One.Life

In his latest book, McKnight, a professor of religious studies at North Park University in Chicago and the author of the acclaimed Jesus Creed, argues against the Christianity he was taught in his youth, an interpretation he finds overly fixated on the personal piety of believers rather than their influence in society. He contends instead that Jesus called believers to action and to the establishment of a world of justice, compassion, and peace. This scriptural reading is hardly new, but McKnight's writing makes it fresh and engaging. His frequent pop culture references serve to draw in younger readers; other stylistic choices, such as unusual punctuation and line breaks, can distract from his message instead of creating a contemporary feel. Dividing the book into chapters addressing different aspects of a believer's life, such as "church.life" and "sex.life," McKnight combines knowledgeable scriptural exegesis with anecdotes drawn from his own life and his experiences with college students to provide insight into Jesus' life and message. This results in a highly readable work that can serve as an excellent introduction to Jesus and his teachings for a new generation. (Jan.)