Book Review – The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

With a title like that, there was a lot to live up to in this book.  The book began with a fairly in-your-face discussion of how the church doesn’t know the meaning of the word “righteousness” and how that is where a huge portion of our problems lie. I apparently don’t know the meaning of the word righteousness, and don’t mind that being pointed out except I was never given a correct idea of what the word means.

That reflects how I felt about the rest of the book; I never felt very resolved in the various problems or issues brought up. And while there was a substantial amount of Scripture referenced, the title suggested to me that the book would focus more on the messages from the Scripture primarily. Instead, the book focused more on the things that we do and why we should or shouldn’t do them, scripturally speaking.

Despite all of this, there were many good thoughts within the book – I loved the entire last chapter, and he offered me a completely new way to think of or define idols.

The one thing that drove me absolutely insane throughout the entire book was its use of only one form of translation – The Voice, a translation birthed from the author’s own idea. If I were to re-read this book, I’d do so with my Bible right next to me to reference all Scripture with.

Overall, I didn’t hate this book but I certainly didn’t love it. It took me an abnormally long time to finish it. Well, except the last chapter. I wished the last chapter went on forever, because it was the most helpful and tangible of the entire book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com {http://BookSneeze.com} book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 {http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html} : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”