Book Review: Revolution

George Barna’s 2005 book Revolution is a data-driven analysis of a massive shift happening among committed Christians in America. Barna, through his polling firm, identified what he calls “Revolutionary Christians”—about 20 million people (roughly 5% of U.S. adults at the time) who are intensely devoted to Jesus Christ but are ditching traditional churches for personal, family-based, or small-group spiritual lives.

Key points from the book:

• The Problem with Churches: Barna documents widespread disillusionment. Only 1 in 4 Protestant leaders believe their church is doing a good job discipling believers. Churches are bloated, entertainment-focused, and ineffective at producing mature faith. People feel spiritually starved amid programs, buildings, and politics.

  The Revolution Defined: Revolutionaries prioritize seven “faith environments”:

  1. Personal relationship with Christ.

  2. Personal Bible study and prayer.

  3. Intimate accountability with 3-4 close friends.

  4. Family faith (discipling their own kids).

  5. House churches or small groups.

  6. Ministry/service to others.

  7. Marketplace impact (living faith at work).

  They reject consumerism, celebrity pastors, and institutional loyalty. Barna predicted 20-30 million would fully exit organized churches by 2010.

• Data Backing: From surveys of 5,000+ adults and leaders:

  • 70% of born-again adults never read the Bible during the week.

  • Churchgoers give less than 3% of income to charity.

  • Born-again Christians divorce at similar rates to non-Christians.
    Revolutionaries outperform: higher giving (10%+), Bible engagement, family stability.

The Upside: Barna sees this as positive—a return to New Testament Christianity. No mega-churches needed; it’s organic, countercultural, and kingdom-focused. He profiles real revolutionaries: families homeschooling faith, dads leading home Bible studies, professionals serving quietly.

From a biblical standpoint, this aligns with warnings against corrupt institutions (like Laodicea in Revelation 3) and calls to pure worship (Acts 2 house churches). It’s a blueprint for parallel structures when big systems fail—raise your family in the faith, build trusted networks, disciple without bureaucracy. Barna’s not perfect (he’s optimistic about evangelicals broadly), but the stats expose the rot. If you’re in a dead church, this book lights the exit sign. Grab it; it’s short and punchy.

Summary by Gab.AI