Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: 12 False Christs

Twelve counterfeit christs. One crucified and risen Savior. Learn to recognize the difference with this clear-eyed, compassionate, and Gospel centered exploration of society's false idols.

In a world overflowing with "designer Jesuses"--from the Mascot cheerleader for happiness to the Option among Many and the Good Teacher--this book holds up the real Christ revealed in the Bible and confessed in the historic Creeds. Each chapter brings you face to face with a different false christ, not with smug superiority or contempt, but with gracious realism and pastoral warmth.

Included in Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

• Leader Guide for group study
• The Apostle's Creed
• The Nicene Creed
• Break-out boxes discussing specific aspects of each false christ
• Discussion questions following each chapter

You'll meet real people and real struggles: ethical hedonism, prosperity gospels, lawless spirituality, and the lure of moralism that creeps into everyday faith. Doctrines are not left abstract--each encounter equips you with sound biblical theology, shaped by Law and Gospel, and always brings you back to the cross where the real Jesus stands for you.

Designed for Christians hungry for more than clichés, every chapter closes with practical questions and "How to Respond" sections to guide honest reflection and faithful conversations with neighbors and friends. Whether you're sorting out your own faith, teaching, or leading a group, this book provides clear direction amid the noise--helping you know, confess, and rest in Christ alone.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard is the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota. He is married to Serenity, and they have three children. He enjoys fishing, pheasant hunting, watching movies, writing, golfing, spending time with his family, and reading a good book with a warm latte!