Kenneth Richard Samples - God Among Sages: Why Jesus Is Not Just Another Religious Leader

Sampless book is a fair-minded, systematic comparison of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth with the life and teachings of other key leaders of world religionsand the comparison is revealing! The author presents a stark and powerful contrast between the historically well-grounded, textually reliable, and lofty identity claims of Jesus and the credentials of other sages, and Jesus towers above them all. Well informed, wise, and sympathetic, this is a readable volume for those interested in exploring world religions and what makes Jesus so unique.

Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University; author of A Little Book for New Philosophers

This is not the typical world religions volume that simply provides an information-filled survey of major faith options. Rather, Ken Samples emphasizes an interactive approach, done in a comparative fashion that contrasts strengths, weaknesses, philosophical implications, and historical foundations of the relevant religious documents. More than fifty tables and charts provide many such contrasts and assessments in visual overviews that encourage grasping key ideas in a single view. The result is a text that affords a variety of opportunities to mix and match preferred features that particular instructors wish to highlight. Such an approach affords excellent opportunities to mold a religions course. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Gary R. Habermas, distinguished research professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy, Liberty University and Theological Seminary

There has been a crying need for a book like this, and Ken Samples was clearly the one to write it. He compares Christ and Christianity to the founders and doctrines of the other great religionsbut with an important difference. He does not dilute the complexity of the faiths he describes, yet he writes in a way that makes the comparative project accessible to everyone. This book would be my top recommendation for any Christian, church, or Bible study group that wanted to learn how the Christian faith stacks up against the other great religious traditions.

Craig J. Hazen, professor of comparative religion and apologetics, and founder and director of the Christian apologetics program, Biola University

This is a day like that of the first century, when a variety of gods compete for the allegiance of human beings. Christians and non-Christians alike need discernment even more today than then. This book by Kenneth Samples can provide helpful guidance.

Gerald R. McDermott, Anglican Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School

Rarely is a book this comprehensive also this accessible. God among Sages surveys the biblical teaching about Jesus Christ and compares him with the founders of the major world religions. Yet Samples does so in a way that is fair, thorough, and easy to understand.

Kenneth Keathley, senior professor of theology, Jesse Hendley Chair of Theology, and director of the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture , Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Todays Christians are not only constantly exposed to claims that there is no significant distinction between religions; they are also liable to be stigmatized as intolerant if they disagree with such assertions. Ken Samples comes to our aid by giving us a close-up view of Jesus and four other important religious figures (Krishna, Gautama, Confucius, and Muhammad) and demonstrating the uniqueness of Christ. This book is a needed and helpful tool for Christians to share the gospel message with confidence.

Winfried Corduan, professor emeritus of philosophy and religion, Taylor University

The Christian message that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior for people of all nations is widely regarded as an intolerant claim that has no legitimate place in todays pluralistic world. There is much confusion today about who Jesus is and how his life and teachings compare to those of other important religious figures. Kenneth Samples dispels this confusion in God among Sages , offering a careful overview of what we know about Jesus and comparing him to the four most popular religious figures outside the Bible: Krishna, Gautama (the Buddha), Confucius, and Muhammad. A model of clarity and charity, God among Sages commends other religions for their strengths while explaining why Christ, who alone is God incarnate, uniquely offers us a relationship with God and eternal life in his presence.

Robert M. Bowman Jr., executive director of the Institute for Religious Research

Rather than resist the comparison between Jesus and other leaders of the worlds major religions, Samples welcomes the comparison. The truth claims of Christianity and of Jesus Christ himself stand in high relief when compared to those of Krishna, Gautama, Confucius, and Muhammad. Jesuss claims far surpass any made by these; and unlike the claims of these other leaders, they proved true.

Todd Wilken , host of Issues, Etc.