If you have questions about Christianity, if you consider yourself a skeptic, or if you are simply interested in the historical Jesus, then Hitchhikers’s Guide to Jesus by Bruce Fisk should probably be on your reading list.

I really liked this book. It reads like a novel as the main character, a recent college graduate, flys to Israel/Palestine in search of answers about who this Jesus person really was. The book is part travel narrative as it describes the different historical sights of the area, and part theological discussion as it searches for truth about Jesus. There are many side stories that add texture and interest along the way. I guess you’d call it a travel guide that is both geographic (the Israel/Palestine region) and spiritual (the wandering of our soul as we search for truth).

As a big fan of Westmont College (where Fisk teaches) and a strong believer in off-campus programs, I thought this was a great book to better understand how learning takes place when a student is immersed in a topic. As a follower of Jesus, I found the book to be balanced and thoughtful (even if I disagreed with parts).

Definitely recommended for most readers. The book might irritate you at times, no matter your persuasion, but you’ll learn a lot as you are also challenged.