Book Preview: Too Good to Be False: How Jesus' Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality by Tom Gilson

About the Author

Tom Gilson writes on the truth of Jesus Christ for a world that's becoming more and more confused about spiritual reality every day. His areas of special interest include sexuality, science, rationality, and above all, Jesus Christ himself.

Tom has served as Vice President for Strategic Services at the campus apologetics ministry Ratio Christi. Prior to that he was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for 34 years, serving in HR leadership and internal strategic consulting, as well as a two-year stint on loan with the (Chuck) Colson Center for Christian Worldview, writing and working on strategies.

He holds an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida, and a B.Mus. in Music Education from Michigan State University.

Gilson blogs at Thinking Christian and writes for The Stream.  

About the Book

What if we take the story of Jesus seriously—as a story? Skeptics urge us to do that—it’s “only a story,” they say, a legend just like many other god-stories from ancient days. Why do we treat it as anything more than that? Too Good To Be False takes up that question with an approach no author has taken in close to a century. This book shows that although the skeptics’ question may be a fine one, the answer they give is as far from truth as it could be. Jesus’ character is unlike any other. No other hero—whether of history, myth, imagination, or legend—has loved as he loved, led as he led, cared as he cared, or understood himself as Jesus understood himself. Christians reading this book will encounter Jesus in fresh, worshipful new ways, and skeptics may discover his character is too unique, too consistent, and entirely too good to be false.

Notable Book Recommendations

“I may never before have made this comment in a recommendation, but this volume was a ‘fun read.’ I enjoyed it! Don’t get me wrong — Gilson’s responses hit the skeptical objections at which he aimed time-and-again, including many of the major complaints lodged against Jesus’ story.”

- Gary Habermas

"Tom Gilson takes a fresh, innovative approach in his stimulating Too Good to Be False. Although oriented for the general reader — including skeptics — the “professionals” will get a lot out of it, too."

- Craig A. Evans 

"This book is an absolute delight to read and it wonderfully fills a big hole in contemporary apologetics. While it revives an older argument that has dropped out of the contemporary scene, it updates and exposes that argument in a fresh way. Its brilliance lies in the approach of arguing for Jesus’ uniqueness and Deity based on what Jesus did not do. I have never approached the gospels in this way and, with Gilson’s guidance, I have come to love, respect, and worship Jesus with renewed vigor and insight. Honestly, this book must be in your library. I am grateful that it is available to a new generation who will be strengthened and equipped by its argumentation."

- J.P. Moreland

In Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality, Tom Gilson examines the nature of Jesus and argues that the gospel descriptions of the Savior were too glorious, consistent, and unique to be the product of legendary embellishment. Too Good To Be False describes the incredible character and appeal of Jesus of Nazareth, even as it makes a refreshing case for Christianity.

- J. Warner Wallace

You can pre-order your copy here.

Happy Reading!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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