Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful and challenging read - edifying and funny
Review: Books sporting titles that parody other titles normally leave me cold, especially when they're Christian books doing a take-off on general-market books. I often get the feeling that the authors aren't creative enough to come up with catchy titles on their own. Not so with Dave Burchett. His title may be a parody on WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE, but it's a highly creative one nonetheless. And it certainly is descriptive --- unfortunately, we all know what he's talking about.
Burchett opens with a full admission that he has been a very bad Christian who happened to some very good people. In other words, he has been the kind of Christian who gives other Christians a bad name --- a judgmental, hurtful person who often could not see the damage he was inflicting on others. Because of that, and because of the pain that has been inflicted on him, he writes with authority about the problems we have treating others as Christ wants us to.
Thankfully, he writes with an acerbic wit and a healthy dose of humor, injecting a droll comment when you least expect it ("Of major Christian denominations," he writes, "the Catholics and Lutherans have the lowest rate of divorce, perhaps because they can drink."). It's Burchett's humor that helps elevate this book above other gripe-fests about the sad state of relationships among Christians; he recognizes the intrinsic value of offering comic relief to readers who have just been hit with some fairly ugly truth about themselves and their brothers and sisters in the faith.
Given the treatment Burchett and his wife, Joni, once suffered at the hands of the church, it's a wonder that either of them have a sense of humor --- or that they even bother with Christians anymore. Born with a severe birth defect that meant certain death, their daughter Katie lived several months, significantly longer than the medical authorities expected her to. The Burchetts made adjustments to their family life to accommodate an infant that they knew would not be with them for long. Then, as Burchett writes, "the church entered in...[and did] what I would not have thought possible: They made our pain worse." Fearing that Katie might die during a church service or somehow affect the health of the other children (with whom she had no contact), the mothers in their small congregation held a secret meeting and decided --- without the Burchetts' knowledge or input --- that she was not welcome in the nursery.
As appalling as that is, Burchett quickly points out that similar stories are not all that hard to come by. He's right, of course; many of us can recount horror stories about the pain Christians have inflicted on each other and on the culture around us. But he doesn't leave us holding the problems in our hands with no idea of what to do about them. He offers solutions and guidance on how we can change our ways to become the kind of Christ-followers who would make others want to follow Christ as well.
That will require Christians not only to correct our penchant for intolerance, unkindness and downright cruelty, but also to overcome our tendency toward, um, flakiness. In an absolutely hilarious chapter titled "Godly or Gaudy?", Burchett strolls through a Christian bookstore with Jesus, who "stopped at the What Would Jesus Do? bracelet display. I found out what Jesus would do. He moved on." After the stroll, he does make some serious comments about responsible consumerism --- right before letting us in on his pre-recorded message for the Talking Tombstone that will grace his grave.
Bottom line is this: If you're thin-skinned, you probably won't consider this book to be "edifying" (though you would clearly benefit from reading the chapter on "CSL: Christian As a Second Language") or even funny. But for the rest of you --- the rest of us --- this is a wonderful and challenging read.
Rating: 
Summary: Good title, disappointing book
Review: Burchett is both a humorous and touching writer, but unfortunately, the point he is trying to make is obscured by his pervasive opinions. The author unfortunately assumes that you share his worldview, which many people may not. Even if he is aware that the readers may not agree with him, he is convinced that they should, which undermine the argument he is trying to make.
This book is supposedly targeting "everyone who has ever been hurt by a Christian-as well as...believers." This absolutely was not the case. This book is targeted to conservative Christian churchgoers. He does not attempt to be open-minded, often times using examples to make his points that are contradictory to his reconciliation argument. At some point in the book, he manages to express his opposition to homosexuality, abortion, drugs, alcohol, gossip, contemporary culture, divorce, pre-marital sex, swearing, petty arguments, road rage, and a whole lot more. Although his opinion that all these things are sins may be valid, these views do not necessarily belong in a book that is meant to teach people how to reunite non-believers and recovering Christians with the church. He also inserts politics into the book, with one particularly one-sided chapter with examples from the Bush/Gore election. It might be just me, but I think it is possible to be a Christian and to have voted for Gore...
This book is disappointing, because it seems that Burchett realizes there are problems with the church, and has some very good points, but they are hard to swallow when delivered with his personal opinions. Although the idea behind this book is stellar, it does not deliver!
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Provocative Read!!!
Review: Dave Burchett is one of those brave Christians who writes from the heart, and he uses his own life as an example. In this book, he focuses on a number of topics, including the contemporary Church of Christ, and he makes a number of very humorous, albeit sarcastic observations on the state of affairs in modern Christendom.
He speaks of the "Christian as Second Language," which is a very witty chapter, and one of the most intriguing chapters I've read, and there aren't many which address this topic, is the chapter on "The Six Things I Learned about Evangelism from the 2000 Election," and he ties his political observations with spiritual truths. A very revealing and interesting treatise.
While I may disagree with him on some of the small stuff, the overall message of this book is a positive one, and I'd highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: How Bad Can We Really Be.....?
Review: I bought this book thinking it would confirm my beliefs about why people leave churches. What I found are the answers to that multi-faceted issue, as well as much more food for thought and spiritual growth.
Dave Burchett, a cynical journalist-type like me, smacks me between the eyes with each compelling chapter. A devout, sinful, growing, imperfect Christian like me, he points out ways the church universal has hurt thousands of people yet points out ways we can turn the tide in hopes of helping fulfill Christ's Great Commission. We can't win souls for Jesus by condemning others, judging others or boycotts as Burchett points out ever-so-often.
He pulls no punches when he embraces the fact that Christ wants us ALL to have salvation and that we poor little, selfish, prideful humans cannot rid the world of sin. But if we are truly Christ's followers, we should spread extravagant love. Christ's ministry here on earth was about love and service and how we can have salvation.
We are supposed to give His love to EVERYONE!!!
That means love your neighbor even if he/she takes part in "Gay Days" at Disney, is a different color from you, has a tattoo or pierced tongue or drinks alcohol to oblivion. But, he also points out how we need balance in our lives to bring our yet-to-turn-their-lives-over-to-Christ friends to Christ.
I recommend this book to anyone and already have been told by those I've told about it that they want to buy it now.
And yes, I've been a bad Christian. But, now I know how to continue to grow to change that. Hopefully now, I'll think a whole lot more before I open my mouth or do something that would make our Savior cringe from above.
Rating:
Summary: We Have All Been There
Review: I found this book to be a comfort given a recent experience. Those who are seeking to be relevant Christians are possible targets of the Pharisee attitude within the Church. Dave uses some specifics that one would expect in an analysis like this, and draws appropriate conclusions.
While he makes very valid points, he is a little weak in the area of love the sinner, hate the sin emphasis. One wonders if he almost thinks we should avoid being controversial by standing for anything. The key is that we are all sinners saved by Christ's love, none are perfect. Somehow this theme does get lost a bit.
However, while I do think that some of his points are weak because he took a couple quotes out of context. His main theme is that "by their fruits you shall know them". Some people are fruity, while others are just nuts!
I think this book is essential reading for anyone who seriously desires to make an impact in the world as a testimony to Christ's love. One must always put love as the number one priority in all we do or say. To bad most pastors and leaders are clueless.
I would recommend Phillip Yancey as a resource for healing from spiritual abuse.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!!!
Review: In his book, Dave Burchett sheds new light on today's church and the Christians that fill the pews. Burchett succeeds in writing a book that deals with the Christians who inflict pain on others through their actions, and Christians who the Christians who are victims of actions in the name of the same Christ that they serve. He unashamedly draws from experiences in his own life and faith to address issues that cross denominational lines and affect all Christians. We can all relate to the experiences that Burchett describes in our own lives and especially in our own churches. Read this book honestly and openly and allow it to change the way you think about faith forever.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!!!
Review: In his book, Dave Burchett sheds new light on today's church and the Christians that fill the pews. Burchett succeeds in writing a book that deals with the Christians who inflict pain on others through their actions, and Christians who the Christians who are victims of actions in the name of the same Christ that they serve. He unashamedly draws from experiences in his own life and faith to address issues that cross denominational lines and affect all Christians. We can all relate to the experiences that Burchett describes in our own lives and especially in our own churches. Read this book honestly and openly and allow it to change the way you think about faith forever.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time!
Review: It's about time someone wrote a book with the openness and honesty of Dave Burchett. Having been on the receiving end of "bad Christians" and, honestly, having been a "bad Christian" at times myself, I certainly related to this book. Though Burchett has been criticized for being sarcastic and acerbic in his writing, I find his hard-hitting style refreshing for a "Christian" book and quite humorous as well. His heart-breaking story of the rejection of his ill daughter by the church is shocking. Sadly, an incident like this would easily happen in my church. When the organization that is supposed to unconditionally love you and support you fails, the hurt is profound. Burchett justifiably argues that the church, because of "bad Christians", is becoming impotent in the world today. His comments on the diversions that cause division in the church and cause the unchurched to see Christians as hypocritical and often hateful are eye-opening. I especially appreciated his admonition to be careful of being involved in diversions at the expense of serving others and reaching the unchurched. His views on the hot-button cultural issues are real, practical, and yes, biblical. I loved how Burchett moved beyond the overused WWJD to WJSHTOT - "Would Jesus spend His time on that?" If you are an unbeliever because "Christians" are a bad example of a loving, caring Jesus, you need to read this book. If you are a believer and have been hurt by your "own", you need to read this book too. If you are not willing to look in the mirror and change your own "bad Christian" traits, and if you can't laugh at the ridiculousness of some of the current "Christian" outlook, you will be offended by Burchetts remarks. This book is not for dyed-in-the-wool legalistic fundamentalists. Well, actually it is, but it's doubtful if they would pass the mirror test he describes in the book. If you want to change your mundane Christian existence and really spend your time like Jesus would, and if you sincerely desire to leave your comfort zone to fulfill the Savior's Great Commission, put on your lead-toed shoes, prop up your feet, and give Dave Burchett a chance to challenge you to become all Jesus intends His church to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Well-Intentioned, But...
Review: One of the best books available on how Christians continue to damage the cause of Christ, "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" is a must read. Mr. Burchett starts with an example from his own life involving his daughter. She had a terminal physical condition that posed no threat to anyone. However, the church decided that she was unwelcome in the nursery because of her problems. Didn't Christ reach out to those in need? Didn't Christ spend most of his time dealing with those who were outside the mainstream of society? In a sad state of reversion to times gone by it seems that the modern Church has a lot in common with the Pharisees of old. Don't disturb our status quo, don't do anything that might make our nice, pretty church not look like the best one in the community. Not only does that apply to the physical church but the people of the church also. I have attended several churches with the problems mentioned in this book (unfortunately far more seem to have the problems than do not). From one that wanted the teenagers to participate in taking up the offering but only if they could get a nice suit jacket to ones that would forgive and accept any repentitant sinner into their group but would not forgive a repentitant member who made a mistake. While Burchett's criticism of the church can be caustic, he never makes a point that he does not backup with a real life example and then also backs it up with specific Biblical concepts. If you have been injured by the church or know of others that have been then this book is for you. On the other hand, because we all are human and at various times commit many of the sins covered in this book, it should be required reading for all Christians.
Rating:
Summary: A thoughtful book on a great controversy
Review: The great thinker Brennan Manning once stated, "The greates single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who aknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifsyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." It is in this spirit that Dave Burchett addresses the problem of Bad Christians. "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" is a book that is as humorous and controversial as the title. It is something that many church goers simply ignore: when good, well intentioned people are hurt and wounded by those we consider to be undeserving of the title "Christian." From the judgmental deacon telling you to shave your beard, to bigoted Fred Phelps, to the gossiping prayer chain, and "signs and wonders" Benny Hinn, we have all dealt with our share of bab Christians. Burchett is bold to tell us that the Church must change or eventually be seen as a bigoted group of people, as it is at times. He opens with his own personal tragedy of his daughter and the downright cruility of the church. Using this, we see that he is well qualified to present his powerful points. Though serious, he uses a great mix of humor that can loosely be compared to that of GK Chesterton. All in all, this is a book that must be read by all Christians and non-christians who have dealt with hurtful individuals we'd unjustly call Christians. I personally couldn't put the book down! It was by far the most thought provoking works in modern Christian Living books. Though I can't say that I agree with everything Dave Burchett presents, I also couldn't deny most of his points. His humor shows us some things that are just plain nutty like WWJD boxers, Christian Testamints, and Jesus air fresheners (it's almost as if Jesus' was getting perfume poured on his feet again!). He also uses his wit to show us where the church, as a whole, has failed in that it has allowed bigots and hypocrites to represent itself while the members sit back and think their donation to Untied Way is enough. However, his book addresses problems with solutions. We are asked, and probably justly, to go out and show what being a Christian is. He also has a message to familiar individuals hurt by Bad Christians: that those who hurt in Jesus name actually grieve God.
If you're somebody without an open mind and have lost a willingness to grow in whatever faith you have, I don't reccomend "When Bad Christians Happen To Good People." However, you're probably human, and therefore this book will open you to a new idea of trying to sort out the good from the bad in faith, and maybe increasing the good.
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