Finding Jesus in Israel

Assumptions about this title would lead to images of tourist stops of locations mentioned in the gospels. However, this witty and poignant book reads like a middle Eastern version of a Travels in Europe transcript. Journey with Buck Storm, tour guide and tourist, to locations and scenes off the well-traveled bus routes. Discover internal struggles of the people, the land and self mixed with humor and sadness as well. For those of us who dream of an Israel trip while reality deems that unlikely in this lifetime, this gem provides us with a glimpse of the landscape and climate: politically, socially and spiritually. If you've had the opportunity of travel in Israel, enjoy informed descriptions of events and areas unknown to pilgrims.

I received a complimentary copy of this book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

Finding Jesus in Israel: Through the Holy Land on the Road Less Traveled by Buck Storm witty and poignant book.  Buck Storm is the books tourist guide and takes the reader on a journey to locations and scenes off the well-traveled bus routes. Discover internal struggles of the people, the land and self mixed with humor and sadness as well. For those of us who dream of an Israel trip while reality deems that unlikely in this lifetime, this gem provides us with a glimpse of the landscape and climate: politically, socially and spiritually.

I received this ARC from Worthy Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I have this book 4/5 stars.

This was a refreshing read. I have studied from a couple of resources on Israel. But typically, they are based in scripture and present theological ideas in a systematic way. This was opposite of that. It felt like a vacation to a place I have always wanted to visit. Storm does a good job of wetting the appetite for traveling to this region.

This book is not what you think of when you read the title! The author takes you to out-of-the-way hotels, to an Israeli-preferred beach on the Red Sea, and a peaceful Shabbat setting that makes you wish you were there too! He speaks of the kids who do skateboard tricks for money, the friendship between an Israeli and a Palestinian, and a riot by Haredi men who do not want to serve in the Israeli army. He tells you about the horrible human trafficking and prostitution in Tel Aviv and Eilat, and also about an old Scotsman who tells how God has touched him at the Garden Tomb.
Read this book if you want to see the real Israel!

I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I've only recently been moving into reading religious or religion-themed books so this fit my new departure from my normal tastes. It read as part travel guide, part Christian text. It made me really want to visit Israel and explore off the beaten path. So, coming from someone who is very wary of religious prose, A+!

Finding Jesus in Israel is a light-hearted and whimsical look at the people who live and visit the Holy Land. Buck Storm writes in a humorous way, but is also refreshingly thoughtful and kind as he describes the people he encounters on his trips. This book is easy to read, and evocative. Buck takes his readers on a journey to the real Israel, the wonderful and the dark. The book is very easy to read and has an authentic ring to it.

This is a very enjoyable book about the travels of author/songwriter Buck Storm. The author has a great writing style.  He doesn't have anything to prove, and often shows himself in a negative light. This tone is difficult to achieve, because authors usually do this in an unauthentic way, but Buck pulls it off.

There are a lot of interesting Israel facts in the book, both about ancient Israel and contemporary Israel. I think the author has a really healthy perspective on Israel and on Christians' relationship to Israel. Though the book doesn't approach theology explicitly, there are some theological themes that come out of some of the chapters.

The only complaint I have about the book is some of the later chapters that discuss Buck's conversations with God. These kinds of interactions always make me a bit uncomfortable because it is essentially putting words in God's mouth. There wasn't anything heretical in these conversations, and I appreciate the willingness/desire to have a two-way relationship with God, but it was just a little uncomfortable to me.

Overall, a great book and I highly recommend it.