I have been trying to balance out my summer reading stack full of engaging novels, stimulating educational philosophy and motherhood inspirations with some ambitious theology reads as well. One that surpassed my expectations was Unparalleled: How Christianity's uniqueness makes it compelling.
"Aren't all religions basically the same?
That's a popular notion these days. It's also a convenient way to avoid the ultimate questions we all must answer. If all religions are the same, then there's no reason to choose one over another beyond what fits into our already busy lives or what suits our particular tastes. But what if that assumption is fundamentally flawed? What if Christianity is not merely one among many similar options? What if it is categorically different? Wouldn't that fact alone make it worth another look?
In Unparalleled, Jared C. Wilson reveals how Christianity alone answers the deepest longings of every human heart, compelling us to take a second look and to consider the Christian faith in a drastically new light.
One of these things is not like the others. And the difference matters--for eternity."
That's a popular notion these days. It's also a convenient way to avoid the ultimate questions we all must answer. If all religions are the same, then there's no reason to choose one over another beyond what fits into our already busy lives or what suits our particular tastes. But what if that assumption is fundamentally flawed? What if Christianity is not merely one among many similar options? What if it is categorically different? Wouldn't that fact alone make it worth another look?
In Unparalleled, Jared C. Wilson reveals how Christianity alone answers the deepest longings of every human heart, compelling us to take a second look and to consider the Christian faith in a drastically new light.
One of these things is not like the others. And the difference matters--for eternity."
The summary off the back of the book gives a great preview to the potent content contained inside. I was immediately intrigued by Wilson's engaging and inviting writer's voice and yet bold and challenging stand for truth. He does a great job weaving enlightening tales from his own life as a pastor with big picture theological truths to make a cohesive case for the validity Christianity.
Wilson focuses in on issues here that are most argued to be able to satisfied by a multitude of religious options, but he does a superb job of showing that's simply not true. Christianity is alone in being able to truly stand up to the rigorous testing that humanity and all it's needs puts religions through. Wilson touches on the relatability of God, the completeness of the trinity and the uniqueness of Christianity's view of salvation. My favorite chapters were correlating- one on how a Christian's view on life was the most optimistic and another their view on life is also the most realistic. I think these were the true gems of the book as they did a wonderful job of deconstructing and refuting the current prevalent humanistic beliefs of our cultural- not all life is worthy and sacred, but also we are inherently good. I love the simple, but wise line Wilson shares, "It probably does not surprise you to know that the same people who believe that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man also believe that human beings are both profoundly sacred and profoundly broken."
I am glad that this book made it into my summer reading repertoire and highly recommend to anyone wanting to bolster their ability to defend their faith or as a offering to a seeking friend.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Baker Books.
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