Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God
by Jack Miles
Read if you're interested in biblical studies, theology, or books for adult.
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3.5
VerdictRead with discernment
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Book Summary
This book approaches Jesus Christ as a literary character within the New Testament, analyzing his narrative arc as a 'second god' who redefines the divine. Miles, a secular scholar, examines the psychological and narrative development of Jesus through a literary lens, proposing a 'crisis' in the divine nature as understood in the Hebrew Bible and fulfilled in the New Testament.
ALIGNMYREAD RECOMMENDATION
“Christian readers approaching this book should do so with strong biblical literacy and theological grounding. It is best read critically, recognizing it as a secular literary analysis rather than a theological or devotional work, and being prepared to discern between literary insight and theological distortion.”
Biblical alignment
- —Offers a unique literary perspective on the New Testament narratives of Jesus, which can prompt new ways of engaging with the text.
- —Encourages a deep, close reading of the biblical text, paying attention to narrative details and character development.
- —Can be valuable for understanding non-theological interpretations of Jesus and the Bible in secular academia.
Areas of concern
- —Treats Jesus primarily as a literary character rather than as the divine Son of God and historical figure, potentially undermining theological understanding of His person and work.
- —Interprets biblical events and theological concepts (like the Trinity, redemption, and atonement) through a secular, humanistic framework, rather than a divinely inspired one.
- —Lacks an affirmation of the supernatural elements and divine authority of Scripture, which are foundational to Christian faith.
- —Its premise of a 'crisis in the life of God' may misrepresent the immutable and sovereign nature of God as revealed in Christian theology.
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