Gagging Jesus: Things Jesus said we wish He hadn't

by Phil Moore

Jesus of Nazareth wasn't afraid to tell it like it is. Those who claim to follow him, on the other hand, often are. It's easy to settle for a tamed and domesticated Jesus. A bound-and-gagged Jesus. A Jesus of our own making. That's why this book focuses on the fifteen most outrageous things Jesus said: the fifteen things you are least likely to hear preached about in church. If you ever suspected that Jesus wasn't crucified for acting like a polite vicar in a pair of socks and sandals, then this book is for you. Fasten your seatbelt and get ready to discover the real Jesus in all his outrageous, ungagged glory.

Genres: Theology, Christian

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Gagging Jesus’ by Phil Moore is a provocative non-fiction book meant to challenge modern day western Christians perspectives on the true unabridged and uncensored teachings of Jesus Christ.

With a table of contents that is instantly intriguing; touching on important questions relevant in today, like “Jesus on stress, pornography and masturbation, hell, possessions” and so on.

Often, times theological books ‘water-down’ and over generalise important questions and themes. So much so, that we’re left with thousands of devotionals on ‘not giving up, free grace, and not loosing hope.’ Leaving many people unequipped to face the challenges in the real world without a solid understanding of their faith and purpose as Christians as well as the consequences if they carry on without fully grasping Jesus’ true teachings.

But ‘Gagging Jesus’, was the first time I saw a direct mention of these issues, with real life context, biblical evidence, and examples. And honestly it was refreshing to read something that wasn’t trying to bend or soften its words to please everyone. It was blunt and direct. Which to me, is what more Christian authors should be doing. Not being afraid to be the light or speak the truth in a world so dark and to encourage others to do the same honestly and without fear. To be more content with speaking the truth and upsetting the masses than to twist it to please them.

I will say some topics, like Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage and Sex, fell short for me. I felt as though, they were just loose statements being purported as the truth without providing deeper explanation, or biblical evidence. Especially, in the face of prophets of the old testament who clearly acted in adverse to conventional Christian views on sex and marriage. It didn’t answer the main questions I had as to why marriage is so important? Why is pre-marital sex frowned upon etc.

Also, as skilfully as the book defended the true teachings of Jesus, it did fail to acknowledge the church and the corruptions we see ongoing in megachurches today akin to what would be considered abuses like the actions of the pharisees and sadducees.

Still, ‘Gagging Jesus’ by Phil Moore is definitely a book that’s needed in today’s day and age. With corruption and occultism becoming more normalised and prevalent and Christian teachings less and less edifying, this book sets out to act as a current against the stream of modern day corruption and censorship of Jesus’s true teachings.

[Chakib Miraoui · Rating 5 out of 5]

In fifteen chapters we are exposed to a bold and courageous perspective on Jesus Christ, the Lamb, the Son of Man, the Saviour, and the Son of god, also the Second person of the Triune God, or the Trinity, that corrects cowardice of the lite and reduced gospel of the Lord which many churches uphold and teach today.

I read this book in three settings, but you may do so in one setting. it keeps one engaged with Scriptures through verses, and contradictions.

[David G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punchy, to the point. Makes you want to read deeper which is great

[Soho_Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phil Moore has spent the last few years writing some excellent commentaries of a number of books and sections of the Bible. His “Straight to the Heart” series of books have proved very popular at my own church’s bookstall and the list of titles in the series is ever increasing.

In “Gagging Jesus”, Moore has stepped away from an exploration of a book into a more thematic approach. His theme is based around the words of Jesus were so outrageous that people have been trying to gag him and stop these words getting out. Moore takes the fifteen topics that he feels Jesus was most likely to offend by this approach to them and takes them on one by one, with a separate chapter for each.

Moore takes on many of the subjects you would expect when coming from a starting point of “you won’t like this”. There are chapters on sex, pornography, divorce and forgiveness, as well as other religions. There are also chapters you may not expect, such as on stress, anger and doing life together. Each topic gets a few pages covering what Jesus said and why it should be so offensive.

The teaching is, on the whole, pretty good and Moore’s exposition of bible passages not too dissimilar to that I’ve heard in my own church. This does, however, sometimes make it difficult to understand why or who would be offended by the topic. Moore’s central point seems to be if you’re not offended, you do not fully understand the point Jesus is making, but when my thinking on the topic lines up with Moore’s, this does seem to spoil the premise a little.

One of the problems I had with this book was the hook Moore is trying to hang it on. It’s never seemed entirely clear to me who was supposed to have gagged Jesus or been offended by what he said. This is in virtually complete contrast to Alexandre Christoyannopoulos' “Christian Anarchism”, which was very clear on how Jesus' teachings were counter-cultural to the culture of his time. Moore, on the other hand, is far vaguer on this part of things.

Fortunately, the context is clear enough that the book does provide some value, even without an entirely clear promise. Whilst I’m not entirely convinced it provides complete value at the RRP, other books of Phil Moore’s are well worth the effort and the author should by no means be judged on what I feel is a momentary blip in focus.

[Alastair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is small book with some heavy hitting parts to it. In a mere 120 or so pages it manages to try it's utmost to highlight just how shocking and revolutionary so much of Jesus' preaching was and still is. To highlight to the non-Christian the enormity of some of his claims and to the Christian what it means to be a dedicated follower of Christ. Often in our modern churches, a gospel is preached that may offend a little but certainly has nothing on the message that was originally preached by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.

Overall this is another good, quick book for if you want a little look into some of Jesus preaching and how we should think about applying them to our life more thoroughly today.

[MrBReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this up for £2.50 when the local Christian Bookshop closed down, and it's one that has been on my radar for a while as a youth leader always looking for a new series to teach through! In a clear and accessible way Moore address 15 of the most controversial views/teachings of Jesus. He has a gift of drawing out his points from scripture and to deliver them in a way that is not necessarily palatable (though it isn't trying to be!), but is always clear. A good solid resource and a profitable way to spend a couple of hours :)

[Jo Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. I liked the style of writing - short chapters that can be finished in one sitting, but so challenging. I will need to read it again at a slower pace and allow it to sink in and change me.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the lower levels of bullshit but I still think the author is guilty of that which he accuses others: pushing his own interpretations of the bible.