Forgotten God

Just finishing up another book, this one by Francis Chan, called "The Forgotten God." While I did not find this one as astounding as "Crazy Love," I do think that Chan raises some good questions in the book. Here's a great paragraph that gives you the flavor of it.

"As believers, we ought to experience this same kind of astonishment when the Holy Spirit enters our bodies. We should be stunned in disbelief over becoming a "new creation" with the Spirit living in us. As the caterpillar finds its new ability to fly, we should be thrilled over our Spirit-empowered ability to live differently and faithfully. Isn't this what the Scriptures speak of? Isn't this what we've all been longing for?"

As I asked you last week, do you feel that the Holy Spirit's presence in your life is MORE VALUABLE to you than if Jesus Himself had stayed behind to be your personal discipler? Jesus said that that is how it should be (John 16:7)...

Comments

[Jeff Crawford]

JD, GREAT word to Arkansas Baptists yesterday. Also, it was great to hear your heart on GCR up close and personal in the follow-up session.

Bless you brother, and the saints at Summit.

[Matt Cummings]

Good word JD. It is hard to compare any book to Crazy Love, that book was an amazing read.

One thing that stuck out to me in reading The Forgotten God, was early on when he told the story of his encounter with the JWs. He rebuked them for believing only what they had been taught to believe. He then challenges every reader to pick up the Bible, as though they had never read it before, and allow the scriptures to speak to us anew.

That was helpful to me because for so many years, I believed what I believed because First Baptist Jacksonville taught it. It was refreshing to be challenged to read the Bible and let the Spirit deal with us.

Thanks for all you do JD.

[michael]

JD, I love the focus on the presence of the Spirit. He is such a powerful force in the life of the Christian, if acknowledged and embraced. Great job.

At the risk of nit-picking, from what I can tell John 16:7 does not say the Holy Spirit should be seen as *more* valuable to us then if Christ were with us in person. The passage does not say the HS is "better" then Christ in person, it just says that it is "good." Christ seems to basically be saying "don't despair, there is a good side to this too." However, Christ doesn't say this good aspect is "better." Perhaps it is just necessary.

Besides, if the Holy Spirit were "better" then Christ in person, then God's presence with us on earth would be "better" then it will be in heaven (where we will likely once again be in the presence of Christ Himself, drinking wine with Him... Matthew 26:29).

Matt, great comment. Too many people let "the scholars" handle reading and interpreting the Scriptures. The Scriptures should be read (and interpreted) by anyone who is able to read. So many Protestants rebuke the catholic style of interpretation ("Scripture + Tradition"), but then they themselves are not willing to step outside of the traditional Protestant interpretations handed down to them by those they respect. At least the catholics are honest about it!