The so-called "search for the historical Jesus" has often revealed more about the searchers than it has about Jesus Himself. But this book is different. Yancey is honest about his doubts but certainly not sceptical. When he applies his very considerable literary skills and incisive journalistic mind to the question of who Jesus really was/ is, the result is breathtaking. This is the sort of book you would give a pre-Christian C.S. Lewis, or a smug atheist who casually dismisses the claims of Christ. For those who are already Christians, Yancey's book should bring you face to face with some aspects of Jesus that you have never considered.

One complaint, though. Jesus performed more than "a few dozen healings" (p182) during His ministry. The Gospels record several instances when He healed large numbers of people at one time. See Matt 4:24, 8:16, 12:15, 14:14, 14:36, 15:30, 19:2, 21:14.

I also would see the temptation in the wilderness rather differently, but hey! Who says everyone has to agree with little ol' me?

So why do I include a review for "The Jesus I Never Knew" on a Christian subculture site? Because of what Yancey says in his chapter about the Kingdom teaching of Jesus. Here are a few quotes:

"For this reason, I must say in an aside, I worry about the recent surge of power among US Christians who seem to be focusing more and more on political means... This trend troubles me because the gospel of Jesus was not primarily a political platform. The issues that confront Christians in a secular society must be faced and addressed and legislated, and a democracy gives Christians every right to express themselves. But we dare not invest so much in the kingdom of this world that we neglect our main task of introducing people to a different kind of kingdom, one based solely on God's grace and forgiveness." (p247)

"Nowadays, as the US grows increasingly secularized, it appears that church and state are heading in different directions. The more I understand Jesus' message of the kingdom of God, the less alarm I feel over that trend. Our real challenge, the focus of our energy, should not be to Christianize the United States (always a losing battle) but rather to strive to be God's kingdom in an increasingly hostile world." (p250)

"Indeed, the kingdom of God will grow on earth as the church creates an alternative society demonstrating what the world is not, but one day will be... A society that welcomes people of all races and social classes, that is characterized by love and not polarization, that cares most for its weakest members, that stands for justice and righteousness in a world enamored with selfishness and decadence, a society in which members compete for the privilege of serving one another - this is what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God." (p253)

Amen! I love it when I find people expressing the same sentiments that God has laid on my heart. Even if they don't use subculture terminology, the message is the same.

Thanks Philip.