When Bad Christians Happen to Good People

Now, here's a book worth buying and reading (which I did,... and I am) just because of its TITLE!  As an aspiring copywriter acutely aware of the power of a good headline, I always appreciate it when a book title -- just like the well-thought-out, impactful headline of an ad (that is also, hopefully, well-thought-out and impactful) -- gets my attention and makes me want to read more.

My pastor spoke briefly about this book, When Bad Christians Happen to Good People, authored by Dave Burchett (2nd ed., 2011), today when he announced that it will be the subject of his next scheduled "Book Talk" discussion, Tuesday, March 20, 2012.

Immediately after the 10:30 service this morning, I went to the church's bookstore and bought myself a copy.  I've been thumbing through it.  The subtitle of the book is every bit as compelling as the main title: "Where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage."

The book is divided into three sections.  Part I is: "Silencing the Lambs / The Indefensible Things We Do to One Another."  Part II is: "Why Won't Those Heathens Listen? / Thoughts on How We Lost Our Audience."  Part III is: "Reality-Based Faith for Survivors / Being Real in an Artificial World."

I won't give away all the chapter headings, but they're witty and wise just like the main section headings.  A few examples are: "The Unfriendliest Club in Town?" "WJSHTOT? (Would Jesus Spend His Time on This?)" "CSL: Christian as a Second Language" "All God's Children Got Souls, Even the Annoying Ones" 

Great stuff!

The book is 222 pages of conscience-jabbing, light-hearted but serious-minded analysis, diagnosis and prognosis, followed by a study guide and a brief section of footnotes and recommended resources. With the frontal matter included (table of contents, acknowledgments, introduction), 256 pages total.

I will review and share with you some of my impressions of the book in later posts.  

But, first, I'm gonna READ IT...