Book Review: Jesus Manifesto

Jesus Manifesto, by Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet, aims to, as the subtitle states, "Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ." It does an admirable job of just that.

I'm not familiar with the work of either Sweet or Viola, but read this book because it was provided to me by tghe publisher, Thomas Nelson. The writers have turned out something that is impressive, and which has the potential to be a timeless work.

The point of the book is simple: our focus as Christians should be on Jesus. Not causes, not personalities, not politics, and certainly not ourselves. Scriptural proof is offered in the form of Paul's' constant references to his desire to preach Christ.

Key passage: "So many Christians are blissfully unaware of His vastness. They have settled for so much less and have known Him so little. But...when the people of God get a sighting of their incomparable Lord...every idol will be forced to the ground. The clouds of doubt will part from our eyes, and Jesus Christ will displace everything."

The authors task us, the reader, with (a) learning to see the real Christ; (b) centering the Real Christ in our lives; and (c) proclaiming to others that they must do the same.

I found the book to be challenging on a personal level, and I found that its points were well thought-out and well-defended. I recommend it highly.

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