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Surprised by God: How and Why What We Think about the Divine Matters
This book explores the deep and abiding human need for contemplation, for coming to terms with and standing in awe of the nature and character of the God revealed in the Scriptures. When so much is wrong in the world, when our lives are troubled by so many threats, both real and imagined, we must learn to look to God and to see all things, including ourselves, in the light of who he is. A life of faithful contemplation begins to free us from the bad desires, false expectations, and corrupting illusions that bind us against our will and keep us from the fullness promised in the gospel. ""I wouldn't hesitate to rank Chris Green's Surprised by God among the great spiritual classics. Although such an endorsement for a new book may appear to be hyperbolic, I do not intend it as an exaggeration. Drawing on contemporary spiritual luminaries as well as a wide array of ancient thinkers--Mothers and Fathers of the church--Green weaves together a spiritual reflection on God that is as timely as it is outstanding."" --Robby Waddell, Southeastern University Chris E. W. Green is Associate Professor of Theology at Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN and Teaching Pastor at Sanctuary Church in Tulsa, OK.
86 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 5, 2021
Who Should Read this Book – Any Christian desiring to deepen their understanding about God.
What is the Big Takeaway – There are a lot of poor beliefs and understandings of God prevalent among Christians but if we look within scripture, and church tradition, we find richer (and just better) ways to imagine and understand the Divine.
And a Quote: “But sovereignty is utterly other than what we have known as control. Control makes something act in ways false to itself. It violates, overpowers, coerces, masters. Control takes away freedom, forcing someone or something to do what is against its own nature or will. And God, as creator, simply does not. And indeed cannot – do that kind of violence. God gives being to creatures affording them their freedom, their integrity. To say that God is sovereign is to say God does not need control to get his will done. He does not have to destroy our freedom to express his own; he does not have to subjugate us to make himself known as Lord” (41).
Theologian Chris Green has done us all a service with this little book. It is a concise and readable account of basic Christian understandings of God. This is the sort of book that a small group could read and study together or an interested lay Christian could read and understand. It is going on my list of the best books on basic Christian theology when people ask me for recommendations.
What is the Big Takeaway – There are a lot of poor beliefs and understandings of God prevalent among Christians but if we look within scripture, and church tradition, we find richer (and just better) ways to imagine and understand the Divine.
And a Quote: “But sovereignty is utterly other than what we have known as control. Control makes something act in ways false to itself. It violates, overpowers, coerces, masters. Control takes away freedom, forcing someone or something to do what is against its own nature or will. And God, as creator, simply does not. And indeed cannot – do that kind of violence. God gives being to creatures affording them their freedom, their integrity. To say that God is sovereign is to say God does not need control to get his will done. He does not have to destroy our freedom to express his own; he does not have to subjugate us to make himself known as Lord” (41).
Theologian Chris Green has done us all a service with this little book. It is a concise and readable account of basic Christian understandings of God. This is the sort of book that a small group could read and study together or an interested lay Christian could read and understand. It is going on my list of the best books on basic Christian theology when people ask me for recommendations.
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April 20, 2022Quite good. One could read its twelve chapters slowly, giving a day to each, but I favored a quicker read-through. These are not disparate chapters; the book has a cumulative effect. Despite the book's title, it does a fair bit of supposing alongside its explaining, so if you dissent with or are just now coming to some of Green's suppositions, the book might frustrate even as it looks to ameliorate and illuminate.
June 28, 2024
In the truest sense, a saving grace.
December 18, 2022
This book was filled with SO MUCH WISDOM! I learned so much!
March 9, 2020
This book moved me in deep and meaningful ways. It reads as 12 theological meditations on how we perceive and think about God. In the process, Dr. Green has shown me deeper wells to drink from.
I've intentionally read this books slowly (as opposed to my habit of devouring short books like this) because each chapter is like a spiritual speed bump, necessitating my slowing down for contemplation and meditation on the writing. I am extremely grateful for this.
I intend on keeping this book in my backpack and returning to it time and again throughout my life.
I've intentionally read this books slowly (as opposed to my habit of devouring short books like this) because each chapter is like a spiritual speed bump, necessitating my slowing down for contemplation and meditation on the writing. I am extremely grateful for this.
I intend on keeping this book in my backpack and returning to it time and again throughout my life.
January 7, 2023
A few quotes that made me think:
"It is never God who is absent. We are the ones who fail to be present. God is not silent. We are the ones who cannot hear what is spoken. Like Jacob, we all have to confess, "Surely the Lord was in this place, and I was unaware of it." (Genesis 28:16)
"... in many ways, the most important ministry we offer others is the ministry of holding our tongues" - Bonhoffer
"What we need instead, is a healthy self-forgetfulness - or better; a holy other-remembrance - a becoming one with the love of God that makes it so that we are not thinking of how we can be our own best selves but how we can attend to and care for those right in front of us who need our mercy and compassion."
"In the language of 1 John, it is by loving the neighbor whom we can see that we prove - in both senses of the word - that the life of the God whom we cannot see is alive in us."
"... on the faith of Abraham, remarks that faith comes not at the beginning, easily, but at the far end of life, after much difficulty."
"Freedom simply is in obedience (to God)."
"It is never God who is absent. We are the ones who fail to be present. God is not silent. We are the ones who cannot hear what is spoken. Like Jacob, we all have to confess, "Surely the Lord was in this place, and I was unaware of it." (Genesis 28:16)
"... in many ways, the most important ministry we offer others is the ministry of holding our tongues" - Bonhoffer
"What we need instead, is a healthy self-forgetfulness - or better; a holy other-remembrance - a becoming one with the love of God that makes it so that we are not thinking of how we can be our own best selves but how we can attend to and care for those right in front of us who need our mercy and compassion."
"In the language of 1 John, it is by loving the neighbor whom we can see that we prove - in both senses of the word - that the life of the God whom we cannot see is alive in us."
"... on the faith of Abraham, remarks that faith comes not at the beginning, easily, but at the far end of life, after much difficulty."
"Freedom simply is in obedience (to God)."
December 28, 2021
I was really impressed with this book. It does some pretty heavy lifting theologically and biblically behind the scenes to present the reader with a highly accessible reflection of the God revealed in Christ.
I’d say this is helpful reading for anyone but I imagine those those who are uncertain on what they think of God, or how to think of God, might find it particularly helpful.
Green is informed by some deep and wide thinking (Church Fathers to Bonhoeffer to the Bible) that creates that sense that this easy to read book is anchored in some deep work that he has made understandable for the lay reader.
I’d say this is helpful reading for anyone but I imagine those those who are uncertain on what they think of God, or how to think of God, might find it particularly helpful.
Green is informed by some deep and wide thinking (Church Fathers to Bonhoeffer to the Bible) that creates that sense that this easy to read book is anchored in some deep work that he has made understandable for the lay reader.
March 3, 2023
It could be because I read this book as a class requirement, but I found it to be enlightening, yet hard to finish. This book challenges it's readers to think differently about God and is humbling beyond measure. It's theology reaches inward to the heart so that we can "contemplate" how we see God and ourselves in Him. He opposes contemporary and surface-level thinking and reveals insight on how to view God and how not to. I do wish it flowed more smoothly, nevertheless, it brought new perspectives of theology for us to study and comprehend.
January 12, 2024
Chris Green confronts readers in this excellent book with how we have failed to know God because of our assumed knowledge of Him. Green re-engages topics such as holiness, sovereignty, prayer, time and eternity in ways that destabalise previously assumed categories, especially in the Protestant West. What is presented once these assumptions are confronted is a picture of the mysterious, beautiful, surprising God revealed in Christ.
October 10, 2018
This book is small, measured, and so powerful. What an amazing meditation on God and the ways in which our faith not only shapes, but becomes life. I stopped to reread sections over and over do to the careful arguments presented. There isn’t an extra word or unnecessary sentence here. Just deep truth. Read it!
March 23, 2019
I think I approached this book from the wrong angle. While it may be short, it is not a sit down and read it all in one go kind of book. There is too much to take in and unpack to do that. This is a book that needs to be savoured short chapters by short chapter. It will challenge your perception of who God is, introduce you to a whole range of the voices of the church's past. There are a couple of points I would push back on but I think I am going to have to revisit this book again.
March 10, 2021
I did not like this book as much as I wanted. Book is short chapter meditations on God. Some chapters I strongly resonated with (turning from God for Gods sake, the needs of God) while others left me wondering. He makes statements about what God is like and these days I always wonder “why” one believes that to be true about God. He does not really supply answers. I was hoping for more.
November 18, 2023
A good, dense, little book about contemplative faith. He loses the theme somewhere in the middle for a couple chapters and some of the chapters feel like they've been cobbled together somewhat abruptly. A lot of his writing is a little bit meta, but there's gems throughout and it was a really good book to have read in a group as it led to several interesting discussions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2018
Fascinating and Challenging
Very interesting. It challenges with provocative expressions and descriptions of God’s love and our life in Him. I want to push back on several fronts, but the challenge itself is good.
Very interesting. It challenges with provocative expressions and descriptions of God’s love and our life in Him. I want to push back on several fronts, but the challenge itself is good.
August 25, 2018
I think Dr. Green has such important words for us today. Please read this book and be blessed. My very favorite chapter is based on my very favorite sermon ever: God Is Not In Control. This book is deep and encouraging. I look forward to hearing much more from Dr. Green! The church needs him!!!!
January 16, 2019
A series of 12 short and provocative essays, this book is a deeply enriching work of original theology, a moving devotional read, and a wonderful pastoral combination of encouragement and conviction. I highly recommend it. One of the best books I’ve read recently.
January 3, 2021
Read 26 books in 2020 and this was my book of the year. A spiritual classic without a doubt and a book that can be read again and again with each reading bringing about new depths of understanding. Chris Green has written a master piece and a must read for any follower of Jesus. highly recommend
July 28, 2022
Paradigm SHIFTING!
We know about the Trinity but contemplating the unity of God's Trinitarian love and what that implies for a life lived in Christ will change many of the ways we think and live as Christians in the world.
We know about the Trinity but contemplating the unity of God's Trinitarian love and what that implies for a life lived in Christ will change many of the ways we think and live as Christians in the world.
September 21, 2018
This book was so good. I may have to read it once a year. Divided in to small sections and chapters, it is easy to fit a little reading into the day. It will challenge and encourage.
October 10, 2018
This book will become a rotational read and a regular recommendation by me. Well written, deep, and yet simple. Reading it was a baptism of hope with water and fire.
October 17, 2019
I’ll need to re-read this one at least nine more times, and I have a feeling I’ll come away with something new and different each time. 4.5.
January 20, 2020
One of the most beautiful books about God that I have ever read. A good book to read and contemplate.
March 18, 2020
Excellent. Thanks Michael Gonzalez and Gino Curcuruto for the recommendation.
September 29, 2021
I read this book and then did a small group study with it. We went page by page in our discussions. This is not some quick read. You are going to have to sit and think about what you are reading.
January 15, 2022
If you need to be drawn up again into the wonderment of God, Chris Green will help you get there. This is theological writing as its most inspirational.
March 28, 2024
Genuinely challenged many of my beliefs and presuppositions regarding God.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews