I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion (Paperback)

by Vince Antonucci (Author)
Key Phrases: chaotic messiness, blue bathing suit, Mother Teresa, New Testament, Brother Lawrence (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this ultimately disappointing book, Antonucci, a Virginia-based pastor, criticizes the superficial subculture of American Christianity. Antonucci's working assumption is that many Christians are actually disenchanted by their spiritual lives and wonder why they don't have the abundant life Jesus promised. The solution to this deadening state of affairs? Christians need to shake loose the trite trappings of Christian-speak and get back to the adventure of faith. Antonucci takes aim at some of the beloved shibboleths of evangelicalism, suggesting, for example, that instead of talking about having a relationship with Jesus, Christians should worry about whether (as per John 15) they abide in Jesus. Some of his turns of phrase are thought provoking, as when he urges readers to be the good news before they worry about sharing it. But his autobiographical vignettes go on too long, and his message—that the Bible asks us not to behave well or even to believe in Jesus, but to follow him—is not greatly different from many Christian-living books. Too often, Antonucci replaces the clichés he disdains with more platitudes. On prayer: spending large quantities of quality time with God—face-to-face will make believers glow. In short, this book promises more than it delivers. (Feb.)
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Product Description
Many people find themselves asking, "Is this it?" "We all read about the life Jesus describes and are painfully aware that our lives don't match his words," says Vince Antonucci, a disarmingly funny and edgy pastor. Raised by a Jewish mother and abandoned by his professional poker-playing father, Antonucci found Jesus at age twenty after studying the New Testament. When he finally went to church, he was disappointed to discover a "boring, stale religion." Through provocative storytelling and raw honesty, Antonucci unearths the life Jesus lived and wants us to experience, challenging us to move past spiritual boredom into a faith that's exciting, beautiful, and powerful. Recommended for all Christians thirsty for a fresh perspective on Christianity.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801068185
• ISBN-13: 978-0801068188
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #120,972 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lousy t-shirt a rare find!, February 2, 2008

By	Tom Cooperider - See all my reviews

I think that this is Vince's first book, and after reading "I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" I hope that it is not his last. I was challenged over and over to rethink some of the assumptions that the church has made about itself over the years.

I know that there are a lot of people that have either grown up in church or become a Christian only to find that the experience was less than fulfilling. Vince uses a lot of funny stories to remind us that God cares about people, and that following Jesus will lead us to an adventure.

If you are ready for the life Jesus really promised, not the one on the sidelines watching others live, (or want to know what that life is really like) then this book will be a joy. As a minister I appreciated Vince's honesty more then anything, this is not another "Hey look at me" book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book tops a lousy t-shirt, February 11, 2008

By	Ronald M. Furgerson (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read the reviews on this book before buying it for myself and thought the reviews must have been submitted by Mr. Antonucci's friends -- that the book couldn't be that good. Nope, it is that good! Guess you could conclude that the reviews were more than a tease (forgive the lousy pun).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, February 6, 2008

By	Bob Roberts, Jr. "glocalnet" (Everywhere) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vince hits a home run in his first book! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know how faith in Jesus can be so impactful. I've traveled the globe with Vince - he's real deal and what he writes is straight from the heart and relevant to all of us especially the church today. Keep livin' it Vince and writin' about it - bobby g - author Transformation, Glocalization, & The Multiplying Church.