A good perspective on how to view what society is teaching and how to respond is essential in today's complex world. Society bombards us with a plethora of messages, values, and norms through various media and social institutions. It is crucial to approach these teachings with a critical eye. We should not blindly accept everything that is presented to us but rather question and analyze its validity and implications. By doing so, we can form our own informed opinions and make choices that align with our own values and beliefs. Additionally, we should also be open to different perspectives and ideas, as this can help us to expand our understanding and视野. When it comes to responding to what society is teaching, we have several options. We can choose to conform and follow the mainstream, or we can choose to rebel and go against the grain. However, a more productive approach may be to find a middle ground and make positive changes from within. This could involve speaking out against injustice, promoting positive values, and engaging in activities that contribute to the betterment of society.

This book is like a powerful slap in the face, immediately followed by a refreshing cold drink of water. I firmly believe that Coughlin deliberately commences with some rather strong language, aiming to jolt the so-called "nice guy" out of their comfort zone.

I interpret this as a sort of litmus test, designed to determine whether the reader has the inclination and the courage to break free from the clutches of the nice guy syndrome. Those individuals who are unable to see beyond the surface of being nice will simply not persevere in uncovering the hidden treasure that this book has to offer.

Coughlin's writing style is a perfect match for his profound message. It is unapologetically straightforward, presenting exactly what he believes to be the truth. Even better, he backs up his message with solid and compelling reasoning.

This is the second time I have delved into this book, with a significant number of years separating the two readings. I decided to pick it up once again because I felt the urgent need to hear that crucial message one more time. The harsh reality is that being nice is not synonymous with being good. All too often, being nice means being dishonest with oneself and with others. Coughlin vividly illustrates the various ways in which Christian men fall into the trap of playing "nice".

There are certain parts of this book that still sting to read. There are sections that bring tears to my eyes because someone finally understands those aspects of myself that I am reluctant to disclose to anyone else, and the reading experience feels like a series of locks being opened within my soul. Choosing to embrace the good life and leave the nice life behind is an incredibly arduous task, mainly due to the weight of my past history that refuses to let go of me. The fear of what others will think and how they will react to my newfound choices looms large.

I wrestled with the decision of whether to award this book a four-star or a five-star rating. Ideally, I would have given it a 4.5. Just like many other books, its value lies solely in the willingness of the reader to listen attentively to what Coughlin has to say and give it a fair chance. As for me, I wholeheartedly agree that it is far better to make a positive and meaningful difference in the world around me than to simply seek the approval and good opinion of those around me while living in constant fear of being exposed for who I truly am.

This one was just alright for me.

I am not upset that I read it, but I do think that it could have been accomplished within a chapter or two.

Surprisingly, it did speak to me and my personality to a rather significant extent.

It had certain elements that seemed to resonate with my inner self, which was quite unexpected.

However, despite this connection, I still felt that the story could have been more concise and focused.

Maybe if it had been condensed into a shorter format, it would have had a stronger impact on me.

Overall, it was an okay read, but it didn't quite reach the level of excellence that I was hoping for.

No More Christian Nice Guy is an essential read for every man who professes to be a Christian or a follower of Jesus.

Christian men already face significant challenges in dealing with the political correctness that pervades the world. In general, good men are increasingly becoming a rare breed due to the changing values of society. I have known numerous Christian nice guys and have even been one myself, to the extent that I would cower in fear and take the path of least resistance when I should have embarked on a personal crusade to stand up for myself and my values.

Couglin assists the Christian nice guy in transforming into a good guy by becoming a masculine man, molded after the perfect balance of strength and compassion as exemplified by Jesus. One of my favorite quotes from Couglin is as follows: ". . . we let another such sinister perspective slip by us and into us at church, a prejudice veneered by a spiritual facade: We categorized human virtue based upon gender, which is morally neutral--men and women are equally fallen, sinful, and forgivable. Like racism, genderism leads to mockery, assault, bias, and injustice. And, like racism, genderism strips people--men, in this case--of identity and dignity."

I wholeheartedly recommend No More Christian Nice Guy to any Christian man who is experiencing an identity crisis or a faith crisis, which often occurs because we forget that we are sons of a God who loves us and has a kingdom in store for us that is "not of this world".

This book provides valuable insights and guidance for Christian men to become the strong, compassionate, and God-fearing individuals they are called to be.

For the first approximately half of the book, I had a distinct impression that the main ideas were being overly emphasized to the extent that the key point seemed to be getting lost.

It appears that the author is a bit too zealous in portraying Christ as rough and rugged. This portrayal makes it rather difficult for me to place much trust in his scriptural interpretations.

He is suggesting a tone of voice and manner that we simply cannot determine solely from the text.

However, I do appreciate his perspective and find myself in agreement with many of his points. They are indeed worthy of consideration and undoubtedly contribute to the dialogue that must occur regarding this topic.

In the second half of the book, a significant change occurred as he became much more balanced in his approach to everything. This newfound balance was something that I very much appreciated.

It made the reading experience more engaging and allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Overall, while the first half had its drawbacks, the second half redeemed the book and made it a worthwhile read.

A truly remarkable book has emerged, delving deep into the fascinating topic of how the church has, over the years, seemingly influenced men to strive for being "nice" rather than truly good. This thought-provoking exploration uncovers the various ways in which the teachings and cultural norms within the church may have steered men in this particular direction. It challenges the traditional understanding of what it means to be a man of faith and morality. By examining historical examples and contemporary situations, the book presents a compelling argument that forces readers to reevaluate their own perspectives. It invites us to question whether the emphasis on being "nice" has perhaps overshadowed the more fundamental qualities of goodness, such as integrity, courage, and a true sense of justice. This book is not only a must-read for those interested in the intersection of religion and masculinity but also for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human behavior and values.

I had this book on Kindle and finally got around to reading it. Paul Coughlin, a local Christian writer, runs a non-profit that addresses the problem of bullies. This book, written about a decade ago, is his encouragement for Christian men to stop being so passive and become courageous, good, and assertive.

For the most part, this book is great. However, about 20% of it is Coughlin's critique on how the feminist movement has eroded our understanding of what it means to be a man. He also sees other root causes for the Christian Nice Guy (CNG), such as a feminized, meek, and mild picture of Jesus, and how some have had their masculinity damaged through abuse. The advice he gives, about being assertive and not ruled by fear, applies to both males and females. I disagree with some of his analysis, mostly because painting the'meek' image of Jesus as girly demeans women. In Scripture, passive nice ladies are not exactly praised, while assertive, strong women are. I don't blame feminists for eroding manhood but praise them for helping women recover their strength. Coughlin does write a No More Christian Nice Girl book as well, where presumably he packages the same advice for women.

But on the level of 'advice,' I think Coughlin is spot-on. Niceness can be pretty detrimental to men's lives. Passivity is a failure to be truly good, and I can recognize patterns of behavior and places where I personally could be more assertive. So I appreciate his message.

Obviously, like all books that fall into the quasi-scriptural/self-help section, it's not God-Breathed scripture. So, you have to pray over it, but it is worth the read.

I congratulate the author for having the courage to go out on a limb and say what needed to be said. He made some pointed statements in this book. He delved right into the mindset of the "Christian Nice Guy" and didn't hold back. He not only challenged but also prodded! However, he is speaking out of empathy because he himself was once a CNG.

His section on how Jesus' image has been twisted to be more feminine is truly jaw-droppingly shocking! After reading that section, I had answers to a few questions. I had always suspected that something wasn't right with the way Jesus was portrayed, but it took reading this book to be able to identify it.

I think he made a good attempt to show how the harmony of the sexes actually helps each other, and there is no bashing of women in any way.

I will add that while the book is filled with scripture, he doesn't go into an in-depth process on how the Holy Spirit, or rather the Spirit of Grace, can help a man change. Don't get me wrong, he mentions the Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus a lot, but if you're looking for a book on the spiritual process that transforms a man, this isn't it.

If you think that Christianity and masculinity are polar opposites, you should read it.

There is an excellent book that makes a profound point, which is that we are all two-faced to some extent. In fact, some of us may even be more so than others. This book delves deep into the human psyche and explores the various ways in which we present different aspects of ourselves depending on the situation and the people around us. It shows that our true nature is often hidden beneath a façade, and that we may not even be fully aware of our own duality. By shining a light on this universal truth, the book encourages us to be more self-aware and to strive for authenticity in our relationships and interactions. It challenges us to question our motives and behaviors, and to consider how our two-facedness may be affecting those around us. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and eye-opening read that has the potential to change the way we view ourselves and others.

The title itself gives a hint, and for those who are familiar with "No More Mr. Nice Guy", they will get the reference. That's why I bought this book and had to see what it was all about.

It begins with the obvious, demonstrating how the Bible is not about "nice guys" and then proceeds to show how Jesus was not a "nice guy" either. I mean, it's pretty basic stuff. And a lot of the rest is too. I had the impression that Paul Coughlin believes he has discovered something truly important, which may well be the case, and that this is the book to convey it to the world.

However, I found the writing rather disappointing. It was a bit too scattered and lacking in structure. It's not that it's extremely bad; in fact, the content is actually quite okay if you can distill it out. But the writing style and the way each chapter builds its case could be improved. Somehow, it became a slow and uninteresting read, and I often lost the thread due to the numerous jumps in references. I wonder if perhaps the first edition would have been better because it seemed that this expanded edition just had new quotes and paragraphs randomly sprinkled throughout.

Definitivamente cambió la perspectiva de mi fe y mi relación con Jesús. Esta experiencia fue verdaderamente transformadora. Antes, mi fe era más una creencia abstracta, pero ahora se ha convertido en algo mucho más vivo y personal. He aprendido a conocer a Jesús de una manera más profunda, a través de la lectura de la Biblia, la oración y la participación en la comunidad religiosa.

Mi relación con Jesús ahora es más cercana y amorosa. Siento que Él está siempre a mi lado, guiándome y apoyándome en cada momento de mi vida. Esta conexión me ha dado una paz interior y una fuerza que no tenía antes. Además, he visto cómo mi fe se ha manifestado en mi vida diaria, influenciando mis decisiones y mi manera de tratar a los demás.

He comprendido que la fe no es solo una creencia, sino una forma de vida. Y mi relación con Jesús es el centro de esta vida. Ahora, estoy más comprometido que nunca en seguir su camino y mostrar su amor a través de mis acciones. Esta transformación en mi fe y mi relación con Jesús ha sido un bendición inestimable en mi vida.

This book was precisely what I required during this stage of my life.

The author employs an excellent approach of challenging the reader to view his Christian journey from a distinct perspective.

I now pray that as a Christian, I walk with God as a good guy and uphold what is biblically correct rather than conforming to what I assume a Christian man should act like.

Moreover, I discovered that reading this book in a group was beneficial as I could learn from other men.

It was rejuvenating to share what I had read and then listen to a completely different interpretation of the same content, given that another man had diverse life experiences compared to mine.

This exchange of ideas and perspectives not only enhanced my understanding of the book but also broadened my视野 within the context of the Christian faith.

Overall, this book has been a valuable resource for my spiritual growth and development as a Christian man.