“What if Jesus was serious” was a fantastic and easy read for me and caused me to evaluate the many ideas discussed in my life. Topics such as selfishness, fear, prayer life, daily devotion to Jesus and many others are tackled as the author looks into scripture and exposes many ideas that Christians have when applying these scriptures to practical life. The illustrations captured my attention and I found them at times to be humorous, each one helped emphasize the main point of the text.

What an interesting point if view. I love the way bible verses are broken down and picked to pieces to make you think in a different way. Some of the sections really made me stop and think- some I didn’t really agree with, but each to their own.

Captivating diagrams throughout to explain the text. Interesting viewpoints and topics. I received a free digital review copy through NetGalley.

If Skye Jethani is an author you haven’t read, I encourage you to give his books a try. I especially appreciated his book “With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God. That book would be a great place to dive in. Skye has a knack for explaining things clearly and concisely. He doesn’t mince words, he understands culture, he’s well read, and draws stories from engagements with everyday people and Christian leaders alike. He often utilizes current, historical or ancient references and stories. Picture sketches are included throughout this book that help illustrate truths, allowing them to sink in and stick with you. All of these elements combined pack a pretty good punch.

This book focuses on the Sermon on the Mount. It is a challenge to believers to analyze their walk of faith and ask themselves if they are truly pursuing a relationship with God. And if so, are they following His principles and obeying His commands? Some topics covered are: If Jesus was serious....Then heaven is already here, then we will make room to cry, then both evangelism and justice matter, then we must not withdraw from culture, then we will take sin in our lives seriously, then our self sacrifice should extend even to our enemies, then we will not be enslaved by our fears, then prayer is far more powerful than we think, etc.

My favorite part of the book said this, “Jesus speaks of the Day of Judgment and the danger of delusion. There will be people, He says, who will plead their case before Him. They will claim to belong to Christ because of the power and magnitude of their words and works. But He will dismiss them with the horrible truth, “I never knew you.” For me, this is the most frightening passage in all of Scripture....Jesus says “many” will be convinced that they belong to God and be horrified when they are cast away from His presence.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only He who does the will of my Father.”

We may say that Jesus is our Lord, but that alone does not make it so. The true lord of our life is revealed by our actions not by our declarations. If we are to enter Jesus’ kingdom, He must actually be our King, and if we persistently live in a manner that denies His authority, no amount of verbal praise and exaltation will make Him so.”

Lots of Spiritual and worthwhile depths to plumb.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the focus being on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
I enjoyed how each chapter was broken down with further reading at the end of each, some chapters I felt a little short. I like how the author has bought a modern context to the sermon.

First of all, the visuals are wonderful for the most part.
Second of all, I am a bit disappointed about some of the reductionist chapters. For someone who quotes James Smith, I would have expected a bit more polished content.

For example, when dealing with Love, the graphic says Love is several things, and that love is not a feeling.
While it is understandable to say this in reaction to the fact that our culture considers love just a feeling, it is unacceptable to give such a reductionist explanation from the biblical standpoint, as if scripture says nothing about feelings, and as if feeling hatred for someone is not indicative that you do have an improper attitude towards that person. Christ's transformation touches not just our actions but our affections/feelings, and love controls our feelings and actions.