Jesus Behaving Badly – The Puzzling Paradoxes of the Man from Galilee

Everybody likes Jesus. Don't they?We overlook that Jesus was Judgmental—preaching hellfire far more than the apostle PaulUncompromising—telling people to hate their familiesChauvinistic—excluding women from leadershipRacist—insulting people from other ethnic groupsAnti-environmental—cursing a fig tree and affirming animal sacrificeAngry—overturning tables and chasing moneychangers in the templeHe demanded moral perfection, told people to cut off body parts, made prophecies that haven't come true, and defied religious and political authorities. While we tend to ignore this troubling behavior, the people around Jesus didn't. Some believed him so dangerous that they found a way to have him killed.The Jesus everybody likes, says Mark Strauss, is not the Jesus found in the Gospels. He's a figure we've created in our own minds. Strauss believes that when we unpack the puzzling paradoxes of the man from Galilee, we find greater insight into his countercultural message and mission than we could ever have imagined.

"Strauss tackles these issues with honesty, humility, and occasional humor. He provides a wealth of political, cultural, and historical background information that clarifies the meaning of Jesus' words and deeds. He addresses the tough questions that arise, drawing implications for Christians today. . . . Jesus Behaving Badly offers insightful information for seekers, new Christians, and longtime believers.", "The author crafts chapters with an eye toward orthodoxy, posing questions first in a negative, then a positive light. His underlying agenda is made plain: 'Knowing about Jesus is one thing; knowing him is something else.' . . . In a day and time when many people are trying to get a handle on life, Jesus Behaving Badly provides a clear, thoughtful and engaging forum to begin framing a new or renewed relationship with the Word made Flesh. This book is a treasure."

Mark Strauss (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego. He is the author of several books including How to Read the Bible in Changing Times and commentaries on Mark?s Gospel in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary Series and Expositors Bible Commentary. He is also associate editor for the NIV Study Bible.