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Into the Depths of God: Where Eyes See the Invisible, Ears Hear the Inaudible, and Minds Conceive the Inconceivable
A profound book of spiritual insight that helps believers live a deep life in God beneath the turmoil of our hurried business.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
About the author
Calvin Miller
181 books54 followersCalvin Miller has written over 40 books of popular theology and inspiration. A former pastor, he is professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Joyce, have two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 24, 2008
Calvin Miller writes beautifully, and is great to quote. Unfortunately, he gets a bit repetitive - I didn't finish this book because it started getting a bit repetitive and too nebulous, even though it is good writing.
April 20, 2015
I love the way Calvin Miller can turn a phrase. He writes very well. He has some deep thinking, but his writing style makes it very accessible. And, in "Into the Depths of God" he tackles the subject of spiritual experience that many call mysticism.
All too often, Christians writing about mystical experience fall into Universalism. So, I was very interested to see how Calvin Miller, a very solid evangelical pastor and theologian, would explain this subject.
Overall, I think he did an excellent job of writing about Christian mysticism. He maintains a strong connection to Christian identity as he explores and expresses the depths of God.
In two chapters I had to disagree with him. He writes about the connection between good, high quality art and spirituality. While I enjoy art, I think it does a disservice to all Christians to connect art with spiritual experience in the way that Miller does in this book. Why? Because when I read the New Testament I don't see anything lacking in their spiritual experience and I also don't see anything that can be called fine art. The other chapter with which I disagree is the chapter that deals with music in relation to spirituality. This chapter almost sounded whiny at certain moments - we don't sing the great hymns enough any more. That wasn't his point, but it came across that way some. I see music differently as it relates to spiritual experience and spiritual expression. When the heart is right it doesn't matter whether one is singing a good hymn or a good praise chorus.
The whole rest of the book is excellent. His concluding chapter on death and spirituality is absolutely fabulous. How should the Christian view death? Most of us do not view it the way Scripture presents it, and that is Miller's point. When we enter into the depths of God we will view death as the Bible presents it.
Here is how Miller describes it, "When we are home at last, the homesickness will be over. We shall praise the King who knew how to cut eternal doorways in mere holes cut in sod."
I love the way Calvin Miller writes. I thoroughly enjoyed Into the Depths of God.
All too often, Christians writing about mystical experience fall into Universalism. So, I was very interested to see how Calvin Miller, a very solid evangelical pastor and theologian, would explain this subject.
Overall, I think he did an excellent job of writing about Christian mysticism. He maintains a strong connection to Christian identity as he explores and expresses the depths of God.
In two chapters I had to disagree with him. He writes about the connection between good, high quality art and spirituality. While I enjoy art, I think it does a disservice to all Christians to connect art with spiritual experience in the way that Miller does in this book. Why? Because when I read the New Testament I don't see anything lacking in their spiritual experience and I also don't see anything that can be called fine art. The other chapter with which I disagree is the chapter that deals with music in relation to spirituality. This chapter almost sounded whiny at certain moments - we don't sing the great hymns enough any more. That wasn't his point, but it came across that way some. I see music differently as it relates to spiritual experience and spiritual expression. When the heart is right it doesn't matter whether one is singing a good hymn or a good praise chorus.
The whole rest of the book is excellent. His concluding chapter on death and spirituality is absolutely fabulous. How should the Christian view death? Most of us do not view it the way Scripture presents it, and that is Miller's point. When we enter into the depths of God we will view death as the Bible presents it.
Here is how Miller describes it, "When we are home at last, the homesickness will be over. We shall praise the King who knew how to cut eternal doorways in mere holes cut in sod."
I love the way Calvin Miller writes. I thoroughly enjoyed Into the Depths of God.
August 27, 2018
I was very excited to receive this book. I looked forward to increasing my experience and understanding of God. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Miller hints at having gone into the depths but does not really say much about it. The title of the book should be Why Men Aren't Going Into the Depths of God. Had this been the title I would have given it another star. On this subject he has some good points but goes too far in characterizing the evangelical church from their worst examples.
The chapter on the Beauty of God had practically nothing about God's beauty. It was all about the superiority of earlier art over that of modern times. He does not even have a good description of a piece of art that he considers to show God's beauty. And once again he over states his case and overlooks problems with a lot of earlier art lacking biblical perspective.
However, he has four good chapters at the end that are definitely worth reading. They still are mostly about men but have some very good thoughts on confession and forgiveness and are well written.
Looking to reach into new depths of God? You might try looking at some of the works of the contemplatives he occasionally has short quotes from.
The chapter on the Beauty of God had practically nothing about God's beauty. It was all about the superiority of earlier art over that of modern times. He does not even have a good description of a piece of art that he considers to show God's beauty. And once again he over states his case and overlooks problems with a lot of earlier art lacking biblical perspective.
However, he has four good chapters at the end that are definitely worth reading. They still are mostly about men but have some very good thoughts on confession and forgiveness and are well written.
Looking to reach into new depths of God? You might try looking at some of the works of the contemplatives he occasionally has short quotes from.
November 10, 2021
Miller invites to a deeper experience...
...with God, and shows us that many times we have settled for something far less. Miller had a way of expressing deep ideas which make us think , while at the same time making the reading of them enjoyable. But I gave only four stars because of the formatting. It appears to be a PDF scan, and not a very clean one at that, with specks and dots and lines at odd and random places--and footnote numbers that do not link to the actual footnote (that alone is irritating!). The section of various quotes at the end of each chapter is even sloppy in its formatting, obviously done by someone not familiar with ebook formatting. Otherwise, the contents and thoughts of the book are well worth the time to read.
...with God, and shows us that many times we have settled for something far less. Miller had a way of expressing deep ideas which make us think , while at the same time making the reading of them enjoyable. But I gave only four stars because of the formatting. It appears to be a PDF scan, and not a very clean one at that, with specks and dots and lines at odd and random places--and footnote numbers that do not link to the actual footnote (that alone is irritating!). The section of various quotes at the end of each chapter is even sloppy in its formatting, obviously done by someone not familiar with ebook formatting. Otherwise, the contents and thoughts of the book are well worth the time to read.
July 6, 2026
I was really looking forward to reading this for my spiritual retreat - to go deep into the depths of God. Unfortunately Miller didn't lead me there but pointed out over and over again how messed up evangelicals are. They need to start thinking and living differently. I wasn't looking for a critique but a guide. He does have many great insights at the end of each chapter. But over and over I kept asking myself - Why could Miller not stick to what builds up instead of first tearing down? I greatly enjoyed the intro chapter, the last few pages, many of his stories and illustrations, and I loved his quote of Francis De Sales before chapter one.
August 26, 2014
I am really interested in the mystical side of spirituality. In this book Miller points to a way of life which acknowledges a calmer, deeper and more profound state of faith we can live in. It was refreshing and rewarding to read. I learned a lot and was challenged to observe a quieter centre while on the surface coping with the every day bustle of life.
I hope this book is taken up and chewed on slowly because it merits careful and thoughtful reading. I really like Miller’s style and have read a lot of his books. “Once upon a Tree” and “The Path of Celtic Prayer”.
I hope this book is taken up and chewed on slowly because it merits careful and thoughtful reading. I really like Miller’s style and have read a lot of his books. “Once upon a Tree” and “The Path of Celtic Prayer”.
April 6, 2015
An amazing book that was referred to me about knowing and trusting God with my whole heart, examining my motives for everything, enjoying God and the beauty of His creation, breaking away from earthly pleasures, expressing praise, confession of sin and so much more. I highly recommend this book for those who want to get to know God better and are serious about obeying His Word.
November 4, 2013
one of my top 10 of Christian growth books. each chapter was enlightening, challenging & provoking. Not your typical read. Calvin Miller is an excellent, insightful writer & a 'difficult' guy. I loved my time spent with him!
December 7, 2014
Simply describes how the Church has lost its Mystic roots, and has become a busy machine, and how it needs to return to its First Love, and to let God out of the Box we have put him in! I really enjoyed this book, as I pondered Calvin's musings.
January 18, 2008
It is wonderful! Every Christian should read this book.
May 27, 2011
One of my all-time favorite books.
April 23, 2012
Love, love, love Calvin Miller.
August 29, 2012
An insightful read.
We lost a treasure when Calvin Miller "graduated" to heaven this year. So glad we still have his books!
We lost a treasure when Calvin Miller "graduated" to heaven this year. So glad we still have his books!
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May 22, 2019I am reading Mr. Miller's book a fourth time and I highly recommend it! As followers of Jesus, we are given the great opportunity to live a supernatural life as the Holy Spirit abides in us! I love the way that the author challenges us to live this way, to go deeper with God! To live in great love with our Savior and to experience life with Him as some of the Ancients before us! A life-changing journey of the heart, as he puts it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews