What Jesus Would Say

by Lee Strobel

In What Jesus Would Say, Lee Strobel helps us to see well-known personalities as Jesus might see them. Through many people like Rush Limbaugh, Bill Clinton, Murphy Brown, and Michael Jordan, Strobel introduces us to the God of hope, the God of the second chance. What Jesus Would Say takes on topics like success, sexuality, skepticism, forgiveness, prayer, and leadership with firm, biblically based concepts. In his often surprising look into the lives of famous people, Strobel shares encouraging and inspiring ideas that apply to our own lives as well. What would Jesus say to today's headline makers . . . and to you?

Genres: Christian, Christianity

176 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Lee Patrick Strobel is an American Christian author and a former investigative journalist. He has written several books, including four that received ECPA Christian Book Awards (1994, 1999, 2001, 2005)[2] and a series which addresses challenges to the veracity of Christianity. He also hosted a television program called Faith Under Fire on PAX TV and runs a video apologetics web site.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's concept with this book is to look at what Jesus might have to say to various high profile people in today's word. When the book was written "today" was 1994 so much has changed. Some of the people are deceased and in 20 years the lives of the others have changed dramatically. The list of subjects are Rush Limbaugh, Madonna, Bill Clinton, Michael Jordan, Bart Simpson, Donald Trump, Murphy Brown, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, Mother Teresa, David Letterman and "You", as in all the rest of us.

The thought of telling anyone what Jesus would have to say to them sounds presumptuous, and even arrogant, but the author bases everything he says on scripture and he does it with humility and kindness. I think a lot of us would expect some scolding if not outright condemnation, but there is none of that. Every chapter is encouraging and hopeful and that, I think, makes it worth reading even if some of the references are a bit outdated.

Rather than condemnation for the less admirable things these individuals have done with their lives, there is encouragement to use their positions of public influence for good. We, the readers, are urged to be agents of real change by praying for people in public positions rather than spending our time making fun of them and criticizing their mistakes, a habit all to easy to fall into even when we have good intentions. The final chapter addresses the rest of us - the non-famous, ordinary people - with a similar message of hope and encouragement to live our lives spreading love and peace instead of scandal. That's a message that will never be outdated.

[Cyndi Beane-Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so this book may be a l -i - t -t-l-e outdated, coming from 1994. However, I believe the message is just as prevalent today. That of God's great love for mankind, and His mercy are never ending. That Jesus came to pay for our sins. And that no matter what you have done, you are welcomed by Him and can be forgiven by Him.

Strobel touches on just about every calamity known in the US still today: the decline of morals; sexual promiscuity; one parent households; greediness; and insecurity.

I found myself having to lay the book down a few times to absorb all that the author brought up. It touched me in such a way that I found myself repenting of long lost sins that I had forgotten about. And it was like a huge weight, that I hadn't known I was carrying around, fell from my shoulders. I felt reintroduced to my Savior's love. I was invigorated and excited as I haven't been in years.

In some cases, the author even uses fictional characters to get a point across (Bart Simpson, and Murphy Brown, for instance), and does a wonderful job.

I found this book highly enlightening and just a relevant today as when it was written. I highly recommend it for all.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Srobel wrote this book in 1994 before his book the Case for Christ. This book has 10 chapters in which Strobel postulates as to what Jesus would say to 10 different celebrities including Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Bart Simpson among others. It is really a book addressing various areas of life we all may face, though not in the spotlight that the celebrities face. There is a chapter at the end called What Would Jesus Say to Us.

I really enjoyed the chapter on Madlyn Muarry O'Hair. She was the leader of an athiest organization. I quite frankly didn't know much about her till I read the book. She orchestrated the lawsuit which resulted in prayer being banned in public schools. It turns out that her son, who was one of the named plaintiffs, eventually turned to Jesus when he hit rock bottom in his life. So often that is where God does his best work on us.

Quick and thought provoking read.