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Religious Book Store > Religious books beginning with L
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Lord, Save Us From Your Followers: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America? |
Author: Dan Merchant
Published: 2008-03-11 |
List price: $19.99
Our price: $13.59
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As of: November 22nd, 2008 01:36:09 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 The Gospel of Love - Challenging the Evangelical status quo
Every Christian should read this book! Excellent reality check - has the Gospel of Condemnation replaced the Gospel of Love Jesus sacrificed Himself to pass on to His followers? This book challenged complacent evangelical assumptions with negative perceptions of 'Christians' from random interviews on the street. Totally eye-opening. Appreciated the range of longer interviews -Tony Campolo, Congressman Tony Hall (the 'burger incident' on the way to Ethiopia is VERY hysterical!), Al Franken et all. Touching to read Dan Merchant's honest portrayal of his own prejudices & pursuit of mercy. A tough read at times, but SNL-type humor throughout kept me in until the end.
A "MUST READ" & a "MUST SHARE" (have bought many copies to date, passed on to others!) Thank you, Dan Merchant!
Revealing
I did not read this book looking for an opinion as one of the previous reviews mentioned as a weakness. I was looking for the state of our country's perspective of the image of Christians. I got it. This was an easy read and I applaud Dan Merchant for helping to expose this difficult issue that WE in the Church do not want to discuss. It very much personalizes what many might consider "the opposition". I realized I do need to listen more. I do now after reading this book. Let me tell you, it has been a better way to live.
Also, don't read this unless you are open to being led to some kind of a shift in your thinking....."all rivers flow into the same ocean". He uses this general point but not in the ecumenical way you may be thinking before reading the book.
Other thing = watch the flick also....my opinion = AFTER you've read the book. But if you know you aren't going to put this on your list of books to read, at least download the movie and enjoy the hour and a half documentary.
My only question is, Mr. Merchant, when is your next project ??!!??
All Christians ought to read this (and so should the non-Christians)
Gandhi famously said, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." That quote captures the essence of this book: Jesus Christ is almost universally admired, even by non-Christians. His followers, on the other hand, often provoke a very different reaction. Many people reject Christianity, not because they have anything against Jesus, but because they are repulsed by those so-called "Christians" who appear to be so unlike Christ. Christians are often perceived to be intolerant, judgmental, "holier-than-thou" hatemongers, who want to impose their narrow-minded beliefs and puritanical values on the world. Of course, most born again Christians would reject this rather unflattering stereotype; and insist that they are only trying to follow Jesus and spread the gospel message to those whose souls need saving. This divide has led to a "culture war" in modern America -- a war between evangelicals and secularists over the issue of whether America is going to be a Christian nation that promotes traditional values or a secular nation that celebrates individual freedom. This "culture war" has led documentary filmmaker Dan Merchant, a moderately-conservative evangelical Christian, to ask the question: "Why is the gospel of love dividing America?" Merchant wants to encourage both sides in the culture war to chill out, lighten up, get a sense of humor, move beyond the unfair stereotypes, and actually enter into a mutually-respectful dialogue with each other rather than a hate-filled shouting match. He encourages Christians to be more Christ-like: more loving, more forgiving, and less judgmental. And he encourages non-Christians to judge Christianity based on the words and deeds of Christ rather than on the words and deeds of his imperfect followers. That's a message we all need to hear.
 Needs work
I saw Dan Merchant on the Today show and thought he was very charming and that the idea for the book was unique. When reading it, I get the impression he is a moderate Republican that is annoyed that religious right has taken hold of the party. He seems to be an apologist for Rick Santorum while being critical of the views of Al Franken. I say seems, as he is always hedging and never outright says what he wants the reader to know.
I may also not agree with everything Al Franken says, but I say outright I am a Democrat with moderate views. I will also say the former Senator Santorum was defeated for his views, his policies, and partisanship- things Merchant didn't touch on or research as he writes his review of him. Is he aware that Santorum fought for a cap on medical lawsuit awards, and when his wife's back was 'injured' in a spinal manipulation session they sued for twice as much as the cap. One of the claims that she couldn't help campaign for her husband. Or that he derided opponents for satelite schools at the tax payers expense- but what did he do? Same thing... Or his refering to gay people as man-on-dog lovers.
I did enjoy some interviews with people like Michael Reagan. It provided more insight into his personality. And I read it with an open mind he is someone I may not agree with, but would certainly speak with to exchange opinions.
That is another thing that is missing- we only 'sorta' know what Merchant wants to say- and there is not a sharing of ideas among his interview subjects- they are just interviews.
I was hoping (and told by one review) that the documentary was included, but it turns out it is not. I will actively look for this as it does look interesting.
I think Merchant has great ideas, he just needs to say what he really thinks.
A Questions all Christians Must Ask Themselves
Lord, Save us From Your Followers should jump start a whole bunch of conversations about why a group of people whose very name implies that they follow someone who taught about loving one another are responsible for so much hate, animosity and down right awfulness.
Dan Merchant traveled the United States talking to people one on one about why Christians are perceived to be more committed to being right than being loving. It doesn't help when some people on the religious right are so condemnatory. Amazingly it was people on the left who seemed to be more willing to talk with him about things. Al Franken, Sister Mary Timothy and Michael Reagan sit and talk with Dan and help us to see how we are perceived by those outside the church.
This book should make you think about whom you are following and if your faith is really in him or in the hands of some political strategist, whether you believe in the words of Christ or the words of the Republican party. I would recommend this book for everyone but especially for those who call themselves Christians or Christ followers.
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