Book Review: Unoffendable

Things in "Unoffendable" by Brant Hansen might offend you, but that can be a good thing! Learning to not be offended can bring "new dimensions of rest, grace, and simplicity".

Overview: It’s a radical, provocative idea: We’re not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own “righteous anger” is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it.

As it turns out, giving up our “right” to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things we can do.

In Unoffendable readers will find something of immeasurable value—a concrete, practical way to live life with less stress. They’ll adjust their expectations to fit human nature and replace perpetual anger with refreshing humility and gratitude. The book offers a unique viewpoint, challenging the idea that Christians can ever harbor “righteous anger” or that there even is such a thing for believers.

Few other books exist with such a radical, provocative proposal to consider. We have no right to anger. We are to get rid of it, period. Completely. And it is possible to choose to be “unoffendable.”
Through the author’s winsome, humorous, and conversational style, this book doesn’t add another thing to do on a stressed-out person’s ever-growing list. Better, it actually seeks to lift religious burdens from readers’ backs and allow them to experience the joy of gratitude, perhaps for the first time, every single day of their lives.

Dawn's Recommendation: 4.5 of 5 Stars

First, I like love Brant Hansen's humor. I love listening to his talk show on the radio (Christian radio WordFM). His book reads just like he talks. That might take a little getting used to, but you'll be glad to dig deep into this book! Here's why.

I wanted to read the book b/c I like Brant's show, not because I thought I had a problem with anger and being offended. Here's the kicker. While reading the book, I realized I DO have a problem! Not so much with anger, but with judging and not accepting people who are different than me. I have a problem loving all people. Wow. 

This book was fantastic for me, spiritually. It, like The Bible and like other books I've read like "Jesus Prom", teach me to love like Jesus did/does. This book tells me to stop being offended by people (what they do and say) and just love them. Don't condemn them. Don't throw rules at them. Just love them. (And, life becomes sweeter for you too.)  

You are going to enjoy the stories that Brant shares, his humor, and the message.

I have to share this God Sighting. I was 1/4 of the way through the book and I met an artist at a downtown craft show. She and her photography were raw, but beautiful. She captured the ugly, the unwanted, the broken, and discarded things in life...and made them into art. I connected with her and her work. That night I prayed for her. Hard. She may never know the impact she made on me, but it fit perfectly with "Unoffendable". God takes us, broken and sinful, and makes us beautiful and holy.  

Disclaimer: I got this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest book review.

How would the world change if we stopped being offended and just loved?