Jesus on Trial [Hardcover]

James Montgomery Boice (Author), Philip Graham Ryken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2002

Providing crucial details about the law in Jesus time and how it compares to our own legal system, two respected pastors give careful attention to each stage of the judicial process Jesus endured. As you hear the evidence and weigh the testimony against him, you will find yourself drawn into the role of a juror. You ll gain a deeper understanding of Jesus and what it meant for him to claim that he was Christ, the Son of the Blessed One. And as you are riveted by the hows and whys of the jury findings, you will develop a new perspective on how and why Christ died for you.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a culture hooked on John Grisham novels and Court TV, it's only natural that American readers would want to know more about one of the most obscure trials in human history that of Jesus of Nazareth. Ryken and Boice indulge in some hyperbole concerning the trial's importance in its own day, but they offer important clarifications and interpretive suggestions for understanding how it played out. It was not, they say, simply a kangaroo court, though there was a conspiracy to arrest and execute Jesus. The authors' theological messages can sometimes be overbearing; for example, they repeatedly hammer home the idea that Jesus' trial demonstrates how all human beings are both judges and defendants.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Philip Graham Ryken is Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where he has preached since 1995. He is Bible Teacher for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, speaking nationally on the radio program Every Last Word. He lives with his wife and children in Philadelphia. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 125 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581344015
• ISBN-13: 978-1581344011
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rediscovery of the Trial of Christ, July 18, 2002

By 

Mike Smith (Hudson, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus on Trial (Hardcover)

As an undergraduate at University studying theology, I spent a term writing a thesis on the trial of Christ. I wish I had this book as reference for my research. Boice and Ryken outline several messages of salvation found in the few hours Jesus was persecuted by the authorities and the points they draw out are life changing. A well thought-out and inspired book. Even the consumate theologigian will walk away from this reading with a new insight on the importance of the events surrounding Jesus' trial.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Teaching with Real Application., December 4, 2010

By 

Books and Woodworking (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jesus on Trial (Paperback)

This book explains the events that surround the death of Jesus on the Cross. Both Boice and Ryken have done an excellent job in bringing the message of the cross down to everyone's level. I believe that preachers and teachers would do well to learn from these examples. While many details are presented, the message is always clear. This is clearly one of the strong points of the book.

The purpose of this book is not just to tell the Easter Story. The real purpose is to challenge the reader to make a proper and meaningful decision concerning the death of Christ. I really like the way that both Boice and Ryken do this. They are very skillful at personalizing the Easter Story. It is still relevant for us today. This the other thing that makes this book so good.

You will see how hard Pilate worked to NOT make the wrong decision. It was an agonizing decision. Yet in the end, he made the wrong decision. Pilate has made his decision. The question is, "what is our decision?"

You will understand the real reason that Jesus was sentenced to die. Out of the seven accusations they made against him, the real problem was that He had claimed to be the Son of God. But Jesus was not the only one to make this claim. The authors show that there are several other important persons who make this same claim. The question ultimately comes to us. Who do we say He is?

You will learn about the miraculous events that occurred during the crucifixion. Boice mentions the "three hours of darkness" and the "tearing of the temple veil". The work is done and the way is clear for all who would come. Just as the Roman Centurion confessed, "Surely he was the Son of God". The reader is asked to understand and to confidently make the same confession.

Both Boice and Rykem make this book very easy to read, but also very rewarding. This book shows the simplicity of the Gospel. We should all be challenged to make the Gospel this clear.