Customer Reviews

Jesus-Shock

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It is so easy, in our time and culture, to fall into the lukewarmness that Jesus warns us in Revelation will cause Him to "spit (us) out of (His) mouth." This small book is quite enough to shock the lukewarm out of their cozy tepidity, and Kreeft's convincing reasoning is enough to push us to being very hot, on fire if you will, for Our Lord. He even provides the next step -- what to do with that fire, and it's very simple, lifegiving, and not attention-grabbing (well, Our Lord would notice, but our fellow humans would not, which is as it should be).

This is a book that causes you to make mental lists of who you are going to suggest it to while you are still reading it. Even a few priests made my list. While it's true there is nothing brand new here (and how could there be, after 2000 years), I would liken reading it to having a defibrilator applied to the soul.

I just finished reading this book (160 short pages)and ordered a dozen copies to give out to family and friends. Peter Kreeft cuts to the chase and reminds us once again how blessed we are to be able celebrate the Eucharist, a forgotten fact by most of us Catholics. I found myself stopping and saying "thank you, thank you, thank you". Thank you to the Holy Spirit for filling the heart, mind and soul of Mr Kreeft and thank you to our Heavenly Father for His magnificent gifts.

As a huge fan of Kreeft that started with his response to the problem of evil in Lee Stroebel's "Case for Faith" I must say that this little book is a fantastic cattle prod. In a positive sense.

I own over 20 books of Kreeft's and one thing that I've noticed is that he doesn't try to be original. That is somewhat frustrating for me the reader (and buyer of new books with old ideas...) but I suspect that this is highly intentional on Kreeft's part. He himself says so in many books in many places, quoting C.S. Lewis, that only by not trying to be original will you be original.

"Jesus shock" is annoyingly original in the sense that it is extremely unoriginal yet it caught me almost completely off guard. And I am a pastor with a Master of Divinity from a superb seminary (Wesley Biblical Seminary, MS)!

This book is to me Kreeft full circle. He never leaves Jesus in earlier books because he never ceases to love Jesus. But this book has the intensity and eagerness of Jesus in a unusual fashion. It screams "Urgent!" yet is written with compassion and an almost pastoral sense. It speaks to us Christians who live highly mediocre lives and whose minds are wrapped in so many layers of individualism and inert ideas that Jesus "straight" is indeed a shock.

The Holy Spirit will let you get this shock of who Jesus actually is, for you, today, in a thousand different ways and it is the height of folly to try to produce it through manmade means. However, my guess is that He will use this book to wake many of us since it offers very little resistance or "middle-man" stuff that often make Jesus dull, in every sense of the word. This book will probably shock you, but it will be the electric shock of an AED that will bring you back to life.

I happen to be one of those oddballs who destroys books when I read them. When so inspired, I have no issue underlining text, highlighting words, bending corners and writing in the margins -- to me, all fair game.

Here's the problem with Dr. Kreeft's new book: the margins are too narrow! To be fair, though, if the margins were six inches around on all sides, I would still be complaining. This book is THAT GOOD! I'm serious -- I have never read abook that ends up with more written words in the margin than typed words on the page. 'Inspiring' is a gross understatment. If I only had three books to take with me on a desert island where I was destined to live the rest of my life (in that case, Lord, Hawaii perhaps?), my food for the soul would include the Bible authored by God, The Utmost For The Highest written by Oswald Chambers and now Jesus Shock penned by Dr. Peter Kreeft.

My favorite couple of lines from his book?

"Those who meet Jesus always experience either joy or its opposites, either foretastes of Heaven or foretastes of Hell. Not everyone who meets Jesus is pleased, and not everyone is happy, but everyone is shocked."

How true that's been in my personal walk. For 42 of my 45 years I was negatively shocked by 'all things Jesus' -- the very subject of Him in conversation became a show stopper. "NEXT subject, please!" After God hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and brought me to my knees so that I might look up, I found Jesus (not that He was ever lost). He was a show STARTER.

Jesus cures unbelief. Jesus cures spiritual emptiness. Jesus cures alcoholism. Jesus cures emotional pain. Jesus cures loneliness. Jesus cures what ailes you.

Psalm 34:8 (New King James Version)

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

BEWARE, though, for Christ makes life unpredictable upon exchanging 'my' will for 'Thy' will.

See, 'Thy will' does not ask you for your opinon or permission. Jesus cures boredom too. Follow the Leader and find surprising Joy. Hold on, you're in for the ride of your eternal life!

Dr. Kreeft's God-inspired (and Todd inspiring) book is a true treasure. An early CHRISTmas present. Dr. Kreeft, thank you for writing it. God bless you...MORE!

Yes indeed, this Christ character IS divisive, isn't He?

As for me and my house, the smart money's on Jesus.

Todd Pitner
iLoveAtheists(dot)com

This book is amazing. Typical Kreeft humor and poignant insight into many things even the most devout might look over. If you're Catholic, Protestant, and sort of Christian, get this!

BTW, this man shared in helping with my conversion with his other book A Refutation of Moral Relativism, so I hold him in high regard. After sharing his other books with my friends, I've come to find that people either love him or hate, there is no middle ground. This guy has a certain style that is great.. you'll find yourself laughing out loud during reading it or nodding your head in agreement. So waste no more time, and enjoy the masterful writings of Peter Kreeft!

Every once in awhile, we may each come across a person who in some way is inspirational, and maybe sparks a bit of "...I wish I could be like....". Well for me, Peter Kreeft is one of those people.
Peter Kreeft takes an outstanding, empirical look at the impact of Jesus, upon anyone, and everyone. And of course, since society is a reflection of the collection of individuals, then the impact of Jesus on each of us, impacts society.
Simply, Peter Kreeft relates stories from the bible (in a rapid manner), as well as teachings of the Church to the message that is etched upon our souls. He raises one BIG question, that should be on the mind of all Catholics: Given what gift we receive in Jesus, why do we not respond?
Kreeft attempts to answer this question, and other ones as well.
The book is written in a light, quick hitting fashion, that allows you to absorb the message, and develop the understanding of the subject matter, by using clear language. He raises questions regarding for those outside of the Church, but for those who are within. Indeed, it may contain greater value for those within, if you are willing to honestly and objectively look at your faith as reflected upon by Jesus Christ.
You could read this book quickly....I recommend you take your time. Read a section, then think...and pray.

This book is a gift to Christians and to those who want to understand Christianity. Or I should say, Christ. The thoughts and feelings it evoked brought me new realizations about my relationship with Jesus. Many thanks to Peter Kreeft. I would recommend it to any Christian.

WOW!!!! This book was AMAZING! How Peter Kreeft was able to capture the beauty, majesty, and awe of Christ in one slim volume I will never understand! This book is a MUST READ for all Catholics who seek to deepen their faith in Christ and for Protestants who are trying to understand just what it is that makes the Catholic Church so different. God bless Mr. Kreeft!

It seems as though people are frightened or intimidated to speak about Jesus. Mr. Kreeft does an excellent job of highlighting Jesus' importance pertaining to our salvation.

Kreeft continues to amaze me. The shortness of the book simply means he's even more concise in packing his powerful punch. Witty, clever, and certainly not without the incredible wisdom and insights he possesses.