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Summary: A gross misrepresentation of Christian fundamentalists.
Review: The author generalizes all fundamentalists into one uneducated, unloving group, and does not base his beliefs on the entire Word of God, but rather on those Scriptures that he can remove from context to justify his distorted view of the Bible, the Biblical Christ, and of the true, living God that has been revealed in the Scriptures.
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Summary: Misses the mark
Review: Yes, the bottom line of the Gospel is love. But, one cannot pick and choose what part of the Gospel message to believe. If Jesus didn't die on that cross to pay the price for our sins, none of it means anything. It was hardly just a nice example of "selflessness." Be careful of this book. It is full of false doctrine, written by someone who wants to interpret the Bible to justify his own lifestyle. Granted, Christianity is not something to be shoved down someone's throat. But it also is not the Gospel According to Bruce.
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Summary: This book can change lives for the better.
Review: Others have remarked that this book has its weaknesses (in empirical research and tangential themes), but these small problems do not detract from the power of the book. For people who have grown up fundamentalist and are trying to escape and heal the psychological and spiritual damage caused by such an upbringing, this book is a combination history text, spiritual manual, and Gospel. I have already given copies to friends who are themselves trying to escape fundamentalism and they also have been impressed. I recommend this book strongly to any spiritual seeker.
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Summary: Scientific Thought?
Review: I appreciate the author's point of view. And as an agnositc, I am very interested in the power of the Christian Coalition and appreciate knowing if there actually is a group of "liberal Christians" out there today. However, the book is a disappointment on a couple of levels. The author will make a statement that fundamentalist Christians are undereducated or uneducated, but won't, in turn, provide any solid statistics and footnotes to support this statement. Bawer claims that most members of the church of law, or fundamentalists seek a religion that provides all the answers for them and is one in which they don't have to "think" to hard about life's true questions. How does he know this? Did he interview these people randomly and come up with this generalization? What is scary is that because Bawer has not, he could be missing the truth about fundamentalists. Is it not a possibilty that many fundamentalist are, in fact, educated at the college level and higher? (I certainly knew many fundamentalists in my college graduating class). And perhaps what is happening in these churches is not necessarily that members making a "choice" to have all their questions answered for them, but that many, moreover, are being brainwashed. And therein lies the most essential unanswered question of the book: Is fundamentalist Christianity and the Christian Coalition a cult? If Bawer is going to fault fundamentalists for rejecting scientific thinking, then I believe he should practice this type of thinking in his own work. Still, the book is enlightening in that it ceases to ignore a group that is growing horrifyingly in its political power. And, perhaps this is a brainstorm or a spring board to some clearer thinking ahead.
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Summary: Bawer misses the mark
Review: A trusted minister friend of mine recommended this book as insightful reading material into the success of fundamentalist groups. Bawer's distinction between law and love is interesting and in my experience fairly accurate. However, his constant attacks on all religious groups except for Anglicans proved to be distracting. Perhaps his book should more aptly be entitled: Cafeteria Christians: How religious groups betray Jesus by perverting his words to fit theological constructs.
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Summary: Excellent expl. of what's dangerous @ the "fundamentalists"
Review: Have you ever been uncomfortable when someone asked if you were a Christian, and then was mad at yourself because you didn't understand why you were upset? Have you ever felt outraged when the press refers to a person who kills an abortion doctor as a "Christian" and wondered how they could make such a reference? Have you ever wondered why preachers who claim to be "Christian" can collect millions of dollars from radio and television listeners to support their extravagant lifestyles while others who want to spread the loving word of Jesus and literally "do good" can barely make ends meet? Do you wonder at what is wrong with the picture of those who seem to preach "following the law" rather than "following the way"? This book provides some answers to those and many more questions. It is one man's effort to identify what is really fundamental about Christianity and to show how the currently so-called "fundamentalists" are, in fact, anything but. As one who struggled with those questions and more and who has never been comfortable in discussing the more spiritual aspects of religion, I found this book fascinating. I literally could not put it down until I had read it through. I shall probably make this my sole purchase for Christmas presents this year, to give to family and friends.
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Summary: Legalism is wrong, yes, but so is immorality.
Review: Although Bawer makes a strong case against fundamentalism, which is easy to agree with, given the similarities between the legalists of Jesus' time and Christian extremists, Bawer muddies the waters with his stray, gay agenda, which he does not and cannot substantiate based on scripture. It is true that legalists defy Grace by their condemnations and such; however, anyone who calls himself or herself a Christian and who is not fully submitted to the authority of Christ's Word and Spirit in their own lives is also denying Grace. (ROM 12:1-2) In other words, fundamentalists cannot prove their own righteousness by criticizing and judging gays anymore than gays can prove theirs by judging fundamentalists for their unrighteousness.
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Summary: Interesting Critique of Fundamentalism
Review: It's rare to read a critique of fundamentalism from someone who actually understands its origins. Bawer understands it well, from Scofield to Lindsey to Robertson.
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Summary: Finally! Bruce wrote this book for me
Review: I grew up in Oklahoma: gay, Baptist, Republican and extremely fundamental. In my 35 years, I've never read a book that resonated my spiritual chords so deeply. This book is on my list to share with other members of my family. I have always had questions I didn't know how to ask. Bruce not only asks them, but provides excellent information in order for me to tap into my own spiritual experience and relationship with Jesus. This book will challenge many fundamentalists, as it did me, and make people think about their faith and doctrine in a whole new light: Love and Experience. Thank you, Bruce!
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Summary: Taking Humanity out of Religion is taking God out of Christ
Review: Bawer's book discusses a phenomenon not unique to religion: whenever a good idea becomes an "institution" the humanity is leached from it. Charity practiced out of the genuine goodness of one's heart does more than all the fundraising skills of slick organized charities. Similarly, the basic message of Christ: "God loves mankind, humanity is redeemable and we should love each other as God loves us" has become translated by a Church of Law (capital letters important) into dictates of HOW: God will only "let us into Heaven" IF we [fill in the blanks: vote Republican, hate homosexuals, oppose environmentalism, the IRS, restrictions on tax exempt fundraising, etc., etc.] Bawer presents a neo-Faustian deal of Fundamentalist Christians: their Law religion becomes a credit-card deal: "believe thus and BE SAVED" never mind loving others, never mind growing in spirituality - just read the Scofield reference Bible, listen to your preac! hers and live comfortably convinced that "God's Plan" isn't for the homeless. The book is well-written, highly readable and clearly the work of a caring individual. Certainly Mr. Bawer will be criticized, ad hominem, for his views by those he questions. Little money is made by churches which challenge their members rather than comforting them - easier to condemn as most fundamentalists do. An excellent book.
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