Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact Of The Inescapable Jesus (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Okay so I have to concur with a reviewer who wrote below that this book is a bit aimless. It's hard to follow. There are no citations and it does not really seem to be that convincing for someone who is not a dedicated believer. In other words it will reaffirm faith for those who already believe but is not likely to be able to move mountains for those that are skeptical. I also concur with that review were that good one-liners in some "ah ha" moments but other than that substantively, there's not much to be gained from this book. I had hoped to get a lot more out of it has been on my wish list for two years and was really hoping to just be blown away by it, but I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. I found myself wanting to be through with it because I knew that if I were trying to convince a skeptic I would not find much intellectual ammunition here. If you decide that you are going to read it I will say that it does have some interesting parts and add some interesting things to think about on there are some excellent nuggets of information in here. Another complaint is that actually if you are not a Christian this book does seem to have some intellectual ammunition for you. For example there are parts of the book that basically say Christians have been and how her that it's been worse for the church than when they have not been in power. I somewhat understand the authors point but he does it in such a way that if you were an 80s reading this book you would be giddy with joy after reading what you just read. Essentially it's an affirmation that Christian should not be in a position to govern and have a shoddy record of doing so. So again he doesn't seem to really be doing Christians any favors here. I don't mean to whitewash history but if you could write a book on why Jesus is so great, this seems to be a little self-defeating. Even as a believer of this was not a very convincing effort. The author is a popular Pastor, but this work could have been the leaps and bounds better than what it is. I am disappointed that I waited years to read a book that I found mostly unconvincing. The author does not hold a candle to such luminaries as as Doctor William Craig or Dinesh D'Souza with respect to elucidating a crystal clear Christian apologetic. Ortberg’s book is a fascinating outline of how the Jesus movement advanced throughout the world despite the often embarrassing actions of the church he founded. From any historical view, it’s amazing that a homeless Jewish construction worker would profoundly influence the entire world for two thousand years. Without ever having written a book, never formed a political action committee, never led a company, never led an army, and never held office, Jesus continues to captivate. More amazing still is that virtually all of his influence came after he was publicly humiliated and executed. Obviously, Ortberg hopes to inspire readers to faith, but he gives no manipulative altar call to this purpose. In the end he offers the same invitation that came from a follower of Jesus, “Come and see.”
What do You think about Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact Of The Inescapable Jesus (2012)?
Classic Ortberg - funny at times, insightful in each chapter. Great illustrations for preachers.
—keiri_angel
Great book for those who love history ... fascinating book for Christ followers.
—Salyee
Excellent overview of the impact Jesus had through his followers
—ashmh
