This book is a clever argument for Christianity. The main character,Nick Cominsky, originally a religious skeptic, has dinner with Jesus and becomes convinced that Christianity is true. Jesus is very convincing (in fact,Jesus even knows Cominsky grew up as a Bear/Cub fan!) It starts out well--Jesus makes a persuasive case to Cominsky (and me)that Islam and Hinduism are false. Eventually, Jesus will convince Cominsky (though not me)that Christianity is the one true way to God. Ultimately, the arguments on behalf of Jesus and Christianity are unoriginal and unconvincing. I would have asked a few more probing questions were I in Mr.Cominsky's position, but I suspect the questions might have been much more difficult for Jesus to answer. One possible question I would pose: if God is all-great why is there so much poverty, disease, war, and misery in the world? The problem with the book is not that Cominsky is skeptical, it's that he isn't skeptical enough.

I just finished this book and I must say I was surprised. It was very good. My initial worry was that it would be fluffy, but the portrait of Jesus struck the right balance between his being compassionate and winsome on the one hand, but far from passive or a push-over on the other. It was enjoyable to the end. If I have friends who wonder what a conversation with Jesus would be like or are seeking to find out more about Christianity in a non-threatening way; Dinner with a Perfect Stranger will be at the top of the list!

Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower's Guide for the Journey

Trite, predictable, uninteresting, unchallenging, and more. A peculiar little book that did nothing for my faith. I want something that stretches or even challenges. This appeared to be narrow, party propaganda. Perhaps, however, this is for someone who has never heard of Christianity. I am also troubled at the numbers who raved about this book. That fact, to me, is a sorry commentary on the depth of Christianity in America. St. Paul indicated that, "When I was a child, I thought like a child." Now that I am a man, I need something more.

This book is an easy read! The book basically takes place during a 4-course meal in a restaurant. The over-ambitious husband feeling failure in his marriage and life gets invited to dinner by Jesus. The dialogue is very simple and easy to get. It's a story of hope and inspiration! Excellent book for non-believers & believers!! I recommend it as a MUST READ. A+++++++++++

I have the honor of keeping up with college students and military in our church. Our pastor recommended this book and loaned me his own copy to read. It was easy reading and so interesting that I purchased 10 copies to send to my college students along with their Easter package. From choosing the nicest restaurant (wouldn't he want the best for his followers?) to giving good advice to his guest and taking a moment to notice those serving Him, this writer managed to give the reader a nice warm feeling about what it might be like to have dinner with Jesus.

Simplistic and poorly constructed. This book is offensive to other religions and those who question the narrow confines of a twisted version of Christianity that is worryingly popular at this time. I was actually shocked at the weakness of the arguments and very surprised that the author did not see their obvious faults. I was expecting a book that would offer a refreshing take on Christianity, with factual and honest information. I think this would turn many away from Christianity. It is sad how the basic truths of this religion have been distorted.

Absolutely FANTASTIC. Simply written. I've purchased several and pass them to friends. Wonderful, wonderful book.

ONE OF MY LEAST FAVORITE READS AND SOME YEARS I READ OVER 100 BOOKS!
FUNDAMENTALIST DISMISSES OTHER RELIGIONS PUTTING WORDS INTO JESUSES MOUTH THAT DEMEAN OTHER/ MISUNDERSTAND OTHER FAITHS.

SEE 'SALTY SEAS' REVIEW FOR THE LONG FORM!
from one of the other 1 star reviews:
"Apalling, Biased Views of Other Religions
Im Hindu it frustrates me that this book is so popular, because it totally misrepresents my religion, as well as other religions, perhaps even Christianity. "
from 5 star reviews
"sure its a sermon" and "if you dont believe in the bible this might cause you to reconsider"
well no!!!!!

BUT FROM THE MOUTH OF JESUS THESE WORDS APPEAR..OR RATHER iN THE BOOK HE DISMISSES...BUDDISM WHICH IS A RELIGION OLDER THAN CHRISTIANITY as merely Buddhas attempt to 'deal with the pain in the world'!!!!!!!!

and from another 1 star review


" superficial and trite. The book is condescending and juvenile in its arguments. It lacks any sort of analytic integrity. Save your money and buy almost anything else to read--I'm convinced that would be more worthwhile than wasting your time with David Gregory (whom I hope will remain a perfect stranger" !!!!!!!

I'm not sure what drew me to this book, but am glad I read it. It's a very easy read, and is able to very simply explain complex philosophical concepts. Surprisingly, I had a bit of a tear in my eye when I finished it, though it certainly doesn't pander to that emotion.
I recommend this book for seekers and believers alike.

This book is one of the best books that I have read in many years. It brings together a real understanding of our faith (Christian) without casting stones at other faiths. Ought to be read by every Christian.

Robert D. Brown

The book was a excellent from start to finish. I was a easy read, quick to the point yet broad enough to answer many questions we have about other religions. I've purchased 6 additional copies to send to friends and family members with the hope it will be the beginning of a new day for them and their children.

I give this book 4 stars (even though 5 + 1 divided by 2 equals 3) primarily because I thought it was a very clever approach to the issue of Christianity, because it was thought-provoking and because it was well written. In addition, it was not entirely clear to me whether his intended audience was "wavering" or "questioning" Christians or whether it was agnostics or athesists (or all of them). I will say that I came at the book from the perspective of one who has read (and frankly been persuaded by) Sam Harris's "Letter to a Christian Nation", Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion" and Christopher Hitchen's "God is Not Great", all of which advocated atheism from varying approaches.

Although there are many arguments that I have read in support of atheism, one of the most persuasive for me (which is really well-explored in Sam Harris's book) is the notion that for any one religion to be "right", all of the others must necessarily be "wrong". Moreover every person of every religious faith is necessarily an atheist themselves as to every other religious faith. Thus, for example, Christians are atheists when it comes to Islam and vice versa.

Because of this, I was curious to see what "Jesus" would have to say about other religions. Sure enough, the very first thing he does in his discussion with Nick is to trash all of them. He trashes Buddhism, he trashes Hinduism, he trashes Islam and so on. No doubt he would trash Mormonism as well (being founded by Joseph Smith in New York in 1828). But why should all of those religions be "wrong" and Jesus's right? That sounds arrogant to me. In addition, I note that there was a curious omission of Judaism in Jesus's list of "wrong" religions. Presumably the "flaw" with Judaism is that Jews failed to realize that he was the Second Coming and thus "missed the boat" so to speak. Yet I suspect that perhaps the author felt more comfortable dismissing more "distant" religions (and their practitioners) rather than one that is closer to home (and whose practitioners live among us).

Anyway, as a vehicle to make one think about religion in an interesting way, I thought that the book was well done. As an attempt to persuade one that atheism is wrong, or that Harris, Dawkins and Hitchens are wrong, I thought it was weak.

The greatest short book that I have read. Wouldn't we all like to have dinner with Christ? of course we would. We are in a time where Christians are on the defensive - this book gives you a lift.

This is a quick and interesting page turner. Nothing particularly astonishing or controversial, but I recommend it.

A beautifully written narrative that has solid apologetics yet captures the imagination and the heart.

I received this book as a gift and enjoyed it so much that I bought it to give to my daughter-in-law. What would it be like to have dinner with Jesus? This book answers that question in a way that includes humor and an inside look at witnessing as Jesus might do it if he invited an unbeliever struggling with life's problems to dinner. A thought-provoking book beautifully written.

An excellent book. Perfect for the whole family to listen to. It is funny at times and then brings the right amount of drama at the right time. It makes you think things through and to a higher level.

A quick read, I actually read it twice. I will keep it and lend it out, but I want it back. It's one for my permanent collection.

My mom gave me this book to read as, one would guess, a last minute ditch effort to get me back into religion. Flipping through the book and seeing that it was only around 100 pages, and was printed in nice big "kid's book" letters, I figured, hey, what's a couple hours? I'm certainly willing to hear other viewpoints, and weigh them accordingly.

My first complaint is that if this is how religious people think that non-religious people think, feel, and act, then they are sorely mistaken. It's as if everyone that isn't Christian is empty, sad, and just sort of generally depressed. I guess using logic and consistency in your life makes you depressed? I guess not accepting whim-based rules about how to live life because "this book said so" and instead working rigorously to come up with a consistent set of morals and values makes you feel empty?

Anyways, the author attempts to make logical proofs, and in doing so, shows that he has no clue what a logical proof is. His undeniable, irrefutable proof that god exists is that an earlier part of the bible predicts a later part of the bible. Seriously. Nevermind that the later part of the bible was written a couple centuries after the fact, and by monks who were fully aware of the prophecies in Daniel, etc.

He also makes the claim that either Buddhism, or Hinduism, (i forget which, and i don't have the book in front of me) can't be true because it says that the universe is eternal. "How does that stack up against what your scientists have recently discovered?" alluding to the idea that we now *think* that the universe had a starting point. Regardless of the fact that we don't KNOW that it had a starting point, using science to dethrone one religion after another but not applying it to your own is a methodology only useful to those completely wrapped up in their own beliefs. One wishes the guy having dinner with Jesus would have responded with "well... that's funny... what does our science say about the idea of consciousness without matter? Or simultaneously being all-knowing and all-powerful? Or energy without any means to measure it? I guess that means your dad doesn't exist... which in turn means you don't exist, because you're one with your dad or whatever... so I guess I'm talking to myself... which would explain why the waiter has been looking at me strangely all night."

There was also a fantastic bit at the end about how if Jesus was in this guy's heart, he (Jesus) could love the guy's wife when he (the guy) couldn't anymore. Or something to that effect. I'd talk more about that, but I don't want to misquote it and have someone negate the whole review based on it, so I'll let it go.

I could go on for pages about the rediculous assumptions this book makes about how life should be lived, and the causes of evil in the world, etc. But I won't. Suffice it to say that this book is patently ridiculous, and actually rather offensive to truly free-thinking, open and honest people.

Then again, the author believes in a god that said "Thou Shall Not Kill" and then went on to murder millions and millions of people, as well as an entire planet's worth of animals that are completely amoral. So I guess anything goes, and he's as capable as anyone else to cherry-pick the parts that he does and doesn't support out of the bible.

This little book is captivating. It answered many questions that often come up about who God is. It was so interesting I couldn't put it down. I found it profoundly entertaining and historically accurate.

Great book for people of all ages. Being a Christian and reading a book that would be directed to those that aren't sure of their beliefs in God and Christ. A very easy to read, of the times meeting with Jesus explaining in laymens terms of what His purpose was for living, dying and being resurrected to live again. Not complicated at all. It's short and to the point, through the course of a dinner. I would highly recommend that any and all read this book.

What a dream, to have lunch with God! To ask every question you ever had to the only One that could answer them all!!
I loved this book! We just went through typhoon Man-Yi and I finished both David Gregory's books. A very entertaining, thought provoking way to wait out the weather:)

I thought this book was absolutely awesome. It was very inspirational and educational at the same time. This is a must read for Christians and non-Christians alike.

I loved the book and the way it answered the most asked questions of faith. It's an excellent tool for evangelism.

Will buy 50 more before it is over. Loved the author and the book.

Absolutely wonderful, fast reading. A spiritual (with 4 or 5 chuckles) story, with an amazing ending. I bought additional books to pass around to friends.

Ron Hughes

I enjoyed this book. It was light and easy to read, but thought-provoking as well. It didn't bog the reader down with heavy religion, but made it's point so well, you felt like you were there with the characters, but not intimidated. Intelligently written, but I only wish it hadnt ended so abruptly..I wanted MORE at the end!

Great book to share - gave a lot of them away asking the recipiant to share with others also. Great message

A non-churchy approach to Christianity which answers most of the basic questions in the hearts of men and women wanting clarification of who and what Jesus Christ represents.

An enjoyable fast read.

Although written reasonably well, this is just another in a long line of books tauted as "spiritual" that keeps its logic and reasoning within its own dogma. Christianity is, for the most part, internally consistent so when it answers its own questions internally, it works, which is the premise upon which this book is written. It is unlikely that this book would sway any logical skeptic.

The Jesus character demolishes other world religions in a few sentences but extols Christianity partly because, in contrast to those other religions, the Christian Bible contains no serious errors. On page 76, Jesus tells his dining partner, a chemical engineer, that the Bible's account of creation generally comports with the scientific view. The engineer concurs. I suggest the reader at this point put down PERFECT STRANGER and read the first three pages of the Bible. He'd find two utterly different and incompatible creation myths: the Six Days myth and the Garden of Eden myth. Both are absurd from a scientific standpoint. In the Six Days myth, Earth starts off covered in water. In the Garden of Eden myth, Earth starts off parched. In the Six Days myth, plants are created on Day 3, the sun on Day 4, and man on Day 6. In the Garden of Eden myth, plants appear AFTER man and the sun is implicitly there from the start. In the scientific sequence of "creation," reptiles precede birds but in the Six Days myth, birds precede reptiles (birds on Day 5, reptiles on Day 6). In the scientific sequence of "creation," birds and animals precede man. In the Garden of Eden myth, man precedes birds and animals. Thus science contradicts the Bible's account of creation and the Bible contradicts itself. The Perfect Stranger and his scientifically trained dinner partner seem blithely ignorant of both science and the Bible. I'll leave it at that but I hope another reviewer will take on the character of Jesus in PERFECT STRANGER and contrast it with the Jesus of the Gospels. The two are worlds apart.

After reading this book, I knew it was absolutely perfect to introduce Jesus to non-believers to help them receive the free gift of grace. So many people feel they need to "earn" their way into Heaven by good works and rituals and are sceptical about the simplicity of recieving the gift of belief. I sent it to a friend who of mine who I had bought a bible for several years ago. I have told him all he needed to do was accept Jesus into his heart. He's an engineer -- he was sure that was too simple. He was unwilling to go to the church thinking he had to do certain rituals like his neighbors to get him into heaven. He was unwilling to grasp the concept of the "relationship" vs. the rituals. I sent him this book and paid extra to have it arrive before Easter. That is what God wanted me to do and I know His timing is always PERFECT. God allowed him the time to read the entire book on Good Friday which encouraged him to go to church on Easter Sunday. That day he was able to "hear" what was being said and actually had a spiritual experience and heard once again about the "free gift" he had just read about. Easy reading, outstanding story, I love the way the author broke up the chapters just gently guiding us through the dinner. This is a MUST READ!!!! I will keep this book forever.

This was a great book and it can be read in one evening. Perfect for the person who doubts there is a Jesus. It has a surprise ending so be watching for it. I've given this book away as gifts and they thought it was wonderful. Be sure to read the next book, "A Day with a perfect stranger", which is just as good!

Great insight.Come and meet Jesus in the present day and watch a one on one exchange that will leave you wanting more. The Emmaus road type ending will fill you with tears of joy.. The movie version is very highly recommended also.

Author David Gregory asks a unique question in this fine novel; would you agree to an invitation to have dinner with Jesus?

Nick Cominsky, the main character in the novel, must answer that very question for himself. Nick is a successful businessman who has a loving wife and young daughter. But, he works many hours each week, and he has very little time for his family. Mattie, his wife, tries to understand, but its clear that Nick's large number of hours away from her and their daughter is beginning to take its toll. Nick realizes this, and he is reluctant to accept a dinner invitation he just received, because he knows it means another late night away from his family.

However, he is intrigued by the invitation. The name on the card says "Jesus". Nick immediately suspects a prank by some of his colleagues, so he heads to the appointed restaurant with much skepticism. Upon arriving, however, he sees no hint of any of his friends; only a man dressed in a suit and tie waiting for him at a table.

Upon taking his seat, the stranger introduces himself as Jesus. Nick is surprised, but its clear from the outset that he doesn't believe that this man could possibly be Jesus. However, what unfolds over the course of the evening soon transforms Nick. The two men discuss everything from world religions to the existence of heaven and hell. Nick's skepticism disappears, being replaced by questions of his own morality and ultimately, his own place in God's kingdom.

As the evening ends, Nick feels completely different. He realizes who this person really was, and he rushes home to his own Bible. There, he begins reading from the book of Revelation, which says: "Here I am! Stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me". Nick knocked on that door.

This is an excellent book. I became engrossed in it as soon as I opened it. I enjoyed watching Nick's transformation from unbelieving skeptic to new believer. The author's depiction of Jesus as an ordinary person was pure genius, because that's exactly the way Jesus wants people to view him. I wish the story could have went on longer.

I give this book my highest recommendation. There are many questions which are revealed and discussed between Jesus and Nick which will leave the reader with something to think about, but I was most impressed with the design of the story. What a clever way to discuss Jesus' relationship with people.

I laughed and cried. What an amazing quick read! This book simplifies complicated questions we all have probably asked.

It's short, it's simple, and it is profound. Jesus is the Star and Nick is the co-star. Nick receives an invitation to dinner with Jesus. Many subjects are covered over dinner. Nick, the skeptic who thinks the whole thing is just his buddies playing a joke on him, doesn't hold back on his sarcastic responses, questions and comments. The author did a fabulous job of writing and hitting on some of the great all-time questions many of us have. For those of you who have read the bible, you'll love it. For those of you who haven't, it's gonna make ya think!!

Excellent book to provoke thinking about one's own beliefs about Jesus -- quick read as well. Made me think about what questions I'd want to have Jesus answer if we were sitting across the table from one another.

Easy read. This book gave a decent debate of religion and faith. And left me with concerns and questions of my own religious relationship; I'm sure what the author intended. I recommend it for anyone, Christian or Gentile.

This book is a quick, easy read and has wonderful things to say. It holds you attention and for me it explained several things I was not taught in "Sunday School"

I loved it so much I bought over 20 copies to pass out to friends.

Wow! I honestly felt I was sitting and reading a non-fiction book about someone's real conversation with Jesus. This book was great and I had to get A Day With A Perfect Stranger immediately after finishing this one. Whether you are someone who is questioning your beliefs or someone who is a Christian who is struggling with your faith, this book will really speak to you!

This book grabbed me from the first page. I was skeptical as soon as I read the premise of a dinner invitation with Jesus. But I couldn't put it down and finished without stopping. It is so good, I've bought many books to give to friends. I found this description of Jesus very believable. I felt like I was right there, wanting to meet this stranger and share dinner with Him, too.

This book had been recommended by a friend. It was a quick read and definitely got me to thinking what my reaction would have been. I intend to pass it on to another friend.

Book was in good shape, delivery on time, and had a good price.

I was given this book by a friend and started reading it reluctantly. It looks like a dime store gift book, the kind you buy on the way out of a grocery store to give away. But I was SO wrong. It is a treasure. It connects to the middle class struggle with waking up one day to a vanilla life with nothing dynamic or real around you. It uses a very unique setup - Jesus Christ inviting a modern businessman to dinner - to cause a paradigm shift for the reader. What if the real Jesus invited you to dinner tonight? This book answers that question in a profound way.

Don't let the cheesy packaging fool you. This is a great book!

From the intriguing title to the last page, Gregory keeps your interest and the mystery of the invitation and responses of the main character results in turning page after page. You won't want to put it down! You will want to pass it on!

Fabulous book that will move you closer to your walk with the Lord.

Absolutely loved the book. Very well written. Never dull. It is such an easy read and a wonderful introduction to some very deep spiritual concepts that all Christians need.

I PURCHASED THIS BOOK AS GIFTS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE RECEIVERS THOUGHT OF THE BOOK

The book and companion movie are a basic but powerful introduction to Christianity without lots of religous words. It answers age old questions in a simple, straightforward, and provactive way. A great introduction to someone who has some interest in religious ideas but still has lots of questions.

This book was very moving. It gave one a new perspective in having so Great a Guest present in your own home. It makes this "stranger" so warm,loving and accepting. It has an everlasting effect on how one perceives oneself. Very worthwhile read