Jesus Was: Not What We Expected but Better Than We Imagined

by Susy Flory, Scott Johanningsmeier

Overview

"This is a book that brings Jesus out of the headlines and back into our hearts."
—Pastor Josh Burtram and Will Wright, hosts of the Faithful Politics podcast

It's easy to fall into the trap of perceiving God in our own image. We expect Jesus to fit into the molds we create, and we see him through our own biased filters. This skewed vision of our Savior is damaging both to us and to nonbelievers. But how do we remove our cultural and personal blinders in order to see Jesus for who he really was?

Tapping into the expertise of nineteen unique, theologically trained voices, Jesus Was illuminates the personality, actions, and character of Jesus as found in the biblical accounts of his life on earth. These concise and insightful reflections help us recognize our misconceptions so that we can clearly see the One we follow, and experience the incredible life and heart changes that come with knowing him fully.

"In this refreshing and insightful book, we are confronted with who Jesus actually was, the real deal according to Scripture. This Jesus wants to remake us in his image—and not the other way around."

—Nijay K. Gupta, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825449567
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	09/23/2025
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

Susy Flory is a New York Times best-selling author or coauthor of sixteen books, directs West Coast Christian Writers, and is the founder of Everything Memoir. She earned a master's degree in New Testament at Northern Seminary and is continuing her doctoral studies on the theology of writing, along with women's authorship and writing collaboration in the ancient world. She lives in Northern California. Find out more at susyflory.com.

Scott Johanningsmeier is a bivocational pastor at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Southern Indiana. He has a bachelor's degree in music technology from Indiana University and a master's degree in New Testament from Northern Seminary. Outside of ministry, he works in the technology installation industry. He and his wife have two daughters.

Editorial Reviews

Jesus Was is a fresh wind for today. Filled with new, necessary voices and keen spiritual insights, this book invites the reader to get to know Jesus—again or for the first time—through clear lenses of theological acumen, profundity, delight, and above all, worship.

Aubrey Sampson

In a time where the only Jesus people generally see is in the political sphere, Jesus Was offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective. Through thirty-one engaging essays, the book reintroduces readers to the transformative and deeply human Jesus of the Gospels, challenging assumptions and offering insights, such as 'Jesus Was a Student,' 'Jesus Was Loving to His Enemies,' and 'Jesus Was for the Oppressed.' With contributions from a diverse group of theologians and ministers, this collection not only explores who Jesus was but also inspires readers to see how his life and teachings remain profoundly relevant in today's world. This is a book that brings Jesus out of the headlines and back into our hearts.

Pastor Josh Burtram

We are often encouraged to 'be Jesus with skin on,' meaning, treat others like Jesus would. In Jesus Was, we discover the Jesus who had skin and flesh and emotions as he traveled the roads of Israel. The authors invite us to walk alongside the embodied Son of God as he loved with all his heart, mind, and body, and to love our neighbors the way Jesus loved his. The essays within reflect on the remarkably relatable humanity of our still very divine savior.

Kelley Mathews

The title says it all. Jesus Was: Not What We Expected but Better Than We Imagined is a collection of insightful essays that brim with everyday stories, humorous asides, and humble observations. Biblically sound and theologically astute, the authors reflect on Jesus's life with such creativity and honesty that Jesus becomes real and personal in concrete and beautiful ways. The authors share personal stories but are never preachy. They tackle life's tough realities with compassion, challenging established norms and inviting reflection. The reader comes away trusting more deeply in the Jesus who is all we hope for and more.

Lynn H. Cohick

In a world where groups often portray Jesus in ways to advance their religious, political, or moral agendas, Jesus Was offers a refreshing return to who he actually was—who he loved, what he cared about, and how he lived. The beautiful truth revealed in these pages is that he persists unchanged, even thousands of years later. If you've been discouraged by trends in today's church, this compelling collection will reconnect you with the authentic Jesus—reminding us that who he was then is exactly who he is now.

Kathi Lipp

There is always the temptation to create a counterfeit version of Jesus borne out of our imagination. The sad reality is that Jesus is too often flattened into a one-dimensional figure and co-opted for someone's agenda. In this refreshing and insightful book, we are confronted with who Jesus actually was, the real deal according to Scripture. This Jesus wants to remake us in his image—and not the other way around. Read this wonderful book with your Bible open and your hearts open as well.

Nijay K. Gupta

We have a tendency to slap the word 'Christian' on almost anything—books, podcasts, churches, stores, ideologies&mdashand assume the label means Christ-followers will find Jesus there. But do we know who Jesus was, what he looked like, how he behaved, what he valued? Jesus was a historical person with a notable way of being in the world&mdasha kingdom way that defies American marketing efforts. I invite you to sit down with this collection of essays and immerse yourself in who Jesus was. Bring your whole heart and mind, and find God in these pages.

Catherine McNiel