Furious Pursuit: Why God Will Never Let You Go (Paperback)

by Tim King (Author), Frank Martin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
King and Martin share common theological takes on the patterns of God's faithfulness, noting that too many Christians judge their spiritual vitality on the basis of their own strivings and successes. While Christians are commanded to seek and pursue God, the authors assert that it is God's unconditional love and passionate pursuit of his children that makes the relationship happen—and endure. Cleverly, the entire text is presented as a divine romance where the writers introduce the premise of humanity being wooed by God. At this initial stage of the romance, God offers believing Christians hope and healing in exchange for fear, pain and loneliness. On the heels of this dizzying pursuit, love-struck Christians encounter the nurturing courtship stage, where individuals discover identity and meaning in life. Finally, at last, the commitment of long-term marriage is extended as God invites a lover's response of pure and permanently binding devotion. As evenly as this readable material is put forth, the book lacks emotional engagement, which weakens any impact it might have engendered had the message been offered with a livelier voice. (July 18)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
Praise for Furious Pursuit

“These days, I’m more inclined to think God’s anthropology–what God thinks about us–packs more heft and punch than our theology–what we think about God. Tim King and Frank Martin seem to think so too, and have written a book that draws us into the wideness and deepness of God’s heart, showing us His fierce and tender affection even for sinners like me. King and Martin remind us that the good news has nothing to do with how good we are, only how loved.”
– Mark Buchanan, author of The Rest of God and The Holy Wild

“The message of this book can’t be stated often enough: God loves us. Oh yes, he does. Furious Pursuit shows us that God’s love is active and vibrant and on the chase for you and me. Others have said this before, but Furious Pursuit takes us one step further.”
–Scot McKnight, author of The Jesus Creed and Embracing Grace

“If you’re sick and tired of spiritual to-do lists, religious shoulds and oughts, and the self-hatred that comes from feeling unacceptable, you’ll find in Furious Pursuit better news of a better story. Tim King and Frank Martin have given us powerful truth, well-told."
–Brian McLaren, pastor, author of A New Kind of Christian and The Secret Message of Jesus


See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (July 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400071496
• ISBN-13: 978-1400071494
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #395,741 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book simplifies finding God, August 24, 2006

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (07/06)

Are you tired of chasing after God with endless lists of rules and impossible tasks? There's Good News!!! "Furious Pursuit: Why God Will Never Let You Go" is a book written for those of you like me who have been searching for God, but always seem to end up feeling hopeless, alone and tired. This book carefully lays out God's larger story of love as the greatest love story ever told.

"Furious Pursuit" simplifies what I always thought was the most daunting task in my life - finding God. So many of the theological approaches today end up making us feel totally worthless, with the path to finding God an impossible task. King and Martin lay out a very simple approach to this - recognizing that God is already pursuing us and letting it happen. We are wooed by God through initial courtship, dating and finally the long-term commitment of marriage. And the best part is? The happy ending in this divine romance is about us.

This well-written and thoughtful approach to God works so well because the authors organize and describe God's relationship with us by using examples of everyday relationships; oftentimes using personal and painful experiences to make a point. So much of the time we are so busy living our lives of quiet desperation that we fail to see that we are part of a much larger picture. It is such a relief to realize that we are an important part of God's story and that his love for us is completely unconditional.

The most poignant section for me was the chapter "Living in the Eternal Moment - Knowing God in the present tense". So many of us spend the majority of our time thinking about past failures or planning how to do well in the future that we lose the wonderful things that the moment offers. After reading this chapter I spent a whole day consciously living in the present and it was tough. Every time I started thinking about past or future situations I brought myself back to the present to be fully conscious of what I was experiencing. You know what I found? I have so many wonderful moments everyday if I take the time to notice them. And if I really think about all the time I spend feeling badly about past mistakes there is nothing I can do to change them except to make better decisions in present situations. And, as for worrying about future situations? I have always been provided with the things that I have needed.

"Furious Pursuit" helped me to see God in a whole new light and to look forward to my everyday relationship with God instead of being overwhelmed and lost. King and Martin have also written a companion workbook to go along with this book and I am looking forward to getting it and following the ninety-one day program.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, September 3, 2006

By	Fred DeFalco (Boca Raton, Fl USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is very refreshing to read a work that really describes the true meaning of our relationship with God.

God is so much bigger then our small stories.

I could not put the book down once I began.

Thank you Mr. King for a marvelous work.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Furious Pursuit, July 18, 2006

By	Allen D. Brooks "Allen" (Morristown, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent book for discovering how God has always loved and pursued mankind. Tim does an excellent review of explaining that God has always wanted willing hearts to respond to His love. Fear has never been a variable in God's love. Tim explains in detail that God has always been our lover and is furious to draw us into relationship with him.
Tim King and Frank Martin deserves 5 stars. Should be a read for everyone who wants to better understand God.
Rev. Allen Brooks, Tennessee