by: D. Brent Laytham

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781441203892

  Pub. Date

  Jan 2009

  SRP

  $20.00

  Buy

About

"Sound theological reflection and nuanced incisive cultural criticism make this book an entertaining and worthwhile read."--Michael Gulker, TheOtherJournal.com  

• Joel Shuman reveals that although God does not wear a white coat and always cure, he always heals.
• Daniel Bell argues that the logic of blood sacrifice permeates today's culture and challenges the notion of redemptive violence.
• Kelly Johnson shows that the frenetic pace of daily life does not mesh with God's patient peace.
• Does God write the perfect love story for each of us? Margaret Kim Peterson and Dwight Peterson help us see how our idea of God's plan for love and marriage is distorted by our desire for Hollywood happy endings.
• Jason Byassee cautions against revering contemporary cinema too highly and concludes that God's church is where the action is.
• And finally, D. Brent Laytham paints a picture of God's work in the world through the lens of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A follow-up to the popular God Is Not . . ., this book is both accessible and provocative. In the end, we are left not with a negation of what God does, but an affirmation of a God who does all things well.

Reviews

"Sound theological reflection and nuanced incisive cultural criticism make this book an entertaining and worthwhile read. The essays succeed, in varying degrees, to help the church reflect on God's actions that it might discern its own action."--Michael Gulker, TheOtherJournal.com

"Thoughtful, well articulated, and at points challenging. It's the sort of book that a pastor could hand off to a church member--at least one that is reasonably well-versed in the faith. It would make for a good adult study, or even a youth study. There are parts of the book that will prove challenging . . . but it's still a really good book, even if you're not in agreement at every point."--Robert D. Cornwall, APC, Sharing the Practice

"Shuman sets the pattern for each of the following chapters by beginning with his negation but then compellingly presenting more accurate and wise conclusions, which often involve the Church, a better reading of Scripture, and the necessity of community. . . . Most of the essays similarly engage the average reader with clarity and depth."--Eric Beach, Brew Magazine

"The authors present a collaborative effort as they offer a popular perspective of an open theology and/or free-will theism, which challenges the theological determinist position. Each author utilizes contemporary illustrations, expressions, and pop-theological misunderstandings to argue a well-reasoned and scripturally proof-texted hypothesis."--John R. Miller, Religious Studies Review

"This is a book seeking to help the church address some rather challenging theological and ministerial issues. It is a provocative book that makes you think about issues you might otherwise prefer to push aside. . . . God Does Not . . . helps us clarify what God has done, is doing, and may do in the future. . . . If you enjoy thinking hard about your life and the church, you will enjoy this book. Though you may not agree with everything the authors have written, they will make you think about your faith more seriously. It would be a great book for small groups, as it provides many interesting topics to discuss and work through together."--Doug Bixby, Covenant Companion

"If you want ammunition to combat the myth that God demands blood, or an antidote to the culture's insistence that God cures every illness, or a quick fix for the doctrine that a superhero God hurries to the rescue, or a retort to a culture that [there's] a God who entertains, or a reality check for the vain hope that God has the perfect mate for everyone as long as we're faithful enough to let God create our happily-ever-after, this is probably the book for you. . . . At only 160 pages, this is the sort of book that will repay a relaxing afternoon. Just remember to bring a highlighter with you. . . . Read this book!"--Frank Ramirez, Brethren Life & Thought

"While failures of Christian imagination result in multitudes of errors, these six essays present sobering and compelling accounts of contemporary culture and its attempt to make God serve us, to do as we wish, and thus fail in understanding the work of Jesus. Each essay critiques our lack of imagination by pointing to Jesus, and in so doing also provides a corrective, a better, more faithful way to conceive and imagine God's work. . . . God Does Not is also a book on what 'God does' and 'God is,' and so is a book worth reading and sharing with others. I recommend this book to all. Christians will find challenges to hidden idols, while non-believers may find the God they have rejected is not the God of Jesus anyway. Pastors may find topics about which to instruct, while congregants may find gaps in their instruction. The young may have their conceptions of romance challenged, while others may find hope for healing. All will find words of correction and encouragement."--R. J. Snell, Covenant Quarterly