The Dream of God: A Call to Return [Paperback]

Verna J. Dozier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1561010464 | ISBN-13: 978-1561010462 | Publication Date: September 1991

The Dream of God is a classic rediscovery of discipleship. The church, as an institution, has fallen away from the dream that God has for us -- to follow Jesus and not merely worship him. Through her adept sense of storytelling and knowledge of the Bible, Dozier engages Christians in the call to lead the church again toward the dream of God.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Verna Dozier has single-handedly revived the study of the Bible and renewed the church's understanding of the ministry of all believers. She is known all over the country and overseas for her Bible teaching, conferences, preaching, and work with lay groups in the church to strengthen their callings and ministries. She is also the author of The Authority of the Laity, The Calling of the Laity, and Equipping the Saints: A Method of Bible Study. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Cowley Publications (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561010464
• ISBN-13: 978-1561010462
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,772,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God's Dream, January 20, 2003

By 

Philip R. Taylor "+" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dream of God: A Call to Return (Paperback)

I first read this book almost three years ago.
It has changed my life. I often quote from this book in my sermons. I have found that most lay people agree with her and most clergy disagree. That alone is very telling about how correct she is in her views of the institutional church.

In addition to her very valid criticisms of institutional religion, perhaps the most important thing Verna Dozier says in this book is that we are called not to worship Jesus, rather we are called to follow Jesus. If the hiarchy of most denominations were to read this book and actually take Verna Dozier seriously, we would have a second "Reformation". Read this book, give a copy to your pastor, priest, and/or bishop and be a part of God's Dream.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dozier feeds the soul, January 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dream of God: A Call to Return (Paperback)

Verna Dozier's DREAM OF GOD feeds the soul. This thought-provoking work by a superbly informed author is not for the fundamentalist who views the Bible as the irrefutable Word of God. Rather, it is a call to do the bidding of the Gospel Christ and not abdicate that imperative to church heirarchy.

As one living in a most conservative state, in a mutant, conservative diocese of the Episcopal church that is mired in empty moralism and debates over "scriptural authority," Dozier's little book is truly a breath of spiritual life.

I am fed.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Biblical Scholar Reiterates Importance of the Laity, November 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dream of God: A Call to Return (Paperback)

I do not agree with the previous review, written by a customer with a certain uneasiness with "liberality". Verna Dozier is a biblical scholar and a unique theologian. This does not mean her book is bad or wrong.

As someone raised Catholic who had, over the years, drifted further and further away from Church participation, I clearly understand Ms. Dozier's analysis of the situation wherein the Church has so obviously tried to usurp power from the people and keep it "in the family", so to speak. Jesus's ministry, as described in the Bible, focuses on the individual, not the organization. I have struggled over the years to maintain my love for the character of Jesus, while at the same time feeling myself being pushed further and further away from the Church and its authority.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels alienated from church establishment, but who seeks to maintain a relationship with Jesus -- be it as Lord, inspiration, or hero.