Saving Christianity?: The Danger in Undermining Our Faith – and What You Can Do about It

by Michael Youssef

A clear and frank exploration of the future of Christianity and whether it needs to be saved.We live in confusing times. Our society has shifted on its moral axis, and many are asking whether Christianity needs to be reinvented—or even reimagined—in order to save it. With Newsweek declaring “The Decline and Fall of Christian America” on its cover and The Daily Beast questioning “Does Christianity Have a Future?” bloggers and Christian commentators are discussing whether we need a “new of kind of Christianity.”In Saving Christianity? Dr. Michael Youssef explores this train of thought and its pitfalls. He describes how similar discussions in Christianity’s recent past explored the very same question. Saving Christianity? will help you discern what is going on within the church while it reviews the essentials of the Christian faith as described in the Bible.We dare not abandon this “mere faith,” as Dr. Youssef describes it, because it is the light for all humanity—and especially for those of us living in today’s chaotic times.After reading Saving Christianity? you’ll have a renewed confidence in the future of the church and the central place it will occupy for generations to come.

Genres: Faith, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Michael Youssef is the founder and president of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground ministry teams (www.LTW.org). His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast in 25 languages and seen worldwide, airing more than 13,000 times per week. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt, but in 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. He holds numerous degrees, including a PhD in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 35 books, including recent popular titles The Barbarians Are Here and Jesus, Jihad and Peace. He and his wife have four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Henry Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this is the best work from Dr. Youssef

[Lisa Godard · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing Michael Youssef in person at the Moody Center at the old Northfield Mount Hermon Campus, I was drawn to his honesty and talent in sharing his passion about the true Passion. Very timely book.

[Samuel Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shared some very practical tips for how to judge whether something is Christian or not. Dr. Michael Youssef explained the difference between Essential Christian Doctrine and Non-Essential Christian Doctrine as well as debunked many progressive Christian views.

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A good, quick, easy read. Reminding us of the importance of following God’s word, all of it not just the parts we like. An encouragement to stand firm in truth even when you’re in the minority. A warning to watch out that we are not deceived by false teachers. The huge take away for me was the reminder of what it has cost followers of Christ over the years to ensure the true gospel was passed down to us and now we are to do the same. It’s entrusted to us, it’s a privilege and responsibility not to be taken lightly.

[Emily J. Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fairly quick read and Youssef communicates his points clearly. As far as I could tell, all of his main points are biblically solid. The first half of the book focuses on identifying the main inner problems of the American evangelical church. This includes multiple famous religious leaders and speakers that are not preaching a biblical gospel. Youssef's main goal is to distinguish Prosperity Theology, or the Health & Wealth Gospel, from the biblical gospel. The second half of the book spells out the core beliefs of Christianity in a basic framework.

(To dive deeper into the topics of this book, watch the documentary American Gospel: Christ Alone. It can be currently found on Netflix, Vimeo, Apple TV, prime video, Google Play, and Fandango Now.)

I would recommend this book to the person who is currently dissatisfied and disappointed with the American evangelical church. Maybe you're frustrated with all the hypocrisy you've seen. If you would like to learn how to distinguish the wolves from the sheep, Youssef succeeds in pointing out common lies circulating within the church. He also offers real hope in the biblical gospel. This book would also be a good read for an agnostic or atheist who can't understand how someone can believe in the sacrifice of Jesus and the gift of salvation.

A personal word of encouragement if you're one of the types above: God is sovereign and loving and good. He is faithful and just. The Bible makes these attributes clear. If you seek Him with a pure heart, and if it is His will that you be saved from your sins, He will reveal Himself to you.

[Terrance D Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reset Your Christianity!

This is the sixth book I've read by Dr. Youssef! His books, deliver a clear sharing of God's Word and who Jesus and the person of the Holy Spirit are and why we need to secure our walk.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I completed this book in a single day. I couldn’t stop! It explains the current landscape of the church and how, by trying to help, we have damaged something that didn’t need help in the first place.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Christianity?: The Danger in Undermining Our Faith -- and What You Can Do about It by Michael Youssef is a timely discussion of the current state of Christianity and the outlook for its future. The author grew up as a Coptic Christian in Egypt where the Christian population has shrunk from a majority to less than ten percent today. He is currently an American citizen and has published many books about religion and Middle Eastern history as well as the increasing migration of Muslims from Muslim majority countries to the Europe and America. He focuses on what he points out are attacks on Christianity through legal challenges in the court systems of the West using their own laws and freedoms against them to undermine their influence while claiming Islamophobia for any attempt to cut short their progress in growing their population and political influence. The author discusses the current changes happening within the Christian faith that go against the teachings in the Bible in the name of tolerance and political correctness that is not reciprocated by non-Christians. As with other books by Dr. Youssef that I have read, he raises and discusses important issues of today and make many logical and thought-provoking ideas for readers to consider.

[Mark D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good evaluation of progressive Christianity and its dangers. There is also a long explanation of the biblical gospel that would be useful for someone not sure what it is.

However, I wish the author would have at least acknowledged the validity of some people’s struggles with Christianity. People have a problem with the church and slavery? His response...they are wrong. That’s it. Why not have the humility to say, yes, the church has failed in some areas. Grace and truth? I mostly read truth.

I’m not sure who I would recommend this book for.

[Rodney Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read on the deconstruction of Christianity and the rise of progressivism in the Church. It is straight-forward, simply explained, full of grace, loaded with knowledge and overflowing with hard-earned wisdom. Youssef is more graceful to some than I would be, but then again the book came out in 2020 and some of these false teachers have added to their offenses. If you are looking for a historical perspective on the doctrines of the church and why they are at odds with many of today's pulpits, this is a great book to read.

[Herbie H Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand Firm

A really convicting, eye-opening transcript! Michael has captured the essence of Biblical Christian. Stand firm on what God really said!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

[Pam Coll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and inspiring book. Highest recommendation to all followers of Jesus.

[Debifatcox.Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important facts...Church can't compromise God's Word.

[Philip Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yea it was ok!

[Ronb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of things I did not know regarding progressive and liberal theology and churches.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a very clear and helpful explanation of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

[Nigel Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite hard hitting! Michael is very clear and robust in his views on ‘progressive Christians’ and if you want to read something from that view this is good. Although I would not agree with all his viewpoints I did appreciate the book, his heart and his writing. He clearly has a love from God, his word and for mankind!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as the "Progressives" are "reinterpreting" our Constitution, Progressive Christians are "reinterpreting" the Bible...
A neighbor in AZ gave me this book before I headed home for the summer. I've been reading bits and pieces since last May. I'm finally hooked and should finish soon.

[Betty W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book. Dr. Youssef has unveiled the false teachings that are undermining so many of our churches today. We as Christians need to be informed of what is happening. We know there is going to come great delusion on the earth. So much so that if it is possible, even the elect will be deceived. If you love the Lord and His church, read and take heed.

[Fred Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sent to me by my Archbishop’s office so I guess that implied I should read it. I did. Not bad, not great, nothing new here. (I think Bp. Myers did a better job of covering the Nicene Creed than this one; se my previous post on that book. But this has some of the “woe is me Christianity, it’s all falling apart” attitude that drives me nuts. I’m not going to go there…