postChristian: What's Left? Can We Fix It? Do We Care? Hardcover – August 12, 2014

Wow! The book promises to piss you off and it does (for good reason) I give it three stars because it lands some well deserved punches on how we do Christianity in the 21st Century, and uncovers a lot of psychology and human motives that many of us keep beneath the surface when living out our faith. That said, the book really does piss me off because I see a hidden assault on our faith that is quite successful in modern Academic circles. In an attempt to "salvage" the faith, what Piatt does is create a new faith, designed to not offend the most Progressive secular humanist at any University campus. The core of which is not the worship of an eternal personal God (He is just an insistence), it is not the obedience of God, because rules divide, it is not the reconciliation with God, the salvation of our soul, or the evangelism of others (these are really things we need to repent of, because they are divisive). No, the core of the new Politically Correct Post Christian faith is the tearing down of boundaries between people and the service of others. Anything that creates boundaries, like the belief in an absolute morality, a saving God, heaven or hell, even a belief that you have the truth, is something which needs to be abandoned, so we all presumably can sit around the campfire and share our vulnerabilities with one another. Of course, the mere writing of this book and suggestion that we should do this creates the boundaries he claims to want to abolish, because I for one say, "Hogwash". Destruction of boundaries and service of others are certainly teachings of Jesus, but so are His statements that "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one shall come to the Father, but through me." Christian Piatt is correct that Christianity at its core is divisive. So are a number of other things. He is too willing to throw away the core, to obtain an unachievable utopia.

So, here is the deal.... I have had a hard time attending church as a Christian as I have seen much dishonesty and misuse of trust by church leaders (not all, however). In fact, I had difficulty attending church on a regular basis until the past few years as I wanted church, in general, to more Christ-like without it getting involved in right-wing politics or science denial. This book is helpful because it names the problems that occur in the modern day church, although the criticisms are really directed more at church life in most of the United States. Simply put, "postChristian" goes through various issues of modern church life (for example, one church coveting what another church has and the subsequent negative effects) and provides solutions. The final chapter which details how the modern church is changing (metaphorically like "burning away the dross") is provocative and worth the price of the book alone. I highly recommend this book.

I really resonated with the first 2/3 of this book. I found the ideas compelling, well presented and well researched. For some reason, I found the last 1/3 of the book quite a bit slower and less compelling. I'm not sure exactly why.I will probably re-read the book at some point. I do recommend that others read it as well. These are important ideas.This book is right up there with Peter Enns' "The Bible Tells Me So" as far as importance to me spiritually at this point in my journey.

I struggled with this book. I understand what Piatt is telling us - change or die. But I hate to throw out everything I love and have learned from going to church all my life. Read it cautiously, and with an open mind.

Yet another volume of socialist utopianism, evolutionary humanism, and spiritual universalism. The feigned humility and open-minded "journey" of seeking truth without making any absolute statements based upon inductive, exegetical treatments of obvious Biblical propositions of faith and lifestyle is sadly typical. Just know that since the first generation there have been dedicated individuals who have proclaimed the true Gospel of Jesus Christ while also working tirelessly to eleveate the temporal sufferings of their fellow human beings. However, they never felt it necessary to "leave the Word of God and prayer to wait tables".

This was not what I was expecting. I was looking forward to a thought provoking read and found it to be quite negative and narrow minded. I can appreciate an open mind and "other perspective", this however was, in my opinion, disappointing and not very interesting.

Received the item promptly, and in excellent condition. It was exactly as described in the information I was given. Thank you.

Loaded with pertinent information for Christian seekers.

A helpful contribution to the ongoing discussion of emerging, post-christian expression of community and faith.