In UnChristian, David Kinnamon and Gabe Lyons of the Barna Group reveal their research on the thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year olds in regards to matters of faith, morality, theology, Christians, and the church. Kinnamon and Lyons survey both Christians and “outsiders” (non-Christians) who fall into this age category, and the results are staggering. According to their research, many young Christians are struggling mightily in matters of faith and morality. These struggles are not unexpected, considering the age of the group and the pluralistic world in which they have been raised. While this is of concern, the most ground-breaking research, however, is this: young outsiders by overwhelming margins perceive Christians as “unChristian,” or not reflecting the values and actions of Christ.
Young outsiders have many negative perceptions of Christians. Christians are hypocritical, calling others to live lives that they themselves are not living. Christians view outsiders as objects for evangelism and as numbers, rather than having genuine relationships with those who have not yet acknowledged Christ. Rather than treating homosexuals with love, Christians attend anti-gay rallies and carry signs that say “God hates fag.” Christians are thus “antihomosexual.” Christians live sheltered lives, living in isolated, Christian bubbles in which they neither know nor understand outsiders. Christians are too involved in politics, using laws to impose their standards of morality. Christians are judgmental, claiming to “love the sinner and hate the sin,” but in reality hating both sin and sinner.
Some of these perceptions have been fostered by media portrayals of Christians or by one or two bad encounters with Christians. Unfortunately, some of these perceptions reflect the attitudes and behaviors of a large number of Christians.
While there are undoubtedly many causes behind these attitudes and behaviors, one common cause seems to be the breakdown of Christendom in the United States. For decades now, Christians have not been at the center of the public square. Our worldview and values are being rejected by our culture—and we are reacting badly. We often attempt to exercise “church discipline” by reprimanding, berating, and ostracizing those who engage in immoral behaviors. Yet, as Scripture tells us, it is impossible for people who do not have the Spirit of God to truly obey him. Outsiders do not need a better morality—they need Christ.
In fact, while the authors uphold the passing of laws to enforce morality and influence behavior, I question whether these laws will do more harm than good once their support starts falling below fifty percent. Besides, even if, for instance, marriage laws prevent homosexuals from marrying, this still does not mean that they are not lost. My experience has been that once state amendments pass on marriage, all thought of homosexuals is forgotten. There is no plan to reach out to them or seek their redemption. If we are to reach outsiders today, we must do this through love and service, following the way of Jesus, not force. Anything less is unChristian.
