Its All About Jesus: What They Never Told You in Church
Copyright 2013, by D. R. Silva
Published by ReKnowMe Pub.
This title is also available in paperback. Visit www.reknow.me for more info.
All rights reserved under the International Copyright Law. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the author. An exception is made for brief quotations in reviews. Short quotes or occasional page copying for personal or group study are also permitted.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures and additional materials quoted are from the Good News Bible 1994 published by the Bible Societies/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd UK, Good News Bible American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992. Used with permission. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked (ERV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission.
Scripture quotes that use italic formatting or ellipses () are done so only for emphasis and do not change or imply change of the original text; neither is it done with the intent to hide anything from the reader. You are highly encouraged to look up every Bible verse used in this book, and read them for yourself in their entire context.
Version 1: (August 2013)
Endorsements
If only more authors wrote with this kind of honesty, transparency and passion. I believe this book will deeply echo the questions and thoughts of many believers around the world who are tired of the mundane status quo. I highly recommend you read this book slowly and with a highlighter. You'll need a highlighter, trust me.
Cornel Marais , Author and Founder of CharismaMinistries.or g
One of the best books on Righteousness, Grace and the New Covenant that I have ever read. Daniel paints a crystal clear picture of why we can stand before God unashamed, totally innocent, unafraid of any punishment and optimistically aware of how God really feels about us. A true gem - I highly recommend it!
Andre van der Merwe , Author of Grace, the Forbidden Gospel
This book is guaranteed to change the face of Christianity.
Ryan J. Rhoades , Author of RevivalOrRiots.org
Authors Note
I dont intend to present the ideas in this book as absolute facts that you must adhere to or suffer divine consequence. I consider the ideas and insights in this book to be merely a matter of personal perspective based on years of experience, observation and participation.
Youre not required to believe all of what is said in this book and apply it to your life. Youre welcomed to believe some of it; youre welcomed to believe none of it.
As I tell all the fans and supporters of my writing: test everything and hold on to what is good (2 Thess. 5:21).
I cannot emphasize that enough.
My goal is to present ideas and perspectives that have helped me live a happier and more complete life.
As the title of this book suggests, Im sharing ideas and perspectives that you might not otherwise hear about in a typical church service.
Im forever a student of LifeI ask a lot of questions and I share the answers.
All Im attempting to offer is a genuine, heartfelt and honest perspective that has brought me Life in Christianity. You have the choice of whether or not you want to receive what Im trying to give.
As always, thank you for taking time to read my writing.
D. R. Silva
Acknowledgements
Id like to acknowledge and thank those who have offered me new perspectives and taught me how to voice the questions and opinions I had kept suppressed and hidden for much of my Christian life.
Shandy Had you never given me a proper perspective of the finished work of Jesus, neither this book nor my website would exist, and there are many people who wouldnt have been inspired to hope and freedom by my words. I dont want to imagine where I would be had you not taken the risk of offending me.
Ryan It has been one of my greatest honors to stand next to you and take on a world full of giants. You have shown me what uncompromising honesty and openness looks like. For me, our friendship has been the epitome of iron sharpens iron.
Cornel Charismaministries.org was the first new covenant based website I stumbled on. I got stuck on there for hours. The first article I read was More Boldness? Do You Know What You Are Saying? I was blown away. Boldness was one of the things I had been pursuing the hardest since I became a Christian, and in a few short paragraphs, you convinced me that I already had it. My life hasnt been the same ever since.
Paul I havent met you in person yet, but every time Ive had a conversation with you or read something youve written, I can feel the grace of God overflowing from your heart into mine. You really know Him!
My Facebook Page To those of you who have dared to ask questions and voice disagreements with me on a public forum, and those of you who have engaged in civil conversations with methank you for the mercy and grace you have shown me as I continue to grow and learn how to do life. I know my approach can sometimes be unconventional, and my ideas oftentimes unorthodox, but the very few of you who have stayed next to me regardless of disagreements, you have no idea how much that means to me.
Thank you for your endless support.
A special thanks to Oliver-Kriel for allowing me to use his picture on the cover of this book.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Theres a story in this book about a pantry. I mention this because I love pantries. On a value-for-size basis, pantries must be the best room in any house. They are little treasure rooms full of secrets and goodies. In our house, the pantry is not just a storeroom for food. Its the place we keep our picnic gear, party supplies, unwrapped gifts, the first aid kit, and spare shoelaces. Our pantry is the answer to the question, Where do we keep the good stuff?
Jesus once said a teacher who knows something about the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings treasures out of his storeroom. Daniel Silva is that wise householder and his book, Its All About Jesus , is full of treasures from heavens pantry.
Actually this book is more than that. Its an invitation for you to raid the pantry for yourself. Its the audacious boast that the pantry is unlocked so come, and take what you need. Gods grace is for everyone.
When buying a book, many will turn to the back cover to read the author bio. They want to know, Who wrote this and why should I listen to him? Heres what you need to know about Daniel Silva: He likes to ask questions. Like a modern Sren Kierkegaard, Daniel looks at the religion many of us grew up with and asks, Why?
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