As someone who was loved radically as a pregnant teenager, which softened my heart and SHOWED me Jesus' love and grace personally through the actions of others...I couldn't wait to read this book to love others like Jesus in new ways. I love the challenges and reflections. If you want to grow your faith and display it in action through love, not just with hollow words- read this book!

Radical Like Jesus is like a manifesto of sorts for anyone who claims to follow Christ. If Christians are to model their lives after that of Jesus, we will not be able to remain complacent or comfortable, but rather we will put into practice the habits and rhythms that Jesus himself did. The book as a whole won me over; I admittedly was skeptical of the "21 Challenges" part. But Greg Stier is the kind of person with so much passion and energy that you can't help but be drawn in by what he has to say. I loved so much about this book, including:

-Short chapters, with each ending with a practical challenge matching that chapter’s topic
-The overall simplicity of the challenges; though some are rated “hard,” none of them seem impossible or out of reach
-Numerous Scripture references that anchor the author’s argument
-The accessibility of the writing, making this book great for those new to the faith AND more mature believers
-The author’s emphasis on evangelism, which was rooted in Christ’s power at work in us

My only critique was the introduction, which felt a little like humble bragging. In spite of that, I do think the author has a genuine heart for Christ and wants to spur others on to action.

I give a hearty recommendation of Radical Like Jesus for any Christian, especially a new believer or those feeling “stuck” in their walk. The 21 Challenges are a call to put action to our belief, which in turn builds up our faith in Jesus.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

"There's never been anyone as radical as Jesus." So true. Believing that, I really was excited to read this book. But I was disappointed on the whole. The book is a series of chapters each of which has a heading such as Embrace, at least one biblical quote followed by a modern day story. Each chapter ends with a specific challenge for the reader to undertake to live closer to Jesus.

There were things that I really loved about this book.

Mr Stier used his own childhood experience of being under the sink with a flashlight and bible as a metaphor for 'In the Temple' - wonderful! He is very good at using his own experiences to bring Christianity to life. I was absolutely impressed that the theology of the Trinity and the completely relational nature of God is included. I'm not sure that the challenge is particularly radical but the inclusion is! I loved the embrace chapter. I don't like every bit of how it's presented but I still love it. Embrace being the loved child of God that you are! Right on! If it comes down to love vs legalism (or the spirit vs the law) Love/the Spirit always trumps.

Greg Stier is an American Evangelical preacher and this book is aimed squarely at those who are interested in or feel called to that part of the wider Christian Church. For others, the language of Evangelical American Christians may be alienating. Concepts such as learning Bible verses by heart to stand against evil are not for every faith journey. He also discusses a situation where the faithful take "a Jesus approach". I sincerely do not understand the nuances which make this approach different to a Christian approach and there is no clue in this book as to why you would use differing language and whether it was meant to be read this way.

He has a different faith journey to many people in that he reports he's never rebelled against God. This may also make it difficult for him to reach people where they are. From where he is he has set goals/challenges and graded them from easy upwards. The first is to set aside 15 minutes a day for 21 days to be with the Lord. He asserts that this will then be an unbreakable habit and the challenge level is easy. Sadly, thousands and possibly millions of people in history can testify that neither of those assertions are true. If it was easy, this book would be unnecessary: nobody would need assistance with their spiritual life. And 21 days in a row does not make an unbreakable habit, no matter what gurus might tell you. As this is the first chapter, expectations get lower.

I found it a very macho/masculine presentation of a muscular Christianity. One of the most obvious examples are the boxing stories which seem to illustrate power rather than love - the antithesis of the Jesus story. There are few depictions of women as the primary in his story. One is of a Catholic, lesbian woman who was evangelised and is now married and a mother. The message was that LGBTQI people are loved by God and if they love God, they will change to meet the Christian "ideal". This is far from 'radical' and I found it disappointing.

"It is written...". Is this really that radical? The Pharisees and Levis could cite scripture at the drop of a hat. "It is written..." is not sufficient an answer to those who have no understanding. Many a war has been started by those who can quote scripture perfectly. Not to mention that this can lead to pedantic arguments about the exact wording and the "right" Bible when more and more we are learning that there is no such thing.

Jesus was completely radical but not just in his personal faith. He was strong in the community through love. Like the prophets before him, he challenged power both in his religious community and in the wider political sphere. He turned things upside down: the first shall be last, the meek shall inherit the earth, give away half of all you own. In this book however, cleansing the temple becomes a personal issue rather than a community and political issue. That is not a radical approach. It is deeply conservative in terms of staying in the safe lane. In the chapter Loving others there is no challenge to live in radical poverty "Give away half of everything you own" nor to attempt to change poverty, only to offer to feed someone a meal, as long as it's not too dangerous.

I find it strange, sad and disappointing that the scripture can be quoted and ignored. "Blessed are the poor in spirit". I'm not witnessing humility here. One of the few times I struggle with the actual wording is in the quote from the Beatitudes where the word righteousness is used where I am used to the word justice. In the modern world these are two very different qualities. So many Christians are self righteous rather than seekers after justice as Jesus was. I found it tragic that preaching to the poor is justified as strategic - does anyone seriously think that Jesus worked with the poor and marginalised because it was strategic? It was love. Jesus didn't preach to anyone in particular. He just preached. Whoever turned up heard the Word.

This book is good for it's target audience. But perhaps its title should be Devoted like Jesus because there is little that's radical here.

I enjoyed this title and have it added to my list of books to purchase once our library system has a record. We do not have many books on Christianity in our teen collection so this will be a wonderful addition.

I think to be a Christian is just about how we go to church every Sunday and give money to support the church. But, after a while, I know that to be a Christian is to be a radical like Jesus. Making a full heart commitment to love Jesus. This book reminds me about that truth.

He is one of my favorite authors and speakers, and I knew I would be challenged through this book. Can't recommend it enough!

Was Jesus a radical and someone we should emulate? I think so, and this book will provide guidance. All of us should be Jesus'' form of radical.