Have you ever felt the pain of betrayal by a brother or sister in Christ? Has a Christian leader ever hurt you deeply in some way? Have you ever encountered harsh legalism or judgmentalism from those in the church? Ever felt out of place or unaccepted in a church setting? Odds are, you answered at least one of the above questions affirmatively. Its even possible that you answered all the questions affirmatively. So for anyone who has experienced pain at the hands of Christians, When Bad Christians Happen to Good People is for you. It will remind you how wrong it is for those with the example of God's love to be unloving.
Author Dave Burchett exposes and analyzes the difference between what we say we believe and how we act toward each other. He also notes the disparity between the life and attitudes of Jesus and those of our own lives. Throughout this thought-provoking book, he calls the church to live up to the high standard it preaches. While recognizing that we will often fail to meet the high standard Jesus has set for us, Burchett is unflinching in his call for us to keep trying, to keep improving.
But Burchett does not simply point out the inconsistencies of the church; he also offers advice on how the church can heal itself, and then set about healing our culture. He writes with a penetrating honesty, acknowledging his own inadequacies and inconsistencies. But he doesn't let his inadequacies prevent him from continuing to try and improve, and he won't let the church do it either.
He notes that it is probable 'that everything negative non-Christians have heard or felt about Christians and the church is either partially or even completely true,' but maintains that the real issue for non-believers is who Jesus is and what it means for their lives. Lack of love is often one contributing factor in a non-Christian's decision to remain outside of the church, but it is not usually the only one. Conversely, for those Christians hurt by other Christians, the choice to leave a church (sometimes to leave the Church) may be linked (often is) to a painful episode, but the real issue is what faith in Christ means in everyday life and relationships.
Regardless of the real issues keeping people from church, the pain they feel is real, and it is wrong, and it should never be tolerated. While it will take time to change our hurtful ways, Burchett is confident that change is possible, through the power of God. And When Bad Christians Happen to Good People is a great place to begin that healing from.
