God Has A Name - Book Review

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If you were to attend my church for a few weeks, you would definitely hear me say "What you believe about God will drive how you live your life."

I believe this statement to the core of my being. 

Finding a book that drives home the exact same thought saves me from having to write it!

John Mark Comer's book, God Has a Name, is a deep look at the character and nature of the creator of the universe. In Exodus 34:6-7 we read about Moses' introduction to the God of Israel. Remember, Moses was raised in slavery in Egypt. He doesn't know who this God speaking to him from a burning bush is. God himself explains who he is to Moses:

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

Comer uses these verses to break down what the Bible teaches us about this God and his love for humanity.

Today's culture is OK with generic god talk. Many people give credit to some higher power for their life and accomplishments. Comer echoes what I have preached again and again: "We become what we worship."

Here is a powerful quote from the book, and why knowing the God who has a name is so critically important.

The ISIS terrorist beheading the infidel, the prosperity gospel preacher getting out of his Hummer after late-night drinks with Kanye West, the Westborough Baptist picketer outside a military funeral screaming "God hates f--s!", the Hindu sacrificing a goat to Shiva, the African witch doctor sacrificing a little boy, the U.S. Army sniper praying to God before he takes the shot, the peace activist risking her neck to stop another war because she believes in Jesus' teachings on enemy love, the gay singer who stands up at the Grammys and says thank you to God for his song about a one-night stand, the Catholic nun giving up a "normal" life to live in poverty and work for social change - all of these men and women do what they do because of what they believe about God.

 If we let tradition or culture, even church culture, dictate our understanding of who God is, we may miss the mark of the incredible love of God.

This book, like Comer's other work, is well written and easy to follow, even while diving into some deep theological understandings of God and his relationship with humanity. Comer explores topics such as mercy and wrath, love and faithfulness, covenant and promise. Each is explored to help us personally know God better and experience him up close in our lives.

This is definitely another book that everyone should read. To the non-Christian, it provides a great framework to understand the true nature of God taught in the Bible. To the Christian, it is a fantastic study to move beyond a surface level understanding of God.

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