Not What You Think: A Book Review

In their book, Not What You Think, Michael and Lauren McAfee write like millennials (because they are) to millennials. And as I read their book, I realize that us Gen Z-ers can only really be distinguished by the fact that we hate being categorized with our older siblings. Other than that, we are just as outgoing, technologically adept, and skeptical about the Bible as millennials. For this reason, the McAfees' book addresses both generations.

The McAfees argue for the Bible's relevance in an age that denies any such thing as relevance. Even though millennials and generation Z are the fruit of the postmodern age, which is marked by calls for tolerance and equality, we have seen a rise in apathy, and even antipathy, toward the Bible. But since this age calls for open-mindedness, the authors of Not What You Think beckon their readers to apply that same open-mindedness when it comes to the Bible.

The authors break the book into four parts, beginning with who the millennial is and how the Bible relates to the current generation. In the second part, Michael and Lauren write on how the Bible has shaped the course of history and stands apart from other religious documents. Then, in the third part, the McAfees write on how one should approach the Bible, interacting with it without pre-judgment and understanding the Bible's relevance to our age. Finally, the authors close the book by helping the reader understand the different aspects of the Bible and challenging them to come to it with an open mind.

Michael and Lauren successfully address their targeted audience, which they categorize as the Bible-readers, the Bible-open, and the Bible closed. For the Bible-readers, the ones that are active Christians and members of a local church, the authors call them to be "skeptics" when reading the Scriptures. The Bible, since its God's Word, "can handle your fiercest line of questioning" (196). A student of the Word brings his or her questions to it, willing to learn and be changed.

For the Bible-open--those who grew up in church, were exposed to the Scripture, and are open to its teachings, but left Christianity because of hurt caused by a church or another Christian--the McAfees ask them to not judge the Bible by what people have done in the name of it. Rather, they should judge the Bible and give it a chance on its own terms.

For the Bible-closed, the ones who have entirely rejected God's Word, the authors plead with them to use the same open-mindedness that marks the current generation. The Bible-closed are asked to come to the Bible as they would to an acquaintance, without pre-judgment and a willingness to learn. Michael and Lauren's certainly succeed in their hope to have their book "begin a dialogue between people about the Bible, regardless of whether you love the Bible, hate the Bible, or are somewhere in between" (201).

The subject matter of this book is relevant not just to millennials and Gen Z-ers, but to all current generations. After all, the idea of "generations" is itself an American construct. While authors intend to address the specific generations of millennials and generation Z, the content matter in Not What You Think relates to the larger postmodern philosophy which transcends both generations and cultures. Writing on the larger topic of postmodern thinking could be the topic for another book or second edition.

Nevertheless, Michael and Lauren McAfee's book, Not What You Think, succeeds in building a bridge to millennial and Gen Z skeptics of the Bible, showing why it still relates to the current age. The authors also address what distinguishes millennials and generation Z from other generations in a creative and engaging way. I encourage you to read Not What You Think to better understand the youngest generations and, if you are part of those generations, to learn why the Bible is still relevant for your life today.

Book Reviewed

McAfee, Michael and Lauren Green. Not What You Think. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2019.

ISBN: 9780310355212