Review: 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', by Bear Grylls (2005)

A thrilling adventure with the man who changed the world

Amid the turmoil of a Western world all at sea after losing its moral compass, a new book may well help turn the tide. And it is already evidently flying off the shelves as a best-seller.
 
The Greatest Story Ever Told sounds like an epic movie of a bygone era, but it’s a fresh and vibrant re-telling of the gospel by a celebrity who clearly lives and breathes the life of Jesus.
 
TV adventuring icon Bear Grylls has written of the three years that changed the world from the eye-witness perspective of five of his closest companions.
 
Strongly influenced by The Chosen drama series in setting the story firmly within its first century Jewish context, readers are taken on a roller-coaster journey through the eyes of Myriam, mother of Yeshua (Jesus), Ta’om, Shimon, Yohanan and Myriam of Magdala – their Hebrew/Aramaic names.
 
Even if you are familiar with the New Testament, you will be stirred, challenged and greatly moved, as I was when I read it aloud to my wife, at times unable to continue due to emotional impact. How did I not see these aspects so clearly before?

We are not spared the graphic detail behind the terrifying trauma and pain of what our Lord suffered.

Whereas the Bible can sometimes be rather abrupt in its narrative, Bear pauses to imagine how the disciples must have felt at each stage. And in the lead-up to the crucifixion, we are not spared the graphic detail behind the terrifying trauma and pain of what our Lord suffered. Think Mel Gibson and his iconic movie Passion of the Christ, only Bear somehow draws you into the action, almost as if you were actually there witnessing it all yourself.
 
At the same time, the story line is not at all morbid. Yeshua is seen as a wonderful teacher and friend whom his disciples came to love deeply, eventually understanding that he was God in the flesh, though utterly confused by his cruel death, leaving them devastated after having brought such joy and laughter into their lives.

But it was not all over, as they were soon to discover. In fact, it was only just beginning, and they were about to risk their lives spreading the good news throughout the known world.
 
This amazing story – here so well-written, authentic, perceptive and funny – turned the first century world upside down and I am sure it will contribute to more earth-shaking responses from a new generation of twenty-first century readers. Because of Grylls' public profile among adults and teens alike, the book is likely to act as an ideal introduction to the Christian faith, especially for those with limited exposure to Christianity beyond basic details about Jesus’ life and work. 

I am sure it will contribute to more earth-shaking responses from a new generation of twenty-first century readers.

The book's been getting top-rate reviews online, too. One reviewer wrote, "This is such a perfect doorway into a personal relationship with Jesus. It reads simply enough for a child but is perfect for a slow read of a chapter, a further dive into the Bible and a thoughtful walk to ponder it all."

Personally, I couldn’t recommend the book highly enough. Buy copies for your friends and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
 
In view of the global rise of antisemitism, this book will prove a soothing antidote, reminding readers of the essential Jewish roots of Christianity, birthed in what is still the most contested piece of real estate on earth.
 
Bear explains: “I wanted to be authentic to the original setting and to avoid anglicised names that are over-familiar to many.”

The Greatest Story Ever Told is published by Hodder & Stoughton,