Thursday, March 11, 2010

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask): The Jesus Edition by Eric Metaxas

Ever wanted to ask questions about God and religion, especially about that guy named Jesus, but were afraid you might sound dumb, or worst, get preached at by the person you ask?

Now there’s a non-threatening way to find the answers you’re looking for – and someone will even ask the questions for you. He’s Eric Metaxas, who also provides the answers in his latest book, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask): The Jesus Edition” (Regal 2010).

In a conversational and humor-filled format, “Q” asks question after question from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know who this Jesus guy is or what the bible has to say about Him or why anyone would want to follow Him, while “A” provides the answers.

The third in the “Everything You Always Wanted to Know” series by Metaxas (the first two were "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God" and "Everything Else You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask)," the Jesus edition is jam packed with information that will help Christians and non-believers alike grow in their understanding.

Just about any question you might have about Jesus can be found here from “was Christ his last name?” and “how do we know he really existed?” to “was he really God?” The witty format doesn’t prevent Metaxas from tackling the really difficult questions, either. Here are some that are discussed:
• Are street preachers doing the will of God?
• Is abortion a sin?
• Can someone like serial killer David Berkowitz really go to heaven?
• Did God create evil?
• If we don’t believe in Jesus, are we condemned?

For devout atheists, the sections dealing with the historical proof for Jesus and judging whether he was a lunatic, liar or lord will be of most interest. The bulk of the book, however, relies on the bible as a source of information and will be most helpful to those with an open mind about the existence of God and that the bible is His word, or to Christians wanting to better understand their faith.

Beyond the basics, Metaxas offers some insights that will make you see Jesus and some of the things he did while on earth in a whole new light no matter where you are in your spiritual journey.

You can find out more about Metaxas and the book by visiting http://www.ericmetaxas.com/.
-- Lauren Yarger

A free reviewer's copy of this book was provided by Pure Publicity.
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Daily Inspiration

The Blind Side

Read about the real life mom from "The Blind Side."

Lifeway: http://www.lifeway.com/article/?id=169816

Guideposts: http://www.guideposts.com/story/sandra-bullock-blind-side-football?page=0,1

Read Matt Mungle's review of the movie at http://www.buddyhollywood.com/.

Lauren Yarger, Bio

Lauren Yarger has written, directed and produced numerous shows and special events for both secular and Christian audiences. She co-wrote a Christian musical version of “A Christmas Carol” which played to sold-out audiences of over 3,000 in Vermont and was awarded the 2000 Vermont Bessie (theater and film awards) for “People’s Choice for Theatre.” She also has written two other dinner theaters, sketches for church services and devotions for Christian artists.

Yarger trained for three years in the Broadway League’s Producer Development Program, completed the Commercial Theater Institute's Producing Three-Day Training and produced a one-woman musical about Mary Magdalene that toured nationally and closed with an off-Broadway run.

In 2008 she was a Fellow at the National Critics Institute at the O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT. She writes reviews of Broadway and off-Broadway theater with a Christian perspective for Reflections in the Light (http://reflectionsinthelight.blogspot.com/) and is editor of The Connecticut Arts Connection. She also is a contributing editor for BroadwayWorld.com

She also reviews books for Publisher's Weekly and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. She formerly was Connecticut theater editor for CurtainUp, a national theater web site bsed in New York and a reviewer for American Theater Web.

She also served as Executive Director of Masterwork Productions, Inc. and worked in arts management for the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

She is a freelance writer and member of the Drama Desk, The Outer Critics Circle, The American Theater Critics Association, The League of Professional Theatre Women and The CT Critics Circle.

A former newspaper editor and graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, Yarger lives with her husband in West Granby, CT and has two adult children.

Copyright Notice

All contents copyright © Lauren Yarger 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. For reprint permission, contact masterworkproductions@yahoo.com.

Scripture from THE MESSAGE Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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