Jesus Christ…the most famous figure in world history.

According to the apostle John:

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25)

Yet, for all His fame, the Son of God has been given many identities by scholars and laity alike, down through the ages. For Bible-believing Christians, He is the very Redeemer, the long-awaited Messiah.

For liberals — whose influence in universities, conferences, and publishing has deceived many — Jesus is merely a sage, a powerful teacher.

But nothing more.

I am always wary of new books that claim to reveal the true Jesus. Christ Himself warned his disciples (recorded in Matthew 24) about deception, and the claims many in the future would make as to His identity.

So it is that I’ve happened upon a brilliant new book that presents the biblical Jesus, the only One in fact that really exists. The false Jesus of the “Jesus Seminar” folks, or the one grudgingly acknowledged by other faiths, is not the Jesus who came to pay the penalty for sin, thus paving the way for man’s reconciliation with his Creator.

Todd Friel understands this. The popular radio host and speaker uses his nimble mind to “pull the mask off” Jesus in Jesus Unmasked: The Truth Will Shock You (New Leaf Publishing Group).

I’ve been aware of Friel’s work for some time, and enjoy very much his ability to stick a pin in the balloon of false teaching. It’s why I knew this book would be terrific…and it is that and more.

The host of the almost-comically named “Wretched Radio” offers here an apologetic that helps readers know Jesus Christ, and if they already know Him, the book is a masterful apologetic for reaching those who need Christ’s singular healing message.

In Jesus Unmasked, Friel reveals the true Jesus Christ step-by-step, going back to the days He walked the earth:

“With hindsight, it is easy to judge people for being confused about Jesus. Knowing the whole story allows us to wonder, ‘How could they not know that Jesus was the fulfillment of hundreds of Old Testament prophecies?’

“Perhaps they would have known that Jesus was indeed the Messiah who came to be the Savior of the world if they had just known their Old Testament better.”

Here, Friel puts his finger on a large problem: the overall lack of biblical knowledge, which is no better in our day. In fact, it might be worse, as poll after poll indicate that a thorough understanding of the Bible is uncommon in 21st century America.

Frankly, what makes Jesus Unmasked so appealing, so gripping, is Friel’s intellectual case that pierces the heart. In other words, he makes it relatively easy for readers to deduce exactly Who Jesus Christ is, and can be for the individual who believes.

As Friel states, Jesus is either myth or Messiah.

No middle ground.