What’s a Christian Anyway? by Glen Packiam offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the Nicene Creed, breaking it down in a way that is both refreshing and insightful. The author takes a deep dive into this foundational statement of Christian faith, unpacking its meaning and relevance for modern believers. This approach provides a valuable perspective, especially for those looking to better understand the core tenets of Christianity and how they apply to our lives today.

While the book’s content is undeniably powerful, I found it to be a bit dry at times, with sections that felt dense and challenging to read. The theological depth, while admirable, might be overwhelming for readers who are new to such discussions or prefer a more conversational style. That said, the effort to push through these sections is well worth it, as the message at the heart of the book is both timely and important.

The central theme is about calling Christians to unite and stand together against confusion and corruption in our current culture and society is a crucial one. The author emphasizes the importance of solidarity among believers, urging them to focus on shared beliefs rather than divisions. This message is particularly relevant in today’s world, where societal challenges and cultural shifts often create tension and discord, even within the church.

One of the book’s strengths is its ability to inspire reflection and action. It challenges readers to consider what it truly means to be a Christian and how we can live out our faith in a way that brings clarity and hope to a fractured world. The call to unity is a powerful reminder that, despite our differences, Christians share a common foundation in the Nicene Creed and a common mission to come together and reflect Christ’s love and truth.

This book is a meaningful and thought-provoking read, though it may require some patience to engage with the message is undeniable, urging Christians to come together in the face of cultural challenges is both timely and essential. It’s a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and its application in today’s world full of turmoil. I highly recommend to all those willing to invest the time and effort into its important lessons.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC for my honest opinion.

Glenn Packiam’s new book <i>What’s A Christian, Anyway?</i> achieves so much. He writes to the Christian who’s looking to better understand the historical faith. He writes to the spiritually curious who are intrigued by the Christian faith. He answers his title question powerfully and practically.

In an incredibly pastoral and organized way, Packiam works through the Nicene Creed, sharing where the lines come from, what they mean, and how we can embody them.

While his writing style leaned more casual than I prefer, his insights were well-researched and communicated. This book would be a great asset for evangelism and discipleship.

Personally, I know of many people who claim to be Christian but don’t seem to agree with any of the essential Christian doctrines. My common reaction is a curious, “If you’re not a Christian, why do you call yourself one?” It’s confusing to me. Partly, it’s because, as a society, we’ve stripped Christian doctrine down and built it up in such a way that it’s synonymous with deism. Packiam’s book combats this societal enigma by clearly explaining what Christians throughout history have believed.

I am personally very excited to have this resource in my toolbelt. I’m convinced it’ll bless so many.

The Nicene Creed is a statement of faith that many recite without giving much thought to the deeper meaning of the creed. By looking at the creed in smaller portions, our understanding of the triune God, the universality of the church, and the forward look of the christian faith becom more clear and more obtainable for even those newer to faith.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in turn for an honest review.

This was a great book about Christian identity and practice. There were a lot of things about historical roots of Christianity which helped guide the reader with what was being said.

The verses throughout definitely gave more information and emphasis on things the author was discussing. The use of verses strengthened the author's points.

A solid book about Christian identity and practice, with an emphasis on the historic roots of the faith as a guide for the way forward.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Before I start, I would like to once again thank NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

I really enjoyed reading this. As a college student, I heard the Nicene Creed for the first time, and it was a breath of fresh air. As someone who has gotten super weary of a lot of modern day topical Christian books, reading a book that went over the biblical basis of why we believe what we believe and how it translates into the modern era was also refreshing! I will definitely pick this book up again and again. I did dock one star off due to a couple of examples that didn't make sense, but I understand this is not the final book.

"We have our doctrines sorted, but our love is disordered." Wow, this was so wonderful and my Kindle reader has multiple highlights like this one... I appreciate how it takes the approach of outlining and diving deep into the Apostles Creed, something I've never done before. Despite reading multiple Christian books, I was in awe of how Packiam presented information and scripture into this one. I really appreciated the depth and research/thought that went into writing What's a Christian Anyway? I plan to share this title with friends.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.