The Values of Jesus: Aligning Your Life with His Teachings

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

The Values of Jesus: Aligning Your Life with His Teachings

Author:

David Crosby

Publisher:

New Hope Publishers (Iron Stream Media)

http://www.ironstreammedia.com

Publication Date:

June 15, 2020

Format:

 Paperback

Length:

192 pages

OVERVIEW

In a relativistic culture, it’s easy to lose track of what Jesus actually taught and how it applies to our lives. David Crosby guides through Jesus’ teachings and what makes them so vital. He breaks down his discussion into three major sections:

• The key features of Jesus’ teaching (the way he taught, his sense of moral authority and his standards for people to follow)
• Jesus’ most basic three moral commands (identity in Christ, the golden rule, love as the greatest command)
• The areas of life where those commands apply the most (family, marriage, possessions and other living things)

Obviously, none of the ideas Crosby presents here are new. Various writers, particularly in the field of apologetics, have talked about how Jesus’ teachings provide a moral framework that other religions or worldviews cannot provide. However, the fact that Crosby’s ideas aren’t new isn’t a problem per se. Truth is true in all periods of time, and many times a theologian’s job is to take those true ideas and show how they are still vital today. For example, Ted Dorman notes in his book A Faith for All Seasons that C.S. Lewis, one of the most successful Christian writers of all time, “attempted to say nothing new.” Lewis simply aimed to unpack the ideas that make up historic orthodox Christian belief and show them in a relatable way.

The relatability part is central for writers talking about old ideas. When covering ideas which have been discussed many times before, the writer needs to either come up with an interesting new way to describe the ideas (a new framework to organize them around, a timely concept to apply it to, something like that) or the writers has to use language that makes the old ideas feel fresh and relevant. Unfortunately, Crosby doesn’t quite pull off either of these tasks. His three sections framework is interesting, but not substantially different from what other writers have used to explain the basics of Jesus’ teaching. While Crosby’s writing style is clear, it somehow lacks personality. For example, in Crosby’s introduction he talks about not being allowed to do square dancing in school because his parents viewed dancing as sinful. He considers how he felt watching his schoolmates dance, using phrases like “I do not remember regretting this decision of my parents” and “I do not think I was angry, but I was embarrassed and self-conscious.” This may cover Crosby’s feelings, but the phrases don’t create a unique writer’s voice. There’s no distinct tone or sensibility here, just statements which feel a bit impersonal, a tad bit flat. As a result, the book never develops the personal touch it needs to keep readers interested. The words don’t come alive, and therefore the concepts never really come alive either.

A book on a worthy topic, but not distinct enough to be chosen over the many other books on the same topic.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

2 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians seeking books on Jesus’s core teachings and how they influence culture.

Christian Impact

Crosby helps readers to see how believing in Jesus’ teaching changes how we live.