In Keith Knell’s Worshiping God, we take a look at the true attributes of God. We all have a concept of who God is, whether it is an old man in a white robe on a cloud, a loving father, or the judge of sinners. However, Keith Knell asks us to reconsider who we believe God is. Relying heavily on Scripture, the most trusted source of information about God, guides readers through the many attributes of God, separating myths and misconceptions from what the Bible says and reminding us not to make the mistake of see God with human attributes because we are made in His image and not the other way around.
As Keith says at the beginning of the book: “Ultimately, my goal in this book is not to teach you to read and understand the Bible better, but to know God better, understand Him more fully, and love Him more deeply.” Keith wants to. Let’s reread the Bible, wondering in the process, “What does this passage reveal about God?” After all, Keith notes, “The Bible is primarily about God unveiling and revealing parts of who He is!”
Keith then walks us through the attributes of God, dedicating chapters to topics like God’s holiness, His truth, how He is unchanging, and how He is merciful. But Keith also makes us realize that the Bible doesn’t always present us with a loving God who will forgive us and only allow people like Hitler to burn in hell. For me, the most rewarding and challenging parts of Worshiping God were these chapters where Keith discusses some of the seemingly harsher aspects of God’s character, including his jealousy and anger; Again, relying heavily on Scripture, Keith shows how these aspects of God’s character are not contradictory but righteous and are part of God’s overall perfection.
The result is a very revealing portrait of God that can result not only in increased love and devotion to God, but also in facing some difficult truths for the reader, truths that even Keith has struggled with, as is clear from sections of Contemplations that end each one. chapter. In these sections, the reader can pray to God and ask for insight and better understanding. One of those contemplations says:
“Wow. It baffles me to think that you don’t consider what we would think as ‘the right thing’. You considered what you wanted and you did it. And that did well. That’s supremacy. You are what is ‘right’. I don’t have to waste time arguing. to myself as to whether something you chose to do was right or not. It is a fact. It was correct because You decreed it. How inscrutable are Your judgments and unfathomable Your ways! ”
Another point that Keith makes many Christians today try to ignore is that God is angry:
“Many people do not believe that God is angry at all … And some who agree with the truth that God is angry, however, make excuses or feel the need to apologize for this part of who He is. Some They think that if He was angry, then that was the ‘Old God’, long ago from the Old Testament past, and that He has changed, matured. “
Keith goes on to explain that God is angry, but He is just and righteous to be that way. Furthermore, Keith denies the modern notion that God can mature or evolve. He quotes the Puritan writer Stephen Charnock to support this point. Charnock says: “What consolation would it be to pray to a god who, like the chameleon, changed color from moment to moment? Who would petition an earthly prince who was so mutable as to grant a request one day and deny it?” other? “
In other words, God is not like you and me. Once we get past that erroneous point of view, we can discover who He really is, as reflected in the Scriptures and highlighted in this book.
In addition to the main text, Keith quotes many theological giants to support his points. Those writers include AW Pink, Thomas Watson, John Calvin, and Jonathan Edwards, to name just a few.
Perhaps most impressive, the book is a superior example of biblical scholarship. There are over 500 footnotes, most listing various verses from the Bible, not only to support Keith’s statements, but more importantly, to be further reading for the person who really wants to explore and understand the various attributes. of God. Keith asks that people not only read the book, but spend a week on each chapter, praying for its message and meditating on the many verses quoted. I think this process would be very beneficial and would turn a reading experience into a deeply spiritual one.
In the end, Keith hopes that the result of reading this book will verify the statement of Scripture: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4: 8). Whether you are a non-believer, an active Christian, or somewhere in between, Worshiping God will give you a lot to think about and ultimately I believe will deepen your understanding and relationship with God in surprising and rewarding ways.
