The Unexpected Jesus, The Truth Behind His Biblical Names

The Unexpected Jesus, The Truth Behind His Biblical NamesJesus divides history, your birthday is determined by his! But why should that be? This is a man who evokes the widest polarisation of opinion of any historical figure: devotion from some, vitriolic abuse by others and astonishing indifference from many. Today most people just don't know who he really was, or is, or don't care. People still put forward all kinds of ideas about who he was. Books like 'The Da Vinci Code' propose that he was only a man

Jesus divides history, your birthday is determined by his! But why should that be? This is a man who evokes the widest polarisation of opinion of any historical figure: devotion from some, vitriolic abuse by others and astonishing indifference from many. Today most people just don't know who he really was, or is, or don't care. People still put forward all kinds of ideas about who he was. Books like 'The Da Vinci Code' propose that he was only a man (in which case why are his descendants so important?). Many religions have other ideas - everyone has an opinion whether based on fact or fiction. Those for and against have often resorted to name- calling, but in the Bible Jesus was both called by, and gave himself, unusual names. Noted theologian, R. C. Sproul, seeks to enlighten us by investigating what those names actually mean. From there he determines what Jesus set out to do. Jesus is no mere historical figure, he is as important in the 21st century as he was when he walked the earth.

Publisher: Christian Focus
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781845500375

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R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando, Florida. He was also first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online.

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'The Unexpected Jesus is a book about Jesus, about how the names and titles closely connected to Him reveal who he is and what he came to do. If you're looking for one book that tells you both about the person and the works of Jesus Christ, this would be a good fit. Especially for new believers. It's not too short, not too long. Twelve just-right chapters: six focusing on WHO Jesus is and six focusing on WHAT he did. Sproul addresses the basics. If you've read the gospels, you've come across these phrases, these titles, these names. Maybe you understood what you read. Maybe you didn't. But Sproul carefully examines them all and presents them clearly. (Son of Man, Son of God, Lamb of God;Messiah or Christ, Lord, Lion, Prophet, Priest, King, etc. The presentation isn't examining these titles or names in isolation or out of context.)

As much as I liked the first half, I think I loved the second half a little bit more. It is a very clear presentation of the gospel.

- The Need for Atonement

- Sin and Redemption

- Christ Our Ransom

- Blessing or Curse?

- Securing Our Faith

- Justification by Faith

It is easy to recommend this one. It does keep it simple--relatively speaking at least. It isn't comprehensive or exhaustive. This isn't the most in-depth treatment of the subject. But it does have a clear focus and it is accessible. It works for me.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible'