Editorial Review

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Reviews (517)

Okay for what it is, but disappointing nevertheless
Strobel does a good job of presenting the case for Christ. By interviewing various scholars ("expert witnesses"), he builds that case in the same way he would build a legal case to take to court. He anticipates each objection, each piece of countering evidence, that the opposing side might introduce, and he deals with these one by one. So far, so good.
Hate to lodge dissent
I hate to be a naysayer but as a former agnostic myself I had heard so much good about this book I was anxious to get my hands on a copy. Perhaps it was the buildup that raised my expectations too high. It is not bad for a book of its kind but nothing different from those who have gone before him down this road of apologetics.Many have disagreed with me on this but I do not think it would work well on the serious agnostic or atheist. Many, I think, would consider it an insult to their intelligence. So from the perspective of this Christian reviewer, you might want to look elsewhere for a book to share with friends. This one is helpful as a faith-booster but not a very good faith-inducer in my opinion; fair but no silver bullet of apologetics.

Good for new Christians and athiests
If you believe in God but have doubts that Jesus existed, this is a good book for you.If you don't believe in God this is a good book for you....if you go into it with an open mind.If you are dead set that God doesn't exist and don't want to find out other wise then don't read this book.I like this book because it gives many different scholar's views on various subjects.
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Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. Bible - Biography - New Testament    3. Christianity - Theology - Apologetics    4. Christianity - Theology - Christology    5. Christianity - Theology - General    6. Jesus Christ    7. Person and offices    8. Religion    9. Theology - Christology    10. Christian Interest    11. Religion / Christian Life    12. The historical Jesus   

Reviews (118)

Misery in Print
Brian McLaren has no business writing a book about the message of Jesus, nevermind one that claims to reveal a 'secret message.' McLaren is not a theologian and not a historian. He shows no familiarity with Biblical languages, no familiarity of the secondary sources outside of the NT which would bring clarity to the context of the life of Christ, and no familiarity with the history of Gospel theology or criticism.
Have Christians everywhere misunderstood Jesus' message?
Have Christians everywhere misunderstood Jesus' message? Mediocre
McLaren's book is just a mediocre attempt to understand the message of Jesus and its implications for today. Surely, McLaren is right to put emphasis on Jesus' message of the kingdom of God. Some of the contours of this aspect of Jesus' teaching have been all too often neglected by fundamentalists and evangelicals.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Christology    5. Inspirational    6. Inspirational - General    7. Jesus Christ    8. Person and offices    9. Religion    10. Religion - Theology    11. Spirituality - General    12. Teachings    13. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (7)

Readable Willard
Frankly I like Dallas Willard's stuff but sometimes he is tough sledding.I've taken several runs at "The Divine Conspiracy" based on countless rave reviews but inevitably I give up.So "The Great Omission" may not be all fresh and profound like some would like, but it has one pretty good thing going for it -- it is readable.
Part Two
Great follow up to Divine Conspiracy... a reminder to keep moving toward Jesus in the process of transformation and Kingdom living.

Introduction to the disciplines - nothing new here
Dallas Willard is a joy to be able to bump brains with in book format.No other book has had the effect on me that Divine Conspiracy did, and still does.However, if you have read Willard's other works, you will find little new here.The Great Omission is a collection of essays, which overlap each other quite often, and can get very repetitive.This one is for completists only.Good for maybe picking up and reading a different essay every so often, but reading from front to back can get exhausting.Still, it's Willard, so it gets 4 stars.If you've never read any Willard, this is not a bad place to start.Maybe his most accessable work to date. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian life    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - Discipleship    4. Christianity - General    5. Christology    6. Religion    7. Religion - Christian Life    8. Spiritual formation    9. Christian Interest    10. Religion / Christian Life    11. Religion / Christianity   

Reviews (9)

Lead Like Jesus by Blanchard
The author defines leadership as influence in a positive or negative direction. Given this definition, Jesus was the greatest
Excellent
If you want to get a clear prespective on how to relate and treat others and desire personal growth this is the book.

Uses spiritual lessons to seek integrity and commitment in a leadership role
If author Ken Blanchard's name rings a bell, it's because he authored the famous ONE MINUTE MANAGER, which became a big hit in business circles and taught everyone the basics about leadership principles. He's back with a new focus, LEAD LIKE JESUS: LESSONS FROM THE GREATEST LEADERSHIP ROLE MODEL OF ALL TIME, and here uses spiritual lessons to seek integrity and commitment in a leadership role. From business to personal life, Blanchard and Hodges focus on four key areas and how they can lend to exceptional leadership, presenting another powerhouse of detail for any who would be exceptional whether at work or at home.
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Subjects:  1. Biblical teaching    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Discipleship    5. Christianity - Theology - Christology    6. Christology    7. Leadership    8. Religion    9. Religion - Christian Life    10. Religious aspects    11. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

An old adage says, "God created man in His own image and man has been returning the favor ever since." Philip Yancey realized that despite a lifetime attending Sunday school topped off by a Bible college education, he really had no idea who Jesus was. In fact, he found himself further and further removed from the person of Jesus, distracted instead by flannel-graph figures and intellectual inspection. He determined to use his journalistic talents to approach Jesus, in the context of time, within the framework of history.Read more

Reviews (141)

News Flash -- Jesus was Jewish
Yancey strikes again.This time he presents a very down-to-earth portrait of Jesus that forces the faithful to think more about Jesus' humanity than we are often comfortable with.Jesus was after all a real person who lived in a real world -- a Jewish world.I love it when Yancey makes me think about things I don't really want to -- but need to.
A Must Read
A must read for all of us who have ever wondered about the meaning of Jesus' ministry, why He said what He said and did what He did.Written in easy to understand text this book is well researched.The author shares with us many of his early doubts about Jesus - doubts that most of us can relate to.This book goes a long way in erasing those doubts and puts the ministry of Jesus into a much clearer focus.

Who is Jesus?
On the cover of my book is a banner that says, "Voted Best Book of the Year!" Now that ten years have passed since the original publication, perhaps it is time to proclaim, "Best Book of the Decade!"
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christian Life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Christology    5. Christology    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. CHRISTIAN LIVING PRACTICAL LIFE PERSONAL GROWTH    9. Religion / Christian Life    10. The historical Jesus   

Reviews (32)

Finding Truth and Inspiration In The Meaning of the Words
The Bible, one of the most important books ever written, at least the New Testament, was written in the vulgate marketplace Greek which was often the common language in a multi-language Roman Empire. As Paul Ehrman showed in his book "Misquoting Jesus" as these books were translated and copied, the words sometimes too on different meaning. With this in mind, Wills instead focuses on trying to understand the meaning behind the words and actions of Jesus recorded in the Gospels and spoken of in his follower's letters. Rather than shying away from the more uncomfortable or seemingly misplaced passages Wills uses this as his starting off point.As he noted, in the 18th century Thomas Jefferson went about to edit his own version of the Gospels, filtering out what seemed incongruous, misplaced or was not representative of the "kind and gentle" Jesus or were not the part of a wise man's story, including the crucifixion.Today this is how we often want to view Jesus: ever kind, gentle, soft spoken, though we now love to focus on the crushing suffering of the crucifixion.
The True Jesus
This book is awesome - a must read.It is in essence a rescue mission to free the true Jesus who has been kidnapped by established churches and politicians in our day.Reading this book is a liberating and affirming experience.As an American Christian who has felt socially and politically bludgeoned by "Christians" in our churches and political offices in the last decade, I read this book with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart for truth does, indeed, set us free.This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who wants to put his/her name on a ballot for office in this country - the message is a message for all mankind no matter what one's "religious affiliation."

Intrigueing, ultimately flawed
Garry Wills is an excellent scholar and writer, with a wide range of interests.His book What Jesus Meant is a great read, and he makes a herculean effort to break out of the mold of much recent scholarship, particularly the Jesus Seminar.However in the end he succumbs to many of the same maladies he identifies in those he criticizes.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    2. Bible.    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Christology    5. Criticism, interpretation, etc    6. Gospels    7. Jesus Christ    8. N.T.    9. New Testament Commentary    10. Religion    11. Religion - Church History    12. Religion - Theology    13. Teachings    14. Religion / Christianity   

Reviews (1)

Finding a Life of Incredible Joy
"What Jesus Demands From the World" is not the right title for this book.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    2. Christian Life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Christology    5. Christianity - Theology - Ethics    6. Christianity - Theology - General    7. New Testament Commentary    8. Religion    9. Religion - Theology   

Editorial Review

All Christianity is, to some extent, idolatrous. Christian worship is a response to a worshiper's image of Jesus, and all images of Jesus fall short of his reality--in the same way that all biographies and portraits fail to depict a whole person. In Read more

Reviews (73)

Borg leading the flock astray?
Borg is new and he is trendy...as Dr. Gardner alludes to in another review here, his interpretation of the Bible etc. almost totally disregards some of the core fundamentals of the Christian faith. It is yet another example of a flash in the pan perversion of Christianity...to claim that Jesus is not God flies against a most central belief...perhaps worth knowing about, but beware...It continually amazes me how we are all so subject to becoming blind to the deeper truths of the Bible...for anyone interested in a relatively thorough critique of Borg, go to www.equip.org and do a search for Borg. You will find a review of his work which I highly recommend that you read before you buy any of Borgs books.
"READ THIS BOOK !!!"
Borg says, "GOD does not refer to a supernatural being 'out there' - GOD refers to the sacred at the center of existence, the holy mystery that is all around us and within us.God is the nonmaterial ground and source and presence in which 'we live and move and have our being.'
Christ Doesn't Change; Our Understanding Changes
A book that will make you think--not a bad thing for Christians to do.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Christianity - Theology - Christology    3. Historicity    4. Jesus Christ    5. Person and offices    6. Religion    7. Theology - Christology    8. Christianity    9. Religion / General   

Reviews (35)

Channelings
This book is typical of the many channelings that are coming at us fast and furious and especially with the advent of the internet. This is great but requires a small caution that is given in that much revered graven image called the King James Bible. (or any other bible) We are to let the tares grow along side the wheat until a complete understanding comes to us. Any channeling that comes thru a human element will more than likely have some tares or personal opinions. Nothing wrong with that if you are able to read without judgment or a pre-set defense. In other words, don't try to make it say what you already know. You learn nothing that way. Just read, think about it and enjoy whatever comes up within you. All things are good if you love the Lord and according to this book you are Love. It shouldn't be too hard to love if you are love.

delusionary author needs to change her meds
The author has an occasional interesting thought about things spiritual, but most readers will get quickly bored with the whole question and answer premis.I found it laughable that she believes that Jesus came to her so she could paint his picture over a number of months.Apparently she has never heard of digital cameras.
Get this book! You will not regret it.
I'm only about halfway through and I'm already slowing down and reading only a couple of pages at a time. Why? I don't want it to end! I've read every single book out there about Jeshua it seems. There are so many good ones. But this one, even whether or not you believe the author really saw and spoke with Him, is special. I feel His words and they ring oh so true. While He talks about love and the sacred heart, He also goes on to explain why things are the way they are. He gets into the nitty gritty. It's not just a book about peace, love and happiness. There's some serious data in here as well. Like I said I'm only halfway through and already a couple of things I was confused about are cleared up. And I've experienced a whole lotta synchronicity around it too, which is always fun. Don't even think about buying this book, just DO it! It'll give you a peace and understanding that nothing else will in this particular way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Apparitions and miracles    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Christianity    5. Green, Glenda,    6. Jesus Christ    7. Love    8. Miraculous Phenomena    9. Religion    10. Religious    11. Religious aspects    12. Spirituality - General    13. Texas    14. Green, Glenda   

Reviews (27)

Also an Important Reference and Commentary
Do not view this book as merely a "defense of the resurrection" - a number of more slender volumes can accomplish that feat. This book is instead a significant historical and theological treatment of the idea and doctrine of the resurrection within a wide variety of ancient sources. While it does result in an affirmation of the historic Christian position that Jesus indeed rose from the dead, this book also serves more broadly as an historical and theological reference work.
Traditionalist Propaganda, Sadly
Sadly, Wright throws up the facade for his Evangelical readership that Early Christian resurrection stories should be taken as literal and historically defensible.Should we expect anything different from someone socio-religiously tethered to his own conservative community and market?Wright foists upon his readers technical propaganda aimed at certifying the myths of his modern Western religious tradition.His often grossly dishonest use of primary literature characterizes his tendentious manipulation of the ancient literary data.This work is not an open historical inquiry, but an apology sold to his already deluded market.The one redeeming value of the work is that Wright surveys a large array of ancient literary sources, and so one gains a substantial list of primary references for investigation.If, however, you wish to read a far more balanced work on the topic, might I recommend G. Riley's Resurrection Reconsidered.Riley is a true Classicist and scholar of nascent Christian traditions, not a traditionalist or apologist.
There's an Obvious Explanation being IGNORED
As usual, NT Wright has missed the Correct Answer in his quest to shore up the fading structure of Christianity.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - New Testament    2. Christianity - Theology - Christology    3. Religion    4. Theology - Christology    5. Religion & Beliefs   

Reviews (17)

The Protestant Corruption of Orthodoxy?
Bearing in mind that most Americans--and most devotees of the Germanic historical critical method--are Protestants or ex-Protestants, I will, briefly, try to explain what is wrong with this book. Yes, Ehrman does make plausible connections between a few variations in New Testament manuscripts and Christological controversies in the early Church. And, in all fairness, that is his point of inquiry.
Excellent, but have a proper Torah perspective
I am a great fan of Ehrman's work - have most of his books and several of his lectures on video. A note of caution - one must approach the material such as this coming out of the New Testament textual criticism efforts carefully. If one is intellectually honest, and willing to look at all the evidence then the conclusions are clear - there are tremendous problems with the texts and beliefs that were introduced for a variety of reasons. These will and should cause the real truth seekers to question what they know and believe - for that is the hallmark of the truth seeker.
Daniel2
I'm always amazed about people who study the Bible in order to find there errors. They have a lot to say, but it is vanity of vanities.
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Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    3. Christianity - Theology - Christology    4. History    5. History: World    6. Religion    7. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    8. Africa    9. Early Church    10. New Testament    11. Religion & Theology | Biblical Studies | New Testament    12. Religion / Christianity / Theology / Christology    13. Translation & interpretation   

Reviews (5)

What a landmark book
Regardless of your politics or religion, this book is thought provoking. If you are a "ditto head" you probably will not like that it will challenge your paradigm and push your buttons, but it is a challenge you should take on as should every other person concerned about greed, wealth accumulation, and the perversion of the teachings of Jesus. It even pushed some of my buttons but I needed to have my horizons expanded. I believe that a copy should be required reading for every religious and political figure in our world.
Whose Politics is This Really About???
Is this about "The Politics of Jesus" or about Obery M. Hendricks, Jr.'s politics wrapped around the message of Jesus?
Taking Jesus Back
The scholarly work in this book is excellent. The author has laid out the political and social background of biblical stories and Gospels, helping the reader to understand the true teachings of Jesus.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Christology    2. Christology    3. Church And Social Problems    4. General    5. Jesus Christ    6. Religion    7. Religion - Socialissues    8. Religion - Theology    9. Religion, Politics & State    10. Teachings    11. Religion / General   

Reviews (94)

THE REAL JESUS?
Well... Earl Doherty has some wonderful arguments. In a way, he is correct and in another, he is incorrect. The Jesus of the Gospels never existed as translated (more often mistranslated), instead, another Jesus did-same name, different biography, one which peeks out here and there in the gospels, but whose real and complete story is still missing and may never be found.
Higher Criticism
It was nice to read a study that is unflinchingly critical of a traditionally taboo subject of scholarship. Earl Doherty provides the reader with the evidence to support his thesis and does so in language that is easy to comprehend. This may not be proof positive, but there are clearly some questions that arise that need to be addressed and opponents of this analysis have yet to produce a strong counter-argument. Thank you, Mr. Doherty, for the encouragement that free and critical thinking is still possible in the West.

An in-depth research of historical Jesus
A simple enumeration of the contradictions, inconsistencies and errors in the New Testament is not enough to prove that Jesus was as mythical as Dionysus. The author of this book knows this very well so he spends the pages of his treatise to build from the ground up his case with extreme attention to detail. His style is scholarly (states his assumptions, separates facts from conjecture even if this appears to weaken his case, attributes the ideas he explains), consistent and impartial.
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Subjects:  1. The historical Jesus   

Reviews (14)

An Expeditious and Clear Case made for Christ!
Lee Strobel, an award-winning journalist for the "Chicago Tribune," was plugging away and climbing higher up the ladder of journalism when he became confronted with his spiritual beliefs, or lack of, as Strobel was an atheist and his wife converted to Christianity. Strobel was forced to answer the question, "Who was Jesus?" Strobel's journey of skepticism to faith is as old as Christianity. One of the most famous journeys recorded is also a part of early Christian history. Saul, once a persecutor of Christians, becomes Paul and its most ardent purveyor of Christianity after being confronted by God on the road to Damascus. Strobel, in order to reclaim his wife, decides to use his Yale Law School education and years of refined reporting skills to discredit the Christian religion. But on the contrary, Strobel's plan backfires, and like the doubting apostle Thomas, he becomes a believer in Jesus due to the overwhelming amount of evidence.
This Book Gives Christians more back-up(if needed) and Unbelievers the Truth about Christ!
This book was absolutely amazing.This book is not only for Unbelievers(especially), but Christians as well.This book breaks down the hard questions and facts concerning Jesus Christ.It's kind of like trial, where evidence is brought forth in the defense of Jesus, hence the name, "The 'Case' for Christ".
The Case For Christ is Enlightening for Christians and Skeptics
Like many American Christians, I was brought to church most Sundays and endured countless sermons and lessons. Despite this seemingly rich education on Christian principles, I never was exposed to a lesson or class on the existence of God; God's existence was assumed as fact. As I matured into my twenties and went to college, the existance of God was no longer taken for granted. I encountered many agnostics and atheists among my many college professors. The net result of their influence was to question my faith in the existance of God. I never lost my faith, but I found it was a faith that could not withstand scrutiny.
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Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. Christianity - Education - Children & Youth    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Apologetics    5. Christianity - Theology - Christology    6. Christianity - Theology - General    7. Jesus Christ    8. Person and offices    9. Religion    10. Religion - Youth Issues    11. Christian Interest    12. Christian spirituality    13. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (105)

avoid the other reviews
This is a great book( here's the point where I would check the other reviews this reviewer has written to get a sense of where I'm coming from); the author is careful to point out that of course this is all part of the mystery of Jesus and he makes a fascinating case. It's a book full of great photos and research. The problem is that Jesus as the myth hits too close to home for most people. at least we ( at this point) d