The Deity Formerly Known as God [Paperback]

Jarrett Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 2006

'I do not want my image of God. I want God.' ---C. S. Lewis Like Lewis, Jarrett Stevens wants to truly know and experience God, not some distorted and destructive image of the Almighty formed over the years. With wry humor and profound insights, Stevens searches to align his broken images of God with the images of God found in the Bible. Attempting to recapture the spirit of J. B. Phillips' classic, Your God Is Too Small, Stevens addresses various assumptions we have about God and sorts through twelve different views of God---six destructive and six constructive. God is not, for instance, the cop around the corner waiting to catch you breaking the law. Neither is he a talent show judge, wincing as you struggle through life. What if those destructive images we've shaped were replaced with more positive ones---a neighbor you can call for help in the dead of night ... or a tired-eyed father waiting for his child to return home safely? These images come straight from Jesus' teachings and invite us into a new experience with the true and living God.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

'I do not want my image of God. I want God.'<br>---C. S. Lewis<br><br>Like Lewis, Jarrett Stevens wants to truly know and experience God, not some distorted and destructive image of the Almighty formed over the years. With wry humor and profound insights, Stevens searches to align his broken images of God with the images of God found in the Bible.<br> <br>Attempting to recapture the spirit of J. B. Phillips' classic, Your God Is Too Small, Stevens addresses various assumptions we have about God and sorts through twelve different views of God---six destructive and six constructive.<br> <br>God is not, for instance, the cop around the corner waiting to catch you breaking the law. Neither is he a talent show judge, wincing as you struggle through life. What if those destructive images we've shaped were replaced with more positive ones---a neighbor you can call for help in the dead of night ... or a tired-eyed father waiting for his child to return home safely? These images come straight from Jesus' teachings and invite us into a new experience with the true and living God. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jarrett Stevens does life with his wife, Jeanne, in Buckhead with their ridiculously handsome son, Elijah (whom Jarrett dresses), their beautiful little princess Gigi (whom Elijah dresses), and their emotionally needy yellow Labrador Retriever, Molly. Jarrett works at North Point Church in Atlanta where he is the director of the Singles Ministry. Before that, he served as the teaching pastor for Axis, Willow Creek Community Church's next generational ministry. Known for his humor and honesty, Jarrett is the author of The Deity Formerly Known as God and a popular speaker at churches and conferences nationally and internationally.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1 edition (August 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310271142
• ISBN-13: 978-0310271147
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jarrett Stevens does life with his wife, Jeanne, in Buckhead with their ridiculously handsome son, Elijah (whom Jarrett dresses), their beautiful little princess Gigi (whom Elijah dresses), and their emotionally needy yellow Labrador Retriever, Molly. Jarrett works at North Point Church in Atlanta where he is the director of the Singles Ministry. Before that, he served as the teaching pastor for Axis, Willow Creek Community Church's next generational ministry. Known for his humor and honesty, Jarrett is the author of The Deity Formerly Known as God and a popular speaker at churches and conferences nationally and internationally.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, Real, & Insightful, January 15, 2007

By 

Brian Diaz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Deity Formerly Known as God (Paperback)

I loved this book! I read it in less than 1 week. Stevens does an incredible job making JB Philips book come to life for a new generation. He speaks theology for dummies, but doesn't dumb down his audience. Stevens does a great job identifying what our issues are with God & why we've acquired them. He speaks a universal language. But he doesn't allow us to stay in our "stuck images" of God, but rather gently leads us to construct healthier images based on who God REALLY is. Jarrett Stevens does a masterfully honest job in speaking from his own journey so his book doesn't come across as preachy, but as a fellow sojourner who loves Jesus & is committed to knowing him as he's meant to be known. His personal stories combined with true theology moved me to want to identify my own unhealthy images of God & do the hard but rewarding work of rebuilding a better perception of my Creator. Thank you, Jarrett, for writing such an inspiring, real, & insightful book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!!!, January 17, 2007

By 

Rev. Lebecca Roveless (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deity Formerly Known as God (Paperback)

With humor and insight Jarrett Stevens inspired me to spend some time with God and continue my journey of knowing and relating to Him. As I read this book I could not help but take a look at the views I personally have of God and begin deconstructing the negative and dysfunctional views. I laughed out loud and even cried a few tears about how personal and honest Jarrett was. Truly, his vulnerability and ability to tell a great story will win you over, page after page! Young or old, you will finish this book with a new [and healthy] perspective of the amazing faithfulness and goodness of God!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Refreshing "Course Correction", January 13, 2007

By 

Merlin - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deity Formerly Known as God (Paperback)

What a joy it was to read a book that's not only solidly evangelical, but also generous in its understanding of the love and grace of God. Jarrett's insights, which are sprinkled generously with both touching and humorous anecdotes, offer a refreshing "course correction" for a theological perspective that often overstresses God's sovereignty and power at the expense of God's mercy and grace. I highly recommend this book to anyone whose God is not only too small, but also too harsh, cold, unfeeling and unlovable.