Interesting read. Though I don’t agree with everything written here I did find myself thinking a lot as I read it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy .

What does the passion of Christ (death, burial, and resurrection) have to do with waging non-violence for modern day readers? Everything!

Porterfield writes with such clarity and offers thought provoking ideas I have, up until this point, never considered before. For instance, in the west, Jesus is often times portrayed as a man taken to violence and used to justify the darker side of humanity toward one another. (Consider the crusades.) This couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you want a very readable deep dive in to each day of the Holy Week that is sure to transform what you thought you knew about the topic, then consider this engaging book today. Thank you to NetGalley and Herald Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a timely release of a much needed book. Spending many years inside of the church, I thought I knew a good amount of information regarding Holy Week. But I found myself reading this book as if it were the first time to hear of all the details of that week.

This book is also a great reminder of how each of us is responsible to be peacemakers in whatever location we live or even those we visit.

I highly recommend this book as we approach the Easter season, but it is still a great read no matter when you get the book. It is worth reading for so many reasons. It would be a great gift as well.

Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC of the book form the publisher through Net Galley with no expectation in return. The opinions and comments above are my own.

When I received a pre-publication digital copy of Fight Like Jesus, I was expecting Lenten meditations. What I found were well-thought out narratives with research and scripture and my responsibility was to reflect and meditate. Walking through Holy week and Jesus life (and death) Jason Porterfield guides us to a new perspective of Jesus as peacemaker in His interactions, and providing ultimate peace through His willing death. As Christians, we are on a continuous journey of being conformed to the image of Christ. Porterfield lays out our options in responding to Jesus’ encounters during this eventful week. There are also questions in the back of the book for personal or group discussion whether done during Holy Week, Lent, or any time. If you are looking for a touching Lenten devotional, this is not it. If you want to reflect and see the significance of Jesus as a peacemaker and make tough choices to be a Christlike peacemaker, you will want to add this to your library and heart. One of the most piercing statements that resonated with me was Jesus’ words, “If you only knew…”

Fight Like Jesus is written in a very conversational style. It was very easy to read and I felt like the author was reading the book to me. My eyes were opened to Jesus being a peacemaker and not just a sacrificial lamb during holy week. I learned many new theological concepts that even my Masters of Divinity didn't cover. I highly recommend this book for both individuals and groups to study, especially as they prepare for holy week. The discussion questions for each chapter are very helpful. Be prepared to see Jesus through a different lens than you ever have before.

I really enjoyed this book by author Jason Porterfield. As a theologian and pastor myself, I felt he did a great job of looking at the different days of Holy Week and really breaking down all that happened. He brings in a lot of other theologians and authors that have written about Holy Week. This would be a great book to read in a church Bible study, especially during Lent. Author, Jason Porterfield includes discussion questions that can be used as launching points for conversation.

I received an ARC from the publisher, but this review is my own opinion.

An amazing journey through Holy Week. Jason Porterfield brings thoughtful insights to the events of each day of Holy Week. Having been a Christian all my life, I was surprised at how much I learned. Relevant and inspiring, an essential read for individuals or a group. Porterfield reveals the underlying messages and delivers in an understandable and thought provoking read.

This was a really in depth view of Jesus's call to be a peacemaker. I loved how this was so rooted in scripture and went into so much depth to contextualize the story of Holy Week. I also really loved the concrete suggestions about how a Christian peacemaker behaves and thinks. I learned a lot. The only drawback I would say is that I wish the discussion questions were throughout the book rather than at the end. I also think it could have been designed better for people reading it individually rather than in a group discussion. Despite that, I really found this book insightful. It is extremely relevant to the injustice and oppression in today's world and would make a great gift for anyone looking to follow Jesus' example.

Fight Like Jesus
How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week
by Jason Porterfield
Pub Date 01 Feb 2022 |
Herald Press
Christian | Nonfiction (Adult)



I am reviewing a copy of Fight Like Jesus through Herald Press and Netgalley:




Throughout Holy Week, two competing approaches to peacemaking collide. What if we have embraced the wrong one?




When Holy Week Started tears streamed down Jesus’s face as he cried out, “If only you knew the things that make for peace. From that moment to a week later when he triumphantly declared, “Peace be with you,” Jesus spent each day confronting injustice, calling out oppressors and contending for peace.






Fight Like Jesus poses the question What if, despite all our familiarity with Holy Week we still don’t know how Jesus makes peace? And what if despite clinging to the cross of Christ for our salvation we’ve actually embraced a different approach to peacemaking? One that justifies killing enemies. One whose methods include nailing criminals to crosses.





We desperately need to recover the radical vision of peacemaking that Jesus embodied throughout Holy Week. And we urgently need to be trained in his way of making peace. So, come. Let’s journey together day-by-day through Jesus’ final week and discover anew why he is called the Prince of Peace.




I give Fight Like Jesus five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!