Strange theories about Jesus seem to ooze from our culture with increasing regularity. Ben Witherington, one of the top Jesus scholars, will have none of it. There were no secret Gnostic teachings in the first century. With leading scholars and popular purveyors of bad history in his crosshairs, Witherington reveals what we can—and cannot—claim to know about the real Jesus. The Bible, not outside sources, is still the most trustworthy historical record we have today. Utilizing a fresh "personality profile" approach, Witherington highlights core Christian claims by investigating the major figures in Jesus’s inner circle of followers: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, and the mysterious "beloved disciple." In each chapter Witherington satisfies our curiosities and answers the full range of questions about these key figures and what each of them can teach us about the historical Jesus. What Have They Done with Jesus? is a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity that offers a compelling portrait of Jesus’s core message according to those who knew him best.

In What Did Jesus Ask?, 65 of today's leading spiritual writers, thinkers, and artists offer modern meditations on the questions that Jesus posed in the Bible to teach his followers how to think like a Christian and consider their personal faith.

As a teacher, Jesus Christ put many of his lessons in the form of questions. The gospels record more than 300 of them. Some are rhetorical, needing no answer, but most were real questions posed to real people. Many of Jesus' questions are familiar to readers today, yet the context and the potential interpretations of such phrases will offer enlightenment to many. Organized by Biblical verse, these 65 enigmatic questions include:

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:31

"Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?" - Mark 8:18

And now, What Did Jesus Ask? poses those questions to many of today's prominent religious figures, scholars and thought leaders to contemplate and interpret. Contributors include bestselling singer/songwriters Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, Christian leaders Barbara Taylor and Cardinal Wuerl of Washington, and bestselling authors James Martin and Sarah Young, and many more. Including a foreword by Nancy Gibbs, bestselling author and managing editor of TIME magazine, What Did Jesus Ask? is a thought-provoking volume for both readers interested in religious thought and understanding the teachings of Jesus better.

Looks at the Gospels and examines what Christ requires of his followers in a redemptive-historical context. New and seasoned believers will see God's loving plan for their ultimate satisfaction. Now in paperback.

Jesus Christ is arguably the most famous man who ever lived. His image adorns countless churches, icons, and paintings. He is the subject of millions of statues, sculptures, devotional objects and works of art. Everyone can conjure an image of Jesus: usually as a handsome, white man with flowing locks and pristine linen robes. But what did Jesus really look like? Is our popular image of Jesus overly westernized and untrue to historical reality? This question continues to fascinate. Leading Christian Origins scholar Joan E. Taylor surveys the historical evidence, and the prevalent image of Jesus in art and culture, to suggest an entirely different vision of this most famous of men. He may even have had short hair.

Have you ever felt like a fraud or failure as you struggle to find balance in life? Do you find yourself juggling everything in mediocrity and feeling like you're succeeding at very little? In her no-nonsense style, Alli Worthington--popular podcaster and author of The Year of Living Happy--tackles the big questions about finding happiness and one's God-given purpose. Have you ever felt like a fraud or failure as you struggle to find balance in life? Do you find yourself juggling everything in mediocrity and feeling like you're succeeding at very little? In her no-nonsense way, Alli Worthington tackles the big questions about finding happiness and one's God-given purpose. Breaking Busy marries popular secular research with solid biblical principles, instilling confidence that you, too, can move from crazy busy to confident calm. With refreshing candor, uproarious true stories, and a Christian worldview, Alli delivers truths that dismantle common happiness myths. Then she empowers you to get unstuck, to let go of the good to make way for the great, to know yourself and your Creator, and ultimately to find peace and purpose in this world of crazy. You will: Learn how to stop chasing what leaves you empty and start doing what you were created to do. Identify the common lies you believe and how to strip their power from your life. Recognize how what you say no to determines what you can say yes to. With relatable anecdotes, Alli models real-life guidance on boundaries, relationships, and self-care, humbly examining her own mistakes and walking through how she learned from her missteps and found peace in a world of busyness. If you long to find real connection with both your loved ones and your Creator, Alli Worthington deftly balances intelligent humility and heartwarming humor to help you rediscover your path.

Evangelical pastor Dobson chronicles his year of living like Jesus and obeying his teachings. As he discovers, living like Jesus is quite different from what Christians imagine.

“Admirably learned, shrewdly argued, and thoroughly readable - exactly what we have come to expect from Ben Witherington!” — Philip Jenkins, Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University