Understanding God's Love: A Study of the Misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of God [Paperback]

Ronald Greib (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999

Ronald Grieb has undertaken a study of how God is misunderstood and misrepresented, showing how false ideas of God neutralize His power and authority and lead people into the worship of false deities of their own manufacture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Christian Traditions Publishing (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965640302
• ISBN-13: 978-0965640305
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,100,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The author, Ronald Greib, a college educated professional and lifelong committed Christian, struggled with the proposition of a God of unconditional and total love, and the many apparent contradictions in scripture and contemporary Christian theology and practice. His twenty-year biblical search for answers reveals a God much more loving than most often proclaimed by Christians today. Understanding God's Love offers an unprecedented and comprehensive biblical image of God that answers all the questions of why we and the world are as we are, and what are humanity's ultimate goal and final destiny. From the story of creation to the end of the world, this ground-breaking work, with over 2000 biblical references, provides the biblical answers that an educated, scientific, and searching Western world seeks. God's love is revealed in scripture to be far beyond humanity's fondest dreams and deepest longing. Only a correct understanding and acceptance of God's love can free humanity from fear, confusion, and the striving for worldly or spiritual wealth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making God's love clear, May 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding God's Love: A Study of the Misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of God (Paperback)

I'm not a theologian, but I can say with conviction that Ron Grieb's book has done more to open my heart and mind to the infinite, eterally available love of God toward me and all His creation than almost anything else I've ever read on the subject.

Many questions that remain unanswered by the greatest Biblical writers with "we just don't know about this" CAN, I believe, be better understood if we will only ascribe, as Ron does, unconditional, all-consuming love to God's nature, motives, and actions, and accept the reality of man's tendency to follow the whispered urgings of Satan rather than the clear teachings of Christ.

Ron addresses the standard Christian tendency to "blame" so much evil on God's will, which has never sat well with me. Rather, I've suspected that the first sin in the garden has had, and continues to have, a ripple effect of the most gargantuan kind, resulting in century after century of sin upon sin in the farthest-reaching, most devastating way, upon all the earth. Ron paints such a clear picture of how vitally every choice each of us makes contributes to either the good or the evil in this world. As a result of reading his book, I've begun to realize, for instance, that even my choice to fast, in an effort to subdue the flesh, draw near to God, pray better, or whatever my motive, is,at least in part, an evil act if I don't take the food I've chosen not to eat and give it to someone who is hungry. That food, or the money to purchase it, sits unused, while my fellowman starves. Ron has helped me to see that feeding the hungry at my own expense is a far more loving act than my simply "buffeting the flesh" for my own hoped-for spiritual rewards.

Ron does go into areas that are stricly Roman Catholic territory, and may be open for debate from other denominations, and perhaps even Catholic theologians. But his ability to convey the perfection of God's love, in whom there is NO darkness, or evil, is so enlightening, so refreshing and so impossible to refute.

Ron really convinced me that Satan can only suggest, cajole, urge, prompt me. I alone decide whether I will do HIS bidding, or choose God's path of unconditional love. My opportunities to choose the latter, in every thought, word, deed or non-deed, ("things left undone") are really what makes up my supposed "walk with Christ" in this lifetime. What else is there that matters, if I say that "in Christ, I live, and move and have my being" ?

Ron has driven these points home for me in a whole new way, and I cannot thank him enough for writing his book.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide in examing one's image of God., March 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding God's Love: A Study of the Misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of God (Paperback)

For the theologian and non-theologian alike, Understanding God's Love is a "must read". A personal summary of the author's quest to learn the true image of God as revealed by Jesus in contrast to the many and varied images of God portrayed over the centuries. Biblically based, "Understanding God's Love" clearly demonstrates that God does not desire the death of any living creature. In fact, God's love and mercy are totally revealed in Jesus who came to do the work of the Father, i.e. give life. As an advocate for the true image of God, Mr. Greib's book rings the death knell for the claim often found in an insurance policy that natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, are the "acts of God". Readers of this book will be offered an image of a God who cannot be blamed for the pain, misery and death present in the world. God is presented as working constantly and untiringly for life thru angels and the created world. His efforts are hindered by man and woman when they they refuse to co-operate with Him. The reader will undoubtedly be challenged to examine his/her image of God. The journey, if undertaken, will be less traumatic with "Understanding God's Love" as a trustful companion and guide.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greib's insight and knowlegde provoked the mind., April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding God's Love: A Study of the Misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of God (Paperback)

As a teacher I read many books, but very few have the theological background as well as personal insight like Ronald Greib's "Understanding God's Love." His work provided me with insight to deepen my own relationship with God, which has given me great contentment and happiness.