The Christian Culture Survival Guide
Author: Matthew Paul Turner

In "The Christian Culture Survival Guide," former CCM Magazine Editor Matthew Paul Turner chronicles his personal journey of faith. Turner who was raised in a fundamental Baptist church, graduated from Belmont University, worked at both Crosswalk.com and CCM Magazine (as mentioned before), takes from his experiences and attempts to, half-humorously, enlighten the reader on the Christian sub-culture.

Within the intro, Turner openly states that this "Survival" guide will both be offensive and controversial. I'll give him credit for getting that part right. Through out the chapters I found myself being offended, and often wondering what Turner's answers were to these great deficiencies in the church that he was pointing out. If Turner's intentions were to motivate and encourage; than this book fails as a survival guide. Also, his style of whit and sarcasm are more offensive than funny. There is a sense of bitterness that tends to over shadow the humor.

What I've garnered from reading Turner's book is that he is non-committal (Chapter 3), immature (Chapter 5), and self-centered, looking for a Worship Service that entertains himself (Chapter 10). As Turner was wrapping things up at the end of the book I was hoping he would offer some insight into his feelings, but all he offered was blame.

If you're interested in knowing more about Matthew Paul Turner then I don't think you will find a more revealing autobiography. If you're a new christian looking for help in your new walk I recommend you avoid this book and look to your elders and pastors for guidance.

- Ken W.