Customer Reviews

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?

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Lord, Save Us From Your Followers will challenge your comfortable Christianity. Dan Merchant and Jeff Martin spent months traveling and interviewing a variety of people from all walks of life to get a picture of what the American culture thinks of Christians and of Jesus. What they found will likely offend many Christian readers...not because its untrue or offensive but because it is painful to see what the secular world's image of us really is.

In one of the most powerful chapters of the book Dan takes a page out of Don Miller's (author of Blue Like Jazz) playbook and sets up a confessional booth at Pride NorthWest...not to hear the confessions of the people there but to confess to them his sins and the sins of the church universal as it pertains to our treatment of the homosexual community. Reading that reminded me how much power honest confession and seeking forgiveness has to heal.

This is something that the church has forgotten. We claim we believe 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16 but we don't live as if we do. We hide behind our stained glass walls and we pretend to the world we have it all together. Its no surprise that one of the most commonly occurring answers to the question Dan poised, "Name something Christians are known for?" was "Hypocrisy."

The book is written as a series of collected experiences, much like an anthology of short stories, I liked that I could jump around and read what caught my attention and not lose the thread of the story. I can't wait to see the full version of the documentary. I hope Dan succeeds in sparking the conversations he hopes to...the Church needs to have them and this book is a great starting point.

This is a wonderful book! The story of how it came into my hands follows,but since this is a review I'll lay that down first! I felt an almost weak- kneed relief while reading this book--the relief that comes when you discover that there is someone else out there that sees what you see, and has the courage and kindness to tackle the thing. The subject of the book--"why is the Gospel of love dividing America?"-- is a subject that has been at the forefront of my own experiences as an Evangelical believer, and a nagging distress that will not go away.

As I was reading, I kept remembering the scripture that tells the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4. He entered into a dialogue with her and they talked story. He asked her questions and listened to her answers (even though He already knew them!). Right away we see the ginormous generosity of God's heart, because He entered into conversation with, and listened to, this woman. I felt the same spirit of generosity in this book Dan Merchant has written. He approaches people, asks questions and listens to what they have to say. He is playful, good humored, and balanced, without hiding his own beliefs or his own shortcomings. I am so thankful that he has had the warmth of heart to write this book. It is a welcome respite from the (I am sorry to say) mean-spirited tone that seems to be prevalent in the monologues of so many believers. I expect there will be many in the conservative tradition who will dismiss this book, or perhaps boycott its reading from the pulpit, but i would encourage them to model the fearless generosity of Jesus and read and listen to all the voices speaking through this book.

In an effort to be detailed and specific I tried to single out portions of the book that stood out, but I couldn't, because the whole thing was like a delicious meal--every ingredient was just blended together beautifully. There are interviews with regular folks and notables, a cartoon that had me screaming with laughter, a quiz, fun graphics, and plenty of heartbreaking beauty in the words of the people and the author.

This book came into my hands in a roundabout way. Scorched and appalled by my experiences in the Evangelical church, I took a hiatus--most specifically from Christian books. Most of them had this TONE, and I got to the point where I couldn't stand the rant any more. I found that same tone to be howling like a bitter wind during worship services. Where were the gentle and kind hearts and the stalwart yet joyful conviction of the believers I remembered as a child? This Easter, I once again attended the sunrise service of a local church held at the zoo nearby, and was again reduced to tears by the gorgeous, simple message of beautiful Jesus.A message delivered by a gentle pastor with warm words, and a young guy leading worship trying to hit chords on the guitar with frozen fingers (it was 20 degrees out). All fifteen or so of us could see that as the two of them fed the hungry with the hope, and the extravagance of the Easter story , they didn't feel the cold one bit. Back home, I could feel the charred areas of my believer's heart coming alive again. I found myself asking God to show me that there was something more to embracing the treasure of our faith than dodging the guys with political agenda sign-up sheets in the lobby after a message loaded with everything we're not supposed to tolerate. He led me to this book.

I got this book last week and have, for the most part, thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a narrative of a series of trips that the author made around America with a novel painter's jump suit with several bumper stickers and other symbols that are being used in the culture war between Conservative Christians and Liberals.

There were three things that make this book particularly valuable to me. One is the interviews. He interviews Anthony Campolo, Al Franken, Michael Reagan, Rick Santorum, Sister Mary Timothy (a homosexual) and others in his quest to open a dialog between Christians (Followers of Jesus) and "them". The interview with Al Franken was a highlight to me. It reshaped my impression of Al Franken. All of the interviews were helpful and gave insight into some areas that I glance over and don't dig into.

The second thing that makes this book valuable to me is his approach to homosexuals (Sister Mary Timothy and The PRIDE festival in Portland). I, as a conservative evangelical have struggled greatly with how we approach them with Jesus' love and his approach resonated. I'm not building a confessional, but I do believe that I have an insight into how to glorify God in this.

The third thing the book did for me was take a lot of the bogey men that many ministries use in alarmist mail outs to generate funds. He exposes them to the light of day and they aren't daunting. In some of the cases, I had already figured it out. However, for the ones that I hadn't figured out, my response was "Of course!"

I could do without the chapters on how to make a bumper sticker man costume, his comic strip gospel, and his bumper sticker quiz. Living in the Austin area and having seen all of these stickers and medallions hundreds of times on cars from top of the line Mercedes to junkers, I am turned off by their banality and ignorance. I scored 0 on his test because I didn't think any of them were worth considering. The comic didn't shed any additional light on the subject that hadn't already been thoroughly and clearly presented up to that point and was sufficiently reviewed in the rest of the book. Maybe he could have replaced those chapters with some more of his interaction at the PRIDE festival or some of the interviews he had elsewhere.

Overall, I enjoyed the book very much. Like any author, he must be read with discernment, but I think you will be helped by this book.

P.S. My copy came with a 60 minute DVD, which I believe is his documentary. I haven't watched it yet but plan to do so very soon.

Rusty Bullerman

I think this is probably the best book I have ever read. I know that seems extreme, but as a Christian that goes to church every Sunday - and as a person that the typical "Christian" would seemingly hate (I am a lesbian) - it has been hard for me to go back to church after feeling like I am someone that Christians loath. It has been hard for me to get over my prejudices and fears of going to church again; get over my expectations of condemnation, hate and rejection; get over my expectation of being told I am going to hell. If you have ever, for what ever reason, felt that the church isn't for you - but you still feel that tug from your childhood - the feeling that "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so" and you also feel that "Christians hate me this I know, for the Bible (and hateful Christians) tell me so" THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! Author, Dan Merchant, has put his love for God - and Jesus' love for us - together in this story over his (and my) confusion between what the Religious Right tells us and what Jesus asks us to do. Love one another! Just that. Merchant's subtitle: Why is the gospel of love dividing America? Because we are letting our fears and hates keep us from loving one another. Read this! Share it! And if you are one of the people who have never felt the fear of going back to church, and being authentically who you are, please read this. If your church is half empty, or your heart is telling you that the mega church you belong to isn't quite sharing the Gospel of Love like it should, please read this book. Some of your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances and strangers need to know you and God still love them. How full would our Churches be if people knew that they wouldn't be met with hate! God bless Dan for starting this conversation, and God bless you for being open to this very very important message.

I have to say that this improved my opinion of Christians.

Living in the Bible Belt I get pretty tired of people crossing the line between Church and State, and I'm so tired of people rejecting reason because they just know the Bible is true.

Well, this film must be good because I left feeling inspired and happy that there are good Christians out there.

Bravo.

The title of this review sums up what the author is trying to say. He is a Christian, but he is fed up with the hypocrisies of Christians, with their bumper sticker theologies and their casual dismissal of everyone who doesn't agree with their values. Merchant interviews Tony Campolo, Al Franken, Michael Reagan, film makers and people off the street to get their opinions on Christ, Christians, and the culture wars.

The gist of what he discovers is that people like Christ better than Christians. No surprise there. Toward the end of the book, Merchant sets up a confessional booth at a gay pride event,and as people come into the booth, he pours out his heart and tearfully and passionately apologizes for being judgmental and insensitive.

Merchant's conclusion is that we should try to live and minister and serve others the way Jesus did on earth.

It's hard to disagree with any of this, and I don't. However, there comes a time in our relationships with people when it's acceptable and appropriate to let people know where we stand on issues that matter to people and on issues that matter in eternity. Of course, this should be done with love and a listening ear and with a heart full of compassion. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery "Neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin." Merchant strongly emphasizes the "Neither do I condemn you" part, but he de-emphasizes (even neglects) the "Go now and leave your life of sin" part. Being like Jesus not only means refraining from judgmentalism, it also means speaking the truth in love.

Gandhi famously said, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." That quote captures the essence of this book: Jesus Christ is almost universally admired, even by non-Christians. His followers, on the other hand, often provoke a very different reaction. Many people reject Christianity, not because they have anything against Jesus, but because they are repulsed by those so-called "Christians" who appear to be so unlike Christ. Christians are often perceived to be intolerant, judgmental, "holier-than-thou" hatemongers, who want to impose their narrow-minded beliefs and puritanical values on the world. Of course, most born again Christians would reject this rather unflattering stereotype; and insist that they are only trying to follow Jesus and spread the gospel message to those whose souls need saving. This divide has led to a "culture war" in modern America -- a war between evangelicals and secularists over the issue of whether America is going to be a Christian nation that promotes traditional values or a secular nation that celebrates individual freedom. This "culture war" has led documentary filmmaker Dan Merchant, a moderately-conservative evangelical Christian, to ask the question: "Why is the gospel of love dividing America?" Merchant wants to encourage both sides in the culture war to chill out, lighten up, get a sense of humor, move beyond the unfair stereotypes, and actually enter into a mutually-respectful dialogue with each other rather than a hate-filled shouting match. He encourages Christians to be more Christ-like: more loving, more forgiving, and less judgmental. And he encourages non-Christians to judge Christianity based on the words and deeds of Christ rather than on the words and deeds of his imperfect followers. That's a message we all need to hear.

Lord, Save us From Your Followers should jump start a whole bunch of conversations about why a group of people whose very name implies that they follow someone who taught about loving one another are responsible for so much hate, animosity and down right awfulness.

Dan Merchant traveled the United States talking to people one on one about why Christians are perceived to be more committed to being right than being loving. It doesn't help when some people on the religious right are so condemnatory. Amazingly it was people on the left who seemed to be more willing to talk with him about things. Al Franken, Sister Mary Timothy and Michael Reagan sit and talk with Dan and help us to see how we are perceived by those outside the church.

This book should make you think about whom you are following and if your faith is really in him or in the hands of some political strategist, whether you believe in the words of Christ or the words of the Republican party. I would recommend this book for everyone but especially for those who call themselves Christians or Christ followers.

I had seen Dan Merchant on the Today show and my interest in this book was piqued. I bought the book and read it quickly as it touched on so many issues I have when I think of how my Christian faith is portrayed. I am involved in my local church and study my bible in order to learn how to be better. I find that many times my views of how we should treat others in terms of love and respect go against the grain of what many believers practice... I find that often we who want to treat all with the love of Christ are not heard over the loud and annoying voices that really promotes intolerance and are not inclusive of a large section of our society. When this happens it promotes the views that we are all of that same ilk. Dan Merchant in his book and documentary gave the Christians who try to live by Jesus' example a voice and like "Blue Like Jazz" is refreshing and needed in our world. God Bless this book and all those who read it regardless of what they might think about it.

"I wanted to know why the gospel of love was dividing America, and if I was going to find an answer, I would have to do more listening than talking... but first I had to get people to talk," says Dan Merchant in this book. The book goes on to describe how Dan made a costume consisting of a painter's jumpsuit covered in bumper stickers expressing various religious and political viewpoints, then went out to engage in conversation with people in public places around America.

Dan's adventures, which subsequently became the subject of a film with the same title as the book, include interviewing Tony Campolo, Al Franken (a former writer and producer of the US TV show Saturday Night Live), Senator Rick Santorum, Michael Reagan (son of the former US president Ronald Reagan), Sister Mary Timothy (a well-known San Francisco identity and gay activist), and a host of others.

The book includes a 12-page comic book interlude, a set of instructions for making your own bumper sticker suit, and a bumper sticker quiz. One of the most interesting chapters describes how Dan set up a confessional booth -- along the lines of the one described in Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz -- at the Gay Pride Northwest festivities in Portland Oregon, and spent a day apologising to gays for the ways Christians have treated them. The book makes an interesting contribution to the subject of politics and the church in the US, but the film is probably more compelling.