A funny, faithful introduction to Jesus, comparing him to other popular versions of "Jesus". Perfect for giving away.
Good teacher… or intolerant judge… or children's story… Who is Jesus?
This is a book about Original Jesus—the one who actually lived in human history. The one who often gets hidden behind all the other versions of Jesus we're offered. The Jesus who is controversial, compassionate, sometimes uncomfortable, often unpredictable… and completely real.
This short, lively book explains how Original Jesus really matters to people today—how his life can transform peoples hopes and futures.
Short, funny, friendly and easy-to-read, Original Jesus looks at seven episodes in Jesus' life from the Gospel of Luke, and explains the central gospel message. Perfect for giving away to unbelieving family and friends, whatever their view of Jesus, and for handing out at church outreach events.
Introduction
1. Good teacher
2. Distant God
3. Freedom fighter
4. Intolerant judge
5. Religious rule-keeper
6. Tragic failure
7. Children's story
What next?
Yes, but... isn't it all made up?
Yes, but... can we really believe in miracles?
Yes, but... surely Jesus didn't really rise?
| Contributors | Carl Laferton |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781909559127 |
| Format | eBook |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
Laferton simply and attractively walks through Luke's Gospel and in a simple, interesting and relevant way speaks into our culture, which increasingly thinks it's OK for the individual to invent their own view of Jesus. This is a book worth anyone’s time. I loved reading it, and I'd love my friends to read it.
Like a friend, this book helps sort through the question of who Jesus is. It points to the original Jesus in a lively and conversational way, so that we interact with voices all around but hear finally the words of Jesus himself. This book is like the best kind of friend, bringing us to meet Jesus.
Christianity is about Jesus Christ, and this wonderful book shows why he is worth thinking about and getting to know. The genius of this book is that it isn’t about who we might think Jesus is —it’s about who he really is.
There is much to commend. Perhaps the most helpful feature of Original Jesus is that it focuses on the glory and worth of Jesus. Gospel tracts often focus on the mechanics of how to trust in Jesus (including which words to pray), but they don’t usually focus sustained attention on the beauty of Jesus. They’re usually too short to do so in any substantial way. Consequently, becoming a Christian can seem mainly to be about escaping from hell and gaining access to heaven, rather than entering into a relationship with a Savior and King. By focusing on Jesus, Original Jesus makes clear that becoming a Christian has everything to do with entering into a personal relationship with Christ. In that vein, it would be helpful to have an additional, concluding chapter on how we relate to the original Jesus once we’re saved; what it means to obey him and live for his glory, to fit into his grand story rather than trying to squeeze him down into all our small ones.... continue reading
