Today I am celebrating the 4th anniversary of my first book, the (un)offensive gospel of Jesus—on of all days, Reformation Day (and Halloween, I guess!). You could say it was my own thesis-nailing attempt on the wall of American society.
Four years ago I sketched out some thoughts about what it means to show Jesus and tell His hopeful Story well. I wrote it during a period when I was was seriously wrestling with what it means to engage our culture as Christians, while still holding on to what matters in the Christian faith. I liked to call it “raw art.” I was thankful for how well it sold and how well it was received, so this summer I revised and extended it with as new edition. The 2nd edition is still as raw, just a bit more polished and put together. It also has a ton of questions to get you and a group of people think about how to show Jesus and tell His hopeful Story well.
You can read the preface to the updated edition, HERE. Here’s the description from the back of the book:
Who is the Jesus We Show? What is the Story We Tell?
These honest questions sit at the heart of this punchy, provocative book. In his debut title, Jeremy seeks to drive a conversation in the Church about how we show Jesus and tell His hopeful Story. If Jesus and His Story are what people have been waiting for their whole lives, why are so many people leaving Him and avoiding His people? Jeremy helps us understand why this is happening and what Christians can do about it.
Newly revised and filled with discussion questions, the (un)offensive gospel of Jesus sketches a fresh portrait of God’s magical, revolutionary Story of Rescue and the good Jesus found in the Holy Scriptures. Through his own experience in the Church, conversations with friends, and an honest look at theology and the Bible, Jeremy explores how Jesus and His gospel are good, sweet news for all the world. Most of all, he helps us understand why both are more hopeful than many of us realize.
“Jeremy is a deep thinker; he’s courageous enough to challenge some popular evangelicals and emergents today. Yet, this is not a screed: Jeremy loves the Church and has a passion for the ostracized and he tells us in this book that grace grinding is the not the way of Jesus and it is not the gospel Jesus preached.” —Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary; Author, The Jesus Creed & The King Jesus Gospel
In celebration, I’m discounting the book for the next week if you’re interested in a copy. For the next week the ebook is just $2.99 and you can pick up the print book through me directly for 40% ($8.37, plus shipping) using promo code PRU3ZKJ8.
But wait—there’s more! I’m also giving away 5 copies to the first five people (1 a person) who signup to our new newsletter using the subscription form in the sidebar. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spam you! It’s an infrequent way for me to share some more content and links to some other content. Simply fill it out and email your confirmation email to jeremy (at) novuslumen . net.
My hope is that the (un)offensive gospel of Jesus would continue to help drive a conversation, particularly in my hometown of West Michigan, about how the Church is showing Jesus and telling His hopeful Story. I hope that you and your church or group of Christian friends would find this conversation starter helpful as you consider how you and your own expression of the Body of Christ are showing good Jesus and telling His hopeful Story of Rescue.
