THE UNHEEDED CHRIST
Jesus demands serious obedience
By David Cook
Christian Focus. 176 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978-1-84550-369-7
This relatively short book starts with the shocking and thought provoking claim that Muhammad, rather than Jesus, is the most influential person in history. Jesus doesn’t even come second, but lags behind in third place.
Michael Hart, who makes this assessment in his book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential People in History, reaches this conclusion because he observes that Muhammad has far more influence over the lives of Muslims than Jesus Christ does over the lives of Christians.
David Cook, the Principal of Sydney Missionary and Bible College, who is giving the main Bible Readings at New Word Alive this year, sets out to correct this failure head on by confronting Christians with teachings of Jesus that are all too easily ignored, and urging them to more radical discipleship and obedience. In a characteristically clear, direct, accessible and pastorally warm style he confronts his readers with the words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel and expounds what it means to obey them in practice. Among other things he enables Jesus to challenge readers to love their enemies, resist seeking revenge, fight against lust in the mind, forgive those who have sinned, make eternal investments rather than pursuing earthly wealth, live in the light of the second coming and eternal judgment, and obey the Great Commission.
Does anyone notice? Does anyone care? Is it worth it?
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