Jesus Manifesto - review

Jesus Manifesto is a short book and quick read, but it is full of reflections about the basis of our Christian faith. It challenges the reader to define what each of us actually believes in. Writing this, it seems obvious that what we should believe in is Jesus Christ. And yet, the authors show examples of people whose faith is based on causes, ideas, and ways of life that are inspired by Jesus, even in imitation of Jesus, but that are not Jesus Himself.


Reading along, I could hear Church meetings I have been part of and realize that as well-intentioned as those are, they were not focused on the basis of Christian Faith: the person of Jesus. And yet, in a number of places, I felt that the authors were setting up straw men and then shooting them down. Their perception that so many who call themselves Christians but who are in fact focused in the wrong direction may be a bit overstated. People may not be able to express the basis of their belief as eloquently as the authors, but that does not mean Jesus is not in their hearts. And at times the authors use too many quotes to support their simple point. But their simple point is a good one for all Christians to reflect on.

I received the book, written by written by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola, from Thomas Nelson Publishers via a website called BookSneeze.com. They sent me the book to review for free in return for my honest opinion.