Chris Green’s new book is theology at its best – devotional, meaningful, and challenging. This is not a sentimental presentation in which belief in God can be reduced to child-like faith. Chris’ presentation is more like struggling with God. He’s trying to make sense of faith in God in a world tormented by evil. This is serious stuff.
‘Contemplation of the divine nature and character, then, is a form of rebellion against the tyranny of the practical [and] moves us beyond thinking of God as useful. . .’
Reading this book is like reading the biblical book of Job. Chris presents God as one who must be feared, who is beyond understanding, but capable of being known. Even so, our knowing God should not be translated into familiarity. God should always be approached in awe. The God of the Bible defies the domestication of deity that readers try to superimpose.
‘The living God cannot be controlled or directed. The fire must fall on the altar; we cannot summon it. We can and should, however, posture ourselves for the awakening God has promised’.
The temptation is to read Scripture, or theology, in an effort to understand God so that we can manipulate divine power in our behalf. That is especially true of popular Pentecostal/Charismatic spirituality. Green encourages us to sincerely engage Scripture and theology, but reminds us that our knowledge of God cannot give us authority over him. God is utterly free of human manipulation. God graciously reveals himself. We are passive, overwhelmed by wonder.
This book is short, but each page is dense. The density of the words means that although small, the book is heavy. Filled with sincere contemplation, it deserves to be read slowly, and repeatedly.
