Book Sneeze Review: The Jesus You Cannot Ignore by John MacArthur

5 of 5 Stars Awarded

The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur

This annointed, Holy Spirit-led work by John MacArthur was about informing and challenging the reader to not only understand the bold confrontations of Christ but to ponder His example and do the same as mandated in their own dealings with others. Scripture was laced throughout the book to support the argument that Jesus Christ did indeed have righteous anger and did call out sin in many places other than the Temple. I enjoyed the Prologue as well as the Epilogue. I did not merely scan those two documents but I devoured each sentence and argument.

As every Christian non-fiction book review I enter the process with the sole question, "What does the Bible have to say about this or that?" This book nailed each point made with solid doctrine and Scripture references. The author obviously respects the Word of God - - all of it. This fact is evidenced by the inclusion of not just one or two Bible references in a point made but often four or five. I do enjoy going back into the Old Testament and learning about the Judaic Law and how it relates to the New Testament. This book was quiet generous with laying the Biblical foundation in order to dismiss "old" ways of thinking or "myths" that our culture has come to preach as Gospel.

I learned much about why many Jewish persons today still do not believe the New Testament applies to them even though Jesus fulfilled many OT prophesies during the time He walked among the people.  I now understand the Jewish culture better as the historical and biblical landscape for the reasons they did what they did. I learned alot about the spiritual blindness that existed though they saw the miracles and witnessed Jesus fulfilling prophecy firsthand! I enjoyed learning more about Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. What hope we have for others to come to Christ though we do not see so many outward signs of them doing so!!

This book is a meal and the reader needs to shut out all other distractions so as not to lose even one concept as presented by Mr. MacArthur. There were times I was reading this book and I would not be in the frame of mind to fully gleam the truths presented. If you do want the rich teaching and fact-finding that this book contains you may want to read it slowly, highlighter in hand in a quiet place. I do not believe this book is necessarily the book you want to take to the beach for a relaxing, feel good, get-away-from-it-all read. But it is so much more! It is a book I will keep in my library. I don't plan on lending it out for fear of not getting it back as I have made notations and highlights and scribbles all over the place. But I will buy this book for loved ones and those seeking to confront others with the love of Christ.

I have a few Pharisaic friends that would benefit from this amazingly convicting book. And if they do not read the entire book I will pray they do read the Epilogue. Especially starting on page 202 the section entitled Walking As He Walked. I thoroughly enjoyed those five pages leading up to A Final Word From Christ.

The paragraph on page 206 that made me shout "Hooray!" was and I quote: "As we have seen throughout this book, the popular notion that conflict is always to be avoided is simply wrong. There are times when we must be confrontative rather than collegial. "For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped" (Titus 1:10-11). If you wince at that or think there's no way such an aggressive attitude could possibly be a sanctified response to doctrinal error in a postmodern culture, you need to review and rethink what the entire New Testament says about false teachers and how Christians should respond to them - especially from Jesus' point of view."

Amen and I say Amen! Buy the book. You will be glad you did.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service and would like Christina to review it? If so, please email christina@wordsofgrace.infowith product name, description and msrp and any other information relative to said product. Christina will contact you within two weeks from receipt of contact if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent from Christina. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product aubmission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permissions granted for review of reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in force at discretion of blog administrator and/or all authors related to christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.