Title: The Forgotten Jesus
Author: Robby Gallaty
Pages: 224
Year: 2017
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Why read this book? Well, I can give many reasons why. One of the main reasons I read the book was because I wanted to have my understanding of Jesus and the Bible stretched. I didn’t want to open a book that would just rehash things I have learned before. I wanted to be challenged to think.
Robby Gallaty’s book, The Forgotten Jesus, challenged me to think, understand and consider who Jesus was as a Rabbi. The book starts with an introduction titled, How Have We Lost the Jewishness of Jesus, and from there the journey to discover Jesus from a Jewish mindset begins. The author is a Baptist pastor. He isn’t Jewish, but the depth of understanding that comes from discovering Jesus from an eastern mindset instead of a western one was thought-provoking and life-changing!
While the book “looks” like it might not have much in it when one considers there are only 9 chapters. Perhaps folks might even be tempted to pass it by. Don’t. Please don’t. I found the insights into the culture, history and original language very eye opening. I know I will not look or read the Scriptures the same way again. As with all authors there are points made, I didn’t necessarily understand or conclusions that I agree with, but the point for me was to broaden my understanding.
As I read, there were many pages I marked so I can go back and consider again what was written or share with friends what I learned. Books are great tools that help us learn, think and grow. I hope that readers will grab a copy and read what the author shares. There were many times in talking with others I would share an insight or a question I thought of as I read. I hope you consider reading this with others and having a conversation.
I am not revealing much about what the author specifically shared because I think that what would be helpful is a reader discovering for themselves what is written. If you approach the book with an open mind and heart, you will come away with a deeper love for God, Jesus, His Word, His people and the world. I will share what the author states on page 204 for you to consider as a reason to read the book and the Bible, “Ultimately, the goal of knowledge is not to fill your head with useless facts, but to instill in you a hunger to read and study God’s Word. In particular, I hope that you begin to see how we cannot truly grasp the message of the New Testament without an understanding of the Old. As the two complement one another and only make sense when they are studied together.” Makes sense doesn’t it? After all the Bible is one book from Genesis to Revelation.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )