“Think Monty Python meets C. S. Lewis” is how the cover of “My Imaginary Jesus” invites the reader to read this book. Big fan of C. S. Lewis, so so fan of Monty Python, life long follower of Jesus. If you love Monty Python and C. S. Lewis, you’ll love this book. If Jesus always agrees with you, you need this book.
Matt Mikalatos says the book flows from the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. I thought it was more like Mark 8, where Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter gets the right answer, but misses the real Jesus.and pursues an imaginary Jesus of his own.
Matt challenges how I see Jesus. I lost track of all the imaginary Jesuses in the book:Political Jesus, Bargain Jesus, Legalistic Jesus, Denomination Jesus, New Age Jesus, and the list goes on. I was forced to look at my view of Jesus and ask, “Who is my imaginary Jesus at work in my life?” Am I still following the real Jesus or the one I have made up to agree with me?
I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I got lost at times in the “Monty Python” approach. But more importantly, Matt reminded me how much I love the real Jesus. The book was previously published as “Imaginary Jesus”. This new edition features a discussion guide as well as interview with Matt.
The book would appeal to those with a Monty Python sense of humor who are wondering who Jesus might be and why Christians seemed so confused with how Jesus leads them in life. Doing that with friends working through the discussion guide would provide a good mirror and window to who Jesus is in one’s life and even more who the real Jesus can be. That reminder made the book a good read for me.
I received a complimentary copy to review from Tyndale House and was not required to give a positive review.
Richard Burkey 
Thanks for your generous review, Richard!
Thank you for pushing me to pursue the real Jesus.