On Jesus

Rating:
Summary: A Fresh and Challenging Approach to the Man from Galilee
Review: Groothuis does a wonderful job in his presentation of Jesus by viewing him through philosophical eyes. He begins this journey by strongly establishing that Jesus was indeed a philosopher by category. Chapter One accurately and definitely places him within this category. Following this, a look at Jesus' place in history demonstrates his world and how his life reflected it. Then comes the heart of the philosophical approach. Evaluating Jesus' use of argument, his epistemology and metaphysics, his ethics, and his view of women, Groothuis proves why this man belongs on the list of the most influential and thought-provoking thinkers of all time. There is also ample illustration of why Jesus is the most controversial man of all time -- making claims of divinity and sovereignty over all creation. Jesus' radical social and ethical agenda were powerful and divisive as much in his own day as in ours. Most importantly, Groothuis shows that no man or woman can ever live without making a decision of how to regard this man from Galilee. To ignore him is to make your choice. In order to evaluate his message, you must evaluate him and his claims to be God. We must never forget that - Jesus' whole message hinges on that. Much gratitude to Douglas Groothuis for this work -- Surely, this will a very influential book in the study of Jesus.

Rating:
Summary: A Fresh and Challenging Approach to the Man from Galilee
Review: Groothuis does a wonderful job in his presentation of Jesus by viewing him through philosophical eyes. He begins this journey by strongly establishing that Jesus was indeed a philosopher by category. Chapter One accurately and definitely places him within this category. Following this, a look at Jesus' place in history demonstrates his world and how his life reflected it. Then comes the heart of the philosophical approach. Evaluating Jesus' use of argument, his epistemology and metaphysics, his ethics, and his view of women, Groothuis proves why this man belongs on the list of the most influential and thought-provoking thinkers of all time. There is also ample illustration of why Jesus is the most controversial man of all time -- making claims of divinity and sovereignty over all creation. Jesus' radical social and ethical agenda were powerful and divisive as much in his own day as in ours. Most importantly, Groothuis shows that no man or woman can ever live without making a decision of how to regard this man from Galilee. To ignore him is to make your choice. In order to evaluate his message, you must evaluate him and his claims to be God. We must never forget that - Jesus' whole message hinges on that. Much gratitude to Douglas Groothuis for this work -- Surely, this will a very influential book in the study of Jesus.

Rating:
Summary: Jesus Was Smart...Who Would Have Guessed
Review: I was surprised at how easy and enjoyable this little book was to read. This book looks at Jesus as a philosopher and goes over his philosophical method of dealing with the objectors He faced.

Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to Jesus the Philosopher
Review: This is the first work I have come across that has seriously looked at Jesus as a philosopher. Groothuis begins this short introductory work, which is the format for each of the books in this series, by clearly defining what constitutes calling someone a philosopher and then just as clearly demonstrates that the historically verifiable Jesus is just as much a philosopher as the others in this series. He then discusses Jesus' use of argument, His metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and view of women. Any discussion of Jesus on any level must take into account the historicity of Jesus, an evaluation of His claims of deity as well as the historicity of the crucifixion and resurrection. Groothuis does an admirable job, in a short format, to give a good reason to at least consider each of these as worthy of further study.

While most people know of, or know Jesus, to varying degrees, as the central figure in the Christian faith, this book will be of great benefit to anyone interested in studying Him as a philosopher as well as evaluate His teaching and claims as philosophical arguments.

Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to Jesus the Philosopher
Review: This is the first work I have come across that has seriously looked at Jesus as a philosopher. Groothuis begins this short introductory work, which is the format for each of the books in this series, by clearly defining what constitutes calling someone a philosopher and then just as clearly demonstrates that the historically verifiable Jesus is just as much a philosopher as the others in this series. He then discusses Jesus' use of argument, His metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and view of women. Any discussion of Jesus on any level must take into account the historicity of Jesus, an evaluation of His claims of deity as well as the historicity of the crucifixion and resurrection. Groothuis does an admirable job, in a short format, to give a good reason to at least consider each of these as worthy of further study.

While most people know of, or know Jesus, to varying degrees, as the central figure in the Christian faith, this book will be of great benefit to anyone interested in studying Him as a philosopher as well as evaluate His teaching and claims as philosophical arguments.