Getting Jesus Wrong: Giving Up Spiritual Vitamins and Checklist Christianity
If you met Jesus today, and he asked, “What do you want from me?” what would you say? When Jesus asked that question long ago, he got a variety of answers. Some wanted a miracle, some a theological debate, some a sign that he was the Messiah, some wanted power, some wanted just to see him, and others wanted to get rid of him. We are much the same aren’t we? We all want something from Jesus. We are just hoping for a little help to get through life—a new direction, a purpose that will get us up in the morning, an exercise plan, a way to get organized. But that approach to Jesus doesn’t result in real faith or love.
The real Jesus doesn’t give us just a little help. He turns our world upside down. Getting Jesus right means a whole new way of thinking (the way up is down) and a whole new way of life (daily dependence on the one who knows the beginning from the end). Instead of a blueprint for living or a new workout plan, we get a rich life where the simple truths of the gospel inform our everyday life with each other. Where we daily remember our deep need for forgiveness, the joy of being forgiven, and gradually become those who receive grace and share grace with those around us.
- Aimed at a young adult audience who has drifted from the church, by unpacking the ways the author got Jesus wrong, with a strong call to meet the biblical Christ.
- An easy–to–read introduction to the living God for those who say they have tried Christianity and it doesn’t work.
- A call to a radical, robust discipleship based on a biblical view of who Christ is and who he calls his people to be.
Top Highlights
“I’ve chased movements and given my best shot at checking off discipleship lists. I’ve tried to be good, and I’ve been where the exciting Christian movements are happening. The problem all along was that as part of these ideas, I’ve always thought of Jesus as a sort of lucky rabbit’s foot. I wanted him to give me answers from the owner’s manual for life.” (source)
“While our loves and hopes are always directed toward the attractive and good, God’s love is directed toward what is unattractive: us. We love things in life because they’re beautiful to us. But we’re beautiful to God because he loves us. There’s a huge difference.” (source)
“God’s love does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it.” (source)
“For years my idea of being religious was taking my spiritual vitamins so life would be better.1 What were those vitamins? Pray harder. Devote yourself more wholeheartedly. Give to the ministry! Volunteer! But this is self-help, not salvation.” (source)
“Between you and me, I was using God for his gifts rather than loving him as The Giver. I was using god stuff (formulas for creating movements, personal discipleship programs, becoming an insider of an influential church) to ensure positive outcomes for my life. And all of that is a pagan enterprise.” (source)
Product Details
- Title : Getting Jesus Wrong: Giving Up Spiritual Vitamins and Checklist Christianity
- Author: Johnson, Matt
- Publisher: New Growth Press
- Publication Date: 2017
- ISBN: 9781942572930