Why Jesus?

Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass-Marketed Spirituality

By: Ravi Zacharias

Narrated by: Ravi Zacharias

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

The author believes that over the past 40 years movements like New Age spirituality and society's obsession with human potential have combined like a "perfect storm" to redefine for popular culture what has been for centuries the classic biblical definition of the person, work, and teaching of Jesus Christ. 

In Why Jesus?, Ravi Zacharias looks at the impact of this "storm" by discussing the 60s-70s "Age of Aquarius," actor Shirley MacLaine's book and TV series Out on a Limb, author James Redfield (The Celestine Prophecy), Rhonda Byrne (The Secret), Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code), and other books by Eckart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, the Dali Lama, and Marianne Williamson. Special attention will be given to the influence of Oprah Winfrey's media platform in reshaping society by introducing and promoting certain books and authors.

Major new age and human potential tenets will be discussed like: the belief that we are all gods and have to discover our divinity; Jesus was only a good teacher; Christianity is but one among many ways to eternal life; reincarnation is real; Jesus was married; truth is relative; there is no sin; and perfection is possible.

The truth of and the arguments for the bodily resurrection of Jesus will be presented as the most important argument for the exclusive claims about Jesus and Christianity. 

©2012 Ravi Zacharias (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Unveiling roots of thoughts, motives, philosophies

What made the experience of listening to Why Jesus? the most enjoyable?

Great expose on where many of our cultural thoughts and values are today, taking an in depth look into their origins and intentions...

What did you like best about this story?

Informative, comparative, enlightening -- all from a brilliant scholar and humble man of God.

Any additional comments?

Ravi Zacharias has my deepest respect because of the quality of his research and the honor he gives in his analysis and commentary.

Good Material to prepare for secular encounters

Excellent material to prepare one for defense of why one believes. Early chapters seemed tedious - usually "Z" is engaging from the first paragraph. However, after pressing through, it is clear why the info is needed because of the error of many of the current movements. Final chapters are great... reaffirming and rearming one to face the day.

Serious Thinking with Penetrating Cultural Insight

What did you love best about Why Jesus??

Ravi is a most serious thinker who brings half century of philosphy trainiing and an eastern world view to the task of critiquing the modern fascination in the West of New Age Spirituality with distinctive Eastern overtones. So how can you save yourself from Shirley MacLaine, sundry Gurus, and false messiahs? Does it matter? Are not all ways the same way to God? Who ever or whatever it is?

Any excursion through a moden bookstore will offer the most bizzarre selection in the religious section. You may be lucky to find a Bible, but it is more likely that the shelf will be full of a smorgasborg of spiritual works that are actually all self anthenticating propositions than contradict the books either side.

This book gives a historical, cultural, philosophical analysis of the teachings and claims of the new spiritualists and the worldviews paraded on Orphah Winfrey. This work will be hard to beat.

What other book might you compare Why Jesus? to and why?

Ravi has a series of books analysing other religious worldviews

Which scene was your favorite?

n/a

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are some tender human stories and illustrations

The Best work of Ravi

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

addresses the modern threats to Christianity

What did you like best about this story?

It is read by the author himself

Have you listened to any of Ravi Zacharias’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is as good as all the others and better

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes definitely but also takes time to digest

Any additional comments?

Very well written and read, keeps ones attention

Not What I Expected!

When I saw the title, I was expecting an apologetic. After, answering the question why? usually means defending something, right? What this book is instead is a polemic against New Age Spirituality - at least the first 7 hours of the 9 total hours are (I'm giving up on it at this point). There is actually almost nothing on Why Jesus.

The man has major issues with Deepak Chopra, along with lesser although serious concerns with Eckhart Tolle, Oprah Winfrey, James Redfield et al. But since I never read these authors (OK, I did read The Celestine Prophecy a long time ago but found it very dull) and haven't talked to anyone about them, it's not a high priority for me to know their shortcomings in any detail.

If you find yourself questioning whether the above-mentioned New-Agers are prophets or hucksters, then this book may be for you. If you wish to explore and reflect more on Jesus Christ, who he is, his great love for us, and his call for us to be in relationship with him and all of his Father's creation, then there's not much here for you. I'm sure Mr. Zacharias could expound on this with great wisdom, but he doesn't do it here.

Ravi. Excellent as always.

What did you love best about Why Jesus??

The comparison between thoughts as well as the effect media has on people and the effect people have on media. Finally why Jesus always will stand the test of time.

Have you listened to any of Ravi Zacharias’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened or read all of Ravi's books. Big fan! This one is up there with all the good ones again.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I try to absorb his arguments and thought. I seldomly become emotional about things; however Ravi does have the ability to bring things close to home, which does evoke emotion as always with his readings. Through the years listening and reading his books I have become a follower of Mr Zacharias' books and arguements. I am glad to say I have become bias.

Any additional comments?

Ravi Zacharias is a gift from God. Everyone on this planet should become a reader of his work. His approach is gentlemanly, but stern and rock solid. His knowledge of the Bible and other religions is incredible. In my eyes I think we are seeing the equivalent of a modern day Paul. Please continue Mr. Zacharias. I am happy to be a Christian and stand alongside men like Mr. Zacharias.

Ravi tells it like it is.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Many people just accept current thought as truth. Truth is a person, who meets you wherever you are. No special breathing required.

What other book might you compare Why Jesus? to and why?

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, because he puts Jesus in the midst of our culture. He explains how He has always been here and does not change.

What three words best describe Ravi Zacharias’s performance?

Smart, current, and interesting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

No

Outstanding.

What did you love best about Why Jesus??

Ravi comes through as always.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ravi himself, by sharing his own Indian religious and cultural background

Which character – as performed by Ravi Zacharias – was your favorite?

N/a

enlightening!

Have you listened to any of Ravi Zacharias’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

One of author Ravi Zacharias' better books

Any additional comments?

A little heady for the casual reader/listener but a very good apologetic foundation for deeper understanding.

LOVED IT!!!!!

If you could sum up Why Jesus? in three words, what would they be?

Why NOT ?

What did you like best about this story?

How much we can all relate and our desperate need to get to know "JESUS".

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the entire book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Isaiah 55:6 SEEK

Powerful arguments that cut through to the heart

Where does Why Jesus? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best book, apart from "The word of promise" Bible.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

What about Ravi Zacharias’s performance did you like?

Excellent

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The truth

Any additional comments?

Ravi's usual humerus character cuts through all faiths to argue that Christianity is the true faith that can only answer properly the truth questions of life.

didn't say much

Lots of words but not much content. Recent news about the author spoiled it as well.

TRUTH as bare as the sun.

When a masterful insight brings out truth and laids it bare you can be thankful