SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF A LOVING GOD
SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF A LOVING GOD
Brian Zahnd
Waterbrook Books
If you are remotely familiar with Church history or The Great Awakening then you are familiar with the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God" written by Puritan revivalist Jonathan Edwards. This sermon is tantamount to reformed theology that paints a vivid picture of God as an angry, retributive and fearful God. It is a sermon that literally scared the hell out of people, or in some cases scared the God out of people. This picture of an angry God holding the sinner over the depths of hell has become a very common picture among reformed preachers and theologians. It is unfortunate in many ways because it depicts God as being an angry crotchety old guy who loves sending sinners to hell.
Enter Brian Zahnd. Mr. Zahnd is the founder and Pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, MO. Having grown up reading and loving the classic sermon from Edwards, he has struggled with and recently came to the conclusion that God really isn't the angry God who is portrayed in Edwards sermon, but He is a Father who reveals his love to His children through Jesus Christ. In this book Zahnd tackles questions like is God an angry God who demands retribution? What does it really mean to "fear God"? and Who killed Jesus? Among many other questions.
I will admit this book has encouraged me, angered me and made me squirm in my seat. As I read through it though Brian Zahnd helped me to see God in a different way... a more loving way. I am still struggling with some of the theology behind this book, but I am certainly intrigued and challenged as I continue to wrestle with my theological beliefs and Zahnd's. Overall, though, I enjoyed reading this book as it has given me a fresh perspective of a God who loves and cares for His children.
You can pick up a copy of this book at this link.
Brian Zahnd
Waterbrook Books
If you are remotely familiar with Church history or The Great Awakening then you are familiar with the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God" written by Puritan revivalist Jonathan Edwards. This sermon is tantamount to reformed theology that paints a vivid picture of God as an angry, retributive and fearful God. It is a sermon that literally scared the hell out of people, or in some cases scared the God out of people. This picture of an angry God holding the sinner over the depths of hell has become a very common picture among reformed preachers and theologians. It is unfortunate in many ways because it depicts God as being an angry crotchety old guy who loves sending sinners to hell.
Enter Brian Zahnd. Mr. Zahnd is the founder and Pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, MO. Having grown up reading and loving the classic sermon from Edwards, he has struggled with and recently came to the conclusion that God really isn't the angry God who is portrayed in Edwards sermon, but He is a Father who reveals his love to His children through Jesus Christ. In this book Zahnd tackles questions like is God an angry God who demands retribution? What does it really mean to "fear God"? and Who killed Jesus? Among many other questions.
I will admit this book has encouraged me, angered me and made me squirm in my seat. As I read through it though Brian Zahnd helped me to see God in a different way... a more loving way. I am still struggling with some of the theology behind this book, but I am certainly intrigued and challenged as I continue to wrestle with my theological beliefs and Zahnd's. Overall, though, I enjoyed reading this book as it has given me a fresh perspective of a God who loves and cares for His children.
You can pick up a copy of this book at this link.