Lord, Save Us from Your Followers: Why Is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?

by Dan Merchant

An analysis of fundamentalism in America as compared to the belief systems of non-extreme Christians by an Emmy Award-winning television writer is an anecdotal collection of observations and comedic excerpts from interviews with everyday people.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Faith, Spirituality, Christian Living, Christianity

216 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2008

Reviews

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Read! If you struggle with your Christian faith because of the acts of fellow Christians, or you think you know everything about your Christian faith, or you were alienated by Christians, or you know nothing about Christianity, this is the book for you. Dan Merchant, a professed Christian, interviews people about the 'wedge' issues of the day (homosexuality, abortion, intelligent design, the religious right, etc.) and uses humor to take the edge off the discussion. He interviews well known personalities like Al Franken, Michael Reagan, Rick Santorum, but also lesser known people. He uses a bumper-sticker-suit to interview normal everyday people about their preconceived notions about Christianity and their faith. His light-hearted but though provoking writing enlightened and eased some of my discomfort with the conservative evangelical 'radical right', my fellow people in Christ. Several times during the read I was relieved to be able to say "Man, I thought I was the only one who thought that."

He does not go in depth into any of these issues, which I think opens the door for discussion amongst friends. It is a quick read. One of those books that is hard to put down. I would recommend it to anyone who is engaged or enraged about some issue in the Christian faith and is willing to spend a day digesting "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers."

[Shonda Cornell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Everyone who can read should read this book- especially those of us who call ourselves Christians. There is too much hate & ugliness coming from those of us who are called to love and treat others like Jesus would. We all sin in some way and we are all created equal in God’s eyes.

[mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was FANTASTIC!!! really made me analyze my life and actions as a christian. even more so, however, it has challenged me to rethink how to live my life in the way that Jesus would want me to. the best part about this book was the tone and language the author used. although it dealt in some heavy topics and interviewed a wide range of people, this was something even I (who keeps a notebook dictionary handy) could understand. and it was HILARIOUS! i laughed out loud constantly while reading it! i would defintely recommend this to people who are already believers and those who are turned off by the actions and beliefs of Christians. although i do consider myself a follower of Christ, i tend to be turned off by the so-called 'radicals' and the streetside-corner preachers who tell me i'm going to hell b/c i interpret the Bible differently than they do. i was afraid that this book would have the same affect on me. however, it did not, and i found myself looking forward to what every interviewee had to say about certain subjects. all in all, an awesome read!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I was scared of this book. My inital reaction to the cover was "utoh" thinking it would end up being something along the lines of Bill Maher's new movie (Religulous).

Thankfully it, it was not.

There were several things I enjoyed about the book, but, I have to say my favorite was the "comic book" section in the middle. You must read it to fully appreciate it. I also really enjoyed the conversations he had with alot of people who self-identified with something other than Christianity and how they view Jesus and how they view American Christians of today. Some of them "got it" better than we do.

There is also a quiz for you to rate some of the bumper stickers that he uses in the book. There are actually a few of them I would like to put on my car!

The bonus DVD in the back will be viewed this weekend.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this in a second-hand store, and it intrigued me. The interesting thing is, it's far more relevant in 2018 than it was when it was written. It's an interesting examination of religion and politics, and it holds a mirror up to Christians to show that sometimes we use a religion of love to build barriers and alienate people rather than spread the love of Christ. I wish I could pass out copies of this on the street.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2008 by Thomas Nelson.

Dan Merchant went on a cross-country trip in an effort to discuss why it is that so many people have a negative view of Christians and Christianity. He often dons a set of coveralls covered in religious-themed bumper stickers (both for and against religion) and then engages random people on the street in a short conversation about religion. His goal is to find out why a religion that is supposed to be based on a message of love is dividing people? Isn't that oxymoronic?

Merchant's strength is his congenial nature. He takes criticism very well - he actually listens to the answers he gets to his questions and takes them to heart. The answers are pretty predictable. If Christians came even halfway close to their ideals, it would be a different story. But, the experience of too many people, especially in certain communities, is that Christians do nothing but condemn and maybe even rejoice at their misfortunes as punishments from God.

Early on in the book (page 14), Merchant makes this point: "To me, the...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2018/...

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall good book. But had some major doctrinal fallacies and philosophies. First there never was a clear and strong statement saying “we love others but part of loving others is living a life based on scripture”, also there never was a clear message about Salvation and eternal destiny which ultimately (even ask a hardened atheist) should be the heartbeat and concern of every believer if they truly believe scripture. Finally the philosophy error was simple, so much done to engage people and love people but so little done to share the Gospel for this I think you have to go into this one realizing your theology and missiology won’t be strengthened. What will be strengthened is your view of the other side and how they see Christianity and really how failed we are at loving people and focusing on Christianity in action as opposed to turning our beliefs into pure politics. So I’d say good read but lacking read. I learned much and made me think at least.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️'s

Wow...what a surprise. This book was on my "read or unhaul" pile, and my expectations were low.

What I read instead convicted me to focus more on conversation, relationship and real service with and for others instead of a doctrinal position.

To its credit, it didn't tell me to abandon my position or what that position should be, but rather that an authentic, messy, humble, beautiful conversation with a person - another child of God - that might disagree with me, can do more for both of us and God's kingdom than any picket sign or bumper sticker phrase could ever hope to.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it was a little dated, this was a good read for the election year. The general thesis is we should talk to people, even the ones with whom we disagree.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the line of books that I picked up as an ointment to the irritation that I get from seeing all the truly lunatic books for Christians. The science textbooks for 'Christian Schools' are truly an obscenity.

The book asks a question that the author, Dan Merchant, finds some hints to answering, but leaves others lying on the ground. A strong recurring theme in the book is the lack of communication we have, which, in some sense, is the premise of the book.

For some of the interviews, Dan puts on what he refers to as the Bumper-sticker Man suit; a white painters suit with a collection of bumper-stickers that straddle many issues of modern philosophical meme warfare. He uses it as a starting point to get someone interested in talking with him. Who, after all, would not want to know why someone is wearing both a Jesus fish and a Darwin fish?

These conversations are given brief time in the book, but engender support for the idea that many of us remain ignorant about our fellow man.

He then goes into a section where he starts in with statistics. On one hand he brings up how important the numbers are, but then later casually dismisses their importance. This makes his non-congruent numbers really abrasive. Percents of percents are compared to numerical values without context to those percents without some scratch paper being handy.

The book continues with a trip to Africa and interviews with people on all sides of the issues. In here, this is where I find the most problems with the book. There are "Why"'s galore here, but many are left unasked.

Liberal example, Al Franken, in interview mentions that if you take all the parts where Jesus advocates for the poor out of the Bible, then you'll have enough room to smuggle Rush Limbaugh's drugs. Merchant even mentions in aside that this is a bit of an unnecessary cheap shot, but doesn't ask Franken why he felt compelled to make it.

Conservative example, he interviews former Senator Rick Santorum. During the interview, Santorum spouts a few nonsense phrases that took some interpretation on my part to decipher what he meant. Merchant just took it in stride with a nod and a smile, and pondered how people could think such bad things (i.e. - That Santorum could be a bigoted, hate-monger.) about the senator without asking him about his statements on such issues. (i.e. - "Isn't that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?" [Against gay marriage.:])

The final chapters of the book deal with people that have crossed the line from words to deeds. One of his friends had set up a 'Confession Booth' at the Reed College Renn Fayre in which his friend would confess the sins of the church to any that would come in to hear. This inspires him to do the same at Portland's Gay Pride Festival.

Dan later meets with the Bridgetown Ministry that, every Friday night, meet under the Burnside Bridge to administer kindness to the homeless through washing their feet and other acts of companionship.

He then interviews someone from a Portland radio station about going to Africa to help with AIDS victims and poverty. He marvels that someone coming from a very secular background is also willing to help in such works. Also, that she was able to respect the faith of those she was working with in Africa.

The take home message from the book really boils down to "deeds, not words." Most of the charity groups preach, only when the recipients are ready to be preached to. I need to find a hardcore fundamentalists and see if they're able to get this message, or if they cling too hard to their dogma to hear another message.

[Seth Comfort · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Lord, Save Us From Your Followers by Dan Merchant. This book was fantastic. Dan Merchant also made a movie under the same title, which I am now interested in seeing. Dan basically took two years to travel across America and ask people on the streets and experts "Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?"
For most of his interviews on the streets, he dressed up in what he deemed "Bumper Stick Suit", which was basically a white painters suit plastered with every bumper sticker he could find. He would then ask people 5 questions. The first three were generally the same: How did the world begin? What is something Jesus is known for? What is something Christians are known for? and then the last two questions would often change depending on how people answered. He was basically trying to have conversation with people instead of shouting his point of view, like the bumper stickers do.
The book also contains his interviews with diverse media players such as Al Franken and Michael Reagan. Through these interviews he asks a lot of thought provoking questions as to why America is being divided. He tries to uncover the "culture war".
Throughout the book, his goal is to engage people in conversation rather than try to prove them right or wrong. He has a quote by Tony Campolo in the book that I just love, Tony says, "We're never as right as we think we are; we're never as wrong as we think we are." I think that is a great perspective to have. Dan has an interview with Tony Campolo and during the interview Tony explains that whenever we carry on discussion we always have to entertain the possibility that I could be wrong. In all discussions on all subjects, except for one thing, as the apostle Paul said "There is one thing I know: Christ and the Crucifixion." Aside from that, we have to be open to the possibility that we don't know. I think that is also a great point.
All through the book, Dan brings the reader back to the topic of God's love. That we, as Christians are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and everyone is our neighbors. We haven't done a great job of that as individuals and as the church. Dan does a great job of bringing us back to that message and if we are truly spreading a Gospel of Love, than we shouldn't be dividing the country!
Overall, I thought this book was great. Dan's journey is insightful, objective and humorous. This book made me think about who Jesus really is and who He is calling me to really be. At times, his tactics seemed outrageous but he conducted himself in a humble and loving way, it is a good reminder that we should love all our neighbors.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up this book on a whim because it was cheaper than dirt and looked interesting. Apparently it was based on a Christian documentary which I likely will never see, though it may be worthwhile if you get your hands on it.

Merchant's book and film project ask the question: why is the gospel of love dividing America? He explores these 'cultural wars' engaged in by the evangelical conservatives and the godless secular leftists. I have been in Canada for several years so I haven't had to think about America's political and spiritual polarism. This book was similar in content to Becky Garrison's Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church, but where Garrison tells the story of American politics and religion, Merchant tries to get behind the fear felt on both sides. The book is about three years old so somewhat dated, but the lines are still drawn (particularly if you look towards the 2012 election).

So Merchant interviews people on both sides (or however many sides there are supposed to be) to get to the bottom of the so called 'cultural wars.'
Merchant does two things which while gimmicky, probably were great to watch in the documentary and actually make his point pretty well:

1. He where's a bunch of competing worldview bumperstickers and interviews people on the street about their thoughts on Jesus and which bumpersticker they relate with. That's it. No hardsell evangelism but tries to really listen to people where they are coming from.
2. He sets up a confessional in the middle of San Fran's castro district during a Pride celebration, in order to confess the sins of the church against the Gay community, where they dropped the ball in the AIDS crisis, and Merchant's personal sins against gay people. Merchant's confessions start conversations with people and is healing for a group of people who felt judged, dismissed and hated by the church.


Ultimately this is all Merchant is arguing for, more dialogue less polarizing posturing and monologue preaching. I agree with him and found it an interesting presentation (though I think I would like the documentary better). This reads like a theme issue from a good Christian magazine.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was sort of strange for me. It's very disjointed. It goes from one topic to another with very little transition. It is also a movie and I think it might work better in that form. Some of the interviews were interesting and I really enjoyed the confessional chapter. At first I thought he was just going to rehash Don Miller's confessional story from Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality but he actually does his own booth at a gay pride rally where he apologizes for the way the church as a whole and himself as an individual have hurt gay people.

The worst part of the book is the grammar! I'm not a huge grammar Nazi but there were abundant comma splices and a "you're" where it should have been a "your" (which is one of my least favorite grammar abuses). There were a lot more, but I won't bore you with all of them. It was actually so bad in portions that I found myself correcting grammar in my head and not really paying attention to what I was actually reading. Maybe this doesn't bother everyone, but it was a huge turnoff for me.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dan Merchant. The movie was obviously better (because he set out to make a film, not write a book) and extremely powerful, though the book fleshed out what he talked about in the film and gave a few more anecdotes that added to the story. The message of Christ is simple and we STILL don't get it. You love God, you love people. You follow God, which again means loving unconditionally. That's it.

I have great hope after watching his film and reading his book that all of this manufactured outrage and us vs. them garbage is just a phase of our society and that we as individuals can move beyond it.

I've never been a member of the Religious Right, so I felt kind of like I didn't have an identity for many years because what the Right was doing felt, well, Wrong. Not to say that they don't do *some* good or even quite a bit, but they act like they are perfect and have it all figured out and they don't. So then I came across this term called Red-Letter Christian and I really like it. It means you actually try to live what Christ preached in humility, grace, and truth. That means you care about the poor, value life (all life, including the lives of criminals), and serve as Christ served.

Suits me fine.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. He didn't make his own position perfectly clear from the onset. Once I got into it, especially his interviews with representatives from both sides of the political and religious fences, it was a really enjoyable read. I really respect someone who can put themselves out in the open like this for what they believe in, and not just have it be for publicity or to get in someone's face. He really challenges Christians to start acting more Christ-like and less like what the popular conception of Christians have become: loud-mouthed, preachy, antagonistic hate-mongerers. He does this without singling out any particular sect, either, so no one can honestly say that he's ganging up on them.

What is so sad is that the world he theoretically presents, one in which we are all "little Christs" doing for each other, will probably never come to pass within our lifetimes. There is still far too much hatred and bigotry in the world, and too many people who are unwilling to hold the mirror up to themselves and see the hurt they are forcing on others, including their own children.

[NancyL Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been noticing this book for awhile, but thinking it was just another them-us book, I never bought it. I saw it on sale the other day and bought it thinking I'd read it and give it away.
Well, it's not another them-us book - far from it! This book asks us to love each other because we're all God's children. And the best way to communicate with each other is to listen and love each other.
Dan Merchant "opens a panoramic view of how God's people are viewed by everyday Americans and the world at-large." We visit with Ethiopians where children are dying of AIDS; with the homeless in Portland, Oregon; and with the movie makers in Hollywood (Why don't they make better movies?)
He even quotes the conservative evangelical Christian talk-show host, Michael Reagan, saying, "Why are we asking the state to decide on a prayer for our kids? We should be praying with our kids before they go to school. How many of us are doing that? I don't want the state to have that job."
I can't do this book justice - just read it.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it about the way Christians portray their faith today that so polarizes their audience? How much should Christians focus on understanding and meeting the lost where they are at? How does the involvement of Christians in politics impact perceptons of Christianity by the lost? Is there a better and more fruitful way to evangelize? In a year-long experiment, Merchant took these and other questions to America's streets, prominent believers and lost folks for their input. The results of that survey are chronicled in "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?"

I was personally and particulary challenged by Dan's approach to homosexual lobby groups and communties. It was truth-filled, humble and disarmingly bridge-building, just the way Jesus would have done it, I believe. We can learn a lot from the lost man or woman on the street by hearing what they think before launching into our own presentations. For a fun, real and challenging read, get the book!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the documentary about six months ago and really enjoyed it, so when I saw the book in my local Half Price Books, I couldn't resist picking up a copy! While much of the content was familiar to me, having already seen the documentary, there were a number of tidbits that hadn't been included in the film that I really enjoyed.

Dan Merchant might be a little gimmicky at times, but he was able to have some genuinely inspiring, transparent, and interesting conversations with a wide range of people and prove that, regardless of politics, we really are all far more alike than different, and if we would just take a breath and listen to another person, as opposed to trying to force our thoughts/beliefs into the world, then we would all get along pretty well!


Disagreements are always going to be around. But that doesn't mean that there can't be respect & understanding.



Good book!

[brian d rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love apologetics, and I love God. I am a follower of Jesus, but the people who should walk with me sometimes leave me baffled and confused. I've lost a men's group leader, and the best pastor I've known in 30 years to the politics of the church. This book is meant for people like me. When, and I mean when, not if, but when your church gets you to that point of wanting all your Sunday mornings back, that's the time you need to pick up this book. The main thing to take away from "Followers" is, be the action, don't say...do. Church is great but the people who need us most aren't even there! I challenge believer and non believer alike to reach down deep and see as I saw, that it's not the faith it's the inaction that leads people away. This book was better than I expected and funny enough to make me laugh, serious enough to make me think, and touching enough to to make me cry. One of my favorite reads of the year.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're involved in discussions about politics, religion, ... actually, if you have heated opinions about anything, you should probably give this book a gander. Yes, its focus in God, religion, and christianity, but I think almost anyone can take something from this book.

His goal is to be a mostly silent observer, listening to what people on opposite sides of the line have to say about one another and the idea of the "Culture Wars." Merchant doesn't think he has all the answers, but he's pretty sure God does, and whether you believe or not, the author raises some excellent points about listening and perspective. Oh, and a reminder that we are all human, by the way.

This is a very successful book (in the author's goal, at least) and I'd recommend this to just about anyone who is willing to listen :)

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim little volume is one of the most important books I have ever read in my life.

I was raised as a right-wing, fundamentalist, conservative Christian. As far as I was concerned back then, everyone else could literally go to hell. My mind was changing before this, as I interacted with other people during and after high school, meeting good people of all stripes, but what really changed my mind more than anything was this book. It showed me that I was wrong. Lots of what I believed was just flat out ignorant and hateful. And so, I abandoned my fundamentalist beliefs, and eventually left the faith altogether. I might have ended up here eventually, but I think it might've taken longer if I didn't read this book. It really opened my eyes to a lot of the hatefulness I grew up with, thinking it was the norm.

[Ricky Balas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I sometimes found the author's writing to be a little too casual (and a bit snarky), the content is a fascinating flash back to the late 2000s (end of the Bush era) when the culture wars were still elevated with deep social tension. In a world that has now experienced Trump America, Covid, and the culture wars that have since transpired, Merchant's words seem almost contemporary to our day. In other words, this book may be more relevant to read in 2022 than it was in 2008.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disjointed in structure (which is what you'd expect from a book written by a documentary filmmaker about his experiences making a documentary film) but filled with interesting stories & an offbeat perspective on the widening gap between what people outside the Christian faith perceive about us and what we actually believe.

The author argues essentially for followers of Christ to attempt to actually follow Christ in our rhetoric & practice: love, serve, give... lather, rinse, repeat. Sensible advice, that.

I'm looking forward to seeing the film, which will finally get theatrical release this fall.

[Wyndie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of the book and appreciated what Merchant was attempting to do. However, I found that the non traditional format of the book feel flat. Merchant is a documentary film maker and not necessarily an author. The context of the book was worthy of 4 stars, I did not enjoy reading from the direct transcripts of his interviews. It also lacked a jounalistic style and I found his overly diplomatic takes on certain people and key issues to be weak and confusing. Perhaps this books intent was to present and not to persuade. Overall, I did enjoy the book. I'm just being critical -- per usual.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this for Xmas from my wife and it was a surprisingly quick and entertaining read. It's a book based on a documentary movie that a christian film-maker made examining why the christian religion seems to be turning people off or away from the church. Interesting information about how certain factions of the church have to create controversy in order to raise money and how the christian religion seems to have strayed away from the red-letter sections of the new testament, those words typically attributed to Jesus himself. Did not do anything for changing my overall view towards religion but it will help me look at christians with a broader view.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Merchant traveled around the country dressed up in a suit covered with bumper-stickers and interviewed people about why the gospel is dividing people rather than uniting them. His writing style is very conversational (sort of Blue Like Jazz-y) which I really enjoyed but know some people who didn't particularly like that. Merchant's point is that there is too much one-sided conversation and not enough relationship. Merchant is hilarious, honest, and challenging. I laughed out loud and wiped a few tears. His point - love people.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book changed my life. Everyone, Christian or not should read this book. In some parts it made me cry and in others it pointed out to me my own faults and things that I want to change in my life.

To quote John Lennon:

"If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal."

All you need is love! You don't need to shove the bible or your specific brand of Christianity down someone's throat. Just love them and show them the same kindness that Jesus did. Jesus loves EVERYONE!

[John King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought provoking read. Having seen the movie a couple of times, I'm not sure the book adds that much more. Nevertheless, even on a third "viewing", Dan continues to make me re-evaluate how I present Christ. While I don't agree with everything Dan said (and certainly don't agree with everything others interviewed in the book said!) I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who calls themselves a Christian. It challenges us to reconcile our actions and our words with "the red letters".

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really encouraged by the documentary that this book is based on, so I thought it would be interesting to read the book. Dan Merchant makes a lot of excellent points, and I think it is worth the read. However, it more or less makes the same points that the documentary did. In fact, a lot of the chapters seemed to come directly from the documentary, and the book isn't very well-written. Overall, I would advise skipping the book and watching the documentary instead. They cover the same ground, and the documentary is far superior.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Finally someone wrote a book about how Christianity is turning into a bad word in American society -- "The Religious Right," the "Moral Majority." Dan Merchant puts on a bumpersticker suit with all kinds of points-of-view and engages in enlightening dialog with people from all walks of life. I laughed so hard and also came away absolutely inspired to be the type of Christian the "red-letter" Jesus wants me to be! The book comes with a DVD of the documentary he created about this issue. Read this book!