Wednesday, 29 December 2021

Book Review: Christians by Greg Sheridan

 Christians
by
Greg Sheridan
 
The urgent case for Jesus in our world
 
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
 
Publication date: August 2021
 
Genre: Non Fiction / Religion
 
Pages: 384
 
RRP: $32.95 AUD
 
Format read: paperback
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via DMCPRMedia
 
About the book
 
From the historical Jesus and his disciples through to the present day, Greg Sheridan has written an impassioned, informed and utterly compelling case for the truth and importance of Christianity in our lives. He presents a strong argument for the historical reliability of the New Testament, meets the living Jesus there, explores the extraordinary personality of Paul, celebrates Mary's activism and examines the magnificent richness of John.

Filled with insights, intelligence, warmth and humor, Greg also introduces us to a range of fascinating Christians today, among them political leaders, and young activists offering the radical Christian interpretation of love to their generation. His book explores the journey of those who have been guided by faith, such as Gemma Sisia, whose school in Tanzania has transformed the lives of thousands of children, and the dynamic Chinese Christians pursuing their beliefs under harsh restrictions. He examines where Jesus can be found in popular culture and talks to Christian leaders - Pentecostal, Catholic, Evangelical and others - in Australia, the US and Britain.
 
My review
 
From the media release: At a time when the chasm of understanding between secularism and faith has never seemed wider, Christians is timely, relevant and convincing. Bill Hayden tells the moving story of his long journey to belief and Peter Cosgrove recounts the experience of prayer and religious belief in the midst of deadly combat.
Christians is a new take on Christianity in popular culture, revealing how people and the New Testament work to powerfully affect lives today. 
 
Christians is a book to learn about the living Jesus. An awe-inspiring look inside the New Testament. Sheridan is not so much trying to convert people but give Christians a fresh look at Christianity and re-invigorate their faith.
Filled with indisputable facts. It does help to know some basics of the bible to understand what Sheridan is explaining about history.
 
Written in a conversational tone Sheridan explores the gospels and uses historical fact to back up his musings. I did find the book hard to read as a novel. It was more a case of picking it up and reading parts of the book to suit my mood.
 
 "Much of the New Testament is sublimely beautiful as literature. Apart from it's religious significance, it justifies reading for aesthetic pleasure as well as literary appreciation and scholarship."
 
Christians was highly entertaining, fascinating reading and thought provoking.
 
My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
 
About the author
 
Greg Sheridan is foreign editor of The Australian and a hugely respected journalist for over 40 years. Greg is fascinated by intellectual, spiritual and human aspects of Christianity, and his previous books include God is Good For You and When We Were Young and Foolish.

Challenges entered: Non Fiction Reading Challenge

                                  Aussie Author Challenge

 

 


 

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