When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: Where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Author Flannery O'Connor once noted that "sometimes you have to suffer as much from the church as you do for it..." (more)
Key Phrases: hard teaching, Jesus Christ, United States, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A cursory reading of Burchett's expos‚ of the pitiful condition of the American Christian church shows the book to be stinging, acerbic and slightly flippant. But careful attention to Burchett's painful message that "bad Christians" have done, and continue to do, great damage to others in the fold reveals the truth of his accusations. For openers, Burchett tells his own story of callous rejection by a church he attended when his terminally ill daughter was only months old. The congregation in question decided in no uncertain terms that Burchett's daughter was not welcome in their nursery, despite the fact that baby Katie posed no threat to the other infants. Such behavior is the first of many examples where Christians slammed their church doors at the first sight of discomfort. Burchett's style is critical, sometimes overwhelmingly so. Yet he supports every claim of Christian shame, and does so with evidence solid enough to convict. He describes churches as frequently elitist, unfriendly and fearful. He also takes issue with lazy Christian-ese, countering that true faith is measured not merely in words but through acts of humility, service and self-sacrifice. Some sensitive Christian believers will surely take issue with Burchett's tone and the one-two stabs of witty humor that are often aimed at Christians themselves. Yet his call to reform is so solidly founded on biblical principles that his severe words must be heeded.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Help for those who have been harmed by Christians–and those who have inflicted the wounds. Throughout history, Christians have done considerable damage to others–both independently and in the name of Christ. Each time this occurs, one of God’s precious creations is wounded and the church’s witness to the world is grievously weakened.

For years, unbelievers and Christians have rejected the church because of damaging encounters with a Christian, a Christian leader, or a group of Christians. No matter how much we wish to reverse the damage, however, we cannot reach the unchurched with the life-changing message of the gospel–nor can we protect those still within the body–unless we insist upon dramatic changes within our church communities.

Targeting every person who has ever been hurt by a Christian–as well as those believers responsible for inflicting such damaging wounds–author Dave Burchett calls for a new way of relating that will bring healing to the church and transform our witness to the world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578564905
• ISBN-13: 978-1578564903
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #322,677 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be read by all Christians, July 10, 2002

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

One of the best books available on how Christians continue to damage the cause of Christ, "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" is a must read. Mr. Burchett starts with an example from his own life involving his daughter. She had a terminal physical condition that posed no threat to anyone. However, the church decided that she was unwelcome in the nursery because of her problems. Didn't Christ reach out to those in need? Didn't Christ spend most of his time dealing with those who were outside the mainstream of society?

In a sad state of reversion to times gone by it seems that the modern Church has a lot in common with the Pharisees of old. Don't disturb our status quo, don't do anything that might make our nice, pretty church not look like the best one in the community. Not only does that apply to the physical church but the people of the church also.

I have attended several churches with the problems mentioned in this book (unfortunately far more seem to have the problems than do not). From one that wanted the teenagers to participate in taking up the offering but only if they could get a nice suit jacket to ones that would forgive and accept any repentitant sinner into their group but would not forgive a repentitant member who made a mistake.

While Burchett's criticism of the church can be caustic, he never makes a point that he does not backup with a real life example and then also backs it up with specific Biblical concepts. If you have been injured by the church or know of others that have been then this book is for you. On the other hand, because we all are human and at various times commit many of the sins covered in this book, it should be required reading for all Christians.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Right on, February 12, 2002

By	B. Stamper (Orange, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am extremely happy with this book. Maybe it's because I'm a New Yorker, and we tell it like it is. I can sympathize with my Christian comrades that when we hear someone criticize Christianity or Christians, our first reaction is the definsive: "No, the person you are talking about must not be a 'real' Christian." But it is time to 'fess up, my friends. I am as guilty as you are of favoritism, negligence, deliberate hurtfulness, and many other things. (If we were not, why do we have a whole part of the church service devoted to "Confession"? That's not for "the unbelievers", friends. It's for "the faithful".) Having met Christians in other countries and from other countries, I am ashamed of American Christianity and its partisan politics, inability to separate faith from "Americanism" (read: laziness, indifference, exploitation, materialism). Burchett is living in the world (he's a TV sports director) and not of it; giving creedance to Jesus' hard teachings. If you are ready for a wake-up call and a challenge, read this book. It is excellent. I am only taking off one star as I think it's a little scatter-gun in the organization. But its time has come. Thank you, Mr. Burchett.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Bad Can We Really Be.....?, April 15, 2003

By	Eric C. Cravey "cravey10" (Orange Park, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book thinking it would confirm my beliefs about why people leave churches. What I found are the answers to that multi-faceted issue, as well as much more food for thought and spiritual growth.
Dave Burchett, a cynical journalist-type like me, smacks me between the eyes with each compelling chapter. A devout, sinful, growing, imperfect Christian like me, he points out ways the church universal has hurt thousands of people yet points out ways we can turn the tide in hopes of helping fulfill Christ's Great Commission. We can't win souls for Jesus by condemning others, judging others or boycotts as Burchett points out ever-so-often.
He pulls no punches when he embraces the fact that Christ wants us ALL to have salvation and that we poor little, selfish, prideful humans cannot rid the world of sin. But if we are truly Christ's followers, we should spread extravagant love. Christ's ministry here on earth was about love and service and how we can have salvation.
We are supposed to give His love to EVERYONE!!!
That means love your neighbor even if he/she takes part in "Gay Days" at Disney, is a different color from you, has a tattoo or pierced tongue or drinks alcohol to oblivion. But, he also points out how we need balance in our lives to bring our yet-to-turn-their-lives-over-to-Christ friends to Christ.
I recommend this book to anyone and already have been told by those I've told about it that they want to buy it now.
And yes, I've been a bad Christian. But, now I know how to continue to grow to change that. Hopefully now, I'll think a whole lot more before I open my mouth or do something that would make our Savior cringe from above.