The Jesus I Never Knew

By: Philip Yancey

Narrated by: Bill Richards

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

How does the Jesus of the New Testament compare to the Jesus we think we know so well? Join bestselling author Philip Yancey as he conducts an enlightening biblical and historical investigation into the real Jesus.

From the manger in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem, Philip Yancey presents a complex character who generates questions as well as answers—a disturbing and exhilarating Jesus who wants to radically transform your life and stretch your faith.

In The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey:

• Cuts through existing views and preconceptions of Jesus, citing experts from church history, modern history, and popular culture
• Discusses how different people and cultures view Jesus
• Dissects popular quotes about Jesus
• Points us back to the Bible

The Jesus I Never Knew will engage your heart, mind, emotions, and senses, preparing you for a new, life-changing encounter with the real Jesus described in the Gospels.

Praise for The Jesus I Never Knew:

"This is the best book about Jesus I have ever read, probably the best book about Jesus in the whole century. Yancey gently took away my blinders and blazed the trail through my own doubting fears, pious know-it-all, and critical balderdash until I saw the Savior anew and thought I heard him ask me, 'Now whom do you say that I am?' and I understood the question as I never had before."

--Lewis B. Smedes, Senior Professor, Fuller Seminary

"Philip Yancey takes the reader with him on his very personal journey to Jesus. In The Jesus I Never Knew, I became convinced that the Jesus I met--in some ways for the first time--has known me all along. This book is destined to become a favorite--to recommend to those still seeking Jesus and to pass along to those who've met him, but long to know him more."

--Elisa Morgan, President Emerita, MOPS International

©1999 Philip Yancey (P)1999 The Zondervan Corporation

very good book but be prepared to think

not an easy book, because you have to decide what you believe. it is very insightful.

Great insight.

This book is an open look at the REAL Jesus and not the Sunday school Jesus many people knew. It has great insights and makes you think deeply about how we should love our lives.

A must read

It taught me so much that I had been missing. Lots of intriguing ideas to think about as a modern day Christian

Makes you think

I really like a book that makes me think "outside the box", and the box I most want to think outside of is the notions of religion I grew up with. Don't get me wrong -- I love the church, and it has, actually served me well for the most part. But it took me 30 some years to get past some of the ideas I formed early on about who Jesus was and what he thought. This book was part of that process, and served to sum up what much of what I had come to so far, as well as pushing me past to challenge some of my thinking even further.

While some would like to put him in a box as a very nice man who made people feel good about themselves, or maybe a gentle religious teacher, this is not the man presented by the New Testament. This book goes to the parts that the Sunday School teachers glossed over -- the dangerous words an actions.

If you've never met the real Jesus of the Bible, and you've been chewing for years on the milk-toast image you learned as a child, it is time. Read this book.

Awesome book!

The narration was really good. The story was amazing. It held my attention from beginning to end.

A new perspective on the life of Jesus

Philip Yancey gives us a welcome perspective on the life of Christ: teachings, miracles, death and resurrection.

A Different Perspective

I enjoyed this different perspective on the Savior Jesus Christ, His life, and His teachings. The biggest come away for me is that we as Christians have a misperception about what it means to be Christian. If we want to be more Christian, we literally need to be more like Jesus, whose life was absolutely revolutionary in His day and in our day, by including those on the fringe of society and by not judging but by loving and helping. I know this message is understood at an ideological level, but it is not often practiced at the ground level.

Good work

I appreciate this work, for boldly confronting the bland version of Jesus Christ that many churches present. Passionate, unpredictable and full of love - this is the Christ I want to know! My only complaint is, sadly, the narrator's slow delivery, that kind of drags along. Odd, considering the books' content.

A very impactful read

Really appreciated this book, I would rank it up there with CS Lewis in terms of quality and impact

Slightly disappointing.

Most of it didn’t fulfill the titlle. It did preach great truths and hope. I expected more of a history of what Jesus’ life was like, especially chapter 2. I could have added more on the Jewish heritage.