Stuff Christians Like, by Jonathan Acuff (Zondervan)
While you were sleeping in worship service, Jonathan Acuff stayed awake, taking notes. And while you were piling your plate at the pot-luck supper, making prayer requests in your small group and “just” praying in public, Acuff was watching you. Remem-bering. For all his efforts, he came up with a funny and insightful book about the church in the United States and the Christians who fill its pews—or folding chairs, as the case may be.
Acuff is the Jonathan Swift of contemporary evangelical Christianity. His writing sparkles with irony and bristles with (mostly) good-natured sarcasm. And he’s right on target, hilariously pointing out the church’s passions and pettiness, foibles and faith, swagger and sweet spirit.
You’ve got to appreciate a guy who suggests “trampoline moat of lions” would be a better metaphor for God’s support than “hedge of protection.” He’s also the guy who offers a checklist for determining if your worship leader is a metrosexual, as well as the one who questions the effectiveness—as well as the ethics—of “bait and switch” witnessing techniques.
Acuff is so funny he keeps you reading. And so true he makes you want to be a better, more authentic Christian.
Marv Knox, editor
Baptist Standard
Dallas
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