The Problem of Jesus: Answering a Skeptic's Challenges to the Scandal of Jesus

by Mark Clark, Ray Johnston (Foreword by)

Overview

The modern world portrays Jesus in many ways for many reasons. Some are well-intentioned but misguided, others are aberrations, still others have some but not all the essential keys. In order to see and understand the real Jesus and what the Gospels say about him, we have to see him in his first-century context—and work out from there.

Here is a portrait of Jesus that in some ways will affirm what traditional Christianity has always understood about him...and, in other ways, upend it altogether.

Award-winning author Mark Clark delves into the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth: his parables and miracles, his controversial challenge of discipleship and obedience, his seemingly insane claim to be God, and what his death and resurrection (if they did happen) actually mean.

Mark is unafraid to tackle questions such as:

• What would first-century Jews have immediately recognized about Jesus that modern Christians often miss?
• What do the Gospels accomplish, and can we trust them?
• Is there a problem with science and Jesus' miracles?
• What are the barriers stopping people from following him?
• And what is Christianity in light of an accurate portrayal of the object of its faith?

The Problem of Jesus engages with ideas from all realms of study: from Malcolm Gladwell and Jordan Peterson to historians, scientists, and philosophers; from N.T. Wright to C.S. Lewis; from Star Wars to Pretty Woman—all unite to form a breathtaking and accurate portrait of Jesus, the man, the message, and the mission, who forever altered the course of human history.

"As a former atheist, I would call this book philosophical dynamite...The Problem of Jesus will take your thinking about Jesus—and your relationship with him—to whole new levels." —Pastor and author, Ray Johnston.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310108306
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	02/23/2021
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	310,573
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Mark Clark founded Village Church, a multi-site church with locations and online presence around the world, and is now one of the Senior Pastors at Bayside Church in California and speaks all around the world. He is the author of The Problem of Jesus (2021) and The Problem of God (2017), winner of the 2018 Word Award. Mark has been the subject of several articles in Christianity Today and recently Outreach Magazine voted him one of the Top 26 Leaders to Watch. He is married to Erin, and they have three daughters.

Table of Contents

Foreword Ray Johnston ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

Part I The Problem of the Historical Jesus

1 Did Jesus Really Exist? 1

2 What Jesus was All About 13

Part II The Problem of the Gospels

3 What are the Gospels? 31

4 Can We Trust the Gospels? 43

Part III The Problem of Discipleship

5 More than a Teacher 63

6 The Threefold Invitation 77

Part IV The Problem of Loving God

7 Counterfeit Gods 97

8 The Expulsive Power of a New Affection 115

Part V The Problem of Miracles

9 The Odd Probability that Miracles are Real 131

10 Jesus' Miracles: Signs and the Dawning of a New World 153

Part VI The Problem of Jesus' Stories

11 The Master Storyteller 179

12 The Meaning of Jesus' Parables 193

Part VII The Problem of Jesus as God-or God as Jesus

13 Rethinking God 209

14 The Only Way 235

Part VIII The Problem of Jesus' Death

15 What Happened: An Appointment with Death 249

16 What It Meant: The Victory of God 259

Part IX The Problem of the Resurrection

17 The Evidence: Why the Resurrection Likely Did Happen 275

18 Our Own Resurrection, In This Life and the Next 291

Notes 299

Editorial Reviews

'Mark provides proper context and evidence for all of us to see and understand the real Jesus in his day and ours. I'm more inspired than ever to follow the Jesus of the Scriptures!'

Brad Lomenick

'Mark's book The Problem of Jesus isn't a roadmap for playing it safe, it's an invitation to join Jesus for the risky adventure of your life! This is a great book!'

Bob Goff

'This truly is a great work. If you don't pick it up now, it will only be a matter of time until someone hands you a copy because they enjoyed it so much.'

Carey Nieuwhof

'Mark Clark has a rare gift for deep theological insights coupled with clear and concise writing. In The Problem of Jesus, he tackles and answers the most compelling and important questions our culture asks when confronted with the claims of Jesus. No matter where you personally land when it comes to Jesus this book will deepen your faith or shake your skepticism. My bet is that you'll not only read it, you'll also pass it on to others.'

Pastor and Author North Coast Church Larry Osborne

'I love the way Mark Clark turns the kaleidoscope, revealing new dimensions of who Jesus is. This book will help you encounter Jesus all over again!'

Mark Batterson

'This book is, I sense, going to be a very significant voice to this generation and others to come. It is culturally informed and sensitive without being enculturated. Like the Jesus Mark describes, you can't ignore his message in this book, and you can't be neutral to it.'

Ross Hastings

'Mark clearly shows us in The Problem of Jesus that no one has been more misrepresented or misunderstood than Jesus. Mark introduces us to the Jesus we find on the pages of Scripture! A Jesus who is irresistible.'

Christine Caine

'With a poet's pen, a scholar's precision, and a pastor's heart, Mark brings Jesus out of culture's usual trappings and places him front and square where he belongs—in our hearts and minds.'

Senior Pastor of Southwest Church; author of What Ricky Jenkins

'With astute insights, biblical wisdom, and cultural savvy, Mark is the perfect person to write The Problem of Jesus. It is a tremendous resource for the skeptic, for the new believer, and for the seasoned saint.'

Daniel Fusco

'There is nobody like Mark Clark. He's brilliant, funny, and compelling all at the same time. In the Problem of Jesus, he points to the challenges and reasons for faith in a way that feels both honest and fresh. This is a captivating look at Jesus and what he means for us today!'

Jud Wilhite

'Mark does a great job helping people get a good look at our beautiful Lord Jesus and how he represents a new way of being human.'

Alan Hirsch