Intersection Interview

Rebecca Woods: So, what made you decide to write this book?

Jason Berggren: I used to write the lyrics (and sing) in the
band I was in (Strongarm). But I hadn’t written anything since I quit
the band in 1996 (Dec. 1995). In 2004 I was in the middle of helping start a church
in Miami, Florida (Calvary Fellowship) and serving as an assistant
pastor. We went as a staff to a conference in Atlanta called Catalyst.
It really impacted me.

During the conference I realized I had always wanted to be a writer. I
wasn’t particularly good in school. I was pretty lazy. But writing was
the one thing I did well. I mentioned it to my wife, who wasn’t too
excited about the idea at first. We had just sacrificed quite a bit to
help get that church started. We were broke, and just had our second
child. The prospect of taking on something else that would take lots of
time, work, and (most likely) money — and also mean another big change
— wasn’t all that appealing.

I started by sketching out some ideas, including several children’s
books. (In fact, I have one written along with illustration direction
notes). But in the end, I couldn’t stop thinking about 10 Things… It
was my hardest idea. It was the most personally challenging and bold. I
just felt like the message had to come. I wanted, more than anything,
to help people connect, and maintain that connection, with God.

RW: “Hate” is a strong word, yet you’re intentional about using it to
describe your frustrations with Christianity (as illustrated by the
photo on your book cover). Do you catch a lot of grief from people for
using the word “hate”?

JB: I do get a bit of grief for using the word “hate”. Mainly, it is from Christians. Let’s be clear, the title is 10 Things I Hate About Christianity. That small word, “about,” creates a very important distinction. I don’t hate Christianity. And the subtitle is key as well: Working Through the Frustrations of Faith.

I found a definition of hate that works perfectly for the context in
which I use it. It’s on the back of my book and says “A feeling of
dislike so strong that it demands action.” But some people just can’t
get past it. I understand. I think it really has to do with a person’s
level of self-awareness and honesty.

The people that are the most offended by the title are the ones that
need to read it the most. If the message of Jesus is going to have any
hope in our modern world, it’s going to have to be delivered by people
who are authentic to a risky level.

RW: What’s the role of critique in Christianity? Do you believe it
ultimately makes Christians and the church stronger? If so, how?

JB: I am a person that gets tired of pretense and seemingly
hidden agendas. I think many who follow Jesus are afraid to be truly
bare-bones honest about their struggles and frustrations. There is a
feeling that if we are, we’ll give God a bad name. But nothing could be
further from the truth.

People want to know what to expect. People want the truth. Being open
is the most helpful, productive, and healthy thing we could do for the
state of faith in our lives and the community around us. In fact, I
have a phrase in my book. It is a life-lesson I have learned: wrong
expectations lead to absolute frustration. The reality is, if we don’t
tell people what to truly expect in this faith-journey, we actually set
them up for failure.

Faith brings clarity, peace, and contentment more than anything else.
But there are still difficulties and pain to deal with. It’s not all
rainbows and lollipops. That’s called Heaven.

RW: You’ve gotten some criticism from Christians for writing this book.
People might assume, at least from the title, that atheists would like
it, but that’s not necessarily true. What are their complaints?

JB: Yes, I have. I first want to make it clear that the reviews
and comments by readers are extremely positive. People often thank me
taking the risk and writing the book. And then they tell me about
people who’ve they’ve given it to. The book’s definitely a conversation
piece. The challenge for me, and for all of us, is to frame our faith
in a way that is helpful for followers of Jesus, while peaking the
curiosity for those that don’t. That’s essentially the challenge of the
Great Commission as given by Jesus at the end of the gospel of Matthew.

More specifically, the people who don’t like the book/title are always
one of three types. They are self-proclaimed ‘mature’ Christians. I’m
fine with this. I don’t particularly like that description anyway. To
me, it is antithetical. The sad thing is, a read of my book would give
them more influence with people who don’t believe or are struggling. It
would help them see what people are going through.

The other type of person that doesn’t like the book is similar. They
are professional Christians (ministry or church leaders). I recognize
from my own ministry experience when starting the church, there is a
tendency to live in a bubble. But I believe the book can be very
helpful for the same reasons as stated above. It would help us
understand what faith looks like from the outside.

Lastly, some atheists/agnostics who are mad that I used the title.
Curiously, there are several who have read it and enjoyed it. They
appreciate the fact that my book might help Christians be more like
Jesus. But there are some that are mad that I used this title and am
still a Christian. It’s as if I used the title before them. It reminds
me of when my kids are fighting over a toy yelling “No fair!”

RW: So when Christians notice a “tension” when it comes to some aspect
of faith, instead of denying it, they should acknowledge it. But where
do they go from that point? Where do you go? Is there a process? Do you
have a group of Christian friends who are willing to have open
conversations?

JB: You have to do whatever it takes to wrestle and come to a
point of understanding in whatever area you are struggling with. Talk
to friends, get a Bible handbook, commentaries, take a class. These are
all things I’ve done (and do). And they are all key.

I think you have to pursue your relationship with God with the same
fervor and devotion that you would any other relationship that you
wanted to work out.

RW: What’s the most frustrating aspect of being a Christian for you right now?

JB: The thing I struggle with the most is love—it’s one of the
chapters in my book, in fact. The problem is, I am always on my mind. I
have been for a long time. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been
thinking of myself. Everyone is self-centered to a certain degree. And
it can get in the way of true love.

Having to be loving, and loving everyone, is a real challenge. You
always have to be willing to sacrifice your ego and pride. You have to
be willing to change. That’s never easy.

To love like this (like Jesus did) is divine. And it is choice.

RW: How would you describe yourself theologically?

JB: I’m pretty conservative.

RW: Does God ever surprise you?

JB: In the moment, I feel like the answer is so often no. And I
know that’s a function of the limits of my personality and perspective.

But when I look back over the past, the answer is always yes.

RW: You obviously love Christianity more than you hate it. What do you love most about Christianity?

JB: There is nothing more amazing than when followers of Jesus
are moved to their core to make an impact for the sake of the gospel.
Historically, most hospitals, colleges, and world-relief efforts have
been founded, funded, and sustained out of the generosity of followers
of Jesus. They give like no one else does, sometimes financially,
sometimes with their time, and sometimes with their very lives. That’s
what I love the most.

Christians like this are the very evidence of God.