Book review: "The Life: A Portrait of Jesus", by J.John and Chris Walley

Review: I first came across J. John when I was given his "Making the Christmas connection" book at a Christmas Eve church service a couple of years ago. As soon as I opened the first page, I knew I was holding a special little book- I was taken aback by how many concisely made points and insights into the true realities of following and serving Christ in the 21st century filled each page! I kept the book, and have read it half a dozen times a year ever since, each time finding new wisdom to practise.

"The Life: A portrait of Jesus", I'm happy to say, contains just as much knowledge and well-versed modern-day parables, except the focus is obviously shifted slightly (and explained in more detail) towards the incredible 3 year ministry that Christ performed on Earth- His actions, His miracles, and the power behind His messages. Before this, though, J. John quite rightly sets the tone of 1st Century Palestine, educating the reader on the socio-political and religious climate in which Christ lived His extraordinary life. In doing so, many parts of Christ's story that we find in the Bible, which may be difficult to fully understand or to feel the full effect of due to the separation of time and culture, are clarified by the author's explanation of what it signified at the time. It's easy to forget how much of a radical of his age Christ was, and He was considered dangerous by his enemies. Of course, He was also declared by many at the time as being the Messiah- God manifest as a man on Earth. While clearly being a worship book of tremendous Christian morals and values, both sides are studied, and explained.

J. John's time and dedicated research into the setting of Christ's earthly mission (The history of the Jews up until Christ, their attitude towards the Romans and neighbours, and their relationship towards God) will give even the most studious and avid Bible reader new insights into the true impact that Jesus had on the world at the time, and subsequently the effect that we feel 2000 years later. It's truly worthy of its full score, and I would recommend anyone to read this book- from absolute nay-sayers, to sceptics, to the curious, to Christians like me, who are looking to learn more about the Good Shepherd who changed their lives forever :)

Score: 10/10