Unparalleled

How Christianity’s Uniqueness Makes It Compelling

by: Jared C. Wilson

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781493404902

  Pub. Date

  May 2016

  SRP

  $15.00

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About

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.

"Unparalleled will deepen your understanding and appreciation for the Christian faith--so unique and distinctive."--Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan; teaching pastor of Southeast Christian Church

"Jared skillfully reminds us that, through Jesus, the Christian faith is sustained by grace and meets our needs at every level."--Caleb Kaltenbach, author of Messy Grace; lead pastor of Discovery Church

"Like handling a diamond, Jared turns to the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith, shining light on the edges that come together to make Christianity unique."--Trevin Wax, managing editor of The Gospel Project; author of Gospel-Centered Teaching, Clear Winter Nights, and Counterfeit Gospels


Jared C. Wilson is the director of content strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and managing editor of For the Church, Midwestern's new site for gospel-centered resources. He is the author of several books, including Your Jesus Is Too Safe, The Storytelling God, The Prodigal Church, and Gospel Wakefulness. His blog, The Gospel-Driven Church, is hosted by the Gospel Coalition, and he speaks at numerous churches and conferences throughout the year. Wilson lives in Kansas City.

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Endorsements

"I love a book that helps me love Jesus more. Jared C. Wilson has a way of talking about Jesus that both informs and inspires. Whether you are just learning about the gospel or have been following Jesus for many years, Unparalleled will deepen your understanding and appreciation for the Christian faith--so unique and distinctive."

Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan; teaching pastor of Southeast Christian Church

"Jared C. Wilson knows that Jesus is unparalleled. In Unparalleled, Jared skillfully reminds us that, through Jesus, the Christian faith is sustained by grace and meets our needs at every level. No matter if you are a Christian or not, you should read this book. You'll finish with a deeper appreciation of God's love for you and others."

Caleb Kaltenbach, author of Messy Grace; lead pastor of Discovery Church

"I've read a lot of Jared Wilson's books and blogs over the years. Unparalleled is my favorite. Like handling a diamond, Jared turns to the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith, shining light on the edges that come together to make Christianity unique. Read and you'll be refreshed. Read and, if you're like me, you'll love Jesus more when you finish this book."

Trevin Wax, managing editor of The Gospel Project; author of Gospel-Centered Teaching, Clear Winter Nights, and Counterfeit Gospels

"Christians have always had an urgent need to know what they believe and be able to articulate it well. This is especially true in an age of pluralism and extremism. Who do we say that Jesus is? Unparalleled is a reliable guide of clear and artfully illustrated truths about Christianity. I always appreciate how Jared's compassion comes alongside his candor as he gives perspective for our nearsighted faith. Unparalleled is going to help many people see the unseen."

Gloria Furman, cross-cultural worker; author of The Pastor's Wife and Missional Motherhood

There is a school of thought in evangelicalism that thinks blurring the lines between Christianity and other religions makes it more attractive, but this book says exactly the opposite. It is the very uniqueness of the Christian story that makes it compelling. It is the only story that answers the deepest human longings, diagnoses what is wrong with the world, and, with humanity, offers a hopeful vision of the future. This book beautifully presents the distinctions of Christianity and implores followers of Jesus to stop making him look so normal. This is a book you should put in the hands of every Christian."

Daniel Darling, author of The Original Jesus; vice president of communications, ERLC

"C. S. Lewis said once that Christianity has to be true because no mere human would have ever thought it up. Unapologetically, the gospel of Jesus is counter: counter-intuitive, counter-culture, counter-self and even counter-religion. And yet, it is its 'counter-ness' that causes the

gospel to stand out as not only plausible but wonderfully compelling. Jared Wilson does a magnificent job showing us why. Take the time to learn from this book. It will be well worth your time."

Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee; author of Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides

"Jared C. Wilson explains that the Christian faith is without comparison and has no equal. As he says, 'Jesus is unique and compelling.' Unequivocally, in Unparalleled Jared reveals through truth and grace that Christ's way is like no other."

Vince Antonucci, author of God for the Rest of Us; lead pastor of VERVE

"Unparalleled is a gospel-drenched adventure into the uniqueness of God. Confessional and winsome, Jared's writing guides us from the foothills of faith to the Himalayas of holiness. Every grace-soaked page is an invitation to bask in the beauty of the great 'I Am.' Readers beware: the road is neither paved nor popular. But along its gravel you will encounter the living Christ who travels before, behind, and beside his pilgrim people."

Christian George, assistant professor of historical theology and curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Seminary; author of Godology and Sex, Sushi, and Salvation

"With characteristic wit and style, Jared weaves in and out of perplexing doctrines such as the exclusivity of the gospel, the baffling nature of the Trinity, and the uniqueness of Christ. While the topics are approached with reflective credibility, it is the storytelling that pins each point to the chest. As I finished each successive chapter, I found myself saying, 'Now that was my favorite chapter.' I wonder: which one will be yours?"

Jonathan K. Dodson, lead pastor of City Life Church; author of The Unbelievable Gospel and Raised? Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection

"We live in a day of spiritual confusion. Some chase after lowest-common-denominator faith, looking for some baseline that all religious people can affirm. Others treat faith like a buffet, picking and choosing what they want but bypassing the less appetizing dishes. Still others believe that faith is intellectually ridiculous, morally suspect, or inherently dangerous. Jared Wilson steps into the fray and offers an orthodox, winsome, and compelling picture of true faith. Unparalleled demonstrates why Christianity is the true faith that has no real rivals and is the only hope for lost humans and our broken world. Jared is a great storyteller, which makes him a great apologist in a world hungry for stories that matter. Whether you are exploring Christianity, are new to the faith, or are a seasoned follower of Jesus, read this book and see where your own story fits in the story of Jesus Christ, the unparalleled Savior-King."

Nathan A. Finn, dean of the School of Theology and Missions, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

"Jared Wilson's Unparalleled is a stirring reminder of just how different Christianity is from any other faith. Readers will come away emboldened to witness for Christ and encouraged in the grace we have in him."

Thomas S. Kidd, Distinguished Professor of History, Baylor University

"The world is flattening, globalizing, accelerating, and bringing us to unprecedented levels of complexity in every field of knowledge, including the religious-spiritual arena. Unparalleled offers a compelling, clear, and concise overview and exposition of the major doctrines of the Christian faith, which is sorely needed for a complex and confused culture. Jared Wilson successfully does what many apologetics and evangelistic books fail to accomplish: he speaks to the deeper existential crises and heart desires of the lost. He is out to win people to Christ with the truth, not by emphasizing his own rightness but instead emphasizing our ripeness for Christ's rightness. He offers a guide to the Christian faith marked by courageous clarity and poignant storytelling. Whether this book is a gift to the seeker, a discipleship manual to the growing Christian, or a welcomed buttress to those languishing in the faith, I urge you to purchase, enjoy, and gift this book."

Daniel Montgomery, lead pastor of Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, Kentucky; founder of the Sojourn Network; author of Faithmapping, PROOF, and Leadership Mosaic

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