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6th out of 101 books
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3 voters
The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows
"God wants me to try harder." "God blesses me when I'm good and punishes me when I'm bad." "God is angry with me." We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. Some are true--but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing abo...more
Hardcover, 229 pages
Published
June 5th 2009
by IVP Books
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My former Theology professor suggested this book to me - to read. I had expected deep theological writing that would take a while to get through. I was surprised at the simplicity of the writing. There are also discussion questions at the end of each chapter which also surprised me.
As I read the book however, I realized that, although the book is written simply, the information in the book is profound and could change a persons life, wtih respect to their relationship with God.
We tend to proje...more
As I read the book however, I realized that, although the book is written simply, the information in the book is profound and could change a persons life, wtih respect to their relationship with God.
We tend to proje...more
This is a wonderful study that we did with my Sunday School class. Jim Smith does an excellent job of painting a picture of "the God Jesus knows" while sharing personal experiences of his own. Doing this in a group is fantastic, because you notice parts of each chapter you may have missed reading it on your own.
Smith incorporates "soul training" exercises at the end of each chapter for you to really internalize each concept/lesson. For example, when you learn about slowing down, he challenges u...more
Smith incorporates "soul training" exercises at the end of each chapter for you to really internalize each concept/lesson. For example, when you learn about slowing down, he challenges u...more
Living in a world filled with so much bad and ugliness, it is refreshing to be reminded about someone who is truly and totally good and beautiful...in nature as well as in action. In his book, The Good and Beautiful God, the author, James Smith, reminds us of the fact that there is someone in our world who is good and beautiful and that person is God. In his book he does a masterful job at explaining for us just how GOOD and BEAUTIFUL God really is.
All of us have our own "narratives" about God a...more
All of us have our own "narratives" about God a...more
Irecently attended the Aprentis Conference in Wichita, Kansas. The Aprentis Institute and James Bryan Smith have developed a curriculum that takes much of the theology and spirituality that Renovare has been teaching for a number of years, and distills it into a series of books that are designed to be used as a curriculum for spiritual formation in the local church.
This curriculum is called the Apprentice Series, and every book in the trilogy begins with the phrase "GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL" in the ti...more
This is a really powerful and basic study on the character of God. Smith deals mostly with false narratives that we believe about God (God is mad at me, God wants me to do more things instead of being with him, etc.) and refutes those narratives with accurate pictures from the Bible (for example, Martha and Mary to show that keeping ourselves busy isn't what God usually wants from us). The book is structured well, with short chapters that deal well with simple concepts, not using an overwhelming...more
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This is a great book that I think I'll be coming back to many times in the future. In another book, Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard argues (in his usual, somewhat dense and difficultwriting style) that churches need to do a better job of helping their members actually grow and change as disciples of Christ, instead of just giving them 30-minute messages once a week. Smith, Willard's friend and "apprentice" picks up where Willard left off, writing a book designed to help individuals and c...more
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One of my church's adult bible study group choose to work through this book this quater. The leader hadn't finished reading this book--she choose it based on reviews. This is the first in a series of three books to be used for spiritual formation, in a group Bible study. It is written by a Quaker who is a mystic. The practices it teaches promote mysticism. This book teaches practices common to Cafeteria Christianity--where passages of the Bible that emphasize God's mercy are highlighted and the...more
Aug 28, 2011
Anna Elizabeth
added it
This book is modern Christian mysticism in an approachable and enjoyable format. The author calls us to remember 'where our help comes from'. He offers very applicable ways to spiritual formation mixed with interesting stories and interesting facts.
The main points I found were that, firstly, we have a call to slow down our lives. Get sleep, pay attention and listen well. Listen not only to words, but to actions and surroundings as well.
Second, that narratives are the best ways to teach well, a...more
The main points I found were that, firstly, we have a call to slow down our lives. Get sleep, pay attention and listen well. Listen not only to words, but to actions and surroundings as well.
Second, that narratives are the best ways to teach well, a...more
James Bryan Smith has combined his years of personally seeking spiritual transformation in his life with his studying under some of the scholars of spiritual formation to write this very readable, practical training guide for discovering the God that Jesus reveals to us. The book is organized in chapters focusing on false concepts we hold about God and the true concepts Jesus reveals. Following each chapter are ‘soul training’ exercises to help imbed the teaching of Jesus into our lives., so we...more
Very well written. The author explores a variety of false narratives embedded in Christianity about God and ourselves. Might be entry level material for long time Christians... (as I am)... but I found myself pausing several times to reflect on a few of my own false narratives. The end of each chapter has helpful 'Soul Training' exercises... things as simple as getting a good night's rest or spending ten minutes in complete silence. All in all, well written and thoughtful... and I think this cou...more
Short Review: This is intended as a group study, although written in a book form. I read it by myself and really enjoyed it, but I can see that it would be better as a group. Smith walks us through a number of false beliefs about God and why they are wrong and then tries to show us God the Father as Jesus knows him. Interspersed throughout are 'soul training' exercises. If you read a chapter a week (as intended) then they are introductory look at spiritual disciplines. It is the first book in a...more
I had a lot of problems with this book when lining it up against God's Word. Even the subtitle "following in love with the God Jesus knows" is hard to get past. We are to love God not fall in love with Him. We are to love God that would include Christ since He is the Son. Smith credits the book to at least two Quakers and two Catholics of whom he says that if you read the book you are reading their writings. If you are familiar with the Renovare and the Emergent church then you realize that thes...more
With the Apprentice Series (of which The Good and Beautiful God is the first volume), James Bryan Smith has provided an excellent discipleship resource. The goal of the Apprentice Series is to help people become more like Jesus. Jesus had an intimate and interactive relationship with God the Father - and the Apprentice Series suggests that we can as well, by learning from Jesus. It presents a 3-phase transformation process: knowing the God Jesus knew, living as Jesus calls us to live in the Serm...more
Dec 15, 2009
Troy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
The first few chapters at least to any and all
Recommended to Troy by:
Rustin Smith
Went through this as a book study with some friends, and the rest of our church.
The author's life and thinking has been formed directly and personally by some of my most cherished faith heroes/authors of the last two or three decades; Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Rich Mullins, Brennan Manning... And this book is offered as a sort of textbook for small groups, for communal spiritual development, from a contemplative evangelical perspective.
I found the beginning to be much stronge...more
The author's life and thinking has been formed directly and personally by some of my most cherished faith heroes/authors of the last two or three decades; Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Rich Mullins, Brennan Manning... And this book is offered as a sort of textbook for small groups, for communal spiritual development, from a contemplative evangelical perspective.
I found the beginning to be much stronge...more
Just rediscovered this book in my Kindle. I could not put it down on a flight across the country last year.
James Bryan Smith is a gifted writer who helps the reader make connections between abstract concepts we entertain about God to Aha! moments -- time and time again. He will challenge you to review the narratives that dictate your choices and what you think about God. It will challenge you to think about God in a way that will transform your relationship with Him.
Ready to re-read!
James Bryan Smith is a gifted writer who helps the reader make connections between abstract concepts we entertain about God to Aha! moments -- time and time again. He will challenge you to review the narratives that dictate your choices and what you think about God. It will challenge you to think about God in a way that will transform your relationship with Him.
Ready to re-read!
READ DEC 2010
Very good treatment of how to get out of the many false narratives about who God is and our relationship with him. Love the idea Smith introduces of being someone "in whom Christ dwells" as a way to think about this relationship.
There are many good quotes, but they one that captures the spirit of this work, and Smith's main point is there are many [false] "narratives [that] are running (and often ruining) our lives" (p. 25). This book exposes those and provides alternatives.
Very good treatment of how to get out of the many false narratives about who God is and our relationship with him. Love the idea Smith introduces of being someone "in whom Christ dwells" as a way to think about this relationship.
There are many good quotes, but they one that captures the spirit of this work, and Smith's main point is there are many [false] "narratives [that] are running (and often ruining) our lives" (p. 25). This book exposes those and provides alternatives.
This book came highly recommended by other Christians whose opinion I respect and trust. I was not disappointed.
James Bryan Smith does a very good job of speaking in to the trials and temptations of contemporary life, and prescribing "spiritual exercises" to help make space for the Holy Spirit to address those problems in our lives. This isn't a rehashing of Foster's spiritual disciplines; rather, this work builds on the work of Smith's mentor, puts it into the context of the typical American li...more
James Bryan Smith does a very good job of speaking in to the trials and temptations of contemporary life, and prescribing "spiritual exercises" to help make space for the Holy Spirit to address those problems in our lives. This isn't a rehashing of Foster's spiritual disciplines; rather, this work builds on the work of Smith's mentor, puts it into the context of the typical American li...more
I have read thousands of books in my life, and yet a very few would be on my list of "life-changing." And, most of the ones on THAT list would not be non-fiction, believe it or not. This book would be on that list. It is simple, it is practical, it is profound. I think everyone should read it, wherever you fall on the spectrum of Christianity - seeker to saint to sleeper to so-so follower of Christ. His basis of changing the underlying narratives - the stories and statements we tell ourselves -...more
This has been by far the most rewarding Bible Study that I have participated in. I am anxious to be leading a group through it this fall at church. Jim does an amazing job of getting at what really keeps us from realizing our full relationship with God, the core narratives that we all form as part of our faith journey. These narratives are formed through our experiences through personal relationships and our upbringings.
It's simple: sleep! rest!
And believe that God loves you. Not the fuzzy feeling kind of love, but really care about you, your life, your happiness, and your outcome.
I think we tend to have such a shallow understanding of God, that we miss out on the "Awe"-some-ness of His love.
When reading this book, take the time to reflect - and do the Soul Training!
And believe that God loves you. Not the fuzzy feeling kind of love, but really care about you, your life, your happiness, and your outcome.
I think we tend to have such a shallow understanding of God, that we miss out on the "Awe"-some-ness of His love.
When reading this book, take the time to reflect - and do the Soul Training!
Apr 26, 2013
Maranda Bradfield
added it
Answers a lot of really difficult questions that believers and non-believers wrestle with on a day by day basis. Addressed a lot of the narratives that have been created for us and around us concerning a God who is both loving and wrathful. Holy and close. I think it would be a good read for anyone who is not afraid to ask some hard questions about this faith.
Excellent book to do in a group study. It is very easy to read, but don't let the simplicity fool you. Although the book is written simply, the information in the book is profound and will change your view of how you see Jesus and therefore your relationship with God if you allow it. It reveals "false narratives" that we may have grown up with about Jesus and God the Father, but often just don't realize it. James illustrates through stories and scripture the attributes of Jesus as He really is....more
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good start in spiritual disciplines and formation, especially those who have been jaded by past experiences in the church or in life. I love how Smith describes different aspects of who God is, and then follows each chapter with a "soul training" exercise - a discipline to try out for a week or so. Anyone desiring to know God or to be 'more spiritual' would likely find this book helpful. And when you finish the book, be sure to skim over the fo...more
James Bryan Smith has written a wonderful book, concerned with helping Christians practice the Christian life. Too many books pay lip-service to practice, focusing instead on the changes you'll see soon. (They lack the caveats that 'your mileage may vary' and 'results not typical.')
Smith gets under the skin of that mentality as well. In each chapter he challenges the false narratives at work in our world, culture, and lives. Then he presents God's narrative for each aspect.
Sandwiched between the...more
Smith gets under the skin of that mentality as well. In each chapter he challenges the false narratives at work in our world, culture, and lives. Then he presents God's narrative for each aspect.
Sandwiched between the...more
This is a book that will challenge your preconceived ideas about God. This book reinforces and clearly explains that God loves us and accepts us unconditionally... many times we box Him and His opinions in ... and it's not the truth about God. This book explains his heart for us.
Excellent book. His book is well written and easy to read. It goes through many false narratives that we have about God and then gives us spiritual disciplines to practice. I read this book with my life group and we enjoyed the reading.
Here is an example of my book summary for The Good and Beautiful God, This is Chapter Two [a doodle or two] « Verbalis Virga http://bit.ly/GG6drf. Keep an eye out to the blog because I will keep adding more chapters over the next few months.
Very helpful in putting to death many misconceptions about God. The spiritual disciplines were mostly helpful in helping to apply the book to real life. I would recommend this book for a group book study.
Used the themes of this book for a sermon series. Generally a good basic theology of God's nature with helpful application exercises for growing in intimacy with God the Father.
This book taught me so much more about grace than I ever learned growing up in the Christian faith! What a GREAT study to do in a group setting. We really loved this series.
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James Bryan Smith (M.Div., Yale University Divinity School, D.Min., Fuller Seminary) is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, KS and a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He also serves as the director of the Aprentis Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University.
A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, R...more
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A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, R...more
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“The most important aspects of our lives cannot be rushed. We cannot love, think, eat, laugh, or pray in a hurry...When we are in a hurry--which comes from overextension--we find ourselves unable to live with awareness and kindness.”
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Sep 22, 2011 01:37pm