In our world, there is no shortage of false christs. Like the Elvises who roam the streets of Vegas, these counterfeit christs look and sound like Jesus, but they couldn’t be further from the real deal.
In Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs, author Matthew Richard exposes these false christs for what they are . . . mere impostors. Richard reveals to readers who the real Jesus of the Bible is, but also reveals to us twelve false christs who are embraced, loved, promoted, and revered, even by well-meaning Christians.
“My hope is that readers will connect with the different stories in this book, but will do so in a way that they can see how people’s false theology and bad presuppositions lead to taking up false christs,” says Richard. “In other words, this book attempts to combine the art of story and the discipline of theology, so that the reader can see flesh-and-blood examples of how easy false theology can lead someone into idolatry.”
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? exposes the following false christs: The Mascot, The Option among Many, The Good Teacher, The Therapist, The Giver of Bling, The National Patriot, The Social Justice Warrior, The Moral Example, The New Moses, The Mystical Friend, The Feminized, The Teddy Bear. Beyond merely exposing these false christs, Richard provides a framework for responding to them.
“I believe this topic is of utmost importance,” says Richard, “for if we misunderstand the person and work of Jesus Christ, we will misunderstand Christianity. Everything hinges on Jesus—forgiveness, life, and salvation.”
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? will be available for purchase in June. For more information on the author or to request a review copy, please contact Lindsey Martie, Public Relations, by phone at 314-268-1303 or by email at Lindsey.Martie@cph.org.
Praise for Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs
Have you ever wondered why Christians seem to believe such different things about Jesus? It’s clear that Matt Richard has, using every tool in his considerable arsenal to bring good order to the chaos. His writing style is highly conversational and relational, applying theological precision to everyday scenarios so that the reader can learn to recognize how each “false Christ” impacts a person’s practices and views. His patient “learning by listening” approach to dialogue is a great model for us all.
Heather Choate Davis, Author, Speaker, Theologian
“That is not the Jesus I know!” How many times have we heard this? Pastor Richard takes us on an enlightening and structured journey of identifying twelve of the common false christs encountered in Christianity. He does this by providing the reader with easy-to-understand, theologically rich discernment tools. From start to finish, the reader will walk away with a better understanding of who the real Jesus is and how He alone stands for poor wretched sinners. Pastor Richard writes with depth, insight, and experience. A definite must for any Christian seeking to faithfully follow Jesus.
Pastor Eric Ekong, Trinity Lutheran Ministries, Trinity Lutheran Church
Pastor Matthew Richard has provided a crisp and conversational apologetic for critiquing faulty images of Jesus while inviting both Christians and non-Christians to engage the One whom the Scriptures present as Lord.
John Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard is pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Gwinner, North Dakota. He is married to Serenity, and they have three children. He enjoys fishing, pheasant hunting, watching movies, writing, golfing, spending time with his family, and a good book with a warm latte.
