The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey

The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey is one of several books that I purchased and began to read and then lost interest. Having picked it up again, I was thrilled at Yancey’s thoughts concerning Jesus’ miracles and the miracles of Jesus’ healing and began reading with enthusiasm only to find myself struggling to finish the book.

Yancey’s intentions are to have you see Jesus from a different perspective – in a way and manner that you may not have done so in the past. He accomplished his goal.

Generally speaking I like to be challenged. I don’t always read books or authors that I agree with. They cause me to challenge my viewpoint and they either confirms my belief or changes my perspective as I weigh their views with the Bible.

On the other hand, I am not a negative person. I once was. In my early years of the ministry I joined a number of my preacher brethren in finding everything my denomination was doing wrong and everything that was wrong within the church today. I discovered that most local church bodies already had a group of people within them that were doing a fine job of developing their spiritual gift of criticism. And! I was pasturing a group of them!

Herein is the problem I had struggling through The Jesus I Never Knew. It seemed that Yancey criticized his fundamental church upbringing and the church in general in every chapter. Now I am not saying that some of past views of the church were right nor am I saying the church doesn’t need examination even today – but for me it got old and old quickly! Challenge my views of Jesus and make me understand him better but don’t slam those godly old saints of the past that brought you that saving knowledge of Jesus. Yes they were “vessels of clay” but they laid a foundation of faith for you – And today’s church is run by the Jesus who is its head even if it is imperfect!

Do I recommend The Jesus I Never Knew? I do. Yancey will make you rethink your view of Jesus and you will benefit from it. Just be careful and leave your spirit of criticism in the grave.