Jesus Asked.

by Conrad Gempf

A look at the questions Jesus asks us―which enrich our understanding and faith. In the Gospels, when people asked Jesus a question, he often replied with one of his “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” British author Conrad Gempf invites readers to look at these questions and discover Jesus’ motivation. What could the second person of the Trinity want to know that he doesn’t already? Gempf concludes that Jesus wants to know where we stand. He doesn’t need to know more facts; he wants to know us.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Religion

Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

2-2017: not a long book, some interesting points

10-2024: Reread. I'm looking at a potential class at church and thought this book might be the framework for it. It looks at the different types of questions Jesus asks. The chapters:
- Always asking questions
- constantly speaking in riddles
- questions easily answered
- ducking questions with questions
- questions that cut to the center
- rebuke by question
- questions with no obvious answer
- jesus pretends
- how not to answer Jesus' questions
- what Jesus wanted to know

[Susan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conrad Gempf begins his book, Jesus Asked, by pointing out how often Jesus asked questions. The remainder of the book focuses on the reasons why he asked questions when he could have taken more of a lecture approach and simply imparted spiritual information.

While I enjoyed Gempf’s opinions and sense of humour, I didn’t find the book well set out. Consequently, there were times when he seemed to jump around and repeat himself. However, the value of his insights outweighed this negative.

These three thoughts have stayed with me:
1. Gempf examines the difficult passage in Mark 4:11-12 where Jesus explains the purpose of parables by quoting Isaiah. Jesus tells the disciples, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,
‘They may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”
Gempf feels, “the secret of the kingdom” is better understood as a mystery where God has left clues that need searching out, rather than a secret that you can’t find out. Therefore parables are meant to make us think and provoke us toward a decision of whether we will accept his teaching and follow him or not.

2. When the disciples woke Jesus with the words, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38). He rebuked them by saying, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (verse 40). Jesus didn’t expect them to still the storm. He didn’t expect that they would leave him sleeping. However, he did expect that they would know he cared. Accusing Jesus of not caring is a serious lack of faith.

3. Children ask why, not because they expect to understand the answer, but because they are seeking a connection with their parents or caregivers. Asking questions is an effective way of gaining someone’s attention.

As I thought about these insights and others, I came away with a slightly different view of Jesus and what he was aiming to do when he was engaged in conversation. He wasn’t looking to impart head knowledge but rather to engage the hearts of his listeners.

Overall, a beneficial read.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good in detailing how Jesus in his earthly ministry and even in the Old Testament asked questions to get the questioner to self-reflect and think about the motives of the heart. For example: Should we pay taxes to Cesar? and Jesus asked, "Whose image and inscription is on the coin? Render under Cesar the things that are Cesar's and things that belong to God to God." The motive was to entrap him; Christ's motive was to reveal their hypocrisy.

The author didn't touch on the subject but it enlightened my understanding on how God the Father committed all Judgment to Jesus Christ. A judge asks questions, but doesn't accuse unless he catches someone in an outright lie or hypocritical motive and even then Christ is more inclined to ask a question: "Why do you tempt me?". Jesus also doesn't think for us: he allows people to reason with their own thoughts and their own words. He's not in the convincing business as the author states, but neither is he in the dictatorial or brainwashing business. However Satan is described as the accuser of the brethren; he's a tyrant and dictatorial wanting people to think as he thinks and brainwashes his servants.

Christ questions like a psychologist who knows the answer but He wants us to speak the answer because for us to speak the answer gives us more conviction than if He just gave us the answer directly, and if it was an answer we didn't like we could then disregard it and say He doesn't know what he's talking about. Christ knew the way wins souls wasn't by condemning them with a holy answer (I have not come to condemn the world but save it) but rather by having them convict themselves when answering and thus by having to confess, we take the conviction to heart and are motivated to change. Because people are more likely to change or do something if they believe it's their own idea.

This was a short book. The writing style wasn't really up my alley. While their were times it was amusing there were also times I thought it sounded irreverent. The compilation of the chapters I think also could have been drawn together more concisely and the thoughts spread out more smoothly, which is why I knock off one star.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of my favourite books have been when New testament scholars have opened up their scholarship and studies in thought provoking and entertaining ways. This is what Conrad Gempf has managed here. He takes a look at the question of whether and why Jesus should be considered a great teacher but focusing in on perhaps the most unique feature of Jesus' interactions in the Gospels: his questions. Jesus asks a lot of questions and they are often surprising, challenging and perceptive. Gempf writes with humour and breeze (and most of it hasn't aged too badly) and helps us think about familiar stories by, well, asking good questions.

This isn't a long book, and is very easy to read and yet it packs a pretty good punch. I came away with yet more reasons to be impressed by the Rabbi from Nazareth.

[Ryan French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gempf sheds light on an often overlooked conversational style of Jesus' ministry and the way he interacted with friends and foes. This book will open your eyes to how Jesus responded to critiques which gives us the ultimate example to follow. Also, Gempf artfully describes how Jesus used questions to encourage others to think for themselves and come to the right conclusion. Ultimately, making the revelation personal to them and therefore more meaningful and memorable. This book has done much to change the way I think and interact with others. It's a short read with the potential for long term impact.

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gempf suggests that part of Jesus' genius as a teacher was that "he was not in the convincing business; he was in the provoking business. His goal seems to have been to present people with opportunities to choose--perhaps even force them to choose" (143).

He observes that though "Jesus' replies are seldom what his questioners expected or hoped for, they seem always to show him as someone who has seen more deeply into the problem than his questioners have" (131).

This seems true. Jesus seemed to see to the heart of the matter, and his questions tend to expose the heart of the questioner. I feel like I've gotten to know Jesus a bit better from Gempf's discussion. And I am glad for that.

[Garland Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gempf's book examines he questions that Jesus asked to show the types of questions he asked and the reasons that so many people--especially the religious leaders--avoided his questions.
Gempf writes in the style of N. T. Wright in which he combines solid biblical scholarship with an engaging humor. I found this book to be very enjoyable while giving new perspectives on mnay of Jesus' interactions with people.
I would recommend this as a great devotional or bedtime reading--not because the content is easy but because it is seems easy because of Gempf's excellent writing.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in an angaging style, more like a well-crafted magazine article, this book by New Testament professor Conrad Gempf looks at Jesus' questions in a truly intriguing way. What did he want to know?

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening, thought-provoking insights into the parables of Jesus. Unlike what all of our Sunday School teachers told us, Jesus did not tell stories and teach in parables in order to make them easier to understand!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using a very friendly and familiar voice, Gempf shows us new insights and a fresh perspective on Jesus as a teacher. It was among the most enjoyable and fun books I've read on the topic, and provides us lots of opportunity for thinking more deeply about our faith. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

[Phil Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upside: Fun, quick, easy read. Some insightful content. Tons of illustrations.

Downside: Too high illustration/content ratio for my taste. The author tries a little too hard to be clever as well... But the style won me over, for the most part.

[J. R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good discussion concerning various motives Jesus appears to have had as he asked many questions. It provides useful insights into Jesus' methods of leading; these are very helpful to leaders today.

[Jt]

a fun read

[Marleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great!
For me a lot of new insights in the questions Jesus asks.