aaron

      I should start with the general disclaimer that I know Jared Wilson and have a great respect for him. Even before I read this book I knew that Jared had a conviction to convey to the world who Jesus Christ really is. I’ve read Jared’s blog for some time and was privileged to be apart of Element until God moved my wife and I to work with Cross Point Dickson.  It’s because of the deep respect I have for Jared and his visible love for Christ that I asked to be apart or his blog tour and review his new book, Your Jesus is too Safe.

      Your Jesus is too Safe is a reminder to Christians of what Christ himself asked his disciples in Matthew 16… Who do you say I am?  Jared calls out Christians on who we make often make Jesus out to be and drives home the Biblical truth about who Christ truly is.  As Jared put’s it:

Let’s be frank: if you find the message of Jesus easy to digest, you’d better check the label on the box. you may be consuming a diluted version of Christianity. (p.27, Jesus the Promise)

       Despite the serious nature of the book Jared throws some great humor even referencing Stong Bad and his footnotes go from serious Biblical references on one page to out of no where humor on another. In fact, I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the footnotes just as much as the content. Though that’s probably not fair because it’s not often I enjoy getting slapped in the face by a friend who says You’re not doing it right! That’s not who Jesus really is!  Still with each turn of the page it was hard not to want to read the footnotes first! Some of my favorite footnotes:

…These false prophets are fortunate to live in the days of tolerance of blasphemers. As a prophet, they wouldn’t have profited in the olden days. p.42

I keep assuming that you’re someone who speaks aloud to books. If I were you, I wouldn’t do this if you’re seated next to someone in a waiting room or on an airplane. Unless you really want to freak people out and give them a good story to tell their friends. In that case, go ahead, weirdo.  p. 101

Okay, he was on  donkey, so we’ll call it “lukewarm pursuit.” p.126

Check out Matthew 13:11-16. How’s your mind? Blown? p.184

    There was very little about the book I did not like or agree with. And honestly it’s not because of Jared, his writing style or anything of that sort, but instead because of how I love reading about the person of Christ. Through everything I have made him over the years, I find it refreshing to re-remember who Jesus is and throw aside some of the things Christ is not. I would like to say the book made me feel good but at times it made me feel pretty worthless. Your Jesus is too Safe is definitely worth the read if only to re-examine who Jesus is. I leave you with my favorite passage from the book. It’s speaks volumes about Jared’s heart, the book and the person of Jesus Christ:

     My friends, Jesus is not a pop song, snuggly sweater, affectionate boyfriend, a poster on your wall, self-help book, motivational speech, warm cup of coffee, ultimate fighting champion, knight in shining armor, or Robin to your Batman. He is blood.

    And without blood, you die. (p.243 Jesus the Provision)

_____

you can pick up a copy of Your Jesus is too Safe at Amazon.

You can also ready more of Jared’s work at the following blogs: Gospel Driven Church and Thinklings

Finally, to read some other reviews of the book try the Your Jesus is Too Safe Blog Tour.

p.s. Jared, sorry I missed my date on the tour. I was on vacation without computer access (as any good vacation should be) and flubbed up the auto publish of this.