The contemporary church loves to paint Jesus as gentle, meek ... nice. In this striking work, Mark Galli introduces you to a different sort of savior - one who often makes other people feel decidedly uncomfortable.

Focusing on Jesus as he's portrayed in Mark's Gospel, Galli unveils the power of Christ in his militancy. Through biblical episodes, stories of both classic and contemporary saints, personal snapshots, and discussion questions, you'll discover that Christ's deep love for you is richer and more difficult than you can imagine. In this persistent, fearsome, untamed love, you can find true joy.

Recommend Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God to Your Friends

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) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Jesus overturned tables in the temple. Jesus chastised the Pharisees. Jesus talked of a final judgment. Jesus expressed anger and grief. Wouldn’t it just be more comfortable to simply overlook these aspects of Jesus’ life? After all, we’d rather spend more time talking about the kind and loving Jesus and the Good News.

That is exactly Mark Galli’s point. Christians tend to focus on the ‘nice’ Jesus and avoid seeing the ‘mean’ Jesus. But Galli uses the Gospel of Mark to show that Jesus’ actions and words were not motivated by meanness, but rather by love. Jesus came to earth to be an example of holy living. So when confronted with situations contrary to His purpose, He could not let them go unchallenged. By closely examining what He said and how He acted, Christians can learn valuable lessons to apply to their lives.

God has always been difficult for man to understand. At times He draws close, and other times seems elusive, even occasionally withdrawing the sense of His presence. A life devoted to Christ can be demanding and difficult, but God’s wild and intense love for His children is unbounded.

Galli expertly uses a wide variety of illustrations and personal stories to show that Christians need to consider the vastness and complexity of God. Yes, He is unquestionably a God of love, but He is also a holy God, and a God of power and righteousness. Instead of trying to place limits on Him, Christians should embrace His many facets and realize that His own glory will always be His motivation. This would be a good book for group discussions, and a truly thought-provoking study guide is included. – Jeff Friend, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Terri Morse (Tucson, AZ), February 22, 2008

This book has changed my life and how I relate to other people and my relationshp with the Lord! A must read for every Christian no matter how long you have been walking with Jesus.

Reviewed by James E. Yoder (Bonanza, OR), October 02, 2007

A totally different but true opinion/view point. Well worth the time to read. Well written.

Reviewed by Michael (OKC, OK), April 10, 2007

Excellent book. Good to the point that I have used its many stirring topics not only in my House Church but also in my personal devotions. Galli provides quotes from Kierkegaard and Bonhoffer, which is the possible foundation for many of his ideas and inspirations. So if one finds this book to be an offense or troublesome, Galli is certainly not the only author with which to take your problems. The Church (especially in America) has lost its ability to provide the flint for the conviction that the Holy Spirit is desperately seeking to provide. It has forsaken its clarity for relevance which has gained it a foothold on neither. I have and will continue to highly recommend this book to my Evangelical and Fundamentalists friends. It is not only a great book for devotion, but also for conviction of baby Christians. And for an added bonus, it has some sample questions for small group leaders... which can easily be modified to fit whatever type of application is desired. Great book sir... can't wait to explore more of your catalog.

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