Product Description

Many Christians are used to the idea of a meek and mild Jesus, the stereotypical "nice guy." Countering these all too prevalent notions, Mark Galli offers a unique study of seventeen troubling passages from the book of Mark to prove we should be anything but comfortable with Christ. Highlighting the incontrovertible fact of an untamable and often militant Messiah, Galli gives readers a training manual in spiritual growth to awaken sleeping believers and transform them into devoted disciples. Hinging on the compelling nature of the love of God, he explains how this mean and wild Jesus shows us truer love than our pleasant construct ever could. Striking and bold, but always rooted in Scripture, Jesus Mean and Wild will put readers on the road to true discipleship.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #466884 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-01
• Released on: 2006-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Christianity Today editor Galli explores the less lovable side of the Christian deity, offering a well-written, thoroughly researched look at Jesus. "The warm and friendly Jesus, although an attractive idea, is but an idol," Galli says. He uses 17 passages in the Gospel of Mark to present a Jesus who is much less loving, gentle and patient than many Christians would like to believe. This Jesus can be stern, confrontational, purposefully confusing and even impatient. He sometimes shames and scares us, but loves us enough to draw us inexorably toward him: "For Jesus has come to us, the real Jesus—mean, wild, and pulsing with an unnerving and irresistible love." Although several other recent books, including Mark Buchanan's Your God Is Too Safe and R.T. Kendall's Out of Your Comfort Zone, have also traversed the God-is-dangerous territory, this one contributes much to the discussion; Galli's writing is clear and concise, his logic smooth, his knowledge of early Christian saints helpful, the discussion questions on target and his conclusions inescapable. Readers will come away with a disconcerting new understanding of "Jesus mean and wild." (July)
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From the Inside Flap
FRONT FLAP Meet another side of Jesus--not always safe, but good! The contemporary church loves to paint Jesus as gentle, meek. . . nice. But in this striking new work, Mark Galli introduces us to a different sort of savior--one who often makes other people feel decidedly uncomfortable. Focusing on Jesus as he is portrayed in Mark's Gospel, Galli unveils the power of Christ in his militancy-an aspect frequently ignored in many churches today. Through biblical episodes, stories of saints--classic and contemporary--personal snapshots, and discussion questions, Galli shows that Christ's deep love for his people is richer and more difficult than we imagine. But it is in this persistent, fearsome, untamed love that we can find true joy. BACK FLAP Mark Galli is the managing editor of Christianity Today. A former Presbyterian minister, he is the author or coauthor of several books, including 131 Christians Everyone Should Know and Francis of Assisi and His World.

From the Back Cover
God loves you and has a wonderful difficult plan for your life. "Mark writes of a Jesus that is unleashed, untamed, undomesticated, and unpredictable. I want to know this Jesus, though he scares me a little."--John Ortberg, teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church "In this wonderfully provocative book, Galli recovers a more multifaceted portrait of Jesus, insisting that Jesus's plan for our lives is demanding and difficult--and in that difficulty we find real love. This is not an easy book to read, because it promises to change you and your relationship with God. And I, for one, am very, very grateful that I read it. I know I will be reading it again."--Lauren F. Winner, author, Girl Meets God and Real Sex "Galli reads widely, writes winningly, and expounds Jesus convincingly. Finally, a Jesus who was potent enough to cause commotion and even (temporary) chaos."--Scot McKnight, author, The Jesus Creed and Embracing Grace "Can he say that? Galli's vigorous presentation of the 'mean and wild' aspects of Jesus arises from a justified impatience with a faith too often soggy. 'Mean and wild' are in the eye of the beholder, of course, but this volume will help clear our vision to behold a Lord who is anything but tame."--Frederica Mathewes-Green, author, The Illumined Heart: The Ancient-Christian Path of Transformation; www.frederica.com

Customer Reviews

Weak and Drawn out
A friend reccomended this book, so I read it. He said it had really been changing his faith.
Personally this book scares me, not because I think Jesus is mean or wild, but because this book really stretchs verses and implies to much. I been struggling reading threw it. I feel like he points to extremist as examples of what Jesus wants. I dont think that we should abandon are family and sell their stuff just to give to the church.
Personally I would not recommend this book.

Whitewash
What? Jesus curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season or calls a mother seeking help for her child a dog? No worries. It's all good, a kindness don't you see. I believe a miracle is in order here. It's not so much turning water into wine, but the venom of brutish, nasty behavior into the milk of human kindness. Why start thinking now? To say it is to make it so!

Once you throw reason out the window, you can let pretty much anything in the door.

This is how faith evolves with time
And the sun turns even as your mind

Need Help Smashing Your "God Box"?
Wow! So many things make sense when you get a more accurate understanding of Who Jesus is and how He views things. I got so much encouragement regarding the church in its seemingly impoverished state, and my involvement therein---(I was beginning to faint)...Not to lift up the man, but God speaks cutting, cleansing, healing truth through Mr. Galli. Anyone would benefit from this encounter!