Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why America’s Christian Leaders Are Failing — and What We Can Do About It

by John G West

358 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2025

Reviews

[Larry White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Own Worst Enemy – Victims of Our Virtue

Christianity is inarguably under threat, if not actual attack, in America today. Institutions, from governmental to educational to informational (media) and recreational (entertainment, social media, online diversions), directly challenge expressions of Christian faith or promote and normalize behaviors and values that are incompatible with Christian teaching. What is often denied, underestimated or rationalized, however, is how the greatest threat may be from within ostensible Christianity itself.
In his excellent book, “Stockholm Syndrome Christianity”, John G. West takes on the failures within Christianity to stand steadfastly against external threats and, more alarmingly, to seek appeasement and even affirmation of these counter-Christian secular forces. Too many self-identified Christians are identifying with and apologizing for the anti-Christian values and objectives of the forces who oppose their own professed faith. By misunderstanding and distorting the Christian virtue of loving our enemy, too many Christians have become victims of virtue and their own worst enemies as it relates to their faith.
West pulls no punches. He directly takes on luminaries of the Christian faith for their distorted teaching and false understanding of Christianity. Atlanta megachurch pastor Andy Stanley gets called out as a frequent example for his many controversial and unbiblical teachings. Professed Christian scientist and policy maker Francis Collins also is cited numerous times for ignoring or rationalizing against clear Christian values. Very surprisingly, even the late Tim Keller, a highly regarded and prominent evangelical pastor, doesn’t escape critique for his conciliatory, yet unorthodox, teaching, particularly in the latter years of his otherwise very effective ministry. Many others get cited as well, making unmistakable the pernicious phenomenon of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity, identifying with and apologizing for the foes of our faith. The reader might even find themselves convicted to some degree of falling prey in their own thinking and expressions of faith.
In the final chapters West helpfully provides specific suggestions for cure of this insidious, often alluring, and dangerous syndrome within the Christian faith. We all must be involved and West offers guidance.
“Stockholm Syndrome Christianity” is among the best books I’ve read about increasing secularization of our Christian faith and our culture. It is highly recommended for those who sense that something is amiss and in need of correction.

[Rocky Woolery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideas have consequences. Choices have consequences. Dr West exposes how the choices that the Church, specifically in the USA, has made over the last 100 years have led to the problems we are facing today. Problems that include sexual perversion, racism (much of it from the anti-racists), and anti-Biblical science. Part of his contention is that leaders in the Church, and dedicated church members, have actually sided with the opposition and are causing the decay from the inside. He documents the point of decay very well, this isn't a drive-by attack, it is more of a frontal assault.

It serves as a great reminder that God will keep a remnant. Sometimes that remnant needs to be prayerful and wait, and at other times they need to be prayerful and confrontive. It also, very much fits within the don't judge those outside of the Church but do hold those within the Church accountable message of 1 Corinthians 5:9 - 13. As well as Paul's confrontation with Peter that he describes in Galatians 2:11 - 14.

[John J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Arguably one of the best-written books regarding the catastrophic influence of secular activities on what had been rock-solid Christian institutions.
Carefully researched, clear logic, effective examples, and the heart-felt disappointment that John West portrays so well.
I also appreciated that the timeframe is current and the examples are profitable because it’s in the ‘now’.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author argues that many of today's Christian leaders have accepted various worldly heretical ideas. Then, they turn around and attack orthodox Christians for not going along with these worldly ideas. He names names. The book is well organized. The contents are accompanied by an appropriate cover.

[Mary Portzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads more scholarly than I'd like, but definitely worth the slight struggle to get through it. Eye-opening in regard to the kind of watered-down Christianity we see coming from churches, pastors, or those who profess to be "Christian" who aren't actually following Christ.

[Eric C 1965 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scathing rebuke of those who call themselves Christian but identify with the world more. West, like Megan Basham (Shepherds for Sale) names names.