Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus

Very well written and open my eyes to how Impactful Jesus was then and now. Reading this book with your Bible open to all the verses referenced makes a lot of difference

Listening to John Ortberg talk about Jesus at the Global Leadership Summit this year was truly inspiring. I was so moved that I immediately purchased his book, Who is This Man? The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus. The book did not disappoint me as Jesus and his impact in the world was revealed on a level that was surprising and challenging. Surprising because we don't often hear about how medicine and art and government were all affected by this peasant from first century Palestine. Challenging because it causes us to ask what difference Christ has made in our lives and disciplines that we need to carry on in his honor.It doesn't take long in the book to realize that our understanding of Jesus and history are going to be put to the challenge. Ortberg writes in one of the opening paragraphs of the book that Jesus is easy to miss for a variety of reasons. "Jesus did not loudly and demonstrably defend his movement in the spirit of a rising political or military leader. He did not lay out a case that history would judge his brand of belief superior in all future books. He did not start by tellling his disciples, `Here are proofs of my divinity; affirm them and I'll accept you." The uncanny way in which Jesus came and left the stage of history makes his impact all the more remarkable.Ortberg shares numerous aspects of life that we take for granted that were in some remarkable way changed by Jesus and his followers. Through his humble beginnings, we see that Jesus impacted the dignity of humanity, even children. Prior to the time of Christ, children were seen as property much in the way we views slaves. It wasn't until a Rabbi said, "Let the little children come to me" that dignity was afforded to children. History has recorded that schools, orphanages and clubs for children like the YMCA and YWCA were all renovations of Christians. Jesus also raised the status of `the least of these' of society.The discarded people in any society (the blind, lame, socially awkward, poor, children, etc.) had new dignity in and through Christ. Christian communities went out of their way to care for the sick and the poor so much so that Emperor Julian, an opponent of the faith, chastised his own pagan priests for not keeping up with the Christians. "I think that when the poor happened to be neglected and overlooked by the priests (pagan), the impious Galileans observed this and devoted themselves to benevolence. . . The impious Galileans support not only their poor, but ours as well, everyone can see that our people lack aid from us."And the impact of Jesus continued in the elevation of the place of women in society, in the flourishing of educational establishments, in how the world viewed humility (before Jesus as a derision, after him as a virtue), what constituted a good life and more. Jesus impacted every area of society from medicine to government to education to business. His impact on the world is unparalleled and quite surprising considering he never wrote a book, led an army or held political office. The calendar now relates every other event in history according to its relation to his life. It is absolutely impossible to discount the impact this Jewish rabbi had on the world.So what? How is my exposure and interaction with this text going to impact my life and ministry? One thing that has already changed is that I am using this book to lead a men's small group, hoping to challenge these men to consider what it means to follow Jesus in the world. I anticipate using several of these ideas in teaching and preaching. I believe the essence of what Ortberg has uncovered here has the potential to propel another wave of Jesus movements in our generation. But it will take people like me reminding the people of God what God has done in the past through his people. Ortberg has given us a great tool to do just that.

I’m devoted to Jesus Christ as Lord, however poorly I may live out that orientation. Therein lies my bias. This book fed my obsession. The author illuminated the world changing contours flowing from Jesus, thus feeding my intellectual curiosity. What surprised me was how often I found my heart leaping out of my chest in wonder-filled worship. This intersection was so deeply satisfying l am weighing whether I may have just finished reading one of the Top 5 books of my lifetime.

I ordered a copy of this book, Who Is This Man?, online, and when it arrived, one of the first things I noticed was the litany of blurbs about the book. Many authors and theologians who I deeply respect and appreciate had written a snippet about the value they saw in what Ortberg's book had to say. People as diverse as Dallas Willard, N. T. Wright, and Shaine Claiborne had good things to say about this book, and remarkably, former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice wrote the foreword to the book.But the book didn't stop being quality at the end of the foreword. In fact, the array of comments had served the author and the book well by building a solid foundation from which to build and move forward. The book is not an apologetic for Jesus being God. It is not a book that lays out steps to salvation or anything like that. It is more of an examination of the truly unpredictable impact that Jesus has had in the twenty centuries since his life.Chapter after chapter, Ortberg sets the stage for what was considered normative at the time of Jesus, and how Jesus' life has shaped for generations from then to now what values we tend to admire, how we treat others, and even how we have arrived at some of the systems we have today, like our education system.I am really tempted to go into detail regarding some of the key insights of each chapter, but I don't want to give too much away for you. I will say this. John Ortberg lifts up historical context around many of Jesus' stories told in the gospels that allow us to see how truly profound his statements and teachings were. He also builds a compelling case that Jesus, through a relatively short period of time in his life was able to exert more influence on the way we live and think today than any person before him and really any person since.If you enjoy historical biography, or if you want to learn more about the life and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth in a concise format, I highly recommend this book. I found it to be inspiring and life giving as I pursue this life of faith in Jesus the Messiah. It made me want to pour over scriptures with renewed vigor to study the life and example of how Jesus lived his life, and to work more zealously to live this life as He would live it, to live my life in service for others, and to truly love my neighbors.May you enjoy your reading of this short book that illustrates some of the profound and unpredictable impact of the life of Jesus. I know I certainly did.

Absolutely commedable. Highly readable and accessible to all audience. I recommend highly to both the religious, the spiritual or non.

This book is beautifully bound for a paperback, in that it is both flexible and yet can open effortlessly on any page. It comes with excellent recommendations that you open and read it from NT Wright, Tony Campolo, Ken Blanchard and Dallas Willard just to mention a few.I first heard John Ortberg speak on this subject at the Global Leadership Summit, where another guest speaker was Condoleezza Rice who writes an amazing introduction to this excellent book. You probably need to buy this book just to read Rice's comments.The book is an expanded version of Ortberg's great oratory at the GLS (or what he said is a cut down version of the book!)This volume looks intently at who Jesus was and what he taught. It does so with great use of language and with anecdotes that only an American could get away with! This volume puts Jesus at its absolute centre, making the gospel story about its main character once again.Particularly interesting is the chapter on marriage, and how Christianity clashes with popular culture (and always has!)You have to hear Ortberg preach this - but you also have to read this book! Both experiences are well recommended and will enrich your existence.

I like John Ortberg and this book fits his writing style well. It is basically the history of the early church and of course Jesus. It is an easy read, not deep at all but with keen insights from someone who clearly knows what they talking about. This may not be new information to someone who has been to theological school but I found a lot of it really interesting. This would also suit a new Christian or someone looking for faith.

This is a brilliant book which tells you how history was changes by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ; how much of what we now take for granted at the norms in our society all derive from him - including even the expressions we use in every day life. It was fascinating and I could not put it down. Perfect for getting the historical context of the Christian Faith in an easy to read and gripping study.

This is Ortberg's most comprehensive book covering a broad scope of the impact that Jesus Christ had on modern-day and historical civilization. I will never look at the time, or celebrate New Years Day or listen to music without thinking about that impact.There is nothing not to like about this book. It's clear, comprehensive and easy to read but should be read in small doses in order to fully comprehend as so many areas are covered.