Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 253 pages
- Published by: InterVarsity Press July 30, 2006
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0830833404
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0830833405
-
Book Dimensions:
8.5 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
- Weighs: 11.2 ounces
Product Review
"extremely important things shine out through Tim Stafford's Surprised by Jesus. By all means, read it" --
—Mark Labberton, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley"He's given us Jesus without clichés, without moralisms, without polemic. Jesus not only as he was, but as he is." --
—Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message, and Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia"This may not be a message the church wants to hear; but it is one the church requirements to hear." --
—Ajith Fernando, national director, Youth for Christ/Sri Lanka, and author of Jesus Driven Ministry"With the grace of an experienced guide, Tim Stafford helps us scale some of the high peaks of the Gospels." --
—Dr. Tod Bolsinger, pastor, adjunct professor and author of It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian: How the Community of God Transforms Lives"You'll be surprised bythe life that breathes through your mindto the reality of Jesus' person, power and purpose." --
—Dr. Jack W. Hayford, founding pastor, The Church On The Way, and chancellor, The King's College and Seminary, Los Angeles
Product Description
About the Book
We all know who Jesus is--or think we do. We see children flock to him and gentle wisdom lovingly pour from him. We see the kindest man in the world. But these pictures are deceptively familiar.
In the Gospels Jesus says and does many puzzling things--like shriveling a fig tree or telling followers to keep his miracles a secret. He is hard on his opponents, the Pharisees, but also makes extreme demands on his followers--like urging them to be as perfect as the Father in heaven.
Tim Stafford, informed by acclaimed New Testament scholars such as N. T. Wright, takes us behind such two-dimensional images by unearthing the specific historical and cultural situation of Jesus' day. What Jesus said about the kingdom of God, about sin, about Satan, about prayer, about the temple, about Israel and the people of God were all profoundly affected by his being a Jew in a land dominated by the ancient Romans.
In fact, through his message and actions he meant to change things far more profoundly in his day and ours than we can ever imagine.
Reader Reviews*** The Post Modern version of Jesus is a very tame figure, not one that could be described as "dangerous, but good" to paraphrase C.S. Lewis. However, contrary to the warm fuzzy version that has become popular, the Bible paints a different portrait, one that will startle readers who have not taken the time to study the Scriptures. The author highlights several points that the New Testament makes clear. Included in his discourse is a chapter that sheds new light on the Lord's Prayer and exhortions to warn people about judgement. If you've read the Bible, then there is nothing new here, but it might give you some idea of how to make these points part of your daily walk. *** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.
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