Paradoxy: Coming to Grips with the Contradictions of Jesus

by Tom Taylor

Give to receive. Die to live. Lose to win. Jesus taught such paradoxes, and people listened though these teachings seemed backward to their way of life and the lessons themselves seemed contradictory. But while initially confusing, says Tom Taylor, these paradoxes are the key to contentment, a fuller life, and a deeper faith. Paradoxy analyzes these seemingly contradictory truths, revealing not only their poignancy but also fresh ways readers can apply them to life today. Drawing from his own experiences as well as Scripture, Taylor explores each paradox to reveal convicting realities about life, faith, and our relationships. Both intelligent seekers and experienced Christians will be challenged by this unique study on Jesus's teachings, ultimately finding peace and a deeper, more passionate life with Christ.

Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Thomas F. Taylor
There is more than one author with this name

Tom Taylor (Ph.D., Fuller; M.Div., Yale; J.D., University of Illinois College of Law) is a speaker and the senior pastor of Glenkirk Church in Glendora, California. He is also adjunct professor in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of the award-winning 7 Deadly Lawsuits. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Jan, and their two boys, Aaron and Ryan.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book for Christians and non-Christians alike. I was a mere two pages into this book when I needed my pencil desperately to start underlining stuff and making notes.
Jesus taught and spoke to people using stories and seemingly outrageous paradoxical statements that so effectively got people listening and questioning, and that still tickle people’s curiosity today. Jesus knows humans – he was one. And so He knew the kind of thing that made people listen, take notice, pay attention and ask questions. He knows what He needs to do to help us learn and understand. As Tom Taylor says in his letter to his boys at the end of the book, “Jesus’ teachings and ways tilt life on its head. But they’re stunningly true.”
This is why this book is for non-Christians as well as Christians. Those that haven’t yet accepted Christ need to see that when Jesus says things like ‘labour to rest’, ‘see the unseen’, ‘give to receive’, ‘be enslaved to be free’, ‘find fool’s wisdom’, ‘yield to conquer’, ‘serve to reign’, and ‘die to live’, He is not just contradicting Himself and it’s not some ridiculous joke we should laugh off and mock at or some big plot of Jesus’ to confuse us all – it is simple and pure wisdom that makes so much sense in a world that is full of lies, false glamour, confusion and maddening senselessness.
There are so many quotes in this book that I’ve pulled out and wanted to make into facebook statuses because I want people to stop and think for a minute or three – and ponder this true wisdom that surpasses any other worldly wisdom, but yet so simple – and to consider the path to true, inner peace, greatness and eternal life. Thanks Tom Taylor, for this amazing resource!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Taylor thoroughly discusses, in a very readable way, the complicated teachings of Jesus, and every time I re-read a chapter, I get something new from it. Very good for your spiritual life-- the guy's a Yale trained seminarian, but was previously a lawyer, so he's acquainted with the dark side (ha ha.)

[Leonidas Gutiérrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro donde se avanza muy rápido en la lectura. El libro desarrolla varios puntos que a mi juicio son claves para entender la paradoja de ser cristiano. Recomendable

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting for a plane ride, not what I thought it was going to be.