Customer Reviews

When Christians Get It Wrong

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4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
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I was raised Catholic and have long since left the Church, or I guess I could say the Church left me, making it abundantly clear that I was unwanted. I am not a Christian at this point, nor do I have a belief in Christ that Christianity would require. Nevertheless since this religion is so prevalent in the society I live in, I strive to know its trends and issues.

When Christians Get it Wrong is not only an important book, it soothes the souls of those who have been rejected and hurt and harmed by the sort of Christianity that has become all too prevalent in modern day society (I've heard it distinguished from the Christianity Christ taught by calling it Leviticism or Christianism). Adam Hamilton targets 5 areas that are most cited by the young adults who are either leaving organized Christianity or uninterested in joining, voting with their feet against the way they perceive Christians to think and behave.

The main issues are: hypocrisy and acting in "unChristian" ways, beliefs about other religions, political involvement and anti-science, anti-homosexual views, and the question of where God is when suffering happens.

The last question is an eternal one that doesn't quite fit with the rest of the book and the author comes up with as good an answer as I've ever seen to it; however, I was much more intrigued by his addressing of the other 4 issues, because I agree with the young adults surveyed that all four things leave a bad taste in the mouths of many viewing Christianity (particularly the Christianity that grabs all the oxygen in the room these days). The author addresses each one humbly, and in all cases agrees that the behaviors perceived have been present. He argues that that isn't ALL that's there and gives inspiring anecdotes of people acting in truly Christian ways who aren't in the limelight. Moreover, he analyzes the beliefs and the sources of those beliefs that lead to such ugly words and behaviors, and shows that Christian beliefs do not in any way require one to act in such ways, and in many cases actually require the opposite.

I wasn't entirely satisfied with his answers in the anti-homosexuality chapter because I have a feeling he was soft-pedaling what he really believes in the interest of gaining a sympathetic hearing, but he still expressed far more empathy and understanding of the pain of young adults raised as good Christians and who still believe, but who thus believe that they are broken or damned because they have turned out to be non-heterosexual or non-gender-normative. In all cases he shows that the core beliefs of Christianity do not require the rigid stances that lead to the alienation of so many, and the belief that Christianity stands for prejudice, hypocrisy, ignorance and hate.

I think that Hamilton does a very good job of addressing both audiences he targets: those who have been alienated by modern Christianity/Christianism and those inside Christianity who have been contributing to that perception, or at least remaining silent while those who do forward that view do all the speaking.

I wasn't converted by the book in any way, but I was inspired to act in my own life more according to the core values Jesus promoted, which doesn't in any way conflict with my current spiritual path. And I was reassured that there are pastors like Adam Hamilton who are willing to speak out honestly about the harm some of his co-religionists do to other humans inside and outside of their churches.

I probably would not have read this book if it cost more than the .99 cent Kindle price I bought it at, but it was well worth it. It's a quick read, too; I read it in a few hours but will probably look back at it in the future. I hope it finds a wide audience and I would love to see someone like Adam Hamilton replacing some of the usual "talking head" suspects who speak for Christians on the news and in the media.

This should be required reading for every thinking person who wrestles with faith, organized religion, and Christianity. Christian hypocrisy is one of the major issues that atheists, agnostics, and non-Christians often bring up in debates about the merits of Christianity. Many times that criticism is fair. This book addresses these issues head on, with an approach of fairness and grace. Rather than running from the topics, Pastor Adam Hamilton has turned the spotlight onto them. He discusses what is expected of people of faith, how we fall short, what to do about it, and what Scripture tells us about many of the most controversial subjects. His way of addressing the issues that often turn people off from Christianity should turn people on to Christianity...including Christians who are getting it wrong!

I thought Reverend Hamilton's sermon series turned into a book was really nice. I saw a video promoting the book and as a college aged student, felt compelled to read it. I was very pleased with what Rev. Hamilton had to say. My only disappointment was the level of language used in this book. I feel as though such simple language is effective in communicating to the masses but I would get frustrated at times with the elementary language used. (Maybe this is a consequence of being in such an academic environment!) This very easy to read book would have been better if he further articulated his points but I enjoyed it nonetheless and would recommended this books to EVERYONE. To non-Christians, it says, "Hey, we're not all the same." To different minded Christians, it says, "Hey, consider this line of theology." And to like minded Christians, it says, "Hey, you're not alone." A great read for everyone of all ages 8-80!

Great book for all. Simple read, not super deep, but covers the hard topics with grace. We need more publicity on these facets of Christianity.

****
This book articulates a very loving, more liberal Christianity. I don't know that I agreed with everything in it (indeed, as I am passionately conservative), but I always enjoy reading about why people believe what they do when it is expressed in a rational and caring way, which this book does.

The author discusses why Christians turn so many people off to Christ, and instead of attracting people to Christianity, turn them against it. If love is supposed to be the distinguishing mark of a Christian, why is it that this is so? He discusses:

(1) The way some Christians behave--in negative, judgmental, hypocritical, and unloving ways.
(2) The anti-intellectual attitudes of some Christians and the basis of these attitudes in fear; the author discusses at length the controversy between belief in evolution and creationism.
(3) The way some Christians view other religions--exclusivism--and discusses universalism and inclusion.
(4) The role of God in human suffering--determinism versus seeing God's hand amidst suffering.
(5) The way some Christians view homosexuality; the author makes a case that being against homosexuality is a cultural interpretation of the Bible that is no longer appropriate.

After each chapter's discussion, the author describes examples of where some Christians have gotten it right--which is of course, to have chosen love.

Whether or not you agree with the points the author makes, it is indeed refreshing to hear the views of a committed liberal Christian professed in a way that makes you think about what you believe and why. I think that this is always helpful; at least it is to me. I think that conservative Christians will find much to like here, including developing a greater understanding of liberal brothers and sisters. People who are not Christians who read this book will be relieved to learn that there are many Christians (both liberal and conservative) whose lives are defined by love.

Recommended.
****

When Christians Get It Wrong / 978-1-426-70914-2

I am not a Christian. In fact, I consider myself to be an ex-Christian, at least in part because of some of the issues that author Hamilton brings up here in this excellent book. And yet, I've read some wonderful material from Christian scholars and pastors, and now I can add Hamilton's book to that category.

Hamilton has set out to catalog and address the issues that most seem to drive young people away from the church today. With scripture in one hand, logical analysis in the other, and with his heart firmly in the right place, he seeks to open a dialogue with older, more established members of the church and with some of the attitudes that are driving young people away.

For the most part, he succeeds admirably. Hamilton's tone is educational and explanatory, but it never feels like he's "talking down" to the audience; instead he seems very interested in always seeing all sides of a controversy. He explains his view of scripture, and why he thinks that disasters aren't God's punishment on people, and why he believes that evolution and Christianity are fully compatible. Throughout all his writing, there's these strong undercurrents of love and acceptance - Hamilton's God is clearly a god of love, and he wants to share it with his readers.

When this book gets it "right" it does so to the sound of my applause; for instance, I'm thrilled that Hamilton understands that to learn and teach others about "other religions", you MUST speak to people in that religion, rather than cribbing the writings of some OTHER Christian who may or may not have gotten it all terribly wrong. When this book stumbles, it at least errs on the side of angels - Hamilton's explanation as to why bad things happen may have as many logical holes as a sieve, but given an illogical explanation with a loving God versus an equally illogical explanation with a hateful God, Hamilton chooses the former and with my blessing.

This book isn't perfect; I was particularly annoyed that the homosexuality chapter had an extra little "disclaimer" to the readers at the beginning to coddle them, when nothing else did - why should a statement like, "Hey, let's be nice to everyone like Jesus said so!" be "more" controversial than, "Hey, we evolved from other lifeforms and that's okay!", but I guess I should trust Hamilton to know his audience and how to best not set them off. At the end of the day, this is a well-reasoned, well-written, and impassioned plea to live a version of Christianity that I heartily approve of, and for that, it gets all my praise.

NOTE: This review is based on a free Advance Review Copy of this book provided through NetGalley.

~ Ana Mardoll

In his book When Christians Get It Wrong, Adam Hamilton takes a look at perceptions and actions that chase people away from organized religion. There are some parts of this book that I agreed with. I nodded my head, recognizing the error. Or I saw it for the first time in myself, and bowed my head in shame. But there are other parts that made me raise an eyebrow. Parts that had me thinking, "Is that really scriptural?" Notice, I'm not telling you which parts are which. That's up to you to decide for yourself.

I think it's natural that a book meant to point out error can cause controversy. Most people who read this book won't agree with everything in it. But it definitely provides a great starting point for some lively conversations about theology, doctrine, and (most importantly) the love of God. Read it for yourself and make your own conclusion... are you getting it wrong?

NOTE: I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.

Fast, easy, but worthwhile read for any Christian serious about becoming the kind of Christ follower who attracts rather than repels those who are not yet also Christ followers. Hits most of the hot button issues that keep many non-Christians from most churches, such as hypocrisy. (Ghandhi, for example said "If it weren't for Christians, I'd be a Christian.")

Though the book advocates more openness by Christians to inclusive views on such topics as evolution and homosexuality, it does not simply ignore contrary Bible teachings, but shows how Jesus himself valued people over rules, and sensibly argues that God is not a micromanager.

It is a good start on these issues, even though it doesn't quite cover all bases. (For instance, some supporters of evolution think of it not as merely explaining how the Universe developed, but rather as proof of the impossibility of anything having ever existed outside the small box explainable by the rules of science. (To me, that's a leap of un-faith at least as dramatic as any leap of faith by a Christian, but the book glosses over that part of the discussion.)

Sadly, the book missed one equally-important topic by not mentioning the lack of racial/ethnic diversity in many Christian churches, but if it had, I expect the same arguments/solutions would have applied.

Overall, a very good resource for opening Christian minds and hearts to be more welcoming of those their Christ already loves unreservedly.

Another very good book by Adam Hamilton, one of the most underlined writers of our time.

His books on faith and human relationships are insightful, precise, warm, loving and caring--not at all the typical orthodox hogwash that many so-called Christian books tend to be--and his books make the life and message of Jesus real and meaningful in today's world.

In this book he writes about how Christians sometimes get it wrong--missing the point of God's love and the message and life of Jesus--while trying to uphold what they consider "rules" of the faith.

As indicated earlier, it is difficult to read an Adam Hamilton book without underlining part of almost every page. He is that good.

This book is especially recommended for its target audience--young people (and older people) who think and feel that the church has lost its way in meeting the needs of our world today.

This has the potential to be a very redeeming experience for those who question or somehow doubt the role of faith in today's modern world.

Get your underliner ready. You will need it.

This book helps Christians see where they need to rethink their faith and approach to life. Hamilton also points out where many Christians get it right. A clear and insightful book.