My new book is one week away from being available on Amazon. But I am having trouble deciding which description to put on the back.
Can you help me decide?
Here’s the front cover:
Below are the two book descriptions I am considering. I know you haven’t read the book yet, but read the two descriptions below and decide which one makes you want to read the book MORE. Then leave your vote in the comment section… Or, maybe write a description of your own from a mixture of the two.
By the way, my wife wrote one description, and I wrote the other, so be very careful about which one you vote for … Our marriage is on the line …. (That’s a joke!)
Book Description #1
Why did Jesus have to die?
Did Jesus die to appease the wrath of God against human sinners?
Did Jesus die to purchase forgiveness from God?
Did God need a blood sacrifice in order to extend love, grace, and mercy toward humanity?
In Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, J. D. Myers answers all of these questions by taking a careful look at what the Bible teaches about sin, law, sacrifice, scapegoating, and blood. The book examines the significance of each of these five words, and also considers numerous biblical texts about each.
By reading this book, you will see the death of Jesus in a whole new light, and will also have your eyes opened about the plight of humanity and what Jesus came to rescue and deliver us from.
Book Description #2
Have you ever had difficulties reconciling God’s behavior in the Old Testament with that of Jesus in the New?
Do you find yourself trying to rationalize God’s violent demeanor in the Bible to unbelievers or even to yourself?
Has it ever seemed disconcerting that God tells us not to kill others but He then takes part in some of the bloodiest wars and vindictive genocides in history?
If you have ever wanted to see God in the light of Jesus, seek no further. J. D. Myers masterfully reveals the truth of who God is, as well as the missing pieces you have been searching for in order to truly understand what is written in the Bible.
If you love God and want a closer look into who He truly is, read this book. You will not be disappointed.
Vote in the Comment Section Below!
Let me know which description above makes you more likely to pick up the book and read it.
Thanks!
Voting Has ENDED
Thanks for everyone who provided input. It was very helpful!
Here is the description that I put on the back of the book. Oh … and by the way, the first one was mine, and the second was from my wife, Wendy. The first tended to be more academic and second was more emotional. Based on the input, we combined the two … “and the two shall become one.”
Do you have difficulties reconciling God’s behavior in the Old Testament with that of Jesus in the New?
Do you find yourself trying to rationalize God’s violent demeanor in the Bible to unbelievers or even to yourself?
Does it seem disconcerting that God tells us not to kill others but He then takes part in some of the bloodiest wars and vindictive genocides in history?
The answer to all such questions is found in Jesus on the cross.
By focusing your eyes on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, you come to understand that God was never angry at human sinners, and that no blood sacrifice was ever needed to purchase God’s love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
In Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, J. D. Myers shows how the death of Jesus on the cross reveals the truth about the five concepts of sin, law, sacrifice, scapegoating, and bloodshed. After carefully defining each, this book shows how these definitions provide clarity on numerous biblical texts.
If you have ever wanted to see God in the light of Jesus, seek no further. J. D. Myers masterfully reveals the truth of who God is, as well as the missing pieces you have been searching for in order to truly understand what is written in the Bible. You will also gain insight into the true plight of humanity and what Jesus came to rescue and deliver us from.
Read this book. You will not be disappointed.
The first one!
Thanks!
Definitely the First One Jeremy, catches my attention right away!
Number 2
Second one
It seems to me that number 2 describes the underlying thoughts behind the questions in #1. It’s what someone “feels” about the matter. Reconciling God’s behavior in the OT with Jesus, trying to rationalize God’s violence, etc. are the real issues. From that angle, the process of solving those issues will be to address the questions posed in #1, but ultimately you are addressing the problems presented in #2.
And that’s why I picked the second one. 🙂
Second one for sure.
I will go with Number 1.
#2!
Sorry, this does not help but I like both. Whichever you choose I’m sure it will work. I look forward to reading it.
Number 1
Second one please
Hmmm, assuming the content covers all that, I would like to see something that is a combination of the two; but I have a question for you.
Who is your target audience and which of these two choices best meets their needs?
The 1st one better represents the title of the book (why do I feel I’m taking a college entrance exam? “Which of these paragraphs best represents this statement?”)
The 2nd one might or might not represent what is IN the book, but i can’t tell without reading it. It asks really good questions, but sounds more like a back cover for Beyond An Angry God by Steve McVey, which is a great book by the way, but with a different focus than what I suspect yours is.
Hope this helps, but I’m thinking thru the slime of a head cold so may not be making much sense….
I like the first one better. The second one is good too but the meaning doesn’t come across as clearly as the first.
Second.
Definitely the second one! Those questions are some of the same ones that have had me searching the internet for answers for, for the past year!
Definitely #2
2nd one interests me more.
Though it appears the 1st one would be targeting unbelievers who don’t know much but hearsay of the Gospel, and the 2nd would target people who know more about the Bible in general (atheists who actively debate Christianity, Christians who want to know more and go deeper, etc.). So without knowing who the book is targeted to, I’m not sure which you should go with.
i love number two because i have been asked so often by people why is God so angry in the old testament but so merciful in the new. i believe it is worded in such a way that believers as well as unbelievers will have their interest piqued to pick up the book and read it in its entirety in order to find out the answers.
Undoubtedly Description #1! 🙂
The first one
Both are good but #1 grabs me more
One
Description #1
I would have to go with #2 for now. In John 10:30 Jesus says “I and the Father are one”. God didn’t sacrifice Jesus in a sense, God sacrificed himself.
2d one.
Assuming the book is about the meaning behind the crucifixion and resurrection, I’d have to say number one. I also like the simplicity and directness of the verbiage. We’ve actually been touching on this topic in my Sunday School class and it seems there are a lot of interpretations re atonement. So #1 definitely spoke to me. Number 2 sounds like a description for another book.
For me, the second one makes me more inclined to read the book. Here’s why.
I’ve already come to a perspective answering the questions posed in #1.
#1 feels as though it’s going to try to shoot down my perspective, whereas #2 seems to offer more of a discussion. I am open to new views, but want to feel free to decide for myself. Though I know you always accommodate that desire, not all readers know this about a new book. #2 feels like you present a reasoned perspective, not “all the answers,” as in #1.
Confused yet?
Description #2 explains the seemingly contradiction between killing and not killing in the Word of God. This brings clarity to “Why?” Jesus Christ died?
Description number 2.
The first one is a better tie in to the sub-title of the book. I think the last paragraph needs some work. It seems a little cliche’ to use “whole new light” or “have you eyes opened.” Otherwise I’m looking forward to reading it.
Number 2. It outlines very well the confusion people have over the the OT God and Jesus Christ in the NT.
#1. Although both capture my interest! I almost could t pick one, but I think I like how the first one is more specific about the book’s contents.
I find the second description peaks my interest
Both are very good, but I’m leaning more to #1. That said, I would suggest reworking the last paragraph. Maybe, something along these lines:
You will see the plight of humanity and from what Jesus came to rescue and deliver us, and you will understand the death of Jesus revealed in new light.
Nunber 2
Description 2
Definitely #1. Short and pregnant sentences, to be catched instantaneously. Appeals more to my scientific way of thinking.
I can well imagine that #2 appeals more to “philosophically thinking” people.
Definitely #2. That makes me want to read this book.
No. 1 would entice me to buy the book. I would suggest leaving off the last paragraph; it seems unnecessary and doesn’t add anything concrete to to the description. No. 2 sounds too much like a TV infomercial.
I would prefer using some of both descriptions:
Have you ever had difficulties reconciling God’s behavior in the Old Testament with that of Jesus in the New?
Do you find yourself trying to rationalize God’s violent demeanor in the Bible to unbelievers or even to yourself?
Has it ever seemed disconcerting that God tells us not to kill others but He then takes part in some of the bloodiest wars and vindictive genocides in history?
Why did Jesus have to die?
Did Jesus die to appease the wrath of God against human sinners?
Did Jesus die to purchase forgiveness from God?
Did God need a blood sacrifice in order to extend love, grace, and mercy toward humanity?
In Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, J. D. Myers answers all of these questions by taking a careful look at what the Bible teaches about sin, law, sacrifice, scapegoating, and blood. The book examines the significance of each of these five words, and also considers numerous biblical texts about each.
If you have ever wanted to see God in the light of Jesus, seek no further. J. D. Myers masterfully reveals the truth of who God is, as well as the missing pieces you have been searching for in order to truly understand what is written in the Bible.
Read this book. You will not be disappointed.
Dr. Jeremy, description number 2 is what caught my attention. I want to draw closer to Abba Father and not see Him in a negative light especially through the eyes of the Old Testament.
They’re both thought-provoking but I think #2 casts a wider-net.
Jeremy: Both descriptions have some great questions that I think will capture the reader’s attention. I would suggest a combination. For example:
Did Jesus die to appease the wrath of God against human sinners?
Did Jesus have to die before God would forgive us?
Did God need a blood sacrifice in order to extend love, grace, and mercy toward humanity?
Do you find yourself trying to rationalize God’s violent demeanor in the Bible to unbelievers or even to yourself?
Has it ever seemed disconcerting that God tells us not to kill others but He then takes part in some of the bloodiest wars and vindictive genocides in history?
In Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, J. D. Myers answers all of these questions by taking a careful look at what the Bible teaches about sin, law, sacrifice, scapegoating, and blood. By reading this book, you will see the death of Jesus in a whole new light, and will also have your eyes opened about what Jesus really came to rescue and deliver us from.
If you love God and want a closer look into who He truly is, read this book. You will not be disappointed.
vote for 2. It’s a head and heart approach. 1 seems just head.
Number 1 is my vote
Number 1. The point of the back blurb is to attract attention & hold interest. I think the first does that far more effectively than does the second.
I think the second one is my take . It appeals to you to consider what God has done for humanity through the blood that His Son shared on the cross.
I like the second one.
But and this is a big butt, no not your ass, lol, oh no for sure not mine……………………………………….
and don’t go tell your wife about here big b*tt.
Okay joking aside.
Both cater to a different audience.
So it depends on who you want to reach.
You can’t reach everyone and marketing peeps say you shouldn’t.
Who do you want to buy the book?
That will make you decide what one to go for, or maybe go for nether and go back to the drawing board 🙂
Or you could just take the suggestion of Mike, lol.
What do I know about these kind of things. ;P
I like the 1. Jesus sacrifice on the Cross and His love and the Plan of Redemption are more important to the mankind.
I like # 1 a little better!
Number one…
Because I so desire to know what the words and ideas REALLY mean…
As opposed to what I/we have thought or been taught they mean…
Number two is not as of much interest to me because I don t ask those questions…
Or have resolved those questions in my heart and mind…?!
I like the suggestion of merging the two however…
A balance of the two perspectives?!…
I always like the idea of the female and male mind finding a unity and balance…
Either way…I want this book…like NOW!!!!! Lol
Blessings,
Anita Brickman
Number 2. It sounds like the questions I’d like answered.
I vote for Number 2; I, too, need some answers to these questions.
Book Description #1, goes better with the title of the book.
I vote for number 2.
The combined description is the best one. The book should be a good addition to your previous book, “The Atonement of God,” which was probably the best of any you had written up to that point. We’re looking forward to this newest book.