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Catchy Title...Shameful Truth

by Joel Medley

October 27, 2012

@jemedm

When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett, as the title says, has a catchy title. I had seen the book on the Blogging for Books website but avoided it. After all, such a trite title cannot offer any fulfillment for my faith. Truth, however, hurts; and this book stings. I must admit it -- I was wrong.

Burchett's revised edition is not one for the modern Pharisee because he cuts to the heart like a surgeon. This book hits you hard with a deeply personal experience that almost led his family away from church forever. Why? They, in their time of need, were not shown love, compassion, and grace. As you read Burchett's offerings, the conclusion focuses on that final word -- grace. We have become all-too-familiar with it and believe we understand it. Unfortunately for those within and outside the church, we do not understand it; and even worse, we certainly do not live it.

God offers us a direct command in Matthew 5:16 to live a life so that others can see the graceful God who changed our lives. Instead, we focus upon selfish wants and needs rather than demonstrating God's love to others. In doing so, our testimony of Jesus Christ's redemptive work is cheapened. If we live like the devil but claim to be children of God, then others will not have any interest in Christ. In other words, our poor adherence to the principles of Scripture drives others further from God.

I am not the type of reader that likes books lacking deep exegetical analysis; however, in this case, I have made an exception. Burchett struck a nerve. As I was reading the book, I experienced the title from graceless believers and loved hearing his hard-hitting analysis of their actions. Then, in an about face, he hit me hard because my joy in their reproof revealed that I also fit the title. I was not being gracious and forgiving, which is the expectation of a Christian.

Your place in life does not matter, because this book will give you something. We've all crossed "bad Christians," the challenge now is to not become (or continue to be) one of them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. For additional details, please visit http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 25: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.