I happen to have an extra copy of Mark L. Strauss, Jesus Behaving Badly (IVP 2015), so I thought I would pass it along to a Reading Acts reader. I reviewed the book in November, concluding that it is a readable introduction to some of the issues one faces when they begin to read the Gospels seriously. Strauss writes the book on a non-academic level with a great deal of humor as well as plenty of pop-culture references. Although academic, it is written with a pastor’s heart.
The book includes a few study questions which could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study. In fact, I think this book would make an excellent read for a small Bible Study group interested in going a bit deeper into who Jesus was than the typical curriculum normally goes. The book might make a good auxiliary textbook for a Gospels college course, supplementing a more thorough textbook. Strauss challenges his readers to think more deeply about who Jesus is by stripping away some of the pre-conceptions about Jesus passed along by tradition and the Church. The result is clearer view of who Jesus was and more importantly, why Jesus still matters to his disciples today.
To have a chance at winning these books, leave a comment suggesting other titles in a biblical “behaving badly” series IVP ought to consider. Or at the very least, just leave your name.
Do not forget to enter to win a copy of Logos Cloud Premium from Logos and Reading Acts. Logos is running that giveaway until January 17, 2016.
I will announce the winner of Jesus Behaving Badly on January 15, 2016.
27 comments
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January 8, 2016 at 2:16 pm
robwaltoon
I suppose, #1 would be King David Acting Badly. He certainly set the bar for any future Sons of David.
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January 8, 2016 at 2:16 pm
cnorman1971
Who let Jesus loose?
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January 8, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Jared Kusz
Peter Putting His Foot In His Mouth
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January 8, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Vincent S Artale Jr
God Behaving Badly is worthy!
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January 8, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Vincent S Artale Jr
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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January 8, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Jason
I’m leaving my name because I’m not familiar with other books in the series. Thanks for the chance to win!
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January 8, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Jason
Ah, I misread the question! Peter Behaving Badly…with a sword!
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January 8, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Laura
Laura Martin.
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January 9, 2016 at 7:30 am
Jamie Martin
Hahah, my last name is Martin, too. Hopefully one of us will get lucky.
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January 8, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Fernando
The David book has actually been written: Men Behaving Badly by John Goldingay. But the natural sequel is, of course, Paul Behaving Badly.
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January 9, 2016 at 10:45 am
robwaltoon
It was also written by my old prof Baruch Halpern: David’s Secret Demons (2001), but I was throwing it out more within the current Christian context. Didn’t know about the Goldingay book though.
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January 8, 2016 at 5:09 pm
kylevegh
Verlyn Verbrugge behaving badly. double alliteration for the win!
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January 8, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Alan Jones
Alan Jones
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January 8, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Dwight Gingrich
They could publish Phillip Behaving Badly–baptizing false converts like Simon (without proper pre-baptismal classes), baptizing in private as he did the Ethiopian eunuch (without any proper followup), and finding himself online as he blogs about Acts and wonders why he has to play third fiddle to main characters Peter and Paul.
Great! I see I’m only the third person to follow instructions and leave my name: Dwight Gingrich. 😉
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January 8, 2016 at 8:51 pm
stoobeno
What did Pharaoh ever do for me?
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January 9, 2016 at 12:35 am
almanac56
Judas the Betrayer acting badly. Just a suggestion. Alistair McNaughton
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January 9, 2016 at 12:36 am
Vincent S Artale Jr
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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January 9, 2016 at 2:18 am
SLIMJIM
Old Testament Prophets: The Good the Bald and the Nobodies
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January 9, 2016 at 5:24 pm
G ABRAHAM
Greetings again Phil,Here is my submission for the draw on the copy of “Jesus Behaving Badly” Here are a few suggestions:1) Churches Behaving Badly.. eg Corinth,…. 2) Disciples Behaving badly..brothers wanting seats in the kingdom…3) Demons behaving Rightly …. as in according to nature. (Pastor) Gord Abraham90 King St,Port Colborne OntarioCanadaL3K 4E9905-641-8601 (cell) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 19:09:34 +0000 To: rgabe@sympatico.ca
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January 10, 2016 at 4:26 am
Jenna Oh
Harry Potter behaving badly 😀
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January 10, 2016 at 11:29 pm
John F. Lezada
Judas Behaving Badly?
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January 12, 2016 at 12:13 pm
joshgaudreau
Josh Gaudreau
– Jonah behaving badly is something I’d also be interested in.
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January 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Lucas Hillman
Levitical laws on the loose!! The grace in the seemingly dark laws of the law.
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January 12, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Harrison Hamada
Didimas Thomas Behaving Badly. This poor guy got lots of bad press as “not having faith”, when the story is not meant to express that at all
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January 12, 2016 at 3:12 pm
Phillip J. Long
I agree, I wrote this a few years ago:
https://readingacts.com/2012/07/02/john-2028-believing-thomas/
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January 12, 2016 at 4:16 pm
John Blackman
Self Righteousness Behaving Badly (thinking your behavior counts more than it does)
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January 12, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Brian Watson
Prophets Behaving Badly? You know, running around naked, cooking bread over dung, a lot of “whore” talk.
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