Gripped by the Greatness of God – Book Review

My study of the Attributes of God began more than 20 years ago when I came to the realization that I knew God but I really did not KNOW God. So I studied the Scriptures, read classic books on the Character of God and began to mine the depth of His Nature for myself.

Recently I came across a new book on the topic by Dr. James MacDonald, Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel. The book Gripped by the Greatness of God based upon his sermon series was refreshing, stimulating and challenging. I appreciated his exploration of the Attributes of God and his honest candor about his own journey to KNOW God. He introduces the reader to God without feeling the need to explain Him.

In the book he traces his personal discovery of the greatness of God beginning on Word of Life Island as a sixteen year old teen and continuing into his life as a Pastor. The book is divided into six chapters with each one based on a passage from the book of Isaiah. He moves from the Holiness of God to our Identity in God making application at each intersection of truth.

On the back cover, in his own words he expresses the core premise of the study. “God is not safe, and He will not be squeezed into some neat, respectable Sunday discussion. To know God at all is to watch Him explode any box we put Him in with His terror, majesty, and indescribable wonder.”

He does not shy away from difficult passages like Isaiah 45:7 where God declares, I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. I appreciate the fact that he does not attempt to be the “defender” of God’s reputation.

The book is published by Moody Press and can also be purchased at Dr. MacDonald’s website http://www.walkintheword.com/ I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the Character of God or looking for a new challenge for your faith journey.