Leatherbound Terrorism by Chris Kratzer

 
I understand that Chris Kratzer had a pretty amazing experience while he was in a hospital as a kid. And from my reading this book, I have an understanding that he had a not-so-amazing experience as a kid growing up; both family-based and physical.

I can appreciate that Chris dove into Evangelical Christianity head first but then experienced a revelation that highlighted all of the bad parts of institutionalize religion.

The bottom line is that Chris Krazter abhors conservative Evangelical Christianity. And you'll realize this because he attempts to write those three words on almost every page of the book. "conservative Evangelical Christianity". As if you'll forget about what he's so angry about.

I would hope that every Christian - evangelical or not - would recognize that there are probably aspects of their faith choice that they don't align with. One of the great aspects of this book is that Chris highlights a lot of those issues apparently found in conservative Evangelical Christianity.

My confusion with some of the points is that I don't recognize much of what Chris rails against and I thought I identified as an Evangelical Christian. Alot of what he experienced as a pastor in that realm and the mindset that he had while part of it, I just haven't seen or experienced myself. One of the big ones was how absolutely awful he treats someone going through a crisis. I have no experience of any evangelical pastor treating anyone that way.

Maybe my flavor of Evangelical Christianity is off the beaten path from Chris' experience and the majority of others.

I think my biggest complaint of this book is simply how angry Chris comes across in his writing. Is that fair? Probably not because you can't hear tone. But he repeatedly writes, "no offense" or not to belittle or other phrases to this effect like he's wanting to be respectful and then goes off on a rant using quite descriptive and evocative words that I don't think anyone would mistake for respectful. I got the feeling that he is so angry about his experience that anyone who aligns with conservative Evangelical Christianity is pure evil. Even after he says he has friends who are - can you be friends with evil?

I love his call to Christians to simply love others. I love that. I see that in Jesus. And I see that as foundational to living in the Kingdom of God. I do not see this book as loving.

It's one of those things where Chris rips on conservative Evangelicals for being judgmental and unloving.  But isn't he being just as judgmental and unloving in the way he accuses others? Or is it okay if you're obviously the one who's correct while the other Christians are wrong. It's almost as if he could have approached it better. There are authors who have written along these lines that Grace is all that it's about and how American Christianity can get back to how Jesus envisioned living eternal life.

Again, this is me reading into it beyond what I probably should but Chris writes likes he's full of vitriol.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Grace Publishing.