The Jesus Who Never Lived: Exposing False Christs and Finding the Real Jesus [Paperback]

H. Wayne House (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008

Biblical scholar Wayne House uncovers the various depictions of Jesus in the unorthodox communities within early Christianity, in other religions, and within Western civilization today. He shows readers that the Jesus who presented Himself in history can be correctly known only through the documents written by eyewitnesses of the Christ and by those who were disciples of those eyewitnesses, documents that were attested by the early church and became a part of the New Testament canon. Among the false Christs exposed by The Jesus Who Never Lived are:

• the good but powerless Jesus of world religions
• the less than fully God Jesus of the cults of Christianity
• the mystical and even sensual Jesus of Hollywood and popular media

To believe in these false Christs is to believe a lie. But as readers discover the real Jesus, they will find the One who is the truth and the life and the only way to the Father.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736923217
• ISBN-13: 978-0736923217
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

H. Wayne House (ThD, JD) is distinguished research professor of theology, law, and culture at Faith Evangelical College and Seminary, Tacoma, Washington, and formerly was professor of law at Trinity Law School, Trinity International University. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements; and Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine; Charts of Apologetics and Christian Evidences; Intelligent Design 101; and Reasons for Our Hope: An Introduction to Apologetics.

Dr. House travels each year to the Mediterranean and Middle East and has taught internationally in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the South Pacific. He enjoys reading, travel, playing word games with his wife and grandchildren. He is past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. He and his wife Leta reside in Silverton, Oregon, and have two children and five grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will the real Jesus Christ please stand up?, August 7, 2008

By 

Jeffrey R. E. Morgan (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jesus Who Never Lived: Exposing False Christs and Finding the Real Jesus (Paperback)

The writer of The Jesus Who Never Lived seeks to explain who Jesus Christ really was as a real person that existed in history, exposes some of the false Messiahs (Christs) that have appeared in history, and sheds light on some of the current views of Jesus.

The book is written in such a manner that it is easy to read and understand. One does not have to be a biblical scholar to understand the language here. It is a clear and concise work that is very readable.

There are three main sections. First is `The Importance of Knowing the Real Jesus', second is `Distortions of Jesus Throughout History', and third is `Finding the Real Jesus'.

In the first section, Dr. House systematically lays out the case for who Jesus was as a figure in history. Speaking about how his family viewed him, the people around him looked at him, and even how the world at large treated him.

The importance of this section cannot be underestimated when it comes to knowing and acknowledging who Jesus is. By using biblical and extrabiblical sources we can find out about Jesus from some of his contemporaries across a wide spectrum of views and thought.

From the writers of the synoptic Gospels who walked with Jesus to Greek historians to Roman historians and Roman state officials. Each of these accounts speaks of Jesus and gives a further glimpse into who he was and what he was like.

The second section highlights the many distortions of Jesus throughout history. Detailing the false messiahs that have come before, during, and after Jesus' time, the writer also notes the various alternate Christs that have surfaced throughout history.

He also speaks about the Jesus talked about in relation to other world religions as well as the Jesus of modern day in movies, art and music.

The third and final section is the most important section in my opinion. It is all about who the real Jesus is. Dr House makes the case for the Messiah spelling out some of the promises of the law and the prophets, who the Messiah was supposed to be, and even how Jesus actually fulfilled those promises with evidence from his life.

One thing I really loved about this book was the fact that it is packed full of information. Even so, I know there is more to learn on every subject and idea put forth in this work. As such Dr House has provided footnotes at the end of the book for each of the 14 chapters.

I really appreciate the fact that any time a statement has been put forth that does not come from Dr House; he puts a footnote reference so that I can go find the source of that statement and look it up for myself.

I believe it is important to verify the accuracy of anyone's statements in context and not just blindly accept them.

As such I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to know who Jesus Christ really was, is, and forever will be.

-- Jeffrey R. E. Morgan
http://www.jeffreyremorgan.com

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars catch me if you can, September 11, 2009

By 

readaholic (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jesus Who Never Lived: Exposing False Christs and Finding the Real Jesus (Paperback)

Do you remember that movie, Catch Me If You Can? Starring Leonard DeCaprio?

He mainly did cheque forgery and eventually worked for the FBI to catch other criminals? In the movie it shows him studying the real cheques before he figured out how to make the fake ones.

So why do I bring this up?

As a Christian we need to make sure we do that, right? Study the WORD before we can pick out who is teaching false doctrine. Not just bits and pieces, but the WHOLE WORD. If we can't back it up in God's Word, and actually know it's in his Word, how can we tell who is preaching the real gospel?

The Jesus Who Never Lived by H. Wayne House encourages this train of thought. He helps by giving you the scriptures and encourages you to understand what the Bible REALLY says about Jesus.

What I like about this book:

House really gives scripture to back up his information. I mean a lot!

I like that he also provides outside sources from older doctrines that help validate his point historically and therefore more accurately. He gives the facts as opposed to his opinion and lays it out before you.

I like the layout of the book. House presents the false idea (ie. that Judas was a good guy) and than gives you the biblical resources. It is easy to read, and easy to follow (which I greatly value in apologetic books!)

House pulled out a few things that I don't think I had heard, and I appreciated that. For instance, he gives the references to Judas, and shows that Judas never actually acknowledged Jesus as God/Savior.

I think this book is a good study book, but you need to know your Bible yourself. As my pastor said, "Don't just believe! Check it against God's Word." I think it's so important to understand and know HIS WORD instead of just taking someone else's word! That being said, sometimes it is difficult to totally "get it" and it's nice to see what others say, so you can grasp a better understanding. This is one of those books that help you get a that "better understand"

The Jesus Who Never Lived has made me evaluate who has influenced my belief in Jesus, and whether or not my environment has played a big part in that, or whether I am relying on God's Word and what I learn myself about HIM.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good popular-level coverage, May 25, 2010

By 

Steve Bricker (Cedar Rapids, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jesus Who Never Lived: Exposing False Christs and Finding the Real Jesus (Paperback)

This is a great popular-level book examining the many false ideas of who Jesus is that has been brought forth over two millenia. Examining from ancient heresies to modern culture, Dr. House has captured the invalid teachings posited and shows how the resulting descriptions are inadequate. He concludes in the final chapter by giving the biblical portrait of Jesus.