Christians: The Urgent Case for Jesus in our World

by Greg Sheridan

A passionate and compelling examination of Christianity's role in our modern world.

From the historical Jesus and his disciples through to the present day, Greg Sheridan has written an impassioned, informed and utterly compelling case for the truth and importance of Christianity in our lives. He presents a strong argument for the historical reliability of the New Testament, meets the living Jesus there, explores the extraordinary personality of Paul, celebrates Mary's activism and examines the magnificent richness of John.

Filled with insights, intelligence, warmth and humor, Greg also introduces us to a range of fascinating Christians today, among them political leaders, and young activists offering the radical Christian interpretation of love to their generation. His book explores the journey of those who have been guided by faith, such as Gemma Sisia, whose school in Tanzania has transformed the lives of thousands of children, and the dynamic Chinese Christians pursuing their beliefs under harsh restrictions. He examines where Jesus can be found in popular culture and talks to Christian leaders - Pentecostal, Catholic, Evangelical and others - in Australia, the US and Britain.

At a time when the chasm of understanding between secularism and faith has never seemed wider, Christians is timely, relevant and convincing.

'At the heart of the Christian story is the truth about the life of Jesus ... Greg Sheridan's book is a good read about Good News.' Peter Comensoli, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne

'If there is ever going to be a Renaissance of Christian belief to save us from the dreariness of much secular humanism, it will come from a book like Christians. I will be buying it and giving it away to believers and sceptics alike.' John Dickson, author and historian

'Vividly written, compellingly argued, [ Christians ] will captivate believers and non-believers alike ... Jesus jumps from the pages of this book.'
Richard Glover, ABC broadcaster

'You feel like you have met Jesus. I wholeheartedly endorse this book as a must read.' Russell Evans, Senior Pastor, Planetshakers International Church

'Greg Sheridan cuts through the thicket of scholars and skeptics to reclaim the New Testament and return us to the Word, as it was in the beginning.' Chris Uhlmann, political editor and columnist

'I love reading what Greg Sheridan has to say about faith. He is consistently interesting and challenging.' Nicky Gumbel, pioneer of the Alpha course on Christianity

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, Christian, History, Faith

384 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2022

Reviews

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians is a book to learn about the living Jesus. An awe-inspiring look inside the New Testament. Sheridan is not so much trying to convert people but give Christians a fresh look at Christianity and re-invigorate their faith.
Filled with indisputable facts. It does help to know some basics of the bible to understand what Sheridan is explaining about history.

Written in a conversational tone Sheridan explores the gospels and uses historical fact to back up his musings. I did find the book hard to read as a novel. It was more a case of picking it up and reading parts of the book to suit my mood.

"Much of the New Testament is sublimely beautiful as literature. Apart from it's religious significance, it justifies reading for aesthetic pleasure as well as literary appreciation and scholarship."

Christians was highly entertaining, fascinating reading and thought provoking.
*I received my copy from the publisher

[brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very uplifting and timely book. I’m not sure how unsympathetic secularists will take it but it is sure to strike a chord with lapsed or ex Christians who will be forced to come to grips with their own deepest feelings. It is seamless in that it passes from the time of the earliest Christians to today without you realising it has moved. I could find nothing any monotheist could object to even if they do not share in the deepest beliefs. In dealing with Christians in general there is no hint of bias towards any one religion although much of the matter is essentially Catholic because of the history of Christianity. The prose is excellent and there is such evidence of humour and goodwill. I think tolerance would be the overwhelming take out.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor of The Australian newspaper, has written this (at times) revealing insight into Christianity. In the first part of the 370-page book, this highly intelligent writer often hits the nail on the head. On page 10 he writes: 'The whole of Christianity centres on the person of Jesus Christ. He is the Christian hope, the key to, the embodiment of, the Christian faith. He is the reason Christianity is generally so cheerful.’

Sheridan goes on to tell us that Jesus died on the cross so that we might live if only we would follow him. Simple. At this point I am very encouraged. But later in the book he appears to fall back and become entangled in his deep Catholic roots. Sheridan goes on in other parts of the book to acknowledge that he prays to Mary as an intercessory to God. He also takes a high view of people praying to the saints so they will intercede on our behalf with God. This is where he deviates from views held by Bible-believing Christians.

Despite Bible-believing Christians looking in the Bible for an explanation as to why we should pray to a saint, or Mary, we can find no evidence why we should not just pray straight to God himself. For me, the book becomes bogged down in too much unnecessary detail in its latter stages. Sheridan’s book is well written by one of Australia's most experienced journalists. His book began with great promise but ended, to put it bluntly, compromising the Bible. While much of it is correct at times, Jesus is compromised.

And yes, the sub-heading still stands: “The urgent case for Jesus in our world.” Sadly, we will need to look for other books to put Jesus' case correctly (and there are plenty of those books on offer). I really enjoyed the first part of the book but cannot with any spiritual integrity recommend it. Two stars.

[Michael G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not finish this book. It had far too much waffle and doesn’t appear to have something new (or to restate with elan the old) to literature. The author is a cultural Christian extolling the virtues of Christianity as he sees it. I thought given his columns in The Australian newspaper that it might be good. But given his long winded writing style and dated anecdotes, I can’t see this book holding much appeal for many under sixty. A pity and a wasted opportunity.

[Mike Wardrop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful, broad overview of the value of Christianity, both historically and in the present day.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely engaging book. In the first half, the author explores the person of Jesus; in the second half, modern Christians. The highlights are his survey of twentieth century literature which contains Christian themes, and his analysis of the current state of Christianity in China.

[Lydia D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Greg Sheridan delivers an excellent defence of Christianity in Australia. I particularly enjoyed his poetic, thought provoking reflections on some of the scenes of the Gospels. His journalist take on the authenticity of the Gospels, and critique of modern scripture scholarship is unique and insightful. The interviews of politicians and Christian leaders in the second part of the book are not as dense as in God is Good for You, making for easier reading. I appreciate his balanced analysis of the situation in China. Again, this is a good book for those seeking a basic understanding of the major themes/people of the New testament, and how various Christian churches operate today, as well as an encouragement to Christians not to feel dejected in our current secularised climate.

[Alex Whigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this, super insightful and it definitely deepened my faith and understanding of the christian experience. I liked its Australian perspective and the interviews it had with Scott Morrison and John Anderson.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother doing anything. Jesus will fix it for you. A book for the lazy who want to feel good.

[Peter Langston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll declare that there has not been a lot Greg Sheridan has written as a journalist (or said for that matter) that I have agreed with. This book is therefore an interesting exercise for me but as it turned out, it was surprising. At its best when Sheridan is writing like journalist, especially the chapters on Paul and Mary and a lot as he writes on the Jesus of the Bible. However, the lengthy sections when he is apparently “making a case for Jesus” are a bit vague and less convincing, which is a shame. There is no doubting his commitment and passion but the suspicion lingers that he is going into bat for the church more than the deity. A book essentially for Christians, which is not perhaps the market Sheridan intended to hit. I really thought it had a few too many drawbacks to score three stars, despite some very good chapters.

[Ellen Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a worthwhile read. It's more a collection of essays than a cohesisve argument for 'the urgent case for Jesus in our World'. The first half is about the biblical Jesus and Sheriden takes an unusual approach by dealing with particular New Testament characters, such as Mary, Peter and Paul and connecting the gospel story closely to them and their role. It is a refreshing way of looking at the Bible accounts.
The second part of the book tells the stories of a number of modern-day Christians, some famous and some not. It is sometimes rambly and he sometimes wanders off onto tangents which don't seem particularly helpful. I think it could be comfortably shortened a bit. But, it covers a well-balanced range of Christians and their stories are engaging.
I hope this book is read both by Christians and non-Christians as it has a lot to offer both.

[Kev Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg has excelled himself again in writing a readable and non-confrontational book on Christianity. He explores most of what Christians are doing in today's world and shows where there is growth and where there is decay. Sadly in the over-educated West we have reverted to a neo-paganism but there is hope for, as Greg shows, Christianity is growing and thriving in other parts of the world.
For anyone who just wants to read a general outline about Christians, this is a great introductory book in which the reader needs no background in theology to become involved in the story. I would recommend it to Christians who have become lazy and lapsed as well as those who just want to know what Christians think and do.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think an Australian audience, or perhaps an audience more internationally aware than I, might appreciate this book more than I did.

This isn't to say I didn't appreciate it.

The subject is broad and sweeping, and I think the author did a fairly good job. The sections pertaining to early Christians was of more interest to me than the latter, again, because of the ignorance I have of Australian notables.

I didn't think the book makes a case for Jesus in our modern world, much less an urgent case, or even really seems to try. I would remove that subtitle and instead present this book as a brief overview of specific early Chrisitans followed by a similar overview of select modern Christians - their work, their lives, their questions and their persistence.

[Sita Matthews]

I couldn't put this book down. I think both Christians and unbelievers will find this book compelling. Greg looks at the Gospels through the lens of a journalist and can see that it is a witness account of Jesus. Through his eyes he brings the people in the New Testament alive
Greg also checks out others stories of how they came to believe the gospels are true. Kanishka's story is a great read!
This is a really uplifting book, a great read for our times giving a sense of hope outside of our human mess.

[David Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at a street library.

While Sherdian has great content I reckon that the book needed the benefit of editing. Chapters were long and were often without any breaks.

To a street library the book was returned.

[Neil Woodrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

A really fasscinating book. Makes one want to read St John's Gospel again. Well worth a read by all interested.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read most of this book with, and sometimes to, someone who never got to finish it. I wish we could talk about it now. I think he would say 4 stars.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! A combination of evangelistic apologetics, and Christian biography. The two aims, it seems to me, are to encourage the non-believer to consider Christianity quite seriously, and to encourage Christians to be more open about their faith in private and in public.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book sub-titled "The urgent case for Jesus in our world" it does not focus on Jesus for much of the book. With some helpful insights, its too long and has lots of unnecessary detail.