Title Details

John Coleman, M.A., M.Div. is a father, teacher, and minister. He wrote the book out of his search for peace and hope in a sometimes despairing world. He brings to light the tremendously good news that comes from a source that has sometimes been misappropriated and often forgotten: the stories of Jesus that appear in the Bible.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

The Blindside Teachings.

Leaving the Catch Behind (Luke 5:1?11).

The Eyes of Prayer (Luke 5:12?16).

The Bruised Harvest (Matthew 9:35?10:8).

Dancing Through Sabbath Grainfields (Mark 2:23?28).

Barefoot and Vulnerable ( John 13:1?20).

Gospel Logic (Mark 8:27?9:1).

The (Re)Visionary Teachings.

Brother Jesus? (Matthew 15:21?28).

Point of View (Luke 10:25?37).

The Wicked, the Gnarled, and the Wounded (Matthew 21:33?46).

Doing Heaven (Mark 10:13?27).

Jesus the Criminal (Luke 23:26?43).

Inconspicuous Brackets ( John 7:53?8:11).

Weeds and Wheat Together (Matthew 13:24?43).

Beyond Miracles ( John 3:1?21).

The Shalom Teachings.

Binding and Loosing (Matthew 18:15?20).

Blessing Blossoms (Mark 1:29?34).

A Sacred Tension ( John 7:10?24).

The Classroom on the Road (John 14:18?31).

Extravagant Love ( John 12:1?8).

The Lord?s Prayer (Matthew 6:5?15).

Healing Shame (Mark 5:21?43).

The Perilous Teachings.

Ignoring the Prerequisite ( John 2:1?11).

The Web of Discernment (Mark 3:1?6).

Lazarus, Go In! ( John 11:1?44).

The Holy Tension of God?s Will (Mark 14:32?42).

Gospel Grammar (Matthew 7:7?11).

The Grand Illusion (Matthew 4:1?11).

The Restorative Teachings.

Truth in the Terrifying Cloud (Luke 9:28?36).

To Befriend the Mystery ( John 7:25?31).

Front-Porch Miracle ( John 4:1?42).

Grace and One Tunic for the Journey (Luke 9:1?6).

Callings ( John 15:1?17).

Guardians of God?s Beloved (Luke 2:41?52).

Something New in the Mansion of the Lord ( John 20:11?18; 21:1?14).

Bibliography.

The Author.

Index.

Coleman, a "father, teacher, and minister," one day came to the now rather commonplace realization that people's status in life affects their reading of the Gospels. Moving from this revelatory moment, he began to fashion some readings of passages from tile Gospels that are sometimes ignored but that powerfully teach lessons of love, compassion, faith, holiness and peace in unexpected ways. His collection features readings of the "blindside teachings," "(re)visionary teachings," "shalom teachings," "perilous teachings" and "restorative teachings." For example, his section on "blindside teachings" retells the story of the Pharisees' challenge of Jesus and his disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. For Coleman, the unexpected teaching of this story is that "the Sabbath was supposed to be a gift, not a burden." In his section on the "perilous teachings," Coleman retells the story of Jesus turning water into wine at Cana, and declares that the unexpected teaching of the story is that "the wedding feast had to run out of wine for Jesus to perform a miracle." Each of the 34 meditations is accompanied by an "invitation to reflection" containing questions for individuals and study groups. Coleman's reflections are neither new nor startling, and his conclusions are often simplistic, e.g., "Extravagant acts grow out of extravagant love." Moreover, his reflections often read like mini-sermons with a didactic tone rather than warm invitations to think anew about the Gospels. (Feb.) (Publishers Weekly)

Another wonderful surprise is The Unexpected Teachings of Jesus: Encountering the Gospels All Over Again by John Coleman. Like Schmidt, Coleman has an eye for detail and a talent for uncovering that which seemed already naked. Mining the Gospels, Coleman's work reads more like a devotional than an in-depth study. Each small section begins with Scripture, then follows with a reflection on the passage. A short list of probing questions follow.
Sometimes the author reflects on the overall portrait of Christ's actions or words while at other times he relies on a mere phrase from the reading. In the process, Coleman reveals that the teachings of Christ are sometimes very different than what we thought or understood. They usually go against our natural instincts or desires. The book is both challenging and fresh. The humanity of Christ, including the fact that He was a criminal, is placed before readers to consider and reflect upon. Whether you believe Christ was a man or a savior, there's much to learn from The Unexpected Teachings of Jesus. (BookPage, April 2002)

"Coleman's insight into Scripture is nothing short of brilliant! While he pushes the reader to the edge of their comfort zone, he allows no one to come away from this book without seeing God's Word in a fresh new way." (Rev. Steven J. Goodwin Trinity Lutheran Church)

"This book brings striking clarity to all of Jesus' teachings. Again and again, John Coleman lifts a veil from neglected lessons and "wakes us up" with stunning perceptions and wisdom." (Eric R. Anderson, Director of Career Services, Capital University Co-Facilitator, Spiritual Quest Retreats)

"Thee" and though?" Not Jesus! He was a story-teller. A truth-teller. As down to earth as they come. Sometimes, even, a little irreverent. So is John Coleman. I'm betting those who have heard the biblical stories a million times will enjoy hearing them again the way Coleman tells them. And those who are inexperienced when it comes to reading the Bible - but hoping against hope the stories in that Book have something to say that just might change their lives - will find themselves especially glad to be guided by a guy who has been where they are.

Beware: this book is not for people who like "church" language. Jesus didn't use it. And neither does John Coleman. But if you're looking for the One thing that can fill up the empty space at the center of your life, this book will point you to it - poignantly, courageously, joyfully - on every page. (Kelly A. Fryer, author, No Experience Necessary: On-The-Job Training for a Life of Faith pastor of Cross of Glory Church (ELCA) in Lockport, Illinois)

"A responsible Bible scholar, John Coleman translates the wit and wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth into colloquial and often humorous lessons for life in our modern world. Anyone interested in following the way of Christ-or just curious about what that might entail-will be intrigued, tested, and possibly transformed by this book" (Mark Allan Powell Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary Author of Fortress Introduction to the Gospels)