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The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story

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A sign stated: "Hire a teenager while he still knows everything." Most of my life, in much of what I was interested in, I thought I had all the answers. I did not have all the answers then, and I still do not have them. But God has given me enough wisdom in knowing that I do not know it all and I need His word found in scripture. And Donald Arthur Carson (D. A. Carson: evangelical theologian; PhD, University of Cambridge; professor of New Testament Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; author of 50+ books) in "The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story" has delivered a fine outline of the meaning and purpose of God revealed in the Old and New Testaments. This is a God-centered book aimed to help the reader discern his personal place in God's plan.

Many people including some Christians fail to understand the essential teachings of scripture. They often focus on a salvation by personal merit and often do not properly comprehend that Jesus and His work are the focal points of all of God's word. Professor Carson has given the reader an outstanding tool to develop a basic understanding of the Bible.

The good professor states: "As Christians grow in holy living, they sense their own inherent moral weakness and rejoice that whatever virtue they possess flourishes as the fruit of the Spirit."

This volume provides answers to:

- How can we recognize the main thrust of God's story in scripture and history?

- How I learn the most important truths of the Bible?

- How can I know and apply the essentials of the Christian faith?

The author adds: "Jesus is hungry but feeds others; He grows weary but offers others rest; He is the King Messiah but pays tribute; He is called the devil but casts out demons; He dies the death of a sinner but comes to save His people from their sins; He is sold for thirty pieces of silver but gives His life a ransom for many; He will not turn stones to bread for Himself but gives His own body as bread for people."

Herein the reader discovers a readable and very useful work on the basic introduction to Christianity as Dr. Carson guides you through a large-view of God's Word that is an excellent resource for personal devotions, bible study groups, and Church classes.

Dr. Carson observes: "The kingdom of heaven is worth infinitely more than the cost of discipleship, and those who know where the treasure lies joyfully abandon everything else to secure it."

Endorsed by Tim Keller and many other influential Evangelicals.

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I have just finished reading The God Who is There by D.A. Carson. I don't think that any words I put here, will do justice to Carson's renderings. The subtitle of his book is "Finding Your Place in God's Story", and I can't think of a more adequate or accurate description than that for this book. Carson begins, effectively, at the Beginning--Genesis. From there, he takes his readers through nearly every book, every genre of literature present in scriptures to build a foundation for the truth that God is a God Who is There. Carson doesn't miss a thing as evidenced by his Chapter Titles. For example, Chapter 9 is titled "The God who Loves", and 4 chapters later, he titles his 13th chapter "The God who is Very Angry".

The author is unafraid to take on the difficult and dense passages that others may have a tendency to shy away from. For instance, he acknowledges the tight arguments in Romans 3 as being "condensed", and then explains that to fully experience Paul's meaning, one must carefully examine these scriptures word by word. Also, Carson does an excellent job exploring the literary features of each genre, which in turn lends credibility to his interpretations.

A must-read.

This year I have been teaching my kids the game of baseball. When one stops to consider, there are a lot of rules in this game: three outs, nine innings, four balls, fly outs, tag outs, force outs, relief pitchers, pitch hitters, singles, doubles, triples, home runs, infield fly rule, ad infinitum.

For years I have also been teaching my kids about a much more important subject, namely, the Bible. The Bible is a little bit like baseball. Again consider, there is an awful lot of information in the Book! Commandments and covenants, warnings and worship, promises and parables, sacrifices and substitution, prophets and predestination, tabernacles and temples. You get the idea. A little bit intimidating for a rookie Bible reader.

D.A. Carson invites readers to "Spring Training" in his newest book, The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story. He assumes that many readers will "step up to the plate" with little or no knowledge of the Bible. So unlike most of Carson's other books, this little gem is designed specifically for new believers and folks who have never been to the "ball park"; folks who are new to the content of the Bible.

Carson begins where the Bible begins - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." His first pitch may be difficult for postmodern people to handle. God made everything. He is the Creator. He is the first cause. In many ways, the first chapter is one of the most (or perhaps the most important) chapter in the book. Carson carefully and gently refutes evolutionary theory. And he shares some simple and undeniable truths about God:

* God simply is

* God made everything that is non-God

* There is only one of him

* God is a talking God

* Everything God makes is good - very good

* God comes to an end of his creative works, and he rests

* The creation proclaims his greatness and his glory

Carson continues by contrasting the Creator with the creature:

* We are made in the image of God

* We were made male and female

* The man and his wife were innocent

The author clearly delineates the Creator-creator distinction and continues to articulate a biblical anthropology in chapter two. Man has fallen and has rebelled against a good God. He makes it clear that sin is more than merely "breaking rules." Carson writes, "What is at stake here is something deeper, bigger, sadder, uglier, more heinous. It is a revolution. It makes me god and thus de-gods God."

Sinful man has been separated from God. Therefore his greatest need is reconciliation and forgiveness. We need someone to save us from our sins. The rest of the book unfolds how God saves sinful people. Carson skillfully weaves his way through Scripture to demonstrate how God keeps his promise in Genesis 3 and Genesis 12. The chapter titles give a general idea of the book's flow:

1. The God Who Made Everything

2. The God Who Does Not Wipe Out Rebels

3. The God Who Writes His Own Agreements

4. The God Who Legislates

5. The God Who Reigns

6. The God Who is Unfathomably Wise

7. The God Who Becomes a Human Being

8. The God Who Grants the New Birth

9. The God Who Loves

10. The God Who Dies - and Lives Again

11. The God Who Declares the Guilty Just

12. The God Who Gathers and Transforms His People

13. The God Who Is Very Angry

14. The God Who Triumphs

This book has many strengths worth discussing. But the chief strength is the author's ability to present the biblical meta-narrative and make sense of the puzzle pieces that emerge in Scripture. Carson make a compelling case for the Christian worldview and accurately describes the flow of redemptive history.

The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story is a book that can be utilized at multiple levels. Most importantly, the book should be utilized in personal evangelism and small groups. Video content may be downloaded at [...].

Readers who have never "been to the park" should check out D.A. Carson's book. It truly is an invitation to the "big game."

I'm still reading this book, but what I've read so far makes it well worth it. And, if you're a new Christian, I think it will be a great help in your spiritual growth. I wish I had access to this book 20 years ago. SDG.

There have been many books written to help people come to a basic understanding of God. They usually fall into two categories, either very superficial to give you a brief overview, or very technical and detailed giving some people way more information than they need to make a good decision.

I appreciate Dr. Carson's work as he takes great effort to write a book that challenges the very thoughtful to take a deeper look at the God of the Christian Bible. He makes God very understandable and gives the reader a great introduction to what the Bible contains and how to understand it.

As I read through the book I could feel at times the tension that Dr. Carson must have felt in wanting to get more technical and deep, but he worked hard to not go there so that the book was more readable to those curious about God.

There is a wonderful workbook that you can purchase to go along with the main text. The workbook is a good tool for groups that want to work through the book together and have some guidance on questions to ask, meditate on and debate in regards to who God is.

This is not a quick read. You need to put on your thinking cap as you delve into it. Dr. Carson will explain many passages from the Bible that will help you understand the Characteristics of God. While the book is for those unfamiliar with the Bible I believe that many Christians who have attended church for years will also find this book useful as a reminder of who God is and how He is described throughout the Biblical text.

Dr. Carson starts with a good discussion regarding Creation which deals with the Science community as well as the Intelligent Design community. He also has chapters that explain the Ten Commandments, Covenant Agreements and why Israel is the focus of the Old Testament. Dr. Carson also delves into the topic of God being a God of Love as well as being a God of Justice and Judgement.

I think my favorite chapter was Chapter 12, "The God Who Gathers and Transforms His People." I personally have witnessed how God can transform the lives of broken and lost people. I have also watched as many people who didn't think they were lost found out through Scripture that they had been missing that one ingredient that would change their life, and that ingredient is God.

Please note that there was an earlier work published in the 1960's with this same title by Francis Schaeffer. Both books are excellent reads and well worth your investment of time.

Enjoy!

I admit, I'm an affectionate fan of Dr. Donald A. Carson. I have learned to trust his exegesis. He has helped to lead me and my wife into a clearer, more biblically based understanding of New Covenant Theology. If you ever have a chance to hear him in person or view a DVD of him speaking, go for it! He is even fun to watch; when his excitement mounts and his passion over a certain truth of Scripture rises to spurt out of his heart! I can't help but say, "Amen!"

My pattern of reading is to have up to a dozen books I am jumping back and forth between, rather than stick to a single volume until I have finished reading it. So I am currently only on page 112 of the 224 pages in this book. I am a retired pastor and passionate about growing neaarer to God in "absolute surrender" and while I am familiar with the subject matter of this book by D.A.Carson, I still find his pattern to be true. He "unpacks" the Scriptures and finds new gems in the field I have walked across, often many times. I have been spiritually blessed and heard my heart singing with joy many times as I underscored and wrote marginal notes (my books are all marked with notes)in this delicious book.

To illustrate, is his observation that attending church can be like "fig leaves for the secret sinner." And this truth, which while known and believed, still can make a new impression upon one's consciousness: "There is no way back to innocense. In the Bible, there is only a way forward -- to the cross." I could list many such "Carsonisms" that keep your interest focused and enriched as you read.

In my opinion, this would be a great book for someone open to hearing the "old, old Story" or to read it with them and discuss it. I wish I could do this with a grandson of mine. Too often people begin reading the Bible for the first time in the beginning, with Genesis. Few make it past Leviticus. Rather than read the New Testament first, which is the interpreter of and for the Old. With this book, they can know the whole story of the Old without having to deal with the heavy wading of those challenging Old Testament books, and get a view of what the "rest of the story" to borrow from Paul Harvey, of the Bible really is, and find the glorious fascination. I believe this book will jump start a desire in their heart to get into the Word of God for themselves, with some sense of mild confidence, rather than begin in the great Woods of God's Word not having any path to follow.

I heartily recommend this book and anything authored by Dr. D.A. Carson. He impresses you that he knows the Lord and loves Him and the truth of His Word deeply. I hope to meet him someday in the Kingdom and offer my gratitude in person. I do not believe you will be disappointed with this book - - well, at least the first 112 pages.(smile) and I feel confident you will be blessed!

Carson's book is unique in at least two obvious ways: its table of contents (14 chapters all titled with the words The God Who...) and its recommendations: from Tim Keller to Francis Chan, from an Australian college lecturer to former president of England's Proclamation Trust.

Baker Books are often big books. The God Who Is There is no exception. 224 pages packed full of print mean that this book demands effort before it gives enjoyment. Its stated purpose, however, exudes a uniqueness that stimulates a sustaining curiosity: "D. A. Carson takes you through the story of Scripture to help you know what you believe and why you believe it." (back cover)

Carson's book is ultimately a book of nuggets...nuggets of golden truth. There is no escaping the fact that Carson is a skilled and knowledgeable writer. Carson's writing style is creative and captivating: he has an uncanny knack at uncovering the core hidden jewels at the heart of Scripture's greatest narratives and polishing them until the simplest eye can discern their value. Examples include his definition of the consequences of sin implied in chapter one: "I am fighting against myself as well as against the God who made me" (26); his insight into rebellion: "the tentacles of rebellion against God corrode all relationships" (38) and his penetrating analysis of the message of Scripture: "What the Bible most frequently says makes God angry is idolatry. This is evil's vertical dimension...You cannot make sense of the Bible until you come to agreement with what the Bible says our problem is." (41) The list goes on...the reader grows richer.

Tim Keller urges, "By all means get this book." This reviewer says no less.

*This book was provided free of charge by Baker Books. The reviewer was under no compulsion to offer a favorable review.

When I purchased this book I bought the complete set, the book and leaders guide, I cannot say more than what I have already done. If you want to communicate the Bible read this book it simply better than any evangelistic tool I have come across!

"Don't pit systematic theology against biblical theology. We need them both."

"Don't divorce Story and propositional truth. The Bible contains both."

"Don't separate academic and devotional study of Scripture. They go hand in hand."

I hear these kinds of statements often, and I offer a hearty "Amen". But what is needed today is not another slogan about how to hold these components together. Instead, we need better examples about how this kind of fusion is done. Enter D.A. Carson.

Carson's newest book The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story(Baker, 2010) successfully accomplishes what some may think is impossible. He brings together narrative and propositional truth, systematic and biblical theology, academic exegesis and personal devotion. Then he tops it off by providing us with a great introduction to Scripture that also serves as a discipleship manual for long-time Christians.

Let's begin with the last accomplishment. Carson is forthcoming in his desire to welcome sincere seekers to open the Bible and examine its contents. At one level, his book is serves as an evangelistic introduction to the plot line of the Scriptures. And yet, it doesn't feel introductory. Christians who have walked with Christ for years will, perhaps for the first time, be able to connect the dots of the Christian Storyline, seeing how all the stories and genres fit the grand narrative.

Secondly, Carson implicitly dismisses the idea that there would be a chasm between biblical and systematic theology. It has become commonplace in some circles to critique systematic theology for imposing foreign paradigms upon the Bible. In other circles, leaders laud systematic theology as a fortress against new insights, as if careful exegesis has nothing left to offer when it comes to biblical interpretation. In The God Who Is There, Carson exegetes biblical texts and then summarizes their truth. His book happily marries systematic and biblical theology in a way that drowns out to the protests of people rooting for their divorce.

Third, though Carson's book is academic in its tone, it pulsates with personal devotion. Several chapters end with prayers of worship and practical application. Carson also sprinkles the text with his poetry - the fruit of his meditation on these truths. He finishes the early chapters by pointing ahead to Jesus, never once letting the centrality of the gospel disappear from his writing.

I rarely gush over a book, but I will make an exception for this one. The God Who Is There is an excellent introduction to Christianity for those (believer and unbeliever alike) who want to know more about the Bible. Get a copy for yourself and then give a few away.

This is a good, serious (but not technical) introduction to the message of the Bible, written from a conservative Protestant perspective. My only real complaint is that Carson quotes mostly from the TNIV, which is a poor translation.