“Christianity has an image problem.” What comes to mind when sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds think about Christians and Christianity? Try “hypocritical,” “judgmental,” “antihomosexual” and other negative terms. According to author David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, the perceptions of young American adults reveal a growing level of hostility and resentment towards all things Christian, including Christ, that are impacting our ability to engage the culture with the gospel.
Based upon three years of research commissioned by the Fermi Project to study the perceptions of Christians and Christianity by sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds, unchristian (Baker Books) describes how young American adults are becoming increasingly negative about and resistant to Christianity, a view often fueled by skepticism and resentment as a result of damaging personal encounters with Christians and the church. The results of the study are honestly and skillfully presented, balancing statistics and analysis with practical insights from Kinnaman and other Christian leaders on ways Christians can engage and redeem the culture without compromising theological truths and a passion for Christ. Instead of surrendering to the attitude, “Jesus said they will hate us,” Kinnaman acknowledges the complexity of the issues while emphasizing the need to wake up to the realities of how we are being perceived and to respond appropriately to areas in which we have failed to represent Christ.
In his book, Kinnaman explores six broad themes related to the negative perceptions of Mosaics (born 1984-2002) and Busters (1965-1983), exposing how deeply this age group rejects and feels rejected by Christians. These categories include views that Christians are hypocritical, too focused on getting converts, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political, and judgmental. The three most common perceptions noted from the research are that Christians are antihomosexual (fixated on curing; political activists), judgmental (prideful, quick to find fault, don’t love people) and hypocritical (morally superior attitude; say one thing but do another) with an overall view that Christians are known most for what they are against, not what they are for. Something that is not explored as much in depth in the book is the equally common attitude of indifference towards Christianity.
The chapter, Get Saved!, regarding how Christians are perceived as being insincere and concerned only with converting others, reveals that those on the outside of the Christian faith don’t like being “cornered” into conversations about faith and do not believe that Christians are sincerely interested in them as individuals. (Kinnaman prefers to use the word outsiders instead of unbelievers or the lost, a term that includes atheists, agnostics, those from other faiths, and unchurched adults who are not born-again.) Surveys and interviews showed strong contempt for evangelistic methods that are perceived as gimmicks used to trick people into paying attention to the presentation of the gospel. The target of more advertising, media and marketing than ever before, this generation is particularly skeptical of the motives of programs and people that promote faith in Christ.
Efforts to share faith were found to be most effective when they were “interpersonal and relationship based” (p.70). Radio, TV and tracts had virtually no impact on decisions to trust in Christ according to those Busters who claimed to be born-again. Mass evangelism strategies were found to create “three to ten times as much negative response as positive” (p.71). The study also found that Mosaic/Buster believers are reluctant to be assertive in sharing their faith, are highly sensitive about what others think and feel, and are less likely to feel compelled to share their faith with others.
Spiritual depth is viewed by Kinnaman as a vital factor in effectiveness in reaching the culture. He believes that too often we promote a form of Christianity focused only on a decision to accept Christ, a simple and costless faith. Many of these young people have attended church at some time in their life; nearly two-thirds of adult Mosaics and Busters claim they have at some point made a commitment to Jesus Christ, yet they have disengaged from the church and most do not live substantially different lives from non-believers. Spiritual transformation, a process involving embracing a biblical worldview (based on eight elements) that defines and guides decisions and how one interacts with the world, is seen to be the key to living out a genuine and real faith—living in the culture in both purity and proximity, humble and respectful to outsiders.
What does this mean for us who want to reach every student with the gospel? Kinnaman suggests that we must avoid simplifying the message of the gospel to be just about a personal relationship with Christ. Outsiders must see Christians whose lives reflect service, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and other qualities that reflect the life of Christ. We must be careful that our enthusiasm for evangelism includes a passion for fostering relationships and an environment that encourages deep spiritual transformation.
Certainly, we need to understand the complex issues that influence what this generation thinks about Christians and Christianity in order to be more effective in presenting the gospel and increase the possibility of being heard; however, UnChristian also encouraged me to reflect on my own attitudes and actions and ask God to show me where I am misrepresenting his character.
Kinnaman outlines four ways in which the church can help to change these negative perceptions. He encourages us to respond to criticism appropriately; connect with people by being examples of followers who think (have a biblical worldview), love (as Jesus loved) and listen (to God and others); interact creatively with the culture (by communicating truth in clear engaging fresh ways) and serve people (showing compassion, kindness, true interest and concern). This book does more than just tell us what is wrong and what we need to change, it offers insight into the hearts of those we are trying to reach, and provides hope that it is possible to overcome the label unChristian through living out the gospel and demonstrating that we are for Jesus, not against outsiders.
For more information go to www.unchristian.com
