The Christian Culture Survival Guide: The Misadventures of an Outsider on the Inside (Paperback)

~ (Author), Stephen Baldwin (Foreword) "Do you remember singing the song, "Oh You Can't Get To Heaven"?..." (more)
Key Phrases: accountability group, altar call, Holy Spirit, Jack Files, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I found myself laughing, shaking my head, sighing and smiling all because I could relate." -- Owen Thomas, The Elms

"If you’re ready for a new, honest and even hilarious take on Christianity and today’s culture, this is your book." -- Christa Farris, Editor of CCM Magazine and CCMMagazine.com

"The Christian Culture Survival Guide is a must-read for anyone who has ever walked through the doors of a church." -- Andy Argyrakis, Chicago Tribune contributing writer

"The Christian Culture Survival Guide is one of the most hilarious books I have ever read!" -- Jaci Velasquez, singer

"Witty, insightful, edgy, cynical, hopeful, faithful, disturbing, indicting, and provocative. You won't come away from it with a neutral response." -- Will Penner, speaker, author and editor of Youthworker Journal

About the Author

THE AUTHORS Chris Seay is pastor of Ecclesia, a progressive Christian community in Houston, Texas, and is author of The Gospel According to Tony Soprano (Relevant Books). Seay lives in Houston with his wife, Lisa, who is a marriage and family counselor. They have three children.

Chad Karger, the community pastor at Ecclesia, holds an M.A. in counseling and has worked with countless couples over the last ten years. He is part of Better Days, an organization that provides intensive spiritual direction and personal coaching to individuals throughout Houston. He has been married to Meeka for thirteen years and has three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Relevant Books (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974694207
• ISBN-13: 978-0974694207
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #631,743 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars ironic...., May 14, 2005

By	L. Holm "college kid" (WI, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yeah, this book was humorous for the first chapter, until the author's sarcasm became overwhelming, what I would call full-blown arrogance and hypocrisy. First of all, if you intend to write a whole book centered on ridiculing people for their faults, *AND* claim to follow Christ, something's wrong. Jesus' command to love one another includes everyone--even those insane fundamentalist, Bible-thumping freaks you come across. There is such a thing as constructive criticism (which is not used here).

What cinched it for me was the irony of sneaking an ad for their magazine at the end of the book. After all that ranting on Christianity becoming a giant sales pitch? Come on now, he should've known better. That was the funniest part, in MY opinion.

I'm going back to the bookstore and returning it. I guess he may have started with good intentions, but somewhere along the way lost the concept of Jesus' love and grace.

14 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get real, June 29, 2004

By	JD (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

Given the reviews I've read here, I think it's easy to see why there are so many problems in the church today.

The fact of the matter is that an overwhelming number of people today are lost. And although the church is supposed to be a refuge and source of direction for these people, it has instead turned in to a legalistic plumage of smoke and mirrors. Apparently, some of the people who "reviewed" this book aren't yet willing to admit to this fact. (Although, I find it hard to believe that any of the people who have left negative reviews actually took the time to read this book! Rather, they most likely skimmed over it w/ a biased (read - "prideful") eye.)

Every negative review of this book begins with the premise that Matthew addresses some important topics that no writer has yet had the courage to address, and then in the very same review they cut him down for not addressing these issues in the right way or the appropriate writing standards. Yea, way to offer something constructive. (Oh wait, I forgot, Christians aren't ever allowed to be sarcastic. Scratch that last line...) Instead of cutting down this courageous author, how about contributing something to the cause that you have already agreed needs to be addressed!?! But wait, that would take courage, a trait the negative reviewers apparently believe Christians today aren't allowed to possess.

What I have learned from this book is that I am not alone in my disappointment regarding the church. Instead of making me want to turn away from God's church (something that Christians in general have done a fabulous job of doing) Matthew's book has encouraged me to face the issues of the church, and strive to do something positive about them. He has taught me that it is OK to acknowledge problems within the church, and that doing so is the first step in creating a positive, Godly change.

It is evident in his book, "The Christian Culture Survival Guide" that author Matt Turner has a true heart for the lost, and a desire to share with them the love he has found in his Savior and Lord. He also has obviously experienced the same disappointments that many people have with the church today, and does not want these people to lose hope or the desire to follow the Father despite these Earthly inadequacies. Thank you Matt for stepping out on a ledge, putting it all out there, and reaching those of us that were feeling so alone, despite all of the heat you will be taking for writing this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute, funny, weird, January 6, 2009

By	PriscillyGirl - See all my reviews

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a brisk read, it was definitely funny and insightful... but I couldn't pin down the genre. It's definitely satire, but it's also structured like a book for people interested in immersing themselves in Christianity.. and contains a confusing and sloppy mixture of satirical and sincere advice. It was also somewhat awkward because the author appears to be just as dorky and awkward as the goofy Christians he mocks..

I would certainly never give this book to someone interested in becoming a Christian, because it paints a hideous picture of Christianity. But it made the afternoon fun. It also made me want to check out the authors new book, "Churched" to hear more about his experiences... I'm guessing personal storytelling is his real talent.