I saw this book on a shelf last weekend, and the title called out to me. Could these authors possibly "get it" and understand many of the problems Christians are facing today are self-inflicted? Well, the short answer is "YES! They do."

Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz, Christians themselves, have written a great book analyzing many of the problems Christians face today. "I'm Fine With God, It's Christians I Can't Stand" presents their viewpoints in a style mixing lighthearted humor, frank commentary, and biblical references. Their refreshingly candid approach might be a harsh splash of cold water in the face of some Christians. But when the words used most often to describe Christians are judgmental, hypocritical, and self-righteous (to name a few), it is time for a wake-up call.

The authors do a great job of presenting the various issues, offering examples, and never failing to present a reasoned approach for Christians to consider on each topic. Rather than creating our own stumbling blocks along our way, the authors viewpoints will help open dialogue and hopefully get many Christians to address these issues and get back to sharing their faith, rather than beating people over the head with it.

I would recommend this book to every pastor, church staff member, and Christian who has ever run into another Christian they can't stand.

I don't see this as a handbook for how to save your non-Christian friends. If you want a how-to book, this isn't it. I do see this as a book that will make you examine your heart and attitude regarding your own faith and as a result you will be more understanding of where people are coming from who can't stand Christians.

The authors have pretty hilarious comments. Want to get a belly laugh out of your teenager? I did when I read him several things out loud. The authors drive their points home with humor, and what they share is often profound. This isn't fluff reading. Like the nose on your face, the truth was always there, but you may not have noticed it before. I agreed with about 90% of their comments. The other ten percent I was more neutral on or maybe not quite as sure I felt the same way, but if you glean anything from this book that will change the way you see yourself and the world around you, then you will be glad you checked it out.

My favorite chapter was I'm Fine With God... but I can't stand Christians Who are Convinced God Wants Them Rich. I detest the "name it and claim it health and wealth false gospel" and charlatans who rob the poor and the widows through their lies and con games. So I got a real chuckle out of the witty sarcasm the authors used to drive their point home. For example:

If you give to Billy Bob's television ministry you'll receive... A swatch of fabric packaged as a Holy Spirit Prayer Cloth--actual pieces of the beach towel used by John the Baptist during his baptismal ministry on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Now that's obviously an over-exaggeration, but I found it hilarious. The other examples are even funnier. But the bottom line is the authors illustrate in every chapter why the hang-ups and weird beliefs in the modern Christian culture (often committed by people who haven't a clue) are a barriers to reaching the lost. The insight they share is amazing. And if you enjoy satire and sarcasm, you'll want to get this book.

This is a masterpiece! Do yourself and others a favor and learn how your actions/attitudes may be sending a message that you wish it weren't. This should be required reading material for anyone who has been a Christian over a decade. It's a real winner. I've purchase dozens of this book to give out to others...you'll either LOVE it...or not!

I enjoyed this very much. It may put off a Christian who only reads the title, but it has great scripture passages that outline their points throughout the book. It is not as threatening as some might think from reading the title.

I bought the book after hearing the title on the Christian radio. The title intrigued me in that it focused on an incredibly important issue in the evangelical world today... the fact that we often are our very worst enemies. Bickel and Jantz lay out a very entertaining critique of the people, events and attitudes that have tagged the Christian church for the last several years- those of indignant, self absorbed, impatient, money hungry, self-righteous, uninformed bigots. Now the authors are very quick to point out that they are targeting the "fringe" layer of Christians and the culprits that perpetuate these tags and then go on to explain in each chapter not only why they are hurtful, but offer what they see as a better approach to the particular hurt these people have caused the Gospel. Overall the book is entertaining, very thought provoking and some of what was written needed to be written so that the Christian community might have to deal with its premise and then to hopefully tackle the problems or perceptions represented.
But, not so fast, boys. I take strong issue with one aspect of the book. The very attitudes of indifference, disgust, condemnation they point out so many Christians have toward the habits, behaviors and life styles of the "world" are the very same attitudes they openly admit they have for those harmful Christians displaying those attitudes of indifference, disgust, and condemnation. In other words, how can they condemn the fringe layers of intolerant Christians and not put themselves in the very same category? Their book repeatedly shares their un-Christlike disdain for the very Christians they write about having a disdain and intolerance for the unsaved. Their attitude mirrors exactly what they wrote about as being wrong in the Christian world today. These authors cannot have it both ways. They have a witty, refreshing style of writing that is cleverly hiding the very same cancer they are so quick to identify in others. I don't expect that they would admit to it and if they did, then what's the point of the book? While you are reading it, be careful that the critical attitude they write with doesn't infect your view of Christians, even those on the fringe.
The book is worth reading. It's points are critical to consider if you are a Christian. I will recommend it to my friends with the comment that they look to learn from its points, not the overall attitude it displays toward others.