I feel like I went into this book with a lot of questions and left the book with a lot of questions. This could be helpful to some, but for me unfortunately it didn't not help me in my journey.

Although there were a few parts I glossed over, I love the way he laid it out, I loved the permission given, and loved the arguments he made along the way for staying with the faith. I am so glad I read it, and think it would be a helpful read for anyone exploring their faith.

There are handful of reasons why I disagree with this book and should be be called How Not to be a Christian.

The book is laid in several parts and the first part was Donald Trump! Yes Donald Trump has ruined Christianity. And if you are not a Christian because of Donald Trump, I hate to break it to you, Donald Trump is not responsible for your Christianity. The gospel of Christ is an equalizer. Everyone needs the gospel for salvation. Gospel means good news. The Good news of salvation. Black, white, yellow, poor, rich, criminal, saint, young, old, etc. Christianity is not white supremacy but the equalizer that we all will stand before God who has holds all authority. He has made a way thru Jesus Christ to be saved from sin. Acknowledging our sin is big part of Christianity. Sin separates us from God the father. All sin is against God and we suffer the consequences. We will not know peace until we know God. Religions, kingdoms, the elite, will not have peace until Christ comes back.

Crazy that a book on Christianity hardly had any scripture to back up McLaren's BS. He referenced some scripture (did not quote but paraphrased) but did not lay out his arguments against scripture and the gospel.

No reference to the trinity Not. One. He speaks of Jesus as a man not as the God man. Not sure how he can reconcile Jesus of Revelation.

Beware of the wolf in sheep clothing. He tickles the ear and will lead many against the truth. Progressive Christianity is funny to me because it indicates that it is always changing. God in essence is truth. TRUTH DOES NOT CHANGE.

A special thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Do I Stay Christian? by Brian McLaren is a book divided into three parts depending on your answer to the title, and they are Yes, No, and How, McLaren gives all the reasons why someone would want to stay with their Christian faith, why they might want to leave, and how to stay even if someone is very disillusioned. I appreciated this passage: "...however you answer the Do I Stay Christian? question, I hope you will desire to be a kind human being, because that person next to you, that person you think is so stupid or so wrong or heretical or narrow-minded, that person you call your enemy...that person is part of your family, part of your species, part of your story, part of your kind, and more like you than you would like to admit." I really appreciated the thoughtfulness and the compassion that the author showed throughout this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

Discouragement, disillusionment, and disappointment. These are increasingly common sentiments among evangelicals. As the author travels around major cities in America, he recalls familiar messages of people, especially clergy, who are not only questioning their own faith, they were contemplating leaving both ministry and belief altogether! The author invites us to ponder over the very question, which is also the title of the book: "Do I Stay Christian?" This may seem like a silly question, especially for those of us who have taken the label for granted. One needs to read the book further to discover the many nuances of Christian beliefs. In his typically frank manner, Brian McLaren probes deep into the heart of the cultural Christian, people who call themselves evangelicals but find it increasingly difficult to justify their association with the institutional Church or even the faith itself. From his own diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, he shares with us his own search for identity and probes with us the current state of faith and identity crises. He pushes the envelope further by saying that the question posed as the title of the book is not simply an intellectual exercise but involves matters of the heart, identity, and ultimate concern. Like a liberal arts professor, he prevents the different views as objectively as possible. He then argues from the two main positions before showing us the way forward that brings together the positives from both angles. Like a debater that argues back and forth between both positions of opposing and affirming the resolution, McLaren aims to show the best of both sides in the hope that we can find a reasonable path forward that does justice to both. Above all, whether one affirms or denies the faith, the gospel of love is to love both sides regardless.

On the NO front (Part One), he presents ten arguments from anti-semitism to the oft-mentioned accusations of hypocrisy over money. There are arguments that reflect real sentiments in our culture such as the historical assault on dissent, the perception of white supremacy in Christianity, and the depressing greying Church population.

On the YES front (Part Two), he also gives ten reasons to keep the faith. Leaving the faith hurts one's friends and allies. The choices of leaving or staying should not be the only options. We should not jump ship when the Church is still writing her story. Some of the reasons do sound a little questionable, such as the one to "Free God" from His obligation to us.

Finally, Part Three covers thoughts about how to do justice to the sentiments of the things discussed. McLaren offers readers eight suggestions on navigating the issues between faith and doubt.

My Thoughts
==============
This book is written primarily from an angle that reflects the current American spiritual climate that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Readers from the West, especially if one is from a white evangelical background, these issues might spark feelings close to the heart. Those who are outside of these circles might find some of the issues foreign to them, (for example the chapter on "White Patriarchy.") With the way the previous President Trump has divided public opinions, especially evangelical groups, there is a need to make sense of the divide so that we can find a common space to do the good that we all want to do. Even as the author describes the way the evangelical white groups assert their power, I am not sure how much that represents the majority white population. More likely, it is a vocal and influential minority who wields the ax. Perhaps, this is a reminder to the silent majority to speak up. In this sense, this book is doing just that. Some of the arguments are a little over the top. For example, the chapter on Christianity's suppression of dissent. The pushback is that power corrupts and anyone in power (including the Church) is in danger of being corrupt. Perhaps, McLaren is just thinking out loud some of the negative thoughts about the Church. That said, like any advertisement that tends to exaggerate something, I think some of McLaren's arguments have unwittingly flipped to an undesired extreme. I must also add that readers should take time to read the arguments and not to draw conclusions just by looking at the single argumentative statement, namely, the title of the chapter. For me, readers who are currently believers and Church-goers should learn from the NO section and be aware of such perceptions. For the YES section, readers ought to read it with a stance of humility.

I find the work honest and provocative. It is honest in the sense that it contains several personal stories that support the claims made. This is even more important in an increasingly skeptical world, especially when it comes to religious expressions. It is provocative because it dares to challenge people about their long-held beliefs. The value of this book is two-fold. First, learn from the negative perceptions and try to understand why the Church and Christianity have such a negative image. Be willing to learn and acknowledge past mistakes. Second, be encouraged that there is hope. Christianity is about the revelation of the gospel of hope in Jesus. Admit that how Christians practice the faith is still very much a work in progress. Be humble and hopeful.

The appendices could have been easily incorporated into the main part of the book, but for some reason, are left at the end. Perhaps, these are areas of conviction that McLaren holds firmly that cannot be easily inserted into either the NO or YES portions of the book. Readers should read Appendix I first so that they can understand how to get the most out of this book. The author suggests two ways to read it, firstly to read it carefully by underlining or compiling quotations, and secondly with a group. I would like to suggest a third way: with the Bible. What McLaren has done is to acknowledge the cultural perceptions of the shortcomings of the Church and evangelicals, especially in recent years. However, the Bible has been saying the same thing all along, that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Perhaps, if readers would be motivated to explore and read the Bible more after reading this book, it would have worth the price of the book.

This is a good resource to invite discussion among doubters, skeptics, and the disillusioned. Maybe, this book opens the door for anyone sitting on the fence to reconsider the Truth of the gospel.

A former college English teacher, Brian D. McLaren was a pastor for twenty-four years. Now he’s an author, activist, public theologian, and frequent guest lecturer for gatherings in the U.S. and internationally. His work has been covered in TIME Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and many other media outlets. The author of more than 15 books, including Faith After Doubt, Do I Stay Christian?, and A New Kind of Christian, he is a faculty member of The Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation. McLaren lives in Florida.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of St Martin's Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

McLaren’s prior book, Faith After Doubt, gave a very personal view of how doubt is the very foundation of faith rather than the certainty that so much of Christianity is planted firmly.

Do I Stay Christian? is the follow up and is best described as a ‘come to Jesus meeting’ for modern Christianity. The overall theme that Christianity must change or die has been McLaren’s primary message to the church for decades and that message doesn’t change here, but the call is made even more urgent with recent events and Christianity’s enthusiasm to double down on what Christ never intended for the church.

Thanks to Brian McLaren, St. Martin's Essentials, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

American Christianity is troubled. Who is ready to walk away? Who is determined to stay? And for those who do choose to stay, how can Christianity include more Jesus and more grace and more love again?

These are the types of questions that Brian poses to his readers in this book. He divides the book into three sections: reasons not to stay Christian, reasons to stay Christian, and how to stay Christian.

In Part 1 of Do I Stay Christian?, Brian lists 10 reasons why many people choose not to remain Christian. In Part 2, Brian lists ten reasons to stay Christian. And in Part 3 of the book, Brian gives us the how-to for staying Christian in a way that is good for ourselves and for our fellow human beings.

Some of the ways include:

Start with the heart
Create positive alternatives
Nurture the practice of spiritual resilience
Stay loyal to reality
Stay human

But the book really doesn't even end there. If you stick it out to the end, you'll also find five appendices, including this one: "Do I Stay in My Denomination?"

In the end Brian decides for himself, "So, no. I will not quit. Not today. Today I will stay Christian."

I highly recommend this book for those who are prepared to ask themselves the hard questions, and who don't give up even when there aren't clear answers. Because, as Brian points out, "If our understandings of God do not grow, neither will we."

My thanks to NetGalley + St. Martin's Press for the review copy of this book.

Brian McLaren's new book Do I Stay Christian? poses the question that so many people of faith are struggling with in this climate where people do horrible things in Jesus' name. McLaren doesn't provide answers for you but asks questions and this can be a useful book to those who are processing and discerning. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

That’s a question I have asked myself numerous times over the past few years. Brian McLaren provides reasons for and against remaining a Christian, but in the end, it is for each person to decide.

This is not at all something I would ever pick up, but the topic is what I've been wrestling with basically for...forever. I'm still not sure I have an answer, but I will say that McLaren has given me a lot to think about--both sides (and even the third option) are presented fairly, with strong points and counterpoints. I'm really interested in reading more from him.

Thank you St Martin's for the ARC to read and review.

Brain McLaren tackles from two points of view, the reasons to leave Christianity or to stay,

This book is written for people of the Christian faith who struggle with social and political issues of modernity.
He sites the corporate nature of the historical church, bringing questions about patriarchal structures that limit the rights of marginalized communities. He brings to light the failings of the historical church's violent past and love of money and antisemitic positions.

But he doesn't stop at the failings of the church. He gives strategies and methods to reform and break the church free from the chains that keep it from moving forward and renewing.

This was really interesting and I think very appropriate for the political and religious climate I think a lot of people are finding themselves in.

Brian McLaren is one of the most important religious figures of our times. His new book "Do I Stay Christian" is a must read for any Christian spiritual seeker. Before you throw away the Christian faith with all of its toxic principles, practices, and policies, pick up this book and journey with Brian and let him book a wise and compassionate guide.

**spoiler**

This book frustrated me so much. Be who you are, Christian, or not..
Good or Bad , in all
Christian or not..

Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Great question. This book provides a relevant and honest conversation about faith and what people stand for, as well as how people unpack the message they send (or fail to do so). While the book doesn’t contain all the answers (nor do I believe the author pretends that it does so). there’s lots of food for thought here and conversations to build on.