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Big God: How to Approach Suffering, Spread the Gospel, Make Decisions and Pray in the Light of A God Who Really Is in the Driving Seat of the World
Why then do bad things happen? Where does that leave 'free will'? Does God choose us or do we choose God? What's the point of praying if God already knows what he's going to do? Orlando Saer tackles these questions - and more - in a straightforward and engaging way. If you sometimes struggle to understand the way God works in the world, or to explain it to others, you will find light here. You'll also be left with a new appreciation of just how big the God of the Bible really is.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 27, 2023
Where to begin?.... Where to begin?
I began this book with a moderate amount of excitement that it might address some of the more interesting theological problems with the concept of God. Most importantly that God is everywhere always and yet somehow we have free will. Sadly this book does not seriously address any of that. I guess you could say that the book tries to answer some of these questions, but the fumble is so catastrophic that I went from excited to sour to just pure suffering as I finished this book.
I'm trying not to be too harsh here because the aim of the book is a noble one and writing a book is difficult. I totally respect and appreciate the authors attempts to tackle some of these ideas. But I've never read a book that left me more dissatisfied in my entire life... And I have read some bad books.
First, I think it's important to understand that this book is for believers. It is not interested in explaining who God is to people who do not already believe that there is a God and that that God is the God of the Bible. Perhaps if I had understood that a little more before going in I wouldn't have soured so quickly... But I just thought it was going to be a little more philosophical in attempts to explain the nature of God. Unfortunately, it is not. That's probably my fault and not the book's fault. So I'm not taking any stars off for that.
The book really does not give a good explanation for any of the topics that it addresses. Notably with the topic of suffering. That topic was where I really started to sour. I just feel like the book does not give you anything to really latch onto. You have some milk toast examples of day-to-day suffering and then basically all the book tells you is that God lives even within the suffering or some such thing. Okay but now explain to me why suffering is necessary according to God's plan? I mean I think I know why...But you're the one writing the book! Explain to me why it is that if babies go to heaven, we shouldn't be killing all of the babies. Why not bypass the suffering of life and send babies straight back to heaven? I know why...BUT I DIDN'T WRITE THE BOOK! It takes none of these ideas seriously and just lobs softball after softball with each page.
There are some lines that are completely contradictory. For example, on page 80 we get this line: "She didn't realize she'd even had this concern before she heard herself blurting it out!" Sounds a lot like someone who doesn't have free will!! Explain yourself book!!!!
Or how about when it condemns what it calls "therapeutic gospel". The author claims that this so-called therapeutic gospel gets the response right in that there is spirit given joy and confident hope... But gets the focus wrong in that the gospel is not so much about improving my life as about rescuing me from death. What? What the hell are you trying to say? I would argue that it is simply a fact that adhering to the gospel is, in pretty much every way, therapeutic. People who believe in God and Jesus and really live that way, live such a spiritually fulfilled life that they don't need therapy. But it is therapeutic in that sense. There's really no explanation for this given by the author. To me it seems like a massive self-contradiction. Therapy is there for people who don't know how to make sense of the world. The gospel makes sense of suffering and of all the worldly things we encounter. How is that not therapeutic? EXPLAIN YOURSELF BOOK!!!!
Apart from these aforementioned items and many others that I do not have the energy to waste on this review, The book is written kind of badly. As I mentioned before, it's difficult to write and it's very difficult to get things just right when you actually sit down and put pen to paper. I understand this. So I'm just going to take one star off for the writing. I've read worse things and it's honestly not that bad. But there are dozens and dozens of trite euphemisms and colloquialisms that are really, really grating after a while. In addition to those, there are also way too many analogies and stories. I get that pastors are always trying to be relatable and Lord knows I love analogizing... but for the love of God whoever edited this should have made some serious omissions. My college English professor would have torched this book for its writing style.
I would not recommend this book to anybody. I certainly would not recommend it to a non-believer and I really don't think I could in good conscience recommend it to a believer. I think it would be a waste of time. Perhaps I would recommend it to an itty bitty baby believer, but probably not even then.
God bless the author for trying. He surely has a good heart.
Just read Mere Christianity. It's a freaking genius masterpiece. Skip this one altogether.
I began this book with a moderate amount of excitement that it might address some of the more interesting theological problems with the concept of God. Most importantly that God is everywhere always and yet somehow we have free will. Sadly this book does not seriously address any of that. I guess you could say that the book tries to answer some of these questions, but the fumble is so catastrophic that I went from excited to sour to just pure suffering as I finished this book.
I'm trying not to be too harsh here because the aim of the book is a noble one and writing a book is difficult. I totally respect and appreciate the authors attempts to tackle some of these ideas. But I've never read a book that left me more dissatisfied in my entire life... And I have read some bad books.
First, I think it's important to understand that this book is for believers. It is not interested in explaining who God is to people who do not already believe that there is a God and that that God is the God of the Bible. Perhaps if I had understood that a little more before going in I wouldn't have soured so quickly... But I just thought it was going to be a little more philosophical in attempts to explain the nature of God. Unfortunately, it is not. That's probably my fault and not the book's fault. So I'm not taking any stars off for that.
The book really does not give a good explanation for any of the topics that it addresses. Notably with the topic of suffering. That topic was where I really started to sour. I just feel like the book does not give you anything to really latch onto. You have some milk toast examples of day-to-day suffering and then basically all the book tells you is that God lives even within the suffering or some such thing. Okay but now explain to me why suffering is necessary according to God's plan? I mean I think I know why...But you're the one writing the book! Explain to me why it is that if babies go to heaven, we shouldn't be killing all of the babies. Why not bypass the suffering of life and send babies straight back to heaven? I know why...BUT I DIDN'T WRITE THE BOOK! It takes none of these ideas seriously and just lobs softball after softball with each page.
There are some lines that are completely contradictory. For example, on page 80 we get this line: "She didn't realize she'd even had this concern before she heard herself blurting it out!" Sounds a lot like someone who doesn't have free will!! Explain yourself book!!!!
Or how about when it condemns what it calls "therapeutic gospel". The author claims that this so-called therapeutic gospel gets the response right in that there is spirit given joy and confident hope... But gets the focus wrong in that the gospel is not so much about improving my life as about rescuing me from death. What? What the hell are you trying to say? I would argue that it is simply a fact that adhering to the gospel is, in pretty much every way, therapeutic. People who believe in God and Jesus and really live that way, live such a spiritually fulfilled life that they don't need therapy. But it is therapeutic in that sense. There's really no explanation for this given by the author. To me it seems like a massive self-contradiction. Therapy is there for people who don't know how to make sense of the world. The gospel makes sense of suffering and of all the worldly things we encounter. How is that not therapeutic? EXPLAIN YOURSELF BOOK!!!!
Apart from these aforementioned items and many others that I do not have the energy to waste on this review, The book is written kind of badly. As I mentioned before, it's difficult to write and it's very difficult to get things just right when you actually sit down and put pen to paper. I understand this. So I'm just going to take one star off for the writing. I've read worse things and it's honestly not that bad. But there are dozens and dozens of trite euphemisms and colloquialisms that are really, really grating after a while. In addition to those, there are also way too many analogies and stories. I get that pastors are always trying to be relatable and Lord knows I love analogizing... but for the love of God whoever edited this should have made some serious omissions. My college English professor would have torched this book for its writing style.
I would not recommend this book to anybody. I certainly would not recommend it to a non-believer and I really don't think I could in good conscience recommend it to a believer. I think it would be a waste of time. Perhaps I would recommend it to an itty bitty baby believer, but probably not even then.
God bless the author for trying. He surely has a good heart.
Just read Mere Christianity. It's a freaking genius masterpiece. Skip this one altogether.
November 21, 2018
Great book that simply explains God's sovereignty over all and how that should impact our prayer, evangelism and decision making. It's not afraid to ask the tricky questions, and it doesn't take the common easy answers that ultimately aren't satisfying. It challenges the reader to unshrink their view of God. Despite being a complex topic, Saer does not resort to technical terms. I'm thinking of using this with my Year 9 students at high school.
November 23, 2019
A really helpful book on the subject of God's sovereignty. I've come away with lots to think about and lots more questions.
February 7, 2023
While it's titled "Big God", it's comically housed in a tiny binding. Quick read, and while it was a big attempt, I felt like it missed the mark on several occasions. I enjoyed the groundwork and first few chapters. Even had high hopes that many of the questions it claimed would addressed...would adequately be discussed. Unfortunately it felt like a big letdown with lots of filler. While I've had some great discussions surrounding the content, it serves better as a primer than a viable read.
July 13, 2024
"Un Dumnezeu Mare"
February 24, 2022
A book each Christian should read. Pick it up!
March 5, 2024
Very Small Book about a Very Big God.
This covers a LOT of ground clearly and succinctly – an ideal primer on how God’s sovereignty affects evangelism, prayer, suffering, and more.
I didn’t feel it delivered much ‘new’, but would gladly give to anyone as an empathetic, pastorally-realistic intro to a boggling topic.
This covers a LOT of ground clearly and succinctly – an ideal primer on how God’s sovereignty affects evangelism, prayer, suffering, and more.
I didn’t feel it delivered much ‘new’, but would gladly give to anyone as an empathetic, pastorally-realistic intro to a boggling topic.
August 13, 2014
Winsome, biblical, brief, often humorous and accessible treatment of weighty questions like how does the idea of God's sovereignty fit with (rather than militate against) things like suffering/evil, evangelism/mission, prayer, and decision-making. Some propose: if God is that "big" doesn't this equal fatalism? Why pray or evangelize? We're just puppets on a string, etc. Saer holds these things in a healthy tension while not backing down from the clear statements throughout Scripture that God is completely and absolutely sovereign. A great read.
November 25, 2021
Un livre qui nous amène à détourner les yeux de nous-mêmes pour les fixer vers le Dieu de la Bible - un Dieu qui est vraiment aux commandes de ce monde.
L’auteur présente la vision biblique de la souveraineté de Dieu (en évitant tout langage théologique, pour être le plus accessible possible) et aborde les implications de cette réalité dans nos souffrances, notre évangélisation, nos choix, et notre vie de prière. Vraiment excellent, vivement qu’il soit traduit en français.
L’auteur présente la vision biblique de la souveraineté de Dieu (en évitant tout langage théologique, pour être le plus accessible possible) et aborde les implications de cette réalité dans nos souffrances, notre évangélisation, nos choix, et notre vie de prière. Vraiment excellent, vivement qu’il soit traduit en français.
September 21, 2016
3.5 stars, really. Pretty good little introduction for believers who are struggling with the idea of a sovereign God and how to harmonize this with topics like evangelism and decision-making. The author does a great job making the book very readable and accessible, though dealing with a profoundly deep subject.
September 11, 2014
Great book! This should be required reading for every believer. Saer gives insight into the sovereignty of God. He helps his readers to grasp hold of the real God of the bible. I will definitely read this again.
September 3, 2017
Saer offers an extremely accessible description of our big God. This book is perfect as a giveaway, or a text to move through with a new believer.
July 16, 2024
Big God may be the most important book I've read all year!
Orlando Saer postulates that society has shrunken God down to a manageable size. In essence, we've abandoned the God of the Bible and opted instead for a pigmy deity who is incapable or unwilling to intervene in the affairs of man. Saer recognizes that the downsizing of God has been, in large part, because of the failure of the modern church to give satisfactory answers to the problem of suffering. The church has offered solutions rooted in their desire to "let God off the hook." These theologically vacuous answers diminish God.
In this brief book (141 pages), Saer lays out a case for how we can "unshrink" God in our understanding of suffering, in our evangelistic efforts, in our decision-making, and in our prayer life. His sage counsel is spot on! Saer succeeds in painting a God-sized picture of God! He manages to do so without the burdensome milieu of theological jargon.
Big God is a MUST READ for Christians today!
Ten Great Quotes:
"The idea is that some things are of God; other things are of us. And it's a pretty common way of thinking. But it's not a biblical way of thinking" (50).
"the truth is that the things which happen in our lives are all down to us, and all down to God, at the very same time. It's not either-or; it's both-and! Even the trivial things, even the bad things, even the things that happen as a result of the worst possible motivations. . . . one reality can be looked at from two different perspectives and so explained in two different way" (50).
"If you ever need a sense of the significance of your life, think about his: every single thing you think, say or do - even the tiniest, most trivial detail, even the things you get wrong - is contributing to God's will being worked out in the world" (55).
"God doesn't want to be let off the hook for the presence of suffering in the world!" (64).
"The desire to make the gospel 'relevant' has led to Christians around the world modifying it and so effectively robbing it of its saving power" (87).
"When you remember that God really is in the driving seat, the pressure's off. All the anxiety we've been feeling about 'falling out of God's will' vanishes. All the paralysis which has taken hold of us while we wait for specific directions melts away. All the energy we've been investing in trying to listen out for God's voice can be channelled into other more productive uses. It's just very, very freeing!" (108).
Orlando Saer postulates that society has shrunken God down to a manageable size. In essence, we've abandoned the God of the Bible and opted instead for a pigmy deity who is incapable or unwilling to intervene in the affairs of man. Saer recognizes that the downsizing of God has been, in large part, because of the failure of the modern church to give satisfactory answers to the problem of suffering. The church has offered solutions rooted in their desire to "let God off the hook." These theologically vacuous answers diminish God.
In this brief book (141 pages), Saer lays out a case for how we can "unshrink" God in our understanding of suffering, in our evangelistic efforts, in our decision-making, and in our prayer life. His sage counsel is spot on! Saer succeeds in painting a God-sized picture of God! He manages to do so without the burdensome milieu of theological jargon.
Big God is a MUST READ for Christians today!
Ten Great Quotes:
"The idea is that some things are of God; other things are of us. And it's a pretty common way of thinking. But it's not a biblical way of thinking" (50).
"the truth is that the things which happen in our lives are all down to us, and all down to God, at the very same time. It's not either-or; it's both-and! Even the trivial things, even the bad things, even the things that happen as a result of the worst possible motivations. . . . one reality can be looked at from two different perspectives and so explained in two different way" (50).
"If you ever need a sense of the significance of your life, think about his: every single thing you think, say or do - even the tiniest, most trivial detail, even the things you get wrong - is contributing to God's will being worked out in the world" (55).
"God doesn't want to be let off the hook for the presence of suffering in the world!" (64).
"The desire to make the gospel 'relevant' has led to Christians around the world modifying it and so effectively robbing it of its saving power" (87).
"When you remember that God really is in the driving seat, the pressure's off. All the anxiety we've been feeling about 'falling out of God's will' vanishes. All the paralysis which has taken hold of us while we wait for specific directions melts away. All the energy we've been investing in trying to listen out for God's voice can be channelled into other more productive uses. It's just very, very freeing!" (108).
January 25, 2025
A great, accessible introduction to a complex theological topic. Really easy to read, entertaining and challenging in equal measure, and full of scripture throughout. I enjoyed the structure - starting with addressing the big picture about God being in control of all things, and how we can make mistakes in our understanding of him, then diving into the nitty-gritty of questions about suffering or prayer.
My only complaint is that some of the analogies/illustrations don't work hugely well, or go on a little long without explaining where things are going. However, that's a small gripe, and doesn't harm the book too much in my opinion.
I'd recommend this to anyone Christian who struggles with questions about God's sovereignty/control/power, or anyone who finds such questions a barrier to believing in God at all.
My only complaint is that some of the analogies/illustrations don't work hugely well, or go on a little long without explaining where things are going. However, that's a small gripe, and doesn't harm the book too much in my opinion.
I'd recommend this to anyone Christian who struggles with questions about God's sovereignty/control/power, or anyone who finds such questions a barrier to believing in God at all.
April 4, 2025
I had high hopes for this book. As a firm believer in the absolute Sovereignty of God and the importance of that doctrine in our lives, I was excited for a short and succinct book that might help believers wrestle with the difficulties of that doctrine.
Unfortunately, I don't think this book does a good job accomplishing its aim. Saer builds on many analogies that are helpful to an extent but are ultimately imperfect enough to muddy the waters. Furthermore, his often overly-sarcastic tone makes it painful to read particularly for anyone who is not fully convinced of these doctrines in his/her own mind, thus defeating the purpose of helping people who are struggling with these teachings.
While I agree with at least 80% of Saer's conclusions, I can't say I would recommend this book for helping solidify one's understanding of how God's sovereignty interacts with our will.
Unfortunately, I don't think this book does a good job accomplishing its aim. Saer builds on many analogies that are helpful to an extent but are ultimately imperfect enough to muddy the waters. Furthermore, his often overly-sarcastic tone makes it painful to read particularly for anyone who is not fully convinced of these doctrines in his/her own mind, thus defeating the purpose of helping people who are struggling with these teachings.
While I agree with at least 80% of Saer's conclusions, I can't say I would recommend this book for helping solidify one's understanding of how God's sovereignty interacts with our will.
April 15, 2024
Got this book during our Weekend Away on God’s sovereignty. Really good book which addresses so many fundamental and practical topics of the Christian faith (ie evangelism, prayer, decision-making) in light of the fact that God is in control of everything including salvation, outcomes of decisions etc. Really helped me with questions I am struggling with. Highly recommend for all Christians to read as this will definitely help with deepening your faith, and more importantly seeing God for who He is — the Big God who is in control of everything!
February 14, 2018
This is a great resource that I will be recommending to many in the future! I thought I had a good grasp on the sovereignty of God but was convicted of ways that I “shrink” God in my words and thoughts! I love that he applies a chapter each to four different areas where the sovereignty of God is often misunderstood (trials, evangelism, decision-making, and prayer). I will be referring back to this book often!
July 11, 2017
Excellent biblical primer on God's sovereignty and Providence in salvation, suffering, prayer, evangelism, and decision-making. Far from exhaustive or comprehensive, but deep and thorough enough to equip Christians to think rightly and deeply about these issues and to dialogue with others who may be struggling to understand.
August 24, 2018
A wonderful, chatty, introductory book about how God is in control of EVERYTHING. Saer specifically avoids tackling tricky theological terms like sovereignty, Deism, or Calvinism which might put off readers. Instead, he opts to let the Bible speak clearly and then carefully applies it to everyday issues of suffering, evangelism, decision-making, and prayer.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 2, 2019
I thought this was superb, tackling some big questions by looking to an even bigger God. Some deep truth about about what it really means to believe in a sovereign God.
January 20, 2020
A much better read compared to the previous book I was reading. A great, short book.
December 18, 2023
Fantastic read! Explores so many difficult topics of Christianity in a reasonable way. Definitely would recommend
August 11, 2024
Good book. But like he says, it is entry level. John Piper's 'Providence' is meater and more rewarding. But helpful in starting to break down unhelpful ways we think about God and open our eyes to the bigness of God and the ways he operates in the world.
June 16, 2016
This book is all about how easy it is to forget about God's role in your life, or make Him "small", by putting other things before Him. Much of the text is all about the concept of how everything you do, everything that happens to you, is all part of God's plan. It's a bit of a mind-blowing concept, especially the idea that there's no way that I can spoil things, but I found it quite reassuring to know that God is always in charge, even if things don't seem to be going right.
The book felt quite challenging at times, particularly with the idea that God is always in control even when things in my life might be going wrong, but I thought it was a very good read, and something I need to keep remembering. I loved how Orlando Saer gave examples of events from modern times when explaining his points, which is something that most readers would be able to relate to.
The book felt quite challenging at times, particularly with the idea that God is always in control even when things in my life might be going wrong, but I thought it was a very good read, and something I need to keep remembering. I loved how Orlando Saer gave examples of events from modern times when explaining his points, which is something that most readers would be able to relate to.
October 10, 2014
This is a great little book - one I'd love to stick in the hands of many of my brothers and sisters. As the author states, it's an entry level book, so there is much more to be thought of and said on many (all) the topics he covers; but yet it is a clear, straight-forward and encouraging book. About the sovereignty of God, about our responsibility as people, about the comfort a BIG God offers to Christians.
Of particular help were the chapters on a) suffering and b) God's will.
The kind of book I'd want everyone in the church to read.
Of particular help were the chapters on a) suffering and b) God's will.
The kind of book I'd want everyone in the church to read.
October 21, 2014
This was a quick read, but not a book I will soon stop thinking about. It tackles some of the most confusing apparent dichotomies in the Bible in a very accessible way. I appreciated all the examples and analogies. It's also incredibly routed in scripture -- you don't have to take Saer's word for anything he says; you can look it up!
August 19, 2015
A great book for discipling someone struggling with how God's sovereignty relates to suffering, evangelism, decision-making, and prayer.
February 1, 2018
Beautiful work on God's sovereignty and our responsibility in different areas of Christian life. I highly recommend Saer's book.
January 4, 2017
Amazing Book. Loved all of it especially the chapters on evangelism and prayer.
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