Christless Christianity is hands-down my favorite book to recommend to professing Christians. In fact, I have lost track of how many I have given away and my personal copy is literally falling apart.

The book is written at a popular level and is therefore a relatively easy read. But plenty of books are easy to read, so what’s the attraction? Christless Christianity helps us to see that so much of what is embraced by contemporary Christians is not actually Christian. In fact, much of what we accept as Christian is anti-Christian.

Horton has a keen eye for evangelical fads and trends that undermine or contradict what is actually biblical and essential to authentic Christianity. This can make the book shocking if not initially offensive, but such is not the intended endgame.

I might say that the author strikes a good balance in both wounding and healing. In other words, he offers strong critique, which wounds, but then thoughtfully explains how that which is actually biblical is far better than the counterfeit. This then heals.

If for no other reason, Christless Christianity should be read by every Christian for the fourth chapter, which is called, “How We Turn Good News Into Good Advice” and it is all that.

In this chapter Horton helps readers to see the deadly problem of confusing the law with the gospel and how this insidious problem is plaguing evangelical pulpits, congregations, and publications. He provocatively calls it “Easy-Listening Legalism.”

The whole book is provocative this way and can help Christians to see the tremendously important difference between authentic Christianity and its many best-selling, albeit artificial, substitutes.