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

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.

This is an older book, but concepts still timely. One of absolute favorites. If you thought you knew Jesus, you will realize you don’t. Many never consider how radical he was a a man walking this earth or how much he changed the culture, attitude and treatment of women, children, foreigners, and disabled. Jesus treated everyone with dignity and respect. He revered the Imago Dei in everyone. If only we would follow his example.

I found this book to be an interesting and inspiring read. Because of what is happening now, I hear a lot about the viability of Christianity. Before you give up on christians or Christ

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.

I read the Bible, trying to live as it teaches. Most times, I feel confused by some of the scriptures. Then, I read portions at a time and feel relief and peace. "Who was this Man?" helped broaden my understanding of what Jesus was trying to do in a very turbulent time. Today is no different than ancient times. The world is still filled with hate, greed, and bigotry. By understanding Jesus, we understand that life, no matter what else there is, we ALWAYS HAVE GOD'S LOVE, GRACE, AND PEACE. It's not easy, but the "peace that passes all human understanding", will get us through.

Well written, researched and cited. What i loved most were the parallels to how things changed when Christ showed up. The treatment of women, imperfect babies, sacrifices ended, the concept of sexuality, of matrimony. Also how could Jesus be the most recognized person in the world today coming from such humble beginnings, living such a spartan life, and dying as a criminal at the bottom of the social ladder:hated by Rome, dispised by the Jews, just John, his mother and a few women to witness his horrible death. No one famous after death were so unknown and unloved as He was. Yet look at how His movement took off beginning with His death. As Ortberg says, compare the name of Jesus today to the leaders of his day like Caesar and Nero whose names we give our dogs. Outstanding read!

I've just finished reading Who Is this Man. This is an outstanding book that has a different perspective from most. John is not out to prove the existence of Jesus by quoting the Bible. What he does is point all how Jesus' life impacted the world and what has happened since. Whether or not you believe in Jesus, his impact has been incredible. For example, he explains how the phrase "All men are created equal" directly relates to Christ's teachings. The world before Christ was one in which rich people are better than poor, men are better than women, etc. The idea that all are created equal is because of Christianity. John makes numerous references to historical events, many that I was not aware of and found fascinating. He also includes hundreds of footnotes. I found the book very engaging and hard to put down. His last three chapters titled, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are also especially worthwhile where he explains Good Friday, the day after and Easter and lays out what they really mean from a perspective I have not heard before. He makes a great explanation of the differences in the charges of blasphemy and treason. He points out so many things, that I found myself searching the internet for more info. I don't fault him for not going into more depth because that is not his goal and there are plenty of facts for the fact hungry. I plan to buy copies to give away.

This book was given to me with the warning, "It will make you fall in love with Jesus" and they were 100% correct. John Ortberg does an amazing job of painting a picture of who Jesus was and why everything he did was so radical, unexpected, and beautiful. Ortberg's knowledge of historical context and Jewish traditions illuminated so many stories that I'd read 100 times before, but never quite understood the significance of. This book has given me a fuller picture of Jesus' love for humanity-- and how far-reaching those effects of love have gone out into the entire world. I bought 5 copies of this book to give away in hopes that whoever reads them will be as moved as I was. I recommend it to anyone, believer or skeptic. I think you'll walk away with something you didn't have before.

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

Extremely interesting and enlightened book. Easy read while being informative and thought provoking. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn about Jesus

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.

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.

Best book I’ve read on understanding the impact of Jesus throughout history. Highly recommend it.