Book Review: NuChristian

As part of Judson Press’ blog tour for Russell Rathbun’s new book, nuChristian: finding faith in a new generation, I have had the wonderful opportunity to preview and review this insightful book.  In addition, Wednesday of this week, I will feature a Q & A with Russell about his new book.  On Friday, Russell will be featured as a guest blogger.

nuChristian begins with a very brief forward by author and activist Shane Claiborne (fellow Eastern University alum), of the Simple Way.  Claiborne, known for being a radical voice and champion for the poor, harmonizes with Rathbun’s message of how Christianity must shape “nuChristians”.  That is, Christians who are no longer identified by hypocritical actions, scandal, and hot button issues.

In the preface, Rathbun lays out that the purpose of this book is to join the conversation of David Kinnamen’s book UnChristian.  Back in 1996, Kinnamen’s Barna Group, found that 83% of Americans identified themselves as Christians, and that fewer than 20% of non-Christians held an unfavorable view of Christianity.  Between 2004 and 2007, nine out of ten non-Christians between the ages of 16-29 found Christians to be too anti-homosexual.  In addition, almost as many saw Christianity as it as “hypocritical” and “judgmental.” Seventy-five percent of non-Christians thought Christians were too involved in politics. UnChristian used these statistics and made the case that non-Christian resentment is focused on perceived Christian attitudes. Kinnaman used these statistics to form a bleak picture of Western Christianity.

Rathbun makes it clear that he does not disagree with Kinnanman’s findings, rather he advocates that Christians should reexamine their worldview, theological framework, and overall embodiment of the Gospel message.  Instead about talking about all the things wrong with Christianity, Rathbun wants to talk about all the things we can do to change Christianity’s “image problem”.  It is not the message of Christianity, it is the people presenting the message.

Drawing from his experiences and ministry as a pastor at his church (House of Mercy), Rathbun outlines some key areas where Christians can change their tune.  First, understand that we live in post-modern world.  NuChristian seems to advocate the notion that post-modernity should not be viewed as a lost, secular mindset, rather to embrace people with different worldviews without denying the message of the Gospel.  Hog-wash you say?  Rathbun believes this outreach to others is critical.  Second, understanding the Bible not a set of rules or regulations, but book of questions about the nature of God, who we are, and how to relate to one another.  The answers to these questions are found within the Bible itself.  Rathbun does not want to devalue the Bible, but to encourage people to see the deeper meaning in scripture.  He admits that this is difficult for most congregations.  I admit, for those without theological education, this idea might seem heretical.  But, when he says that the Bible is a “book of questions”, Rathbun still believes that the Bible is a theological text that is the Holy Word of God, which to provides deeper insight to life, God, salvation, and people (in addition to the message of salvation).  Sometimes, you have to ask questions of the Bible in order to get an answer.  To interpret every word of scripture literally, as Rathbun states, “can begin to create distance” and lead to Christians making a checklist of things that they must do, rather than lovingly fulfilling God’s call.

We are reminded by Rathbun that, “We are not called to save people, we are called to love people.” (pg. 43).  The idea that God does the saving and Christians merely present the message is challenging.  So often, Christians see the job of evangelism of “saving souls.”  Understanding that being a Christian is not about who we are, but who Christ is.  Rathbun writes that Christians must be transparent, engaged, loving, holistic, just, and humble because that is what Jesus did.  Jesus made disciples, not converts.  Too often Christian has focused on making believers, but what happens when those believers have questions?  Evangelism must not be a manipulation of people, but instead an outreach of love.

Culture is an important issue in NuChristian. We Christians cannot be sheltered from culture.  Judgmental attitudes have no place in the life of a “NuChristian”. We must seek an accurate and honest understanding of who we are and we must be exposed to culture in order to reach people.  Using things like the internet, websites, email, etc… are all ways of reaching people.  Church planters often think about zip-code mailings, door to door evangelism, and ads in the newspaper.  Rathbun states that most people come to know his congregation through their website, not by seeing the church building.   Throughout the book, illustrations are used from scripture that bring out how biblical characters were able to reach out through culture, while still maintaining their commitment to God.

Finally, the issue of politics are touched upon.  Rathbun challenges Christians to go beyond politics.  He says,

…it seems like the most vocal Christian leaders in politics are the worst offenders when it comes to divisive rhetoric and entrenched positions.  A good example of this is the controversy that arose over displaying the Ten Commandments [in public places]… Their claim was that the removal of an object, monument, or a plaque, could somehow threaten or diminish the deeply held beliefs of Christianity.  These claims seem to me to come form a lack of faith.  (pg. 76)

In addition, Rathbun challenges Christians to seek political dialogue, build relationships across political boundaries, think about the “least of these”, and focus on the kingdom commands of Jesus in the world of politics.

NuChristian is a welcomed addition to the books that seek to bridge the gap between Christians and post-modernity.  Judgmental and divisive Christians have populated Christianity too long.  NuChristian hits home and it hurts, but it is the good kind of hurt.  The kind of hurt you get when you pour rubbing alcohol on a cut.  It stings, but you know the cut is going to get better.  The ideas that Rathbun presents are needed.  How to handle conflict, theological differences, and how to accept people are issues that churches need to learn how to solve.   I also enjoyed Rathbun’s personal stories of growing up in church, his experiences with his congregation, and the dialog with his father (a Baptist minister) in the last chapter.

However, I fear that people will view Rathbun coming from a perspective that is deemed too dangerous.   People can be pretty entrenched in “their” Christianity and everything else is either too liberal or “wishy-washy”.  People in churches feel that they must be “lock step” Christians.  That is, to follow everything that they think their pastor or ecclesiology dictates, thus any other idea is wrong.  A lot of what the book is about is really pastoral care.  In a way, Rathbun is pastoring us.  Gentle guiding us in a pastoral counseling session of how to be less judgmental, rigid, hateful, nasty, rude, and hypocritical.  Then, once those attitudes are changed, we are led to encounter the world in a different light.

I would recommend that you go out an get NuChristian.  It will help you, your church, your pastor, and just about anyone who is a Christian.

Judson Press: nuChristian: finding faith in a new generation

Look for my Q & A with Russell on Wednesday of this week and on Friday Russell will be featured as a guest blogger.