Reviews/discussion requested for new book

[William]

‘For God so loved the world’ is a phrase that has transfixed the church since its inception, and taking it at face value – coupled with the sin of the race – has long made that love all but incomprehensible.
The theologians tell us it is an irrational love and without motive, and therefore we retreat to the idea that God is love – that He must love, simply because it is His nature.
However, those ideas tell us little about the character of God, and we are left to find His character in the metaphors of scripture; as in the love of a father for his prodigal son, and in Christ’s sacrificial love for His bride – which is to say, we find a love just like our own, only raised to a higher power.
And there maybe nothing wrong with that, so long as we realise it is only one side of the story, and seen from our perspective. Those metaphors are necessarily directed toward the race’s own need and interest, while the purpose and interest of God, if they are there at all, have receded into the background.
But what if we could see God’s love from His perspective? Would that admit of a purpose behind God’s love for the world? And would it show a love that reaches beyond the interest and need of the race, to reveal His interest, and more, a love that serves that interest?

The book is a biblical inquiry into the purpose of God for humanity, with insights I have gained as a craftsman. It will challenge our modern, and often overly sentimental, ideas of how, and why, God loves the world as He does.

This book has been on my mind for many years but it was not until all my kids grew up and left home that I found time to write it. It is self-published and I am hoping that some might find the time to read it and offer a review and/or begin discussing the book in the group.
I have made the ebook available free, for the month of February, through www.smashwords.com using the coupon HV93A . I can also provide the epub directly, if that is easier. In return, I am seeking an honest review, and welcome discussion. You can reach me through the email link at www.straitroadpress.com

Thank you for your consideration,
William

[Werner]

William, you might be interested in the Goodreads Author program. It's free to join, and confers some perks, such as being able to list and link to your books on your profile page. You can read more about it here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program .

[Werner]

William, I've now read your book, and my four-star review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .

[William]

Werner wrote: "William, I've now read your book, and my four-star review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ."

Werner,
Thank you for taking the time to read and review my book. I was very interested to read your review for my own benefit, and appreciated it very much.
One thing that surprised me, was your emphasis on the Greek words. I know my way around the koine Greek, of course, but I am no expert, and am not what I would call fluent. The discussion on the language was simply a preliminary to avoid unnecessary reliance on any one dogmatic definition. The book is not an argument from language, nor even, an argument from logic, it is really an attempt at an argument from God's holy Personality; something theologians seem to have lost sight of, and something the church has neglected for far too long.
Anyway, I am glad you got something out of it, and do appreciate your taking the time to write a review. Thank you again.

[Werner]

You're more than welcome, William; I'm very glad to have read it!