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

by John West

What if American culture isn’t collapsing because of crusading secularists? What if it’s failing because leading Christians identify more with secular elites than with their fellow believers? Those are the provocative questions posed by Stockholm Syndrome Christianity, which exposes how influential Christian leaders are siding with their anti-Christian cultural captors on everything from biblical authority and science to sex, race, and religious liberty. Going beyond critique, the book identifies root causes and—most crucially—offers practical tips and strategies you can use to help your family, church, and community stand for truth. Read this book to become part of the solution.

Genres: Christianity, Christian, Politics, Theology

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2025

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Reviews

[Desert Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion book to Meg Basham's "Shepherds for sale " An important read for any church leader or parent.

[Frank Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book that I have mixed feelings about. The purpose of the book was to identify where Christian leaders have failed the broader church by assimilating with the culture rather than being faithful to God’s teaching in the bible. The obvious difficulty with such a book is that one needs to decide whose interpretation of the bible will we hold to be foundational. I mostly agree with the author on how he navigates this, but not completely. When it comes to interpreting what the bible says about ethics, I would agree. Thus, when he discusses how Christian ministries have moved away from biblical teaching on sexual ethics, I find myself becoming depressed about what has happened, but thankful that the author is calling things out. But when he approaches how a Christian should live in a pluralistic society, I am not always in agreement with the author. He seems to suggest that if the company, school or organisation is doing something contrary to scripture, it is our job to do something about it (depending, of course on how much control and power we have). I am not convinced that the author is correct here. After all, the bible makes is very clear that we should not expect society to conform to God’s teaching (1 Corinthians 5:9+).

Similarly, he calls out Christian leaders for having biases in secondary issues (such as origins). Even while I likely agree with the author’s views on origins, I do not agree with his criticisms of others. His writing came across as bitterness or “sour grapes”. Then on his web site, essentially all of the resources for faith and science are from where he works: the Discovery Institute. Now, I tend to agree with that institute, but I don’t believe that I have the knowledge and wisdom to confidently know that we are correct. In fact, I just criticised a book with a BioLogos (theistic evolution) bias for similar reasons – the belief that only they are correct. This type of bias is unfortunate when coming from any side and (in my opinion) does not reflect the love and respect we should have for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Another political area that is highlighted is the response to Covid. Once again, I likely agree with the author, but disagree that we know we are correct. This subject is too political and causes unnecessary (and likely sinful) conflict within the church. Thus, I disagree with the author that one’s belief in origins or response to Covid is a valid measure of what the author refers to as Stockholm Syndrome Christianity.

Ultimately, I found the book depressing on multiple fronts. I find it depressing how many Christian groups have taken on the world’s wisdom while abandoning what God teaches in the bible. I find it depressing how young people are losing their faith at so-called Christian universities due to teachers that no longer have an orthodox faith. I find it depressing how churches are blindly accepting sexual ethics that go against what God says is best for us, thus messing up the lives of people in the churches. But I also found the tone in this book depressing as the author knows he is correct on all counts and seems almost happy criticising some other Christians that he disagrees with. Finally, I am depressed that those who love this book will accuse me of compromising my faith by not agreeing fully with them. Lord, may your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

[Richard Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

John West addressed a problem which has been a thorn in my side for sometime. It is lamentable to see well known Christian pastors and Christian schools try to water down Christianity and "make nice" with the secular world is frustrating to say the least. It's bad enough when Christian leaders and pastors are accused of sexual infidelities, fraud, abuse of children. These acts malign both Christians and God. The one criticism I would make is that Mr. West is too nice to these people, such as Collins and others, trying to "not be too judgmental". I suspect my opinion speaks more to me than to John West but you have to call these individuals out and make them explain what they are thinking and how can they slip by what the God says unequivocally. To me this book is not depressing but more eye opening to the depth of the problem. It does seem to answer the question of who the goats are when Christ returns and separates them from the sheep...

[Paul Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for all Christians, but especially Pastors and church leaders. When the church starts deciding that certain parts of the Bible don’t apply to today’s culture, it ceases to be the salt and light. “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭160‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This book is well written, backed up with references and endnotes, and deals with the most common errors seen in lukewarm churches today.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The infallible, inerrant authority of Scripture informs all my beliefs and decisions.
But what happens when we fail in this area as Christians?
This book is a hard-hitting and eye-opening exposure of the dangers of progressive movements in Christianity and what happens when deconstructing goes too far.
It upholds biblical values with unflinching bravery to educate, exhort, and equip Christians.
If you want to learn the truth about what’s happening in all major institutions to undermine orthodox Christianity, this book will help you understand and fight back with the truth.

[Michael Herriges · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary book for our times

John West has hit the nail on the head with this book. So many of us have seen and continue to see the damage of this on the Church. As a pastor I often run into this, even among other pastors in our denomination. I now have an even deeper understanding of the history of this failure in the Church. However, I now have more tools to use in combating the enemy.

[marty bennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

knowing what time it is and making the to action

This book is a survey our predicament and a call to action. The author joins Megan Basham in identifying the enemy within and prescribes a proper response.

[Allan Nemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating but heartbreaking read. I knew the American church is in decline. However, I did not realize how much and how far it has deteriorated. It's a must read but as I wrote earlier it will break your heart.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poisonous snake may lie motionless in the grass until you step on him, and then it is too late. That’s the way subtle ideas are poisoning some Christian institutions and society. This is one of the few books I know of that gives an eyewitness account of the antichristian process today. Five stars.

“The result was that our church simply talked less and less about anything we feared might offend people.” Location: 1,468

[Caden Bishota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embodied by Judas Iscariot, some of the greatest betrayals of Christianity have come not from without but within. West elucidates why the Faith's leaders often fail to stand strongly, and what we can do to call those with a self-defeating faith to repentance while avoiding it ourselves.