Why Aren't Christians More Like Jesus?
by Michael J. Clemens
Why aren’t Christians more like Jesus? Church history suggests how it happened, the Bible answers why, and the basic teachings of Jesus provide the solution.
About "Why Aren't Christians More Like Jesus?"
You can see it everywhere—on the news, in social media, in books or movies, and by how some churchgoers behave. Just because people call themselves Christians does not mean they are anything like Jesus.
His followers were first called Christians in Antioch. Why? Because they acted like Christ (the original Greek work meant “Christ-people” or “little-Christs”). At the time, it was something of an insult.
If people call themselves Christians, but merely go to church, they will not like what they hear about themselves at Judgment.
It is not enough to just know about Jesus. To be his follower, his disciple, you must get to know and be known by Jesus. Why? Discipleship involves spiritual growth—an ongoing process with the goal of life-long transformation. Jesus said, “follow me,” but instead, today, many religious leaders say, “come to church.”
What do the words and actions of some churchgoers bring to the minds of average, unchurched people? What do people tell pollsters about America’s Christians, how would they label them? For some, it has not been “Christlike.”
Why aren’t Christians more like Jesus? Church history suggests how it happened, the Bible answers why, and the basic teachings of Jesus provide the solution.
A very practical book, Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus? overflows with sage advice, acute observations, and spiritual insights born of many years of Bible study, wide reading, and experience in church life and leadership. The author offers some serious criticisms of the “institutional” church, but these criticisms are accompanied by a spirit of grace and hope. He calls us to transition from “churchianity” to real Christianity, that is, to faith and discipleship to Jesus, to loving God and loving others in the name of Jesus. I especially recommend Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus? to any believer who loves Jesus and his people but is a bit frustrated with the institutional church. Clemens refrains from offering grandiose but unworkable programs for institutional reform. He simply reminds us that church reform begins with “me,” with my continual transformation into someone “more like Jesus.” Amen!
Ron Highfield, Professor Religion and Philosophy Division, Pepperdine University; author of Rethinking Church: A Guide for the Perplexed and Disillusioned & 7 seven other books.
Contents
Prologue
Introduction
- Biblical Essentials
Unless you understand the Bible for yourself, you are at the mercy of others.
- Twisting Scripture
The Bible is often misused, so it is helpful to learn how to recognize some common abuses.
- From Constantine to Catholicism
Those willing to examine the past can benefit from lessons learned by 20/20 hindsight.
- Churchianity
Sometimes religious institutions hurt their devoted followers which is a conflict of interests.
- Christianity
Authentic Christianity has some verifiable characteristics; carefully look for them.
- Loving God
The first Greatest Commandment is the foundation of each believer’s Christlike faith.
- Loving Others
The second Greatest Commandment is the basis for all godly, human relationships.
- More Like Jesus
To become more like Jesus, disciples need to seriously focus on that lifelong goal.
- The Great Omission
Some church leaders largely ignore the second and more important part of the Great Commission.
- The Seduction of Partisan Politics
Partisan politics can easily contaminate, distort, or damage any believer’s spirituality.
- Following Jesus, No Matter What
Following Jesus is a life-long commitment, not a one-time conversion event.
Michael J. Clemens
Author
After serving his home congregation for over thirty years, Michael J. “Mike” Clemens resigned as an elder and spent the next twenty years on an ill-defined sabbatical, trying to refocus his spiritual life.
This book synthesizes lessons learned from several sources, including 1) academic life where he earned a BA in Economics from Oregon State and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alaska, Juneau, 2) three years as a Coast Guard Officer, 3) three decades of administrative work with the State of Alaska, and 4) extensive reading about contemporary Christianity.
Married for 55 years, he and his wife have three children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Mike grew up in Portland, Oregon, but has lived in Juneau, Alaska, since being stationed there after graduation from Officer Candidate School in early 1970. Converted from unbelief a few months later, he served the Juneau Church of Christ faithfully in various capacities including the local eldership from October 1999 until February 2002 when he resigned. In early 2024, he began reconnecting with that same congregation.