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In the Face of God
Have modern believers grown too comfortable with God? In response to the unbiblical, mystical spirituality of our day, Michael Horton calls for a return to the teaching of the Apostle Paul and the early church. The result is a compelling picture of true spiritual intimacy with God.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 1996
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About the author
Michael Scott Horton
86 books337 followersDr. Horton has taught apologetics and theology at Westminster Seminary California since 1998. In addition to his work at the Seminary, he is the president of White Horse Inn, for which he co-hosts the White Horse Inn, a nationally syndicated, weekly radio talk-show exploring issues of Reformation theology in American Christianity. He is also the editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine. Before coming to WSC, Dr. Horton completed a research fellowship at Yale University Divinity School. Dr. Horton is the author/editor of more than twenty books, including a series of studies in Reformed dogmatics published by Westminster John Knox.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 2, 2018
Michael S. Horton had set about on a very difficult journey in this work. He had set out to take American Evangelicals on a crash-course in re-evaluating our approach to the daily corporate and private worship of God. Horton is a fellow who fears no one and is willing to chance offending everyone in order that he may “save some, or all” from the myriad of errors into which modern Christians in the West have fallen.
The title of this work originally led me to think that it was one that would follow in the footsteps of our Puritan forefathers who walked with Christ as their dear Lord and sweet Master with all the fullness of their beings, fully aware of their besetting sins and the Father’s truly amazing Grace. While Horton does allow us to see that aspect of his own life as he walks with God, the word “intimacy” does not come across as the best one for him to use. He leaves the reader with the impression that he is a gung-ho Reformer with a very extensive agenda to put forth.
Horton is a solid theologian and pastor. He uses Scripture well, has a good background in history, in Western Culture, both old and new [Beyond Culture Wars], and in the tradition of modern cultural analysis, and applies his knowledge well. He occasionally makes the mistake of over-simplifying the positions of his critics and of hitting them a little too hard, not to mention throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
On the whole, there are many, many precious diamonds that can be mined out of this book which are well worth the read.
The last chapter on “The Way of the Cross” is an excellent treatment on the topic of suffering as a part of the Christian life. He says many things which are very valuable for the modern suburban Christian to hear, especially the young folks.
Appendix B is almost worth the cost of the whole book for those who are interested in the debate over modern vs. traditional worship styles. Whatever your position, he will probably offend you a bit, and even if you disagree with him, Horton will challenge your thinking on the various issues involved.
If you are interested in drawing closer to Christ in your daily walk with God, then this is a helpful book. If you are ambivalent about the issue, then Horton will challenge you. If you want role-models, then Horton is not yet your man. After Scripture itself, Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Brookes, and the English and American Puritans are the ones you ought to stick to first.
In The Face of God does not have the passion of D. Martin Lloyd Jones, the proof texts of J.I. Packer, the style and brilliance (or the humility) of C.S. Lewis, or the personal love for God of Spurgeon (I love Spurgeon’s sermons not so much for his eloquent wording or his theological insights, but for the great love for the Triune God that comes across so richly in his messages; a richness born from great personal pain and tragedy and not from mere intelligence, training, or personality), but it does have just enough of each of these things to make it a worthwhile read. If you don’t have time to read all of it, chapter 10 and appendix B can stand alone and are two of the best parts of this book.
{I originally wrote this review in August of 1997, but I thought it was worth re-posting}
The title of this work originally led me to think that it was one that would follow in the footsteps of our Puritan forefathers who walked with Christ as their dear Lord and sweet Master with all the fullness of their beings, fully aware of their besetting sins and the Father’s truly amazing Grace. While Horton does allow us to see that aspect of his own life as he walks with God, the word “intimacy” does not come across as the best one for him to use. He leaves the reader with the impression that he is a gung-ho Reformer with a very extensive agenda to put forth.
Horton is a solid theologian and pastor. He uses Scripture well, has a good background in history, in Western Culture, both old and new [Beyond Culture Wars], and in the tradition of modern cultural analysis, and applies his knowledge well. He occasionally makes the mistake of over-simplifying the positions of his critics and of hitting them a little too hard, not to mention throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
On the whole, there are many, many precious diamonds that can be mined out of this book which are well worth the read.
The last chapter on “The Way of the Cross” is an excellent treatment on the topic of suffering as a part of the Christian life. He says many things which are very valuable for the modern suburban Christian to hear, especially the young folks.
Appendix B is almost worth the cost of the whole book for those who are interested in the debate over modern vs. traditional worship styles. Whatever your position, he will probably offend you a bit, and even if you disagree with him, Horton will challenge your thinking on the various issues involved.
If you are interested in drawing closer to Christ in your daily walk with God, then this is a helpful book. If you are ambivalent about the issue, then Horton will challenge you. If you want role-models, then Horton is not yet your man. After Scripture itself, Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Brookes, and the English and American Puritans are the ones you ought to stick to first.
In The Face of God does not have the passion of D. Martin Lloyd Jones, the proof texts of J.I. Packer, the style and brilliance (or the humility) of C.S. Lewis, or the personal love for God of Spurgeon (I love Spurgeon’s sermons not so much for his eloquent wording or his theological insights, but for the great love for the Triune God that comes across so richly in his messages; a richness born from great personal pain and tragedy and not from mere intelligence, training, or personality), but it does have just enough of each of these things to make it a worthwhile read. If you don’t have time to read all of it, chapter 10 and appendix B can stand alone and are two of the best parts of this book.
{I originally wrote this review in August of 1997, but I thought it was worth re-posting}
April 8, 2022
First half was real slow going. A bit too American and philosophical for me. Great insights, but so much less could have been said.
Second half is so good though. All the stuff on the sacraments and the theology of the cross made it all worthwhile - it’s Horton at his best.
“This means that the entire revelation of God will be found in the very opposite of where we would normally look: in a stable rather than a palace, among the poor, weak, sick and immoral rather than among the wealthy, powerful, healthy and self-righteous. We can only look upon God and live as we see him hanging on a cross for our sins, not in the blinding light that hides him from our unholy eyes.”
Second half is so good though. All the stuff on the sacraments and the theology of the cross made it all worthwhile - it’s Horton at his best.
“This means that the entire revelation of God will be found in the very opposite of where we would normally look: in a stable rather than a palace, among the poor, weak, sick and immoral rather than among the wealthy, powerful, healthy and self-righteous. We can only look upon God and live as we see him hanging on a cross for our sins, not in the blinding light that hides him from our unholy eyes.”
July 15, 2015
Horton examines how gnosticism and romanticism have crept into modern Christianity. He points out how evangelical churches put too much emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus and people's personal feelings. The theology of the cross has been abandoned for deep, moving experiences with God.
The part of the book that stood out for me was actually Appendix A in which Horton looks at the spiritual drift of worship music (p 195). He begins by examining hymns from the 17th and 18th centuries. He shows how these classic hymns speak of orthodox thought. Next he looks at songs from the the 19th and 20th centuries. These hymns are less orthodox and spend a great deal of time talking about the worshipper (use of "I" and "me"). Many times Jesus is portrayed as a lover or best friend which is a break from orthodox doctrine. Horton mentions that no man wants to sing about kissing the face of Jesus. (This comment called to mind David Murrow's book Why Men Hate Going to Church, in which he argues that the modern church has become too feminine and emotional.)
The part of the book that stood out for me was actually Appendix A in which Horton looks at the spiritual drift of worship music (p 195). He begins by examining hymns from the 17th and 18th centuries. He shows how these classic hymns speak of orthodox thought. Next he looks at songs from the the 19th and 20th centuries. These hymns are less orthodox and spend a great deal of time talking about the worshipper (use of "I" and "me"). Many times Jesus is portrayed as a lover or best friend which is a break from orthodox doctrine. Horton mentions that no man wants to sing about kissing the face of Jesus. (This comment called to mind David Murrow's book Why Men Hate Going to Church, in which he argues that the modern church has become too feminine and emotional.)
February 14, 2018
Dr. Horton did an excellent job of pointing out ways in which the contemporary church has become more gnostic than orthodox in its beliefs and practices, following a theology of glory (unrestrained intimacy with God) rather than a theology of the cross. It actually helped me to understand why I became so dissatisfied with the Pentecostal church I belonged to for many years.
June 9, 2022
Horton writing in 1996 addresses the incipient growth of mystical and gnostic spirituality in evangelical churches. He counters this with strong reformation theology of the holiness of God, the necessity of a mediator, the means of grace, and the theology of the cross (as opposed to the theology of glory).
October 9, 2023
Couldn’t put this one down. Really helpful by Horton.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews