers an intriguing interpretation of societal perspectives which so frequently render Christ in poor view and how Christians might assist as His earthly ambassadors to improve His image and redeem His position with respect to the broader world. Introducing the reader to a remarkable understanding of what might be the cause of people's interpretive and illusive vision of Christ, Damage Control reminds its readers that each individual can validly make a difference in the minds of others and their often negative view. Damage Control is very strongly recommended to all Christians, regardless of their denominational affiliation, who witness the pains of noting the declining popularity of their faith and Savior, and wishing to help as much as possible to remedy that loss of stature and status through becoming a positive influence.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read For All Believers, May 15, 2006

By 

Phillip H. Steiger (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Damage Control: How to Stop Making Jesus Look Bad (Paperback)

Dean Merrill's book is a wonderful reminder of not only who we are but a sometimes sobering tale of how badly we reflect Christ from time to time. Through several stories, a few of them rather powerful, and thoughtful biblical application he makes the case for being the right kinds of ambassadors for Christ. The final section is where the argument turns into corrective and will be of great benefit to pastors and concerned Christians alike.

One of the primary struggles within the evangelical church today is relevance. While this book does not expressly tackle that issue, it will provide a great deal to think over when it comes to addressing our world in a winsome and effective way. I recommend this book not only for pastors and leaders, but for all Christians who would like to reflect on Christ's church reaching culture.