The Jesus I Never Knew

In The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey explores the life of Jesus, as he explains, "'from below,' to grasp as best I can what it must have been like to observe in person the extraordinary events unfolding in Galilee and Judea" as Jesus traveled and taught. Yancey examines three fundamental questions: who Jesus was, why he came, and what he left behind. Step by step, scene by scene, Yancey probes the culture into which Jesus was born and grew to adulthood; his character and mission; his teachings and miracles; his legacy--not just as history has told it, but as he himself intended it to be.

Yancey is not alone in his examination of the "real" Jesus. Publishing today is replete with writers committed to setting the story "straight,quot; joining countless others who, over the past 2,000 years, have determined to discover the truth about Jesus. But where others would deconstruct and discount, Yancey disarms and discloses. We become colleagues with him as he examines the accounts of the life of Jesus. And among the things that we discover is that Jesus himself leaves us few options: either he was who he said he was or he was nuts.

Philip Yancey was awarded the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year award for this book in 1996 by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. It's not the first, nor the last, award Yancey has won for his writing. But the writing is not necessarily the great gift of this book. Yancey allows the reader to discover, along with him, The Jesus I Never Knew. --Patricia Klein

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

one more wonderful book of philip yancey, 2008-07-04
This book of Philip Yancey gave me a new and beautiful view of the pure gospel of grace and the wonderful Savior that I have. A must read for every christian that wants to live a real christianity in every aspect of his life.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

The Best Book I Have Ever Read!, 2008-03-26
THE JESUS I NEVER KNEW made me weep, rejoice, laugh and cry--all at the same time. Everything you have always wanted to know about him is provided in brilliant detail. The author takes us back to his humble birth in Bethlehem. He discusses the pressure his young mother Mary must've been under to be pregnant and unmarried. He tells us about King Herod, Pontius Pilate and all the others. In other words, he sets the tone for the story to come. And he tells the story movingly and magnificently. Do you think you know everything there is to know about the son of God? Read the book and be surprised. I certainly was. The author Phillip Yancey even deals with the issue of the women in his life. He doesn't take the Hollywood route of the DA VINCI CODE or The LAST TEMPTATION of CHRIST. There is no speculation about his sexuality. However, he does mention how Christ made women equal to men in their service to him. He also mentions that the women were with him while he hung on the cross (long after the men had forsaken him, denied him and betrayed him) and that they were first to see him when he had arisen. I loved this book more than I can say, and you will too! Buy it today!


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Good stuff if not utterly captivating..., 2008-02-24
Having heard rave reviews of Yancey's work, this was the first time that I've ever read one of his books. Or, more precisely, this was the first time that I heard one of his books, as I listened to the audiocassette version, read by Yancey himself.

Ultimately, I think that "The Jesus I Never Knew" does a servicable job of helping the 21st-century Western church to better understand the reality of who Jesus of Nazareth actually was when He walked on this earth. As one particular, it is vital for us to fully understand the Jewishness of Jesus, something that many of us so poorly appreciate and largely ignore. Since Jesus came to earth to reflect the reality of who God is, it is always helpful for us to better know who this Jesus actually was. As Yancey tells with personal stories, much of our shared spiritual upbringing describes a Jesus who never was.

Yancey is a great storyteller, and he presents many personal anecdotes throughout the book to engage the reader. He doesn't mince words as he criticizes individuals and institutions from his past that helped present a false Jesus, and his honesty is refreshing (though never attacking or adversarial).

Ultimately, my primary critique is with the audiocassette format that I used, as it was significantly abridged and apparently missed some key information that I've read in other reviews. I would recommend that anyone interested in this book should either read it in its entirey or listen to the unabridged CD audiobook.

I wouldn't say that I was amazed with "The Jesus I Never Knew," but it was definitely worth my time. I look forward to reading more of Yancey's work, as I think he offers a unique and insightful voice.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

The Jesus I Never Knew Review, 2008-02-12
Philip Yancey is one of my favorite authors, and I was not disappointed with this one.
As have all his books, this one made me think, and helped me see Jesus in ways I had never thought of. I think that Philip Yancey and I went to the same church while we were young, because I could relate to many of his experiences as a youth.
Most of the reviews of this book are accurate, and I really can not add that much too them. If you are a fan of Philip Yancey, you will like this book. I have loaned it to several people in my church, which is what I do with all my books, and they have all enjoyed it. Books are MENT to be shared!! Just like the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ!!
Keep in mind that NO BOOK can take the place of reading GODS WORD!! You can not get to know God better, unless you read HIS book. Has anyone told you lately that JESUS LOVES YOU??


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A Good Read, 2008-01-21
As part of his research for this work, Philip Yancey, taught a Bible class at his then home church in Chicago. To illustrate some of the difficulties in understanding Jesus he showed a variety of movie clips from a wide assortment of movies which told the story of Jesus. I was so impressed with his method that I decided to do the same thing. Imagine my joy when I discovered that Yancey had already put together a video and workbook for a 14 week class. I have just finished my third reading of this book and am currently teaching the class for the third time as well.

Yancey causes us to read the Gospels again to discover a Jesus that lived before Sunday School flannel graph depictions existed. Far from a calm, submissive, friendly, smiling, good neighbor; Jesus was and is disturbing. He does not fit well into the boxes we have built to contain him. He challenges the 21st century church as much as he did 1st century Judaism. Beware reading this book! It may move you toward a Jesus who will radically change your life.

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