Reviews | Why Aren't Christians More Like Jesus?

Book Reviews

Dr. Ron Highfield, Professor Religion and Philosophy, Pepperdine University; author of Rethinking Church: A Guide for the Perplexed and Disillusioned, wrote about Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus:

An excerpt:

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 who 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!

Does God Exist? founder John Clayton kindly reviewed Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus in their first quarter of 2025 journal.

An excerpt:

Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus is an excellent apologetic book, and we highly recommend it. We pray this is the beginning of a change in America’s religious fabric.

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Al Maxey wrote in #888 of his Reflections newsletter:

An excerpt:

I hope all of you will go to Amazon and acquire a copy of this book. You will be blessed by reading it!

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Michael J. Clemens’ book Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus was reviewed by Jason Darden for the Christian Chronicle.

An excerpt:

This book can be used as an effective tool for church leaders who wish to refocus their congregation’s missional direction. Frustrated congregants who are burned out by “Churchianity” will find solace in Clemens’ work knowing they are not alone. “Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus?” is an excellent read from an author who longs to see the church return to its missional identity.

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Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus recieved a review in THE NEWSLETTER OF IBTM With Douglas Jacoby

An excerpt:

Many wholesome thoughts and much to consider! The range of the book is broad, and in some ways Clemens’ work is more a manifesto than a targeted exploration of the topic. Still, nearly everything resonated with me

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Top reviews from Amazon.com

Kevin D. Henderson

A Book to Help Us See

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2025

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For people who have attended church for an extended period of time, perhaps for their entire lives, there is a tendency to get myopic and lose sight of the bigger picture. It is easy for us to see all religious and spiritual matters through the singular filter of our own experience. This can, and often does, result in something less than an accurate look at the reality in front of us. It hampers and distorts our response to the call of Jesus “to come follow me.” It is all too easy for us to follow church traditions, rather than follow Jesus. To be honest, many of us know there is something missing in our churches and in our Christian lives, but we need help to see afresh what we are doing and why we are doing it. As I see it, this is the primary value of Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus?, by Michael J. Clemens. The author helps us see how easily and how often we have let the maintaining of our own church heritage and tradition outweigh the real need to come fresh daily to the throne of God and to me more like Jesus in our daily lives. The author begins where he should, looking at Biblical essentials and scripture. Then he helps us look critically at our own history to see where we have derailed over time and where we are still off track today, especially in our Western culture. But, more powerfully, Michael Clemens brings us back to Jesus himself and reminds us of what is eternally important. If you know there is something missing in your religious experience, but you are not sure what it is, this book is a great place to start. Highly recommended.
Judy Hudson

Compassionate, biblically-sound challenge to ‘sloppy religion’

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025

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A scholarly, yet very readable, compassionate, spiritual ‘checkup’ for Bible believers as well as church leaders. This book challenges ‘sloppy religion,’ inviting a more intimate walk with God. I loved it and will read it again. Perfect for group study as well.
Dwight

Good Question, Valid Answers

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024

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Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus? The title of this book is as much a statement as a question. It is likely a question non-Christians ask themselves often. It is as likely a question that most “Christians” never ask themselves. For any Christian that sees the validity of the question, it is worth your time to read.
Kenny Knapp

“Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus”

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025

This book was well researched, well written, yet easy to read.
ptforme2

Good questions

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2024

This book explores the disconnect between beliefs and actions by people who consider themselves a Christian. The book is easy to read, occasionally provocative and left me pondering some tough questions. Recommend reading and probably rereading.
Amazon Customer

This book brings to light what it really means to be a follower of Jesus

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024

This book helped me understand many things about my own spiritual journey, and I am so excited to share it with my friends and family who will also benefit from it. Why aren’t Christians more like Christ? This book poses the question and comes with the answers. It explores what it truly means to be a Christian and uses God’s words (scriptures) to back it up. It lays out the simplicity and complexities of what it means to be a follower of Christ no matter what church you attend. This book was a real eye opener for me and I highly recommend it to anyone that wants a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus.
Francis Allan

Insightful and thought provoking

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024

With a Catholic background I found this book very insightful. It is a thought provoking work which explores and points out the divide between established religious beliefs and actions people actually take while thinking that they are acting within the faith they profess to have lived by. The book is easy to read, occasionally perhaps controversial and may lead readers to ponder the basics of their beliefs. I highly recommend an in depth read. Francis C. Allan
David Austin Woodward

Good read. Highly recommend it.

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024

On behalf of a minister in Ukraine:

Great book! The author does a great job of showing the difference between being a disciple of Jesus and just a mere churchgoer. Christianity has become a churchianity – convenient religion often limited within the walls of church buildings and cathedrals. In some cultures it is even used to promote people’s prestige. That’s so opposite to what Jesus taught in the Gospels.

Good read. Highly recommend it. Asked a friend to buy it on Amazon and ship it to me to Ukraine. Did lots of underlining and writing in my journal.