Secondhand Jesus
"Secondhand Jesus explodes with passion and desperation, because we are all in need of the real Jesus-- the One Who saves, and in Whom we can place our hope."
Worship Leader Magazine,
Digging through the ruins of a ‘house built on sand,’ Glenn Packiam lays bare the shameless lies of a way of religion, very popular these days in America, without foundations in Jesus or Scripture. But it is far more than exposé. This is an honest, personal, detailed story of a Christian leader refusing cynicism and embracing forgiveness and hope.
Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of "The Message" and Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
This is a rich work of biblical excavation…Glenn mines the many stories of the Ark of the Covenant…[to] become indictments and correctives to our own self-serving theologies…But this book is not a tirade.  It’s no self-righteous harangue against modern innovations followed by a stern call to return to that “old-time” religion.  It’s more a confession and a plea.  It’s a bone-deep admission of personal failure, a heartfelt repentance for that failure, and soul-stirring call to put aside childish things and to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Mark Buchanan, pastor and author of Your God is Too Safe and The Rest of God
(from the Foreword)
Glenn Packiam is not only a gifted songwriter and worship leader penning songs that capture the heart of our generation, but he is also a gifted writer whose textured voice needs to be heard. Secondhand Jesus is a much-needed challenge for every believer to embrace knowing God like they never have before.
Margaret Feinberg, popular speaker and author of Scouting the Divine
What a great read! Page after page I found myself hooked. Glenn has written a book that not only engaged my mind, but also made my heart beat faster for Jesus.
David Nasser, author and speaker
Glenn Packiam is an authentic Christ-follower and as his pastor, I am privileged to watch him teach and lead others on this journey to having a firsthand faith in Jesus. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting more in their walk with Jesus.
Brady Boyd, senior pastor, New Life Church
With clarity and conviction, Secondhand Jesus presents the great need to ditch our memorized Christian answers and pursue knowing Jesus for ourselves. Each page is refreshing, challenging, and thought provoking.
David Perkins, director of Desperation Conferences
Glenn Packiam offers a personal and thoughtful exploration of the rumors and misconceptions that have plagued the Christian faith. It is a must-read for anyone whose faith has become stale or apathetic, but it also offers something for even the most earnest of believers—a challenge to infuse one’s faith with a firsthand relationship with God.
Rob Stennett, author of The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher and The End Is Now
Glenn Packiam is a "new generation leader" who speaks to all generations. I have known Glenn for ten years and have watched him embrace the hard stuff of life with determination and faithfulness. Challenging our presumptions of faith in the 21st Century, SecondHand Jesus is a wake up call to the church- pointing the way back to, or in many cases forward to our First Love.
Paul Baloche, Songwriter, Author, Pastor
In this refreshingly honest look at the authentic faith of Jesus, Glenn Packiam pulls back the curtain to reveal secondhand versions of a consumer-driven Christianity that portray God as a vending machine and the church as a trade show for superficial solutions to gut-wrenching realities. Instead Packiam invites us to exchange easy answers for the startling reality of a God who is not afraid of impolite questions and a Jesus who invites us beyond rumors to a firsthand faith with the power to redeem us in the real world. Engaging, accessible, and profound this is a book for veterans and novices alike who want to stop pretending with religion and start getting real with God.
Bob Rognlien, pastor and author of Experiential Worship