Unoffendable was Uninspiring

Brant Hansen's book Unoffendable was something that capture my attention.  He speaks of making one change that will make all of life better and that change is relinquishing any right to anger.  He argues that righteous anger does not exist and giving up that right to anger is what gives you the "most healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things we can do."  I looks from other reviews already posted that I will be the sole voice of dissent here.  Oh well...


Before you jump to any conclusions, I am not making the case for being angry.  I had a temper as a child and it almost cost me my life as, in anger, I stuck my hands trough a glass door.  I still bear the scars from that experience, so I understand the evil side of anger.  The Bible is clear in that explosive anger dishonors God, damages our testimony, and destroys relationships with others.  We are in agreement on that point; however, Hansen's book falls short of proving in a systematic and Biblical fashion that Christians are to never be angry.

Here is an example:  Hansen points to Jesus' anger in throwing the money changes out of the Temple.  Quite correctly, he points out that Christians use that as an example -- well, if Jesus was angry, then we can so be as well.  Hansen deals with this issue through slight of hand by saying something along these lines -- "you see, yes, Jesus could be angry because He can do lots of things that we cannot.  Like what you may ask?  Oh, how about create the world and rise from the dead.  Since we cannot do those things, we should not focus on other things that He does either."

What's the danger there?  Simple -- Jesus showed compassion, feed the hungry, went to the outcasts, exhibited humility, experienced pain, etc.  We must be careful in flippantly throwing out elements of Jesus' existence that clearly reflected His deity as reasons to avoid our humanity.  Anger is a human emotion that cannot be avoided.  I think the problem that Hansen misses is the realization of its innate humanness.  Anger, alone, is not a problem.  If it lingers and is acted upon, then it becomes wrong as bitterness forms.

Hansen refuses to deal with situations like Moses, in Exodus, being angered at Israel for creating the golden calf.  He threw down the tablets containing the Ten Commandments but nowhere do you see God rebuking him for that anger.  What about Paul who stood toe to toe with Peter over the issue of Gentile believers in Galatians 2.  I am sure that anger was involved here but, once again, we do not see God condemning him for his actions.

Again, I am not making a case for Christians to be angry; yet I am saying that Hansen fell short.  He offered lots of stories, examples from his radio show, and nice thoughts of his own.  What was missing, however, was a detailed exegesis and consideration of the totality of Scripture.  Since that aspect was lacking, I am left wondering at the veracity of his arguments.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”