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Finding the Father
That first lie Satan told in Eden--the one that said God was actually a selfish liar--has spawned a multitude of untruths about who God is and what His feelings toward us really are. The human perception of God has been askew ever since, and we've struggled to relate to this God we don't really (want to) know.
Naturally, since our view of God is distorted, our attitudes and behavior are rebellious--perceptions change our thoughts, thoughts influence our feelings, and feelings determine attitudes and behavior. Herb Montgomery goes straight to the root of the problem and sweeps aside the misperceptions of God and His character that cause us to spurn the only one who truly loves us.
Some of Christianity's long-held, though biblically unfounded, views are confronted--God's true attitude toward pain and suffering, where guilt comes from, and what His forgiveness accomplishes. And the question that plagues every human heart is irrevocably resolved: If God really loves us, why does He allow horrible things to happen?
Naturally, since our view of God is distorted, our attitudes and behavior are rebellious--perceptions change our thoughts, thoughts influence our feelings, and feelings determine attitudes and behavior. Herb Montgomery goes straight to the root of the problem and sweeps aside the misperceptions of God and His character that cause us to spurn the only one who truly loves us.
Some of Christianity's long-held, though biblically unfounded, views are confronted--God's true attitude toward pain and suffering, where guilt comes from, and what His forgiveness accomplishes. And the question that plagues every human heart is irrevocably resolved: If God really loves us, why does He allow horrible things to happen?
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2009
23 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 27, 2013
This book is well written and brings God into a new light.... I am really enjoying this book and hope that is one everyone gets a chance to read...
It is non threatening and shows God as a Father who lovingly gives us our freedom!!
It is short, so could be a cozy afternoon read.
It is non threatening and shows God as a Father who lovingly gives us our freedom!!
It is short, so could be a cozy afternoon read.
November 15, 2025
2/5 ⭐️⭐️’s
DNF’d at 76%… and honestly, I really tried.
I might be completely misunderstanding what the author was aiming for here, but he fully lost me at the idea that psychological/emotional torment is what leads to death. My understanding has always been that sin itself leads to death — not the emotions that follow it.
Like… if you murder someone, the consequence might be the death penalty or jail time. The feeling bad about it afterward isn’t what kills you. Shame and guilt aren’t always “the enemy”; sometimes they’re justified because you violated your own values or God’s. That’s literally your conscience doing what it’s supposed to do — pushing you toward repentance.
If your mindset becomes “Well, God already forgave me so there’s no need to ask for forgiveness, let me just carry on,” that’s not freedom… that’s a setup for presumptuous sin. There’s no true repentance there. No turning away. No transformation.
I also couldn’t get behind the idea that we shouldn’t ask for forgiveness, but should instead ask God to remove the emotional sorrow we feel after sinning. That honestly read selfish to me — and very avoidant. It felt like, “Take away my discomfort, God,” without actually addressing the behavior that caused it.
If all you do is run from guilt and shame — or only come to God to soothe the guilt and shame — without taking accountability, confessing, and choosing better… that is LITERAL avoidance. Difficult emotions aren’t the problem. Avoiding them is.
Yes, knowing God has forgiven us absolutely brings comfort. But emotional relief shouldn’t be the goal. The goal is repentance, accountability, and realignment — not escaping the feelings that come from doing something wrong.
Anyway… rant over. I genuinely pushed through most of this book hoping it would turn a corner, but I just couldn’t keep going.
DNF’d at 76%… and honestly, I really tried.
I might be completely misunderstanding what the author was aiming for here, but he fully lost me at the idea that psychological/emotional torment is what leads to death. My understanding has always been that sin itself leads to death — not the emotions that follow it.
Like… if you murder someone, the consequence might be the death penalty or jail time. The feeling bad about it afterward isn’t what kills you. Shame and guilt aren’t always “the enemy”; sometimes they’re justified because you violated your own values or God’s. That’s literally your conscience doing what it’s supposed to do — pushing you toward repentance.
If your mindset becomes “Well, God already forgave me so there’s no need to ask for forgiveness, let me just carry on,” that’s not freedom… that’s a setup for presumptuous sin. There’s no true repentance there. No turning away. No transformation.
I also couldn’t get behind the idea that we shouldn’t ask for forgiveness, but should instead ask God to remove the emotional sorrow we feel after sinning. That honestly read selfish to me — and very avoidant. It felt like, “Take away my discomfort, God,” without actually addressing the behavior that caused it.
If all you do is run from guilt and shame — or only come to God to soothe the guilt and shame — without taking accountability, confessing, and choosing better… that is LITERAL avoidance. Difficult emotions aren’t the problem. Avoiding them is.
Yes, knowing God has forgiven us absolutely brings comfort. But emotional relief shouldn’t be the goal. The goal is repentance, accountability, and realignment — not escaping the feelings that come from doing something wrong.
Anyway… rant over. I genuinely pushed through most of this book hoping it would turn a corner, but I just couldn’t keep going.
December 16, 2017
Many times we forget what the Scriptures say in 1 John 4:8
This book made me see how my imagine of our Father is unrealistic with what the Bible presents us and especially what Jesus tried to show us. I must confess there were somethings I disagree with the author but it was a beautiful book that really made me tear up....
Before I conclude this review I advise you to open up the Bible at 1 Corinthians 13 and just read that chapter and meditate on how God really loves us!
I pray to God for all of us to appreciate His love for us and that His love will change us in bringing us true love in our heart.
This book made me see how my imagine of our Father is unrealistic with what the Bible presents us and especially what Jesus tried to show us. I must confess there were somethings I disagree with the author but it was a beautiful book that really made me tear up....
Before I conclude this review I advise you to open up the Bible at 1 Corinthians 13 and just read that chapter and meditate on how God really loves us!
I pray to God for all of us to appreciate His love for us and that His love will change us in bringing us true love in our heart.
September 13, 2016
Created in God's image, we crave intimacy with our Maker. Because the adversary has misrepresented God's character and we are deceived by sin, we by nature are estranged from God. This book provides a fresh image of the Father through the light shining from Jesus Christ; indeed, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." We now "have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." As Jesus told His disciples, "the Father Himself loves you."
September 2, 2015
Finding the Father is such a great book we actually formed a special group in our church to study it together. What a great experience. We loved Herb's view of our wonderful, loving Father God that we contacted him and had him come to our town to put on one of his inspiring seminars.
We highly recommend this book and Herb's seminars.
We highly recommend this book and Herb's seminars.
October 1, 2011
While not everyone will appreciate Herb's argumentation, it is well thought out, and
attempts reasonably enough to work through some thorny issues, to paint a friendly picture of God.
Quick read, but enjoyable
attempts reasonably enough to work through some thorny issues, to paint a friendly picture of God.
Quick read, but enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews