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Summary: It was the title that got me.
Review: For years, through my twenties and thirties, I struggled with doubt. I had nagging fears of "What if I'm devoting my life to something that's not real? What if Christianity is a hoax and Jesus is a myth?" As time went on, those doubts began to fade-partly, I think, because I was honest with them. It was the title of this book that caught me. I remembered those doubts from many years before. The phrase "The Jesus I Never Knew" kindled a new doubt in me. What if Jesus is real, and yet I never really knew Him? What if-to paraphrase either Philip Yancey or Brennan Manning (forgive me for not remembering which), my belief was not in the real Jesus, but in the preachers, Sunday School teachers, and 'great cloud of witnesses' who explained Him to me?" It was, for me, a horrifying thought. The Jesus I Never Knew rocked my world. As Yancey began to wipe away the ecclesiastical film from a Person that I find to be indeed my Savior, my faith changed, grew. I made sweeping changes in my life based on this Jesus I was meeting. I found myself challenged by this Man. I saw Jesus as I never saw Him before. What I saw necessitated a response; the One I encountered sparked faith in me like I had never known before. One more thing about doubt. Herein lies Yancey's gift as a writer. He is honest about doubt, and he lets the reader be honest, too. Did this book change me? Did Jesus change me? Only read this book if you want your head, your world, and your faith as you know it messed up. A final note: I am thankful to say that the Sunday School class I attend will begin a 14 week study next week on The Jesus I Never Knew. This will prove to be, I think, a very exciting time.
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Summary: Very educational from a unique perspective.
Review: This book releases the reader from a fixed interpretion of Jesus to much broader and insightful understanding of Jesus' mission and message. Uniquely developed from a Jesus' era viewpoint, one can feel the emotions what the times and prevailing attitudes were in Jesus' everyday life. The author gives his interpretation of Jesus while leaving the reader with the freedom to form his/her own conclusions. I never felt "force-fed" by someone trying to impose a single-minded interpretation of the real Jesus on me. In an easy-to-read chronological sequence the author leads you through Jesus's life, with the hope that a new understanding of Jesus results. It certainly does for me.
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Summary: It will change your life--and how you live it
Review: As I finished the last page of this book, I whispered a prayer of thanks for Philip Yancey. What a gift Mr. Yancey has given us, as if his message, this book, was sent on wings from Heaven to enlighten us and force us into a reality check. Indeed, my life has been changed by his honest, refreshing, revelationary examination of Jesus, the flesh-and-blood man that God humbled himself to become. Born and bred a Christian, I really didn't understand what being a Christian really meant--being, in all ways, Christ-like--until I digested, fully, who Christ really was and how, in Christ-like fashion, God expects us to live. To think, I have lived half of my life already and have just now realized all the Kingdom work I need to do. Buy this book. It will change your life, and how you live it, forever.
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Summary: The Jesus I Never Knew
Review: Usually, if a book is on any type of bestseller list, I stay clear of it. Phillip Yancey writes in a very readable and thought provoking style. He speaks as one who has battled in the trenches and deals with the issues common to all men who seek to understand and follow Jesus. This book helped me start to consider the implications involved in the Incarnation and reflect on Christ's true humanity, as well as His Divinity. An exceptional read. A great focus for the Advent Season.
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Summary: So you think you know Jesus?
Review: I thought I knew all about Jesus before reading this book. I was in for a big surprise. This book has not only renewed my interest in Jesus Christ but has also caused me to start reading my bible more. The book is very biblically sound and I recommend it to anyone, Christian or not. This book should be bundled with every bible sold.
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Summary: While similar in title, not the same as Barton's book.
Review: This book caught my attention because its title is so similar to Bruce Barton's timeless classic, The Man Nobody Knows. I was pleasantly surprised that two books on the same subject manage to be equally compelling yet very different. Mr. Barton focused on the lessons for leadership that He exhibited as the greatest leader the world has ever known. He seeks to dispel commonly held perceptions of Christ as a somber, physically frail man. He portrays Christ as a man's man. As such, this book is probably more favorably received by men. A very inspiring read. Mr. Yancey's appeal is broader yet equally inspiring. I'm sure it will have a profound impact on many readers. So uplifting and wise. I recommend both books very highly.
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Summary: Jesus the real man
Review: I have read this book several times. I love the way Philip described Jesus, that He really was a man who walked and talked like you and me. This bring me to know Him closer than ever before. Thanks Philip.
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Summary: Uplifting,.It changed my long held religious views
Review: "The Jesus I Never Knew" disamused me of many long held beliefs and dogma without pontification and sanctimonious dribble.It made me laugh and cry for joy at times. Yancy is an excellent theological writer.
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Summary: After reading this one, read Divine Conspiracy
Review: I used to read the Bible only in my first several years of Christian life, but this book helped me to learn the value of reading other spiratual books. I have read a lot of excellent books thereafter. This book is still one of the best for me. But why do I recommend to read Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard after reading this book? Yancey is a deep thinker. He gives more questions than answers. I questioned myself whether I wanted to be a follower of Jesus. Then Willard teaches me to become a disciple of Jesus. It's interesting that Yancey and Willard might have differences in understanding Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Find the differences out! :-)
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Summary: Wow! Incredible book!
Review: This guy can write! I highly recommend this book to believers and non-believers alike. Cuts right to core of who Jesus is and Yancey is refreshingly honest about himself and Christianity. Changed the way I see Jesus and myself.
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