Greg Sheridan - Christians: The Urgent Case For Jesus In Our World

Vividly written, compellingly argued, Greg Sheridans book will captivate believers and non-believers alike. Greg Sheridan has always been a great storyteller. This is the story he was born to tell. Jesus jumps from the pages of this book. For a non-believer like me, here was a chance to meet and admire the real Jesus, and to understand why his sacrifice still has such power to console and galvanise. Richard Glover, author, ABC broadcaster, and columnist, The Sydney Morning Herald

Greg Sheridan cuts through the thicket of scholars and sceptics to reclaim the New Testament and return us to the Word, as it was in the beginning. He reclaims a text that transformed the world through its eyewitness account of a life that defied death and defined hope. Chris Uhlmann, Channel 9 political editor and newspaper columnist

Agree or disagree with the conclusions, Christians fills a gaping void of information right now, reminding us that a grand story exists within our traditions if only we choose to sample it. Gregs writing is the polar opposite to both indifference and hostility. Its even fun. Geraldine Doogue, journalist and ABC broadcaster

Greg Sheridans Christians offers a passionate and convincing encounter with Jesus of the Gospels. His defence of Christian belief is compelling and his account of Christian lives inspiring. For those who are curious about Christianity, for those who have dismissed Christianity, for those who have embraced Christianitythis book is for you. Gregs take on the Gospels invites us into the greatest story ever told and what it means for us today. Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, President US National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

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

Greg Sheridan is a gifted and uniquely talented writer. To embark on writing a book on Christians is a daunting task but one that Greg has undertaken cleverly, passionately and insightfully. However, its not surprising that Greg would write about Jesus when Jesus is still one of the most significant figures throughout history who has changed hundreds of millions of lives. Greg beautifully expresses that to the point that you feel like you have met Jesus. I wholeheartedly endorse this book as a must read. Russell Evans, Senior Pastor, Planetshakers International Church

Who could have predicted that one of Australias most seasoned journalists would emerge as one of the countrys most compelling public Christians! Sheridan is widely read, judicious and witty on virtually every page. With simplicity of insight and expression, he cuts through much of the modern nonsense about the Bible and Christianity peddled by professional scholars like me and invites readers to make their own common-sense judgements about Jesus of Nazareth, Paul of Tarsus, Mary, angels and the rest. The result is a forthright defence of what Christians (generally) agree on, that somehow manages to remain cheerful and secularly accessible. The numerous personal stories throughout inspire both the intellect and the emotions. 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, historian, Distinguished Fellow at Ridley College and host of Undeceptions podcast

The story of the Christian faith, and its enduring good for our world, will always be best heard when proposed, not imposed. In his new book, Sheridan makes such a proposal for belief in Jesus of Nazareth in readily accessible words and with warmth of expression. Through personal narratives and interviews with Christian witnesses, the Christian message is told by those who have talked and walked the Way. It is a good read about Good News. At the heart of the Christian story is the truth about the life of Jesus as witnessed to by his friends, and what his life brings to our lives today. At the heart of this book is an attentive look at this truth, those friendships and that gift. Peter Comensoli, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne

We will always need the intelligent and admired intellects like Greg Sheridan to topple the tyranny of experts whose claim to fame is their debunking of faith without ever getting close enough to the wellsprings of it to discern the profound truths it holds in its sources, its deep and stirring paradoxes and most of all in its people. Greg has done all that, and manages to bring the reader along in what was clearly a hugely enjoyable rediscovery of the people who inhabit the gospels, most especially Jesus, while giving the heave-ho to some popular but improbable theories about who he was. Greg brings the reader along in an enjoyable discovery of the contentious scholarly debates and the extraordinary people in whom the living faith moves today. Mirroring the very human dilemmas in the gospel stories, their faith, like Gregs, is both great and humble, and reflects the continuing relevance of Christianity today. Rachael Kohn, author of The Other Side of the Story and former long-time host of ABC Radio Nationals The Spirit of Things

This insightful book is an invitation to discover or rediscover Christianity through a variety of access points: the historicity of the claims made by the early Christians, the persons and personalities of the Gospels, and the inspiring witness of the ordinary Christians living amongst us today, expressing their faith in the service of others. Greg Sheridans masterful work offers something to engage and edify every reader, whatever their stage of belief or non-belief. Monica Doumit, columnist, The Catholic Weekly

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

God Is Good for You

When We Were Young and Foolish

The Partnership

Cities of the Hot Zone

Asian Values, Western Dreams

Tigers: Leaders of the New Asia-Pacific

Living with Dragons

First published in 2021

Copyright 2021 Greg Sheridan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or 10 per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.

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For Jessie

This book is about the compelling, dramatic, gripping characters you meet in the New Testament. Above all, it is the search for Jesus. It seeks to meet him directly, in the New Testament, and in history, and to meet him indirectly through his friends, both his first friends, and some of his friends today.