The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Scot McKnight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2004

When an expert in the law of Moses asked Jesus for the greatest commandment, Jesus responded with the Shema, the ancient Jewish creed that commands Israel to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength. But the next part of Jesus' answer would change the course of history. Jesus amended the Shema, giving his followers a new creed for life: to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, but also to love others as themselves. This is what Scot McKnight calls the 'Jesus Creed'. He has written this book for all Christians who want to find out how it can transform their lives - and the lives of those around them.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Amid a sea of books on Christian spiritual formation, McKnight, professor of religious studies at North Park University in Chicago, brings us a simple, highly readable one focused on the weightiest teaching of Jesus: love God and love others as yourself. The "Jesus Creed" of the title is a trimmed down version of the Shema of Judaism (Deut. 6:4–9), which declares we are to love God with all our being, amended to include caring for one's neighbor as oneself (Lev. 19:18). Packed with vivid and touching stories—from the Bible, history and the author's life—this book covers important aspects of what it means to love God and others. McKnight shows great respect for the Jewish heritage of Jesus and offers readers scholarly, yet highly accessible, illustrations of the sociocultural landscape of first-century Palestine. The book is slim on doctrine, making no comment on the thorny theological squabbles that divide many Christians. That's refreshing for the reader tired of the squabbling, but may leave others wondering what love does require in certain difficult situations. Still, this book is an excellent introduction to Christian spirituality. Its pages glow with compassion, generosity and the invitation to understand what was important to Jesus and what is crucial for Christianity.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

'This book is a rare treat. A biblical scholar of the first rank offers the fruit of his own personal study, life experience, and prayerful reflections. It is clearly written, eminently practical, and based on a wide range of sage traditions (Protestant, Catholic and Jewish)' Scott Hahn. Professor of Scripture and Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville

'Spiritual formation is being discussed by Christians everywhere. Finally, someone asks what it meant to Jesus. The Jesus Creed explains it for everyone.' Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church

'Scot McKnight gives a compelling invitation to intentional spiritual growth, and presents a clear path to follow. The Jesus Creed is both informational and formational. It will lead individuals and groups into a deeper understanding of the heart of Jesus and the meaning of spiritual formation.' Doreen L. Olson, Executive Minister, Evangelical Covenant Church

'In a world of pop spirituality and quick fix, self-help guides, Scot McKnight's The Jesus Creed offers stimulating research and genuine insight into what the Gospels actually say about Jesus' call to spiritual growth.' George H. Guthrie, Benjamin Perry Professor of Bible, Union University

THE JESUS CREED Scot McKnight CHRISTIANITY TODAY 'In clear, engaging prose, The Jesus Creed offers a broad range of material û from personal anecdote to Jewish prayers û for abundant reflection on Jesus and on practical ways for loving God and others.ö û May 2005

'Fascinating... excellent... fresh thinking on well-known stories.' Christianity

THE JESUS CREED Scot McKnight CHRISTIANITY TODAY 'In clear, engaging prose, The Jesus Creed offers a broad range of material û from personal anecdote to Jewish prayers û for abundant reflection on Jesus and on practical ways for loving God and others.ö û May 2005 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• ISBN-10: 1557254001
• ASIN: B000HOMTVM
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Southern Illinois, came of age in Freeport, Illinois, attended college in Grand Rapids, MI, seminary at Trinity in Deerfield, IL.

Now a professor at North Park University.

Two children.

Kris, my wife, is a psychologist and the greatest woman on earth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the greatest command, January 17, 2007

By 

Daniel B. Clendenin (www.journeywithjesus.net) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (Paperback)

First published in September 2004, The Jesus Creed is already in its third printing, and the recipient of Christianity Today's Book Award for 2005 as one of the best books of the year to introduce people to evangelical Christianity. Clearly, McKnight, the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park College (Chicago), has struck a chord with a considerable reading audience.

The strength of his book is its focus on what is central to the faith rather than peripheral, and to present that central affirmation in a simple, which is not to say simplistic, manner. McKnight taught seminary students for eleven years before choosing to teach college-level students for the past ten years, and about half of these younger students are not Christian. I admired his ability to move from his capacity as a technical specialist who has written more weighty tomes to connect with people who know nothing at all about the faith. A number of other strengths commend this book. McKnight draws upon a wide fund of ecumenical sources--Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, and evangelical. He uses story-telling to good effect by sharing real-life anecdotes from his personal, family, and professional life. His style is casual throughout, and for that reason entirely accessible. John the Baptist, for example, "was wired hot and a bit off his rocker, living in the wilderness, eating bugs, and calling the nation to repentance" (141). Being the scholar that he is, McKnight also roots his discussion in the Jewish context of the life and times of Jesus. Although his presentation is simple, at the same time it is comprehensive, guiding the reader through such issues as community, social justice, the sacraments, and so forth. Finally, I appreciated McKnight's book because he introduces his readers to sources from the ancient to the modern, and to points in between. You will learn about the early fathers, the medieval monastics, the Reformation Protestants, and modern-day writers from Dorothy Sayers to CS Lewis and Dallas Willard.

And just what is the Jesus Creed? It is Jesus's amended version of the Jewish Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the heart and soul, the sine qua non or quintessence of Judaism. When asked by an expert in the Law about the greatest commandment, Jesus answered with the Shema, adding to it Leviticus 19:18: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:28-33). In this short summary we have what Thomas à Kempis called "a whole dictionary in just one dictum" (8). In the rest of his book McKnight parses the grammar of Christian faith so clearly that few readers could misunderstand.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good News is still simple, May 20, 2005

By 

Richard E. Morris "Ric in TN" (Nashville, TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (Paperback)

In our complex society filled with temptations and quickness to judge, it MAKES SENSE that the gospel is still as simple as it has ever been. We as a culture have become more complicated. Jesus has remained the same, and so has his message of love and selflessness.

Scot McKnight's book has shed light on the simplicity, thoroughness, and applicability of Jesus's "Creed" unlike any other theological book I have read. And the author achieves this purpose without the troublesome undercurrent of legalism and judgmentalism that so many authors are afraid to leave out.

I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with perceptions of a "tricky" or "confusing" gospel, such as those whose assurance has been challenged. Or to anyone who thinks the Jesus tossed around in church is *necessarily* the Jesus who walked the earth 2000 years ago or who lives still today.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Why Jesus Still Matters, January 3, 2005

By 

C. R. Merola (Sterling, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (Paperback)

For those seeking to know more about Jesus, there are few if any books out there that will serve you better than The Jesus Creed.

Part of what sets McKnight's writing apart is his gift for combining sound scholarship with a down to earth writing style and a great sense of humor. That makes for a book of profound insight that it also very readable. It not only informs the mind, but touches the soul.

Another strength of this book is its practicality. The Jesus Creed does indeed analyze the philosophy of Jesus, its historical context, and the principles he espoused. But it also takes these things one step further in making concrete observations about how one might live in accord with Jesus' teaching today.

Whether you are a Christian looking to grow in your devotion to Jesus, or whether you are simply someone interested in knowing more about him from a purely secular point of view, this is a book that will help you understand both the teachings of Jesus Christ and the lasting impact he has had on the world around us.