I Knew Jesus before He Was a Christian: and I Liked Him Better Then

by Rubel Shelly

Publisher:

Leafwood Publishers

, 2011

Overview

Asking why Christianity is unattractive to so many people, this book contrasts a revolutionary Jesus who changed the world with a marginalized church that is being ignored by our culture. And it explores how churches can do a better job of representing Jesus to the world. Has “the church” become a barrier to faith? Is what our culture knows as “the church” a near approximation of Christ’s presence in the world? Or does “the church” give a distorted view of Jesus as businessman, showman, huckster, or fraud? Without abandoning love for the church or forgetting the biblical mandate for its presence in the world, Rubel Shelly explores a model for thinking of church in terms that are more personal than institutional. In doing so, Shelly considers questions important to Christian life and identity, including: Are discipleship and church membership equivalent concepts? Why is Christianity unattractive to so many? How has so much evil been perpetrated in the name of Christ? What is the responsibility of Christ-loving people to the church? Where is the beauty of Christ visible in today’s culture? How can my church do a better job representing Jesus to the world?

Product Details

• Title : I Knew Jesus before He Was a Christian: and I Liked Him Better Then
• Author: Shelly, Rubel
• Publisher: Leafwood Publishers
• Publication Date: 2011
• ISBN: 9780891129134

About Rubel Shelly

Rubel Shelly preached for the Family of God at Woodmont Hills in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1978 to 2005. During that time, he also taught at David Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Tennessee State University. He has filled adjunct positions at Pepperdine University, Abilene Christian University, Emmanuel Seminary, and Kentucky Christian College. He became Visiting Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Rochester College, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, in 2005, and began full-time duties there in June of 2006. He holds degrees from Harding University (B. A.), Harding Graduate School of Religion (M. A., M. Th.), and Vanderbilt University (M. A., Ph. D.). In addition to church and academic responsibilities, Shelly has worked actively with such community projects as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, From Nashville With Love, Metro (Nashville) Public Schools, Faith Family Medical Clinic, and Operation Andrew Ministries. He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several which have been translated into languages such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and Russian. He has published widely in religious journals.