This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

$8.81

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible See less

FREE delivery Sunday, May 12 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery Wednesday, May 8. Order within 20 hrs 23 mins

Select delivery location

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

$$14.04 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by The BAP Goods and Fulfilled by Amazon.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (77) from $5.32 & FREE Shipping

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Carl Medearis

Follow

Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Not-Evangelism Paperback – June 1, 2011

by Carl Medearis (Author)

4.7 1,260 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$14.04","priceAmount":14.04,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"04","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"ZeXnCrSOf1Tr6BS7jbiyUECv%2FFIPAm2CRT%2FwwhcqRFNsq9UShNrc4CxM53QR9vSOhIwIPcz3NUuzVlGi9RRomReun3wHnMZkP6bjC%2BHf%2BMdfg5FZsaichOI0JCwwnRY3H1DczLtgJye3yaYxA7O1CTkjrPEPB3uNK7RNyeK%2Fo%2FC%2BBFuHFk94kw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$8.81","priceAmount":8.81,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"81","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"ZeXnCrSOf1Tr6BS7jbiyUECv%2FFIPAm2CmNEMF83hsR6oC8ZKQnRT5LyBSHxYgM9ZuIw6f8PbSvtT4KXpfvx%2BKfTJLiK4hSeBOYaOWj8ji89ifqx3zRHp9Dnxx51E8lwtp6joF1xLp4XCMev6pzuQP56RPwNtbphwXPTKYeFuUcgG7cU9xuqoc1DQ4npVz4WA","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Some of us fear moments when we need to defend our theology. Some of us seek them out. But we are seldom ready the way Jesus seemed to be ready. So how do we draw others to God in the midst of these ordinary conversations the way Jesus did?
In Speaking of Jesus, Carl Medearis draws on his experience of international reconciliation between Muslims and Christians to remind us of the heart of the matter: Jesus. Here he gives us tools, stories, and the foundation we need to move beyond “us” and “them” and simply talk about the One who changes it all. As Carl writes, “While others are explaining and defending various isms and ologies we’re simply pointing people to our friend. The one who uncovers and disarms. Who leads people right to himself. The beginning and the end of the story. A good story indeed.”

Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Publisher

David C. Cook
Publication date

June 1, 2011
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.48 x 8.1 inches
ISBN-10

1434702103
ISBN-13

978-1434702104
See all details

Frequently bought together

Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Not-Evangelism

$15.51

Get it as soon as Monday, May 13

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Sold by Shakespeare Book House and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.

+

A Doubter's Guide to World Religions: A Fair and Friendly Introduction to the History, Beliefs, and Practices of the Big Five

$18.65

Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12

In Stock

Sold by Lower-Christian-Prices and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

One of these items ships sooner than the other.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Carl Medearis
117
Paperback
55 offers from $1.85
Francis Chan
5,995
Paperback
242 offers from $1.57

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Quit defending Christianity.Author Carl Medearis is not interested in keeping Christianity alive. Not one bit. Carl believes it has grown into something that is rarely attractive, frequently divisive, and all too often embarrassing. He believes you may feel this way too. In his new book, Speakingof Jesus, Carl gives us a wink and a grin and the permission to stop feeding this thing called Christianity. His offer is that doing so allows us the freedom to relax and feast on Jesus. “You may not agree with everything in this book. I don’t. But you will be moved by it as I was…. Carl’s way of speaking of Jesus is immensely attractive.”Miroslav Volf, founding director of Yale Center for Faith and Culture and author of Allah: A Christian Response “Speaking of Jesus is a beautifully framed rethink on what it means to champion Jesus.”Hugh Halter, author of The Tangible Kingdom and Sacrilege

About the Author

Carl Medearis is an expert in the field of Arab-American and Muslim-Christian relations and the author of the acclaimed book, Muslims, Christians and Jesus. Having lived in Lebanon for twelve years, today Carl works with international leaders to promote cultural, political, and religious dialogue in the Middle East.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ David C. Cook; 6/18/11 edition (June 1, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1434702103
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1434702104
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.48 x 8.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #473,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #30,872 in Christian Living (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 1,260 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Carl Medearis

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Carl Medearis is an international expert in Arab-American and Muslim-Christian relations. He acts as a catalyst for movements in the Middle East to promote peace-making and cultural, political and religious dialog for reconciliation. He works with leaders in the West and in the Arab world with the hope of seeing them experience full and fruitful relationships through the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Carl is the author of multiple resources designed to help Christians talk about Jesus and relate to their Muslim neighbors including:

Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Non-Evangelism

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships

Tea With Hezbollah: Sitting at the Enemies Table

Carl, his wife Chris, and three kids have over 30 years of experience living, working, and travelling in the Middle East, including 12 years making their home in Beirut. Through their unique and strategic approach around the Arab world, they encouraged university students, business professionals and political leaders to live their lives by the principles and teachings of Jesus to change their societies and nations.

Carl's newest book will be releasing soon!

Adventures in Saying Yes: A Journey from Fear to Faith

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

1,260 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Jericho Jae-Rae

Real Medearis

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024

Verified Purchase

Such a wholesome book. Wish I were this conversational. I really don't think this should be the only perspective you get on evangelism, but it'd be a shame to exclude it. Also, get Tea with Hezbollah.

Helpful

Rick Love

Why Carl Medearis got it right in "Speaking of Jesus"

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2011

Verified Purchase

Why Carl Medearis got it right in "Speaking of Jesus"
By Dr. Rick Love
[...]
[...]

Speaking of Jesus by Carl Medearis is the best book you can read about evangelism - even if the subtitle says: the art of not-evangelism. Why? Because evangelism is neither a method nor an approach. It is not a what or a how. It is a who - Jesus is the good news. Carl powerfully (and sometimes humorously) illustrates how this works in real life.

Carl's thesis is simple but liberating: We need to stop playing the "our religion can beat up your religion game" (p. 103) and focus on calling people to Jesus. "If you don't feel like you have to evangelize someone away from their team and onto yours, you can speak of Jesus much more freely and thus, more effectively" (p. 103). "Evangelism, as a method, is dangerous because it's something we "do" to other people. Nobody likes to be "done" (p. 125). All we need to do is speak of Jesus.

Carl's book will help you become Christ-centered rather than Christianity-centered. He will equip you to be winsome and welcoming, rather than defensive and adversarial. He will persuade you to follow Jesus.

Which leads to my second main point ...Speaking of Jesus is also a great book about discipleship. Story after story highlights what it means to follow Jesus. Carl will help you distinguish between Jesus and Christianity (a main point of his book). And Carl is right: Jesus has no peers.

Why I am writing this book review? Three reasons. First, because Carl is a close friend whom I admire greatly. I wanna be like Carl. Second, because this book is a valuable tool for the kingdom. In fact, if I had only five books (outside of the Bible) to help mentor a young leader, this would be one of them!

Third, because this book describes one of Peace Catalyst's values. Carl didn't know that his book will be required reading for anyone joining our organization! As our website says, we value ...

A passionately Jesus-centered approach to life
Above all, we are followers of Jesus, on a journey with him, following where he leads us. We center our lives on him - not on the religion of Christianity, not on Western civilization, and not on patriotism. Jesus is the great peacemaker. We affirm a Jesus-centered approach to life because this highlights the treasure of the good news. His life, his teaching, his death, and his resurrection all describe and illustrate multi-dimensional reconciliation.

Speaking of Jesus demonstrates what it means to live a passionately Jesus-centered approach to life.

Do I agree with everything Carl says? No! That's why I said this book would be one of the five I would use for mentoring leaders. Thank you Carl for putting into writing what Jesus has written on your heart and what He communicates through your life!

20 people found this helpful

Helpful

H. M. Thompson

I don’t have to do the heavy convincing. Jesus is powerful all on his own.

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

Easily one of my favorite books. I don’t have to do the heavy convincing. Jesus is powerful all on his own. There is a lot of freedom to just 'be me'. I am nothing – and I have an amazing friend in Jesus. Within the red letters, there is a lot of wisdom. Yes please! I love the contrast Carl lays out: We can give them Jesus or wasted sewage. Religion cannot and will never save anyone – the theater session with the religious leaders is awesome: He's just...Carl. Religion won't get him into heaven. He had an 'unfair' advantage: Jesus. I had be inflicted with salvation insecurity. I love I get to go where the 'sinners' are and just love them. I teared up with owner of the bookstore had people apologize to him for the way they treated him. As soon as you get defensive, you prove your own guilt. 50 people: negative towards Christianity. 50 people positive towards Jesus. Jesus is bigger than our religion.

And so on - I am a big fan of Carl's book. Maybe not his Denver Broncos - but I know that we both know Jesus is the best news around. I am glad Carl decided to write about it.

Helpful

Casey Franklin

How (not) to Speak of Jesus

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2011

Verified Purchase

This book is a refreshingly real and honest. Medearis gives his take on how to share the Gospel in a way that is real, honest and effective.

Medearis is differentiating the "religion of Christianity" from Jesus: He states, "I believe the religion of Christianity and the gospel can be two different messages. Even opposed on some points. When we preach Christianity, we have to own it, when we preach Jesus we don't have to own anything. Jesus owns us. We don't have to defend Him. We don't have to explain Him. All we have to do is point with our fingers, like the blind man in the book of John, and say, `There's Jesus. All I know is that He touched me, and where I was once blind, now I see.'"

The author also sees a need for a new vocabulary: He suggests certain words have evolved and now fail to communicate the intended message. He suggests we change: Christian to Follower of Jesus, Evangelism to "making disciples". He has an interesting take on the word church. The original meaning came from the greek ekklesia which refers to specific citizens who are "called out", but was eventually morphed from a German word kirche which refers to a cathedral or type of building. This is how we came to refer to church as being a building rather than a group of people. He also does not like the word missionary. He says that "if the people you are trying to reach have you pegged as a missionary, you're going to have to work twice as hard to get to them."These words just simply do not mean what we'd like them to mean.

Medearis summarizes the history of Christianity succinctly and indicates that Christendom may not accurately reflect Jesus and His Kingdom.

The author shows that Evangelism is simple: "Just talk about Jesus" and love (be nice to) people. I love how he points out that "loving" means actually being nice! So often the idea of love is so cliche that it doesn't really mean anything anymore. Loving someone actually means being kind, sensitive and nice!

The Gospel is not a what. It is not a how. The gospel is a who. The gospel is literally the good news of Jesus. Jesus is the gospel.
Following Jesus vs. following Christianity. "With Christianity, there's always the question "'am I good enough'? Whereas Jesus announced that He was present for those who needed Him, as a physician for all the ill and wounded..."

Generally speaking, people are turned off by religion but are so attracted to Jesus and the things He taught.
Medearis explains that although they deny his crucifixion and divinity, Muslims have deep respect for Jesus. They see him as a sort of folk hero and even regard him as the only sinless prophet.

Medearis prefers a centered-set model verses a bounded set model of evangelism. This helps to avoid the "us vs. them" mentality. No one likes to be approached as someone one the "outside" (even if they are) who needs "converting".

He has beautiful and compelling stories of people far from Jesus (in our western definition) discovering a Jesus they never knew. These stories will inspire you to do exactly what he is suggesting: Love people and talk about Jesus.

In summary, although the book pushes the limits, but you can jive with the spirit of what he is trying to communicate even if you don't agree on every technical point. I like the book very much and highly recommend it. Although not a heavy theological work, that is the beauty of it. It's an easy read that speaks from real-life experience of what works. It forces us out of our box of what evangelism traditionally is. Carl is coming from a non-Western perspective and helping us see our "religion" as seen by the rest of the world. Helping us gain new insights into what it means to follow Christ and help others want to follow Him too.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

George

Irgendwie nichts neues, aber doch eine neue Perspektive.

Reviewed in Germany on October 31, 2017

Verified Purchase

Als ich das Buch gelesen habe, dachte ich nix neues darin zu lesen.
Jedoch gibt er eine neue Perspektive. Er schreibt sehr viel aus seinen
eigenen Erfahrungen und das Buch liest sich sehr gut.
Mir hat das Buch geholfen anders mit Leuten "von" (nicht "über") Jesus zu sprechen.

Translate review to English

Brian & Gel Smith

Go into all the world

Reviewed in Japan on March 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

It was interesting but a little hard to get into and remains 3/4 finished and one day I will get around to it.

Translate review to English

Community Orleans

Well worth the read.

Reviewed in Canada on May 5, 2014

Verified Purchase

I read this book back in January, then read it 15 more times. I then bought 25 copies of the book and gave them to a great group of friends. I will start by saying that I often read books, not to affirm everything I already 'know' or believe but to grow and have ideas and thoughts to wrestle with. I found it in this book. I am thankful for Carl's approach in his writing, very much feels like a sit down talk with the author. (great audio book too, read by Carl as well.)
I am not going to argue that this is a must read, because I don't think that everyone is at a place to read this type of literature. I do believe, how ever, that if you are looking for something new, to bring freshness in your approach to church, faith, and in communicating Jesus, this is a great place to start. You do not need to buy into every word. Take it for what it is. I pray that you would be lead to a new nearness to Jesus and genuine heart for living out this life Jesus has for you.

I was greatly encouraged by this book.

I hope that you will be too.

2 people found this helpful

Daniel Fairhead

Very worth reading for all Christians, especially those interested in missions.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2013

Verified Purchase

The term 'Christian' no longer means 'follower of Jesus Christ' - but has become in many parts of the world a generic term meaning 'westerner' (usually white).

Additionally, many of the ways that we try to speak to others about Christ are no longer perceived (if they ever have been!) as purely innocent 'one beggar telling another beggar where the food is', but has seems like western imperialists attempting to colonise and strip people away from their cultures.

Carl clearly demonstrates these concepts, and humorously and honestly attempts to find a new way to explain why He's so passionate about Jesus, and how to share that with others.

I read this already knowing a lot of what Carl thinks about Evangelism and people called 'Christians', so I found some of this book a little repetitive, and some of the stories a bit over simplistic (effective 'follower of Jesus' example vs. ineffective 'western Christian'), and if you accept the premise, somewhat self-obvious. However, it's very worth reading.

In some ways a little like the gospel itself: if taken on board and honestly lived, and not just talked about, this could change everything.

I thoroughly recommend for all Christians, and non-Christians interested in why some seemingly normal people would go over-seas and apparently become a crazy 'missionary'...

2 people found this helpful

Barry Dowdeswell

I really enjoyed his honest and fresh

Reviewed in Australia on November 27, 2015

Verified Purchase

Clear, calm, logical approach to personal evangelism. I really enjoyed his honest and fresh approach

See more reviews

Return this item for free

Image Unavailable

Follow the author

Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Not-Evangelism Paperback – June 1, 2011

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Carl Medearis

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries