Awesome!: Exploring the Nature and Names of Jesus

by Dick Eastman, Mark Batterson (Foreword)

Prompted by a friend to describe Jesus as he is--not as he was or will be in the coming days--Dick Eastman found himself stammering. What followed over many months was a desire to get to know the Jesus who had changed his life, but in a much fuller and richer way--now! From then on, on scraps of folded paper in his pockets, Eastman found himself recording adjectives describing the nature and character of Jesus Christ, expanding them later into a personal devotional journal.

Reflecting Eastman's spiritual journey, this book of insights will challenge you to see Jesus as you may never have seen him before. Eastman's approach to studying the nature and names of Jesus will bring you closer to your Savior. Each day of this enriching 31-day resource consists of Scripture, a short exposition, insights from Christian leaders, a prayer, and a practical application to help deepen your faith. You, too, will find Jesus awesome!

Genres: Christian

224 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2021

Reviews

[Nathan Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book. As a devotional, I had pretty low expectations about its contents, but although this book is by no means a thorough examination of the nature and names of Jesus Christ, it certainly does offer a thoughtful examination of some of those names, and that is to be appreciated. This book is a 31-chapter book, each chapter a short one, that looks at various aspects of Jesus' life that are worthy of reflection and consideration. Admittedly, these chapters appear to be in a somewhat random order but the qualities that are discussed are certainly worthwhile ones: Christ as supreme, awesome, beautiful, creative, human, divine, obedient, suffering, resurrected, ascended, humble, compassionate, merciful, abiding, spotless, missional, authoritative, praying, faithful, miraculous, worthy, righteous, selfless, victorious, joyful, returning, glorious, steadfast, preeminent, eternal, and incomparable. While at least a couple of these chapters clearly represent contemporary concerns rather than biblical ones, they are still worthwhile to consider.

Each chapter is organized in an interesting way. Each chapter begins with its day and title, and also contains a quote from a (usually Christian) writer on the subject. After this comes an essay of several pages that combines scripture and the author's observations on the subject. This is then followed by a prayer for today, a practical encounter with this aspect of Christ, and a page that glorifies Christ by looking at some of the names of Jesus Christ that can be found in the scriptures. It is likely that the way that the book begins by seeking to introduce the author as a worthwhile fellow is done because this book's enjoyment depends on how much one enjoys the author's approach to his subject. Again, I would have preferred a more elevated and scholarly sort of work, but this book is certainly enjoyable to read and is likely to be widely appreciated by those who read it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 31 day devotional that took me...well, longer than 31 days to finish. But I really enjoyed it. Dick Eastman is a hero to me, I love his easy words and hard love of God.

First of all, this book really pretty--it's got lovely pages, a bookmark and is a nice size for a devotional. Secondly, it's set up inside perfectly for a devotional. Eastman tells you exactly HOW to use it, gives specific instructions and then in every chapter, repeats the instructions so you don't forget. Each chapter ends with a prayer that is honestly worth the price of the book. I read them all outloud and copied many of them into my journal.

This is a perfect gift for someone who maybe doesn't know God or wants to know him more or someone just getting into doing their own Bible-reading-worship-time with Him. Also, perfect for expanding your own vocabulary about Jesus. Highly recommend.

[Conny Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Each day we spend during our Month in the Son, a chapter will help us explore the wonders of a foundational aspect of Christ’s nature and character,” Dick Eastman writes in the introduction of his book, Awesome!: Exploring the Nature and Names of Jesus.

~ What ~
This two-hundred-and-forty-four-page hardcover book targets those who enjoy dwelling on the amazing qualities of our Lord Jesus Christ. After a foreword by Mark Batterson, acknowledgments, introduction, and instructions, thirty-one chapters about Jesus’s nature and character are discussed, ending with notes, the author’s biography, and an advertisement. Using mainly the Amplified Bible, the AMPC, CEV, ESV, KJV, MSG, MEV, NASB, NIRV, NIV, NIV1984, NKJV, NLT, and TPT versions are referenced. A white silk ribbon marker is attached.

In this devotional meant to be read over a month’s time, the subjects of Jesus’s awesome and powerful personality are described. Each chapter begins with a quote from a well-known writer, pastor, or missionary, followed by several pages about a specific quality of Christ, usually including written out Bible verses. There is a prayer for the day involving the topic, a generic four-step practical application, and a page of ongoing alphabetical lists that glorify Jesus’s name with verses to look up. Some of the subject titles about Jesus use the adjectives supreme, beautiful, suffering, compassionate, spotless, missional, authoritative, worthy, joyful, steadfast, preeminent, and incomparable.

~Why ~
Focusing on the attributes of Jesus is important to the daily believer’s walk so this is a vital collection of His character and nature. I appreciate it concentrates on Christ and not the writer’s experiences like so many devotionals tend to do; it includes Scripture to back up its foundings. The prayers are written from the heart and reiterate the chapter’s topic well.

One chapter I liked was The Returning Jesus. Beginning with a quote from Billy Graham, the following paragraphs remind us of looking forward to the return of Christ. As He promised in John 14 and 1 Thessalonians, we are to look for a cleavage in the sky. God has extreme patience as we wait impatiently for the Rapture while He builds our eternal home (I Peter 3:8-9). The prayer longs for Jesus’s return in anticipation.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not think this book is helpful or edifying, yet it is the foundation of our beliefs that magnify and glorify our Savior. Some may not like that the paragraphs are limited to four pages in a chapter, the application is repeated without any additional information about the topic, and the lists are alphabetical so often do not relate to the chapter’s subject.

~ Wish ~
It would be advantageous to have the list of the 868 names at the back of the book for quick reference. I wish there were not so many Bible versions chosen.

~ Want ~
If you want to do a month-long study on Jesus’s character and nature, this will help you get closer to Him. My favorite part was the lists that contain almost nine hundred awesome names of Christ to cherish throughout the year.

Thanks to Chosen, Baker Publishing, and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eastman provides thirty-one meditations with an aim of magnifying Christ's nature and glorifying His names. The meditations help show us Christ's nature and character and experience His wonder. The meditations also encourage us to exhibit the character of Jesus. Each meditation concludes with a written prayer and four practical application suggestions.

Along with the thirty-one meditations is a list of names of Jesus Eastman has accumulated over the years. I found some to be a bit repetitious, like Shepherd and Overseer of Your Souls (1 Peter 2:25) and Shepherd of Your Souls (1 Peter 2:25) (p. 192) and Sun and Our Shield (Psalm 84:11) and Sun and Shield (Psalm 84:11). (p. 198) Nonetheless, these names give further opportunity to glorify Christ by meditating on them.

I think my favorite meditation was on praying Jesus. Eastman's insights include that Jesus went to a solitary place for restorative prayer. Also, it was not uncommon for Jesus to pray all night, even after a tiring day of ministry. And something I had not really thought about before, Jesus did not stop praying after His resurrection. He still intercedes for us. The entire meditation gave me new encouragement to put more emphasis on my own prayer life. Jesus is an intercessor and if I want to be like Him, I need to be an intercessor too.

Eastman includes insights from several people and movements in history, making this an informative book as well as one drawing us to the majesty of Jesus Christ. I recommend it as a good resource for spending a month considering Jesus.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Leona Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: "Awesome!" by Dick Eastman
Exploring the Nature and Names of Jesus


He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Matthew 16:15 ESV

Who do you say Jesus is?  Who is He to you in your daily life?  How would you answer Him if He asked you this same question He asked His disciples?

If you are looking to learn more about Jesus and His Nature or just wanting a devotional that can bring you closer to Him daily, then this book would be a wonderful addition to your library. This book offers the reader a wealth of information on the various Names of Jesus. 

There are 31 different Names of Jesus listed. Each Name also has an additional list of alphabetical names which can be studied, memorized or used in various ways to glorify and praise Him daily. Each name is thoroughly researched and explained in an easy to understand way, and is supported by bible verses and quotes from prominent Christian leaders.

There is also a Prayer For Today and A Practical Application to help the reader explore each name further and apply that knowledge to his/her daily life.

If you are looking for a way to spend some quality time with Jesus daily then this would be a wonderful resource to use as a personal study. It would also make a great gift.

I was given a copy of this book by Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

[Hugh Dunnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book, obviously written from the heart and very definitely based in scripture. It is based on a simple core idea; taking the names and qualities of Jesus and allowing us to think on them and consider how we might work them into our lives. It is obviously designed/structured and works very well as a ‘daily devotional’ and there is enough in each day that it will bear repeat readings. My only concern is that it feels (to these British ears) quite ‘American’ in tone, but not jarringly so (and that may just reveal my prejudices!) and so some ideas and thoughts need to be ‘translated’. I also get the impression from the multiple uses of the term, that Awesome! may have originally been planned to be titled “A Month in the Son”, which may also work slightly better for readers from this side of the pond! But a great little book to focus the mind nonetheless.

[Shirley Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2* A wonderful devotional that explores the character traits of Jesus as well as the different names of Jesus. Thirty one traits and over 300 names. The Steadfast Jesus was one of my favorites. But the theme of the book is that Jesus is Worthy and his character traits bear this out. Jesus is Worthy.

[Blake Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring book about Jesus. The book I have has several pages out of order in the first part of the book. Hopefully that is just my copy. It is my opinion that it would be much better not to repeat the practical suggestions at the end of each chapter

[Tom Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

accurate but basic and long.

Mr Eastman is well to elevate Jesus. But I felt like the same points could have been made in one tenth the space. There are just so many ways to expound on any one adjective before if feels burdensomely repetitious.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you possibly describe Jesus? Dick Eastman has done a fabulous job of it! A friend and I used this as our Lenten Bible study and talked almost daily about what we'd read. Great book. So much to think about!

[Mary T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me longer than a month to read, but I did enjoy it. I incorporated it into my prayer time. The author did quote often from other authors, but I appreciate the insights gained from reading it.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This was fine, but I found it very repetitive. Also, I'm not a big fan of making your point by giving dictionary definitions of common English words.

[Rebecca D · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book to help you meditate on Jesus all month long!