Really liked this book and am excited by Carl Medearis's Non-Evangelism approach to...um...evangelism. The basic premise of this book is, talk about Jesus--what he said and did and is doing, and don't get stuck defending Christianity. Along the way he says some provocative and insightful things about how we can give up our scare tactics, our us-versus-them mentalities, and our

I find that I am in general agreement with this approach, and it rings true from my experience. However I wonder if in places he carries the 'non-religious' just Christian thing to far. I feel like my ecclesiology (a Christianese word) is too high to totally buy into his message, but I think that his main thrust about the nature of our proclamation is essentially correct. ( )

This book is subtitled "the art of not-evangelism". In other words, it's not supposed to be part of a program or a way to win converts. Instead, if you want to get people excited, or at least interested in Jesus, Mr. Medearis says you should just talk about Jesus. Don't get caught up in talking about doctrine, your church or even Christianity--just keep talking about what Jesus said and did. It's a quick, enjoyable read. But for me it was challenging as well. I can be quite a nitpicker and would love to get off on a good doctrinal argument. (at least as long as I was winning) As I did with Moishe Rosen's book, Demystifying Personal Evangelism, I have to muse over if this is the way we all should be, or merely the way that works best for Carl Medearis... and possibly you as well.
--J ( )

This is a tough book to review because there are many things to commend but there are also some serious problems. I was agreeing with much of what he said until I got to the chapter on Paul. I think that he seriously misunderstands Paul, probably because of his background of seeing Paul's letters as theological treatises focused on propitiation and other $10 words. I think that if he reread Paul's letter in light of Jesus he would better served to see that Paul indeed focuses on Jesus. Speaking of focusing on Jesus - for all of Medearis' insistence that we focus on Jesus there is precious little examination of the actual gospel text in this book. He provides copious illustrations from his own experience but seldom examines the biblical text with regard to how Jesus dealt with situations. I think that if he did it might allay some of the fears of those who don't see past his tossing Paul and words such as Christian, church, etc. ( )

There are a lot of books out there right now that are trying to separate Jesus from right-wing politics (because, in America, the two are almost always linked). Medearis approaches it from a fresh angle, talking about his time in Beruit and how people there thought Westernization and Christianity were the same thing, and how Jesus totally got lost in the mix. And I loved it — definitely one of the best books I’ve read on this subject in a while.

So, basically, he tells Christians to shut up—especially around people who are skeptical of Christianity. To stop trying to convince people they are right. To stop using the Christianese language that so many do not understand. To stop telling people they are wrong and going to hell. To stop judging. To stop trying to defend Christianity over the years. To just talk about Jesus, because he is enough. Oh, and to be nice. Too many Christians aren’t nice. And who wants to follow a guy whose other followers are mean? No one.

This book was extremely accessible, and I think a wide audience would get a lot out of this book. It’s funny and his analogies aren’t tired and overused. It may serve as the kick in the pants that many Christians need!

Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2011/09/30/book-review-84-speaking-of-jesus-by-carl-me... ( )