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Like Jesus: Shattering Our False Images of the Real Christ
Jesus invited his disciples to follow Him. Yet today many Christians and churches are unintentionally following counterfeit versions of the Savior such as the American Jesus, the Emergent Jesus, or the Mr. Rogers Jesus. Not surprisingly, most look a lot more like us than Jesus.
In Like Jesus , author Jamie Snyder exposes the counterfeit versions of Jesus while taking readers on the three-stage journey of Imitation, Identification, and Intimacy. Because the only way to become like Jesus is to discover what Jesus is really like.
In Like Jesus , author Jamie Snyder exposes the counterfeit versions of Jesus while taking readers on the three-stage journey of Imitation, Identification, and Intimacy. Because the only way to become like Jesus is to discover what Jesus is really like.
- GenresChristianity
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 14, 2016
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.
August 23, 2018
Easy to read, and it zeroed in on some idiosyncrasies of mine. Review forthcoming on Jesus in Books.
August 26, 2020
Lo disfruté, la guía de estudio del final del libro es un buen recurso.
February 8, 2016
This book is a good reality check. Have we built a counterfeit Jesus in our own hearts and minds, in our own image? Snyder reminds us that we are to be like Him, not make Him like us.
Snyder is quick to point out that we will never actually be like Jesus, but are we becoming like Jesus? We are all changing and becoming. Have we made the commitment to become like Jesus?
Snyder wants to make sure that we have the right idea of who Jesus is and how He acted. He explores a number of images of Jesus that have been created as a reflection on us, our lifestyle, our politics, and more. He helps us deconstruct those false images and construct the right one.
He asks some penetrating questions about our relationship with Jesus. He points out character traits and action of Jesus that may be surprising to some. He looks at Jesus' righteous anger. He notes, “So being like Jesus means getting angry at situations involving unfairness or inequality and being moved to act.” With equal directness, he looks at real compassion, simple obedience, radical grace, and radical humility. He helps us understand how to go beyond just knowing the facts about Jesus to true life transformation through a relationship with Him.
I felt that hardly a page went by without my being challenged. For example, in the chapter about humility, Snyder writes, “Jesus made Himself nothing and then turned to us as His followers and said, 'Follow me. Follow me into obscurity. Follow me into selflessness. Follow me into an others-focused life. Follow me into my kingdom, the way is paved with radical humility.'” Ouch. And that is just one part of one chapter.
I highly recommend this book. It is a reality check and a challenge. It's a book one can read over and over again, renewing our passion for being like Jesus and having a relationship with Him. There are discussion questions included so this would be a great book to use as a group study.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Snyder is quick to point out that we will never actually be like Jesus, but are we becoming like Jesus? We are all changing and becoming. Have we made the commitment to become like Jesus?
Snyder wants to make sure that we have the right idea of who Jesus is and how He acted. He explores a number of images of Jesus that have been created as a reflection on us, our lifestyle, our politics, and more. He helps us deconstruct those false images and construct the right one.
He asks some penetrating questions about our relationship with Jesus. He points out character traits and action of Jesus that may be surprising to some. He looks at Jesus' righteous anger. He notes, “So being like Jesus means getting angry at situations involving unfairness or inequality and being moved to act.” With equal directness, he looks at real compassion, simple obedience, radical grace, and radical humility. He helps us understand how to go beyond just knowing the facts about Jesus to true life transformation through a relationship with Him.
I felt that hardly a page went by without my being challenged. For example, in the chapter about humility, Snyder writes, “Jesus made Himself nothing and then turned to us as His followers and said, 'Follow me. Follow me into obscurity. Follow me into selflessness. Follow me into an others-focused life. Follow me into my kingdom, the way is paved with radical humility.'” Ouch. And that is just one part of one chapter.
I highly recommend this book. It is a reality check and a challenge. It's a book one can read over and over again, renewing our passion for being like Jesus and having a relationship with Him. There are discussion questions included so this would be a great book to use as a group study.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
August 20, 2015
My first impressions of the book, considering the cover and the tag line, were that this was going to be a book that was going to mix the historical Jesus with the biblical Jesus, and the various interpretations by all the modern-day Christian books out there. This is not the case, as it is indeed a book written for Christians. That being said, I am not a religious person my self. I was raised Catholic, so I have my basic knowledge of religion, even though nowadays I might not really be a believer.
With those disclaimers out of the way, let's talk a little about the book itself. One thing I admired about the way it is written is that it truly sends a message for Christians to take a deep look at their behaviors and try to act more like Jesus would have. The old phrase "What Would Jesus Do" comes to mind as I write this.
Jamie Snyder goes to great lengths in describing several ways that some Christian groups have made Jesus into a comfort image that feeds their wants. The "American Jesus" and "Political Jesus" were my favorites, as I can see the influence of those Jesus in many people around places around social media.
One big thing the author does not do is make the reader feel bad. Religiously speaking, yeah we are all sinners and such, but this book is not about condemnation but rather a path toward love. And even though I'm not converted, I truly enjoyed reading about it. At times I feel like some Christians forget that message of love, and finding a book that places love back in the priority list makes me feel good. If more people pick up this book and feel compelled to love, instead of judging, then the world will instantly become a better place.
Finished on: August 17, 2015
Days reading: 5
My rating: 2/5
** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.
With those disclaimers out of the way, let's talk a little about the book itself. One thing I admired about the way it is written is that it truly sends a message for Christians to take a deep look at their behaviors and try to act more like Jesus would have. The old phrase "What Would Jesus Do" comes to mind as I write this.
Jamie Snyder goes to great lengths in describing several ways that some Christian groups have made Jesus into a comfort image that feeds their wants. The "American Jesus" and "Political Jesus" were my favorites, as I can see the influence of those Jesus in many people around places around social media.
One big thing the author does not do is make the reader feel bad. Religiously speaking, yeah we are all sinners and such, but this book is not about condemnation but rather a path toward love. And even though I'm not converted, I truly enjoyed reading about it. At times I feel like some Christians forget that message of love, and finding a book that places love back in the priority list makes me feel good. If more people pick up this book and feel compelled to love, instead of judging, then the world will instantly become a better place.
Finished on: August 17, 2015
Days reading: 5
My rating: 2/5
** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.
September 30, 2015
Jamie Snyder does a great job of describing what it looks like to live like Jesus. In the Bible, Jesus commands us to follow Him; He wants us to become like Him. We are not merely called to like Jesus - we are called to be like Jesus. Imitation of Jesus comes from studying and following His teachings daily. Too often we try to appear to be like Christ, but that is only external. Jesus is primarily concerned with internal cleansing and purity. Snyder uses the example of a tomb to illustrate this point: "It doesn't take much time and energy to whitewash the outside of a tomb, but to excavate the decay and death from the inside is not so easy." Being more like Jesus is a constant struggle, you often find yourself trudging in the opposite direction of the cultural flow. It is not easy, it can sometimes be scary or painful, but ultimately it will lead you to increased joy and everlasting life. I received this as a free ARC from David C. Cook publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews