Who Is Jesus? (2017) (Volume 1) (Crucial Questions) Paperback – November 9, 2017

Crucial Questions SeriesI recently picked up all 14 of the Crucial Questions series for free due to Ligonier Ministries decision to offer them for free in the Kindle format. Apparently these titles have been around a while. This first title was first published in 1983. There have been 2 revisions since 1983, one in 1999 and one in 2009. This one of course is the 2009 version.I like that Ligonier is doing this, because these books are really gems. Essentially I could describe it as a long booklet. It's long enough to be meaty, but short enough to hold the reader's attention. A fast reader could get through these in about 2-3 hours.Who Is Jesus?This first title in the series is all about Jesus of course. This is an appropriate way to open the series in my opinion. Specifically, Sproul discusses: the real Jesus (how we know the real Jesus from false ones), the titles of Jesus in scripture, and the life of Jesus (what Jesus accomplished). This is very simple and straightforward.Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?The title of chapter 1 of course plays off the famous game show "To Tell the Truth" (1956 - 2002). The idea of this chapter is how we can tell the real Jesus apart from false ones. What Sproul is really trying to accomplish in this chapter I think is to separate the wheat from the chaff: "There are vast numbers of portraits of Jesus in the art galleries of this world. These images are often so conflicting that they offer little help in achieving an accurate picture of what Christ looked like during the period of His incarnation. This multiplicity of images parallels the widespread confusion about Jesus' identity that exists in the world today."Here are some of the false Christ's Sproul discusses:1) A Christ born of empty speculation2) The philosopher's Christ3) A recycled Christ4) A Christ of compromise5) A watered down Christ6) A powerless Christ7) An inglorious Christ8) A symbolic Christ9) a Christ with no power10) A scholarly ChristSproul touches on the historical search for the "Real Jesus". The focus of these scholars was to get behind the sources (scripture primarily) and find the real Jesus way back there in the mists of time. Then we had the liberal scholars who of course found a liberal Jesus. The existentialists found an existentialist Jesus, etc. Sproul critiques the work of the Jesus seminar, who try to cut away all but a historical core. Sproul identifies where the real problem with all this lies: "Brunner's verdict was as simple as it was inflammatory. The problem, he said is unbelief." Sproul emphasizes that our picture of Jesus affects everything important in life. We need to see Jesus for who he is in the pages of scripture, not in these other places.The Titles of JesusSproul discusses the biblical record of the major titles given to Jesus there. Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). This title ties the Old and New Testament together well. The expectation of a Messiah in Judaism is shown as well as how Christ fulfilled these Messianic expectations.Next we have the title, The Son of David. This pointed to the kingly aspect of Jesus. While this title is certainly true, the main mission in the first coming of Christ was not his kingly rule in an earthly sense, but his kingly rule of men's hearts: the kingdom of God is within you. There will come a day when all the political structures of the earth will be overthrown, but Jesus first coming was not intended for that.Jesus is also known by the title of suffering Servant. The focus here of course is the persecution that Jesus experienced by the Jewish leaders and the Romans in the execution of Jesus. Isaiah 53 focuses on his bodily sacrifice. His sacrifice was a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Those who place their faith in him will be saved on the day of the Lord (his return).Another important title was Son of Man. This title highlighted the humanity of Jesus. Jesus was after all full human, and fully divine, though his divinity was veiled during his time here. Sproul says: "The words the church settled on in A.D. 451 were "vere homo, vere Deus." The formula meant that Jesus was truly man and truly God, calling attention to His two natures.Next, there is discussion of the title Jesus is Lord. This of course demonstrates Jesus' authority. Christians throughout the centuries have demonstrated their allegiance to Jesus in their willingness to suffer at the hands of men rather than deny their Lord.Next Sproul discusses the title Son of God. This is the complementary point to the discussion on Jesus as Son of Man. The divinity of Jesus is emphasized here. This has ever been the confession of the church. Jesus is confessed as the unique Son of God. His divine nature is not something a church council declared, but the declaration of church councils was a recognition of what the church always believed.Finally Sproul discusses the title Logos or the Word. John 1:1 says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. This Logos was not the wisdom of philosophers, but the very Wisdom of God. Jesus is the divine incarnation of the Word of God. Therefore Jesus is not some creature, however exalted, but Jesus is part of the being of God, a member of the Trinity.The Life of JesusWe have in this chapter discussion of the ministry of Jesus. From the beginning of Jesus life, we see miracle after miracle. His birth was supernatural. His mother, Mary, conceived Jesus with knowing a man. The virgin birth shows that Jesus was no ordinary child. We then have the fact that Jesus birth was attended by angels announcing to shepherds the joyous news. The baptism of Jesus demonstrated his special status as the Son of God. The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness showed his victory over temptation. Where Adam had failed in the garden, Jesus succeeded in the wilderness while fasting for 40 days.For some reason Sproul skips the miracles of Jesus and the teaching ministry of Jesus and heads straight to the passion week. Sproul writes: "His death may illustrate those things. Rather, is is a cosmic event, an atoning death; it is a curse that is poured out on Christ for us." Sproul then goes on to discuss the resurrection and the fact that the resurrection is the culmination of everything Christ accomplished. It was tangible evidence that his sacrifice was accepted and that the sting of death was taken away. Finally, the ascension of Jesus is highlighted. the angels told the disciples to quit staring into the sky where Jesus had gone. They had work to do. The church age was just beginning. Jesus promise to be with them through the ministry of the Spirit would soon be demonstrated on the day of Pentecost.Book RecommendationI think this book, "Who is Jesus" presents us with an incredible summation of the significance of Jesus of Nazareth. We see his human side and his divine status. We see Jesus, not as philosophers do or those in the academy see him, but as he is presented to us in scripture. We see Jesus who asks each of us to consider who he really is and his claims on our lives. Who is Jesus? Read this book and get a clearer picture. I recommend this book for individuals and group study.

I found that there are two versions of this book both by R.C.Sproul. Though in some ways they speak on the same topics, I found the 2017 version more enjoyable to read than the 2009 version. Dr Sproul divided the subject in five catergories . He speaks of who Jesus is according to Scripture. He tries to explain the two natures of Jesus and how they function in one person. He goes into the necessity for the councils of Chalcedon and Nicea He covers some of the names of Christ and how they reveal something about His character or work. He discuss the state's of Christ beginning at His pre-incarnation. He concludes talking about the offices of Christ. This was a short but informative book.

I wrote something similar to this book at the end of my book, Your Self-Discovery Guide. Indeed, people have different opinions about Jesus today, not only in America.

Who Is Jesus is the first in the series of concise books in the crucial questions series.What one thinks of Jesus is the best place to start because one cannot have saving faith if their understanding of who Jesus is, does not square with the Biblical revelation of who he is.One of the things that R.C.Sproul is contending for ,in the first chapter,is the importance of how and where our conceptions of Jesus are formulated.If our view of Christ is informed by liberal theologians or fallen man's vain imaginations,as to who Christ is,then one is sure to go astray.Only the Christ who is revealed in 'The Word Of God' is able to redeem or save needy sinners(and that is the state in which we all find ourselves upon entering this world).If you get the doctrine of Christ right most everything else should fall into place,go astray on this and you've removed the foundation of sound teaching.In the second section of the book Sproul explores some of the titles of Jesus, which are given to us in God's Word:1.The Christ or Messiah.2.The son of David-He is David's son and David's Lord.3.The son of man-This is the title that Jesus used most frequently to describe himself(the author keenly notes that("the theme of the descent of Christ is the basis for his ascension")according to John 3:13 descending and ascending from heaven is exclusively attributed to the son of man.4.The son of God.5.The Logos.6.The Savior.7.The suffering servant of Israel-which is beautifully captured in a couple of 19th century hymns:Phillip P.Bliss' Man of Sorrows,What A Name and Thomas Kelly's 'Stricken,Smitten and Afflicted('stricken,smitten and afflicted,see him dying on the tree,tis the Christ by man rejected;yes,my soul,this he,tis he... many hands were raised to wound him,none would interpose to save;but the deepest stroke that pierced him was the stroke that justice gave).One of the greatest hymns ever penned in my opinion.In the last section of the book Mr.Sproul takes a glance at the life of Jesus.Many seem to stumble at the miraculous virgin birth of our Lord,but the author gets to the root of their skepticism(an atheistic mindset and a denial of God's power and wisdom.).For if God created the universe ex nihilo(from nothing)which He did(for any that believe that,the virgin birth should not pose any problem whatsoever).Then Sproul gives us this strong apologetic comment p.57 "God has the power of being within Himself.Such an assertion is not gratuitous,nor is it the mere dogmatic assertion of religion.It is a dictate of science and reason,if something is,then something intrinsically has the power of being." This statement is an excellent condensed apologetic for the existence of God.It brings to mind the French philosopher Rene Descartes' proposition 'I think therefore I am'.There are presently fourteen books in the crucial questions series.They are an excellent resource for Pastors,Layman,believers old and young(spiritually speaking)and are ideal for use in Sunday school as well.These books deserve and hopefully will gain a very wide hearing.

Sifting through the facts presented in this book I realised how, as a Christian, some of what we may read in the Bible can so very easily be skipped over with a wistful question mark being left in our understanding of our faith' s Judaic roots. So get this book, if for no other reason than to understand more fully the importance and significance of what John the Baptist contributes to our journey in faith. Why did our Lord place such emphasis on this man's relevance to The Kingdom?

Very good, RC Sproul never disappoints, everything based on the Word of God. An excellent primer for new Christians or seekers.

What a great book written by an author you can trust. In reading it I was filled with joy. Jesus is so much more than our finite minds can imagine. So read this book, please. You'll be so very glad you did.

I got this FREE on Kindle. Amazing. R. C. Sproul has a way of taking deep theological concepts and making them accessible to all. Getting this book is a no brainer.

The whole series is a joy to read, written in plain English makes it accessible to all. Quick to read and pocket sized.