Total Page : 256
Publisher : Viking Adult
Publication Date : 2010 03 04
>> Great job personifying Jesus
Overall I really liked this book It was an easy read and did a great job personifying Jesus I was brought up Christian and am practicing today The first half of the book I d say was nice most of the stories recounted were those that you were taught in Sunday School It was a pleasant read but I didn t really learn anything However I found the last two Chapters of Jesus life very interesting and is the reason I gave the book four stars The last two chapters are about the Cruxification and the Resurrection What I found most interesting wasn t exactly how Jesus was crucified as we ve all learned about that before but the politics that were going on to allow for such an event and tragedy to happen I always wondered why a crowd that was so excited to see Jesus on Palm Sunday could turn on him so in one week s time and this book helped answer that The last two chapters also help you understand the relationships Jesus had with his disciples and the women in his life This book would also be great for non Christians who want a basic understanding about a man who has a whole religion based on his teachings
>> Score One for the Believers
Mr Johnson has brought his formidable talents to bear in this supremely satisfying life of Christ a timely response to the latest publishing fad being book length diatribes by the supposedly learned and wise who denigrate religion and by not so subtle insinuation the Savior Jesus Christ As religious education wanes Jesus Christ has become to many not an object of veneration or daily study but a caricature or figurehead it is an unfortunate reality that too many believers fail to study their own beliefs and in this lack of appreciation they fall prey to those who mock religion The triumph of Mr Johnson s achievement is that he portrays the Christ of the Scriptures and is not interested in theological arguments so much as building faith and belief In speaking of the Savior believers of all types need more of this kind of approach the Christ was worthy of emulation in every respect
Mr Johnson argues that Christ lived a comfortable and educated life as a God with men and loved it His was a real life Jesus loved people loved a good meal He was supremely observant and compassionate He missed nothing and saw everything My favorite part of the book was Mr Johnson s telling of the miracle at Cana his portrayal of the relationship between Jesus and Jesus mother was illuminating The genius of the book is that it is not an explanation of why and how Jesus at once the most intelligent and powerful being to ever walk the earth allowed Himself to be made a sacrifice for mankind rather it is a biography a description of what kind of Man He was according to the historical record A deceptively difficult task that only a seasoned expert at the height of his powers could pull off as effortlessly as does Mr Johnson In summary Jesus was and is the perfect friend the epitome of unselfishness the example of everything good the author of the golden rule
The work is short and by no means exhaustive It makes conclusions that may be controversial to some but throughout the work you sense that Mr Johnson loves this man Jesus Christ and is in absolute awe and wonder of the divine intelligence exhibited in everything that Jesus said or did This reviewer will admit to the same bias I love the Christ and strive to live according to His example While it is the earnest hope of every believer to someday know more of He whom we seek to emulate Mr Johnson s little volume should be a welcome gift for anyone who seeks to follow the Master
Highest Recommendation
