None Other: Discovering the God of the Bible

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

The Bible’s teaching on God’s love, holiness, and sovereignty is often met with questions about human responsibility, suffering, and evil. If God is in control of everything, can we make free choices? If God is good and all–powerful, how can we account for natural disasters and moral atrocities? Answers to these questions are often filled with technical jargon and personal assumptions that don’t take into account the full scope of biblical truth.

In None Discovering the God of the Bible, Dr. John MacArthur shows that the best way to discover the one true God is not through philosophical discourse but a careful study of Scripture—the primary place where God has chosen to reveal Himself.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, God, Faith

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2017

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[Heather Gladney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I wish I read years ago. MacArthur writes in an easy to follow way while still covering fundamental topics, and I especially appreciated the chapter on God’s sovereignty. He’s unapologetic about the truths revealed in Scripture concerning six major attributes of the Lord including His holiness, grace, power, and goodness. This is the first book I’ve read by him and I look forward to reading more!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

None Other was a short yet good read from John MacArthur. I've read several of his books and haven't been disappointed yet. I liked how this one was easy to read and yet had some insightful truths.

All in all, None Other was a book I can see myself rereading and I recommend.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strongly, strongly, strongly recommend! I left reading this book with a more in depth knowledge and understanding of the sovereignty of God, God’s Love, and salvation. I feel better equipped for conversations dealing with said topics. This text was drenched in Scripture which gave me a deeper awe and affection for the Trinity.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The doctrine of election is a major point of debate and division in the church. The truth about election is essential to understanding who God is, His plan of redemption, and His design for the church. Rejecting this doctrine has major negative implications, especially with regard to the practical aspects of evangelism and Christian ministry. Christians who don't believe God sovereignly draws His elect to Christ are forced by their theological perspective to take a very pragmatic approach evangelism. They become more concerned with what "works" than with what's true, because their doctrine leads them to believe everything hinges on their own skill, cleverness, or persuasive abilities.

This is probably the best of John MacArthur I have read so far. With the doctrine of the elect, it can cause much tension as we try to reconcile a God of love to one that picks and chooses. However, my understanding is if I have correct view of God, that he is indeed God, creator and is in control, than yes in humility as the sinner who beats himself and proclaims "Have mercy on Me O'Lord a sinner, puts my faith in his Faithfulness not mine. Many times we are the Pharisee who thanks God that I am not like the sinner who knows in his heart he does not deserve God's mercy asks for his mercy. Do we know what we truly deserve and why.

MacArthur also dives deep in the love of God. What does that look like. I know in my own life the treadmill I have put myself on only leads to despair. It becomes prideful when we think we are deserving of the love of God in the work we do for his sake. It is out gratitude and thankfulness that we are truly transformed. The love that is of God is not of sentimentality, or feelings but based on the holiness of God. Understanding the love God, keeps the focus of our salvation about God and not about us. Self-improvement or even the benefits that we receive with relationships and friendships. Salvation becomes secondary when we pursue these good things without understanding the significance of Christ's work on the cross. God desires that we know him. Our journey is much like the exile of the Jews from Egypt. The journey is more about taking Egypt out of hearts that we only have Christ.

Some of the quotes that I found encouraging with this study.

Salvation is primarily for the honor of the Son, not the honor of the sinner. The purpose of the Father's love gift is not to save you so you have a happy life; it is to save you so that you can spend eternity praising the son. This quote is compelling and not egoistical as some might think. If you think this through, any other way would not be glorious. Christ's glory is ultimately the glory for all. It is this that all things are made right and true.

Evil was part of His plan and eternal decree. He has a purpose in it, and it's a good purpose. When we have an understanding of evil (same as with love), our hope comes from God's sovereignty in using evil for his Good purpose. We must know the ultimate end. The Garden of Eden restored and a people redeemed to that very end.

There is so much in this little book. It brings the reader to a better understanding of the ultimate end and the character of God using scripture and the work of Christ to open our minds to think these things through.

A Special Thank You to Reformation Trust Publishing, Ligonier Ministries and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God.

Dare I say that I loved None Other just as much--if not more--than A.W. Tozer's Knowledge of the Holy?! This gem of a book contains six chapters. Each chapter highlights a different attribute of God.

These attributes were not chosen at random. Each is essential in differentiating "your God" and "my God" from THE God of the Bible.

The God of the Bible is Gracious
The God of the Bible is Sovereign
The God of the Bible is Good and Powerful
The God of the Bible is Holy
The God of the Bible is Loving
The God of the Bible is a Saving God

The six chosen traits are not necessarily the attributes or traits that make for popularity. For example, the first chapter emphasizes the doctrines of grace, illustrating from Scripture that the God of the Bible is an electing God. The second chapter emphasizes God's Sovereignty. His Sovereignty is not in question--in the Bible--but depending on the circles you run around in--it may just be! That's why it's so important that the God you know--the God you trust for your salvation--is THE God as revealed in Scripture.

God's grace is older than history, reaching back before the creation of time itself. (2)

Our salvation is not a credit to us but an unearned gift from a gracious God. (3)

We must not think that God doeth a thing because it is good and right, but rather is the thing good and right because God willeth and worketh it. William Perkins (5)

The purpose of the Father's love gift is not to save you so you can have a happy life; it is to save you so that you can spend eternity praising the Son. (16)

God treated Jesus as if He personally had committed every sin of every person who would believe. God treated Him that way, though in fact He had committed none of those sins. God exploded the full fury of His wrath against Jesus for all the sins of all who will ever believe, and He exhausted His wrath on Him. He did it on our behalf, in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. That's why Jesus had to live all those years in perfect obedience: He needed to fulfill all righteousness, so that His life could be imputed to us. We're not righteous;we all know that. On the cross, Jesus wasn't a sinner, but God treated Him as if He was. And although you're not righteous, He treats you as if you are--because on the cross, God treated Jesus as if He had lived your life, so that He could treat you as if you had lived His. That's imputation. That's substitution--perhaps the greatest expression of God's grace to us. (25)

We have complete freedom to make choices according to our own nature and preferences. But there's the rub. We don't have sufficient willpower to change our nature. Our own nature and preferences guarantee that we will make sinful choices. We're never forced by our sovereign God to make the wrong choices we make. So God's sovereignty does not nullify our own personal responsibility for the sinful things we do. (29)

The simple truth is that we must adore God and be content to understand Him to the degree that He permitted us to. (46)

To know Him is to believe in Him as He has revealed Himself. (54)

Never are we more like God than when we love and forgive our enemies. His love is not restricted to the redeemed, and ours should not be either. (89)

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed somewhat of a new perspective reading this book. I’ve always believed in Gods sovereignty and it’s what I fall back on when things are difficult to understand. John MacArthur very biblically, simply and practically addresses the sovereignty of God. It was very thought provoking and encouraging to me on so many levels.
- we need to remember not to hold God to the standards of our feeble minds.
- God is in control of everything, and nothing- not even sin and evil- can disrupt or derail His plan.
-the problem of evil is no problem at all for God, because He is totally sovereign over evil and neither His power nor His glory is in any way threatened by it.

[Brian Nicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is almost like the Cliff's Notes version of Stephen Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God from a pastoral perspective focused on the Glory of God in the Gospel. Dr. MacArthur brings over 40+ years of pastoral theology to bear on the life of the believer in this book. There is no god like The God of the Bible!

[Nathan Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic MacArthur. I don't agree with everything, but it is still a very informative look at the attributes of God.

[Nathanael S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

MacArthur set up an outline of a book about the character of God, and uses that outline to talk mostly about his soteriology.

[Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my top 5 favorite books right now! The attributes of God are explained so eloquently. It is like reading a puritan book that is written in modern English!

[Shannon Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is quite short, but in its brevity "None Other" contained the type of clear and concise writing that I wish all Christian books could accomplish. This doesn't mean that he didn't tackle explanations for complicated theological matters (because he did and came on very strong), but that the book managed to be informative without being dry. Ultimately my fondness for it and sustained interest in finishing it came from MacArthur's emphasis on Scripture to answer questions about the nature and character of God—not only commentaries, confessions, or extra-biblical dogmatic opinions he'd formulated on his own, which I come across at times with Christian works. The intensity with which he writes about the ways Scripture has shown us a God of lovingkindness, justice, holiness, sovereignty, mercy, wrath—agree or disagree with MacArthur's stance—keeps the pages turning and points to the God of the Bible for all He has said that He is, or at least some aspects that our human minds can begin to grasp.

*This review is based on a free digital copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed to be more so a book on Calvinism than it was about God’s attributes.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book wavers between election and assurance and God's sovereignty. It is a short little read. Should be able to be done in an afternoon or two. Its not academic, it almost seems like snippets from one of MacArthur's sermons. I wish that it had steered the course and chosen which of the topics it wanted to cover. There are six chapters,, each focusing on a different aspect. Perhaps that is the unintended goal but the thesis of the book focuses more around election and assurance. The subtitle leads one to believe that it would be about the attributes of God, but God's omni attributes seem to be what he wants to talk about.

[Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small but informative book by John MacArthur on 'Discovering the God of the Bible.' This wee book (only 133 pages) was gifted to me by Grace Community Church at their annual Shepherds' Conference, which I attended in March 2018. And it is a wonderful gift!

In six well written and easily read chapters the author brings our attention to what the Bible says about the God of the Bible. We find that he is gracious, sovereign, good and powerful, holy, loving and is a saving God. MacArthur's presentation is steeped in 'living' Scripture and not 'dry' theology! This a great primer to theology proper, the study of God!

A 5-star read.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thankful that my friend lent me this book to read; I've always wanted to read something by MacArthur. This book, like R.C. Sproul's The Holiness of God, was a good look into God's character: Gracious, sovereign, good and powerful, holy, loving, and saving. I definitely had to take my time with the reading to make sure I was understanding everything. This book really made me think, helped me to learn and realize new things about God and the Bible I hadn't thought of before, and I also wrote down some points that I'll discuss further with my friend and our Bible study.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I enjoy listening to John MacArthur's podcasts and benefit tremendously from them. His teachings are always reliable and biblical.

This book is therefore a good one if you seek to know more about God. I did find though that I needed more time to digest and understand various passages. I guess that is to be expected when you are trying to understand the God of the universe and really deep matters like predestination.

A valuable book worth going slow in and stopping to reflect now and then.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, concise theology on the character of God in salvation. This has been largely derived from sermons and other teachings, so MacArthur's character of writing in this book was sometimes more argumentative and perhaps terse than I would've liked (compare other reformed theologians such as Piper or Sproul on this topic). This was provocative in examining whether we analyze the attributes of God in human terms or as God's own being.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by John MacArthur. John has a distinct way of distilling complex theological issues down to palatable pieces of information, easy to absorb and understand for the non-theologian. Yet at the same time, he doesn't water down (or make excuses for) the core Biblical truths that make up the Christian faith; so the reader gets succinct and understandable, yet hard-hitting and accurate, Biblical doctrine. Highly recommended.

[Parker Keys_to_hades · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The glory of His saving work wouldn’t shine as brightly if it weren’t viewed against the backdrop of His judgement. In the end, it’s His glory. We must be satisfied with that, and let God be God. When God pardons us, and we escape death based on that pardon, we don’t go around questioning whether such pardons were granted to everyone. We grab our pardon and run free joyfully, safe in the grip of His covenant love forever.”

[Justin Feland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent little book. With typical clarity and power, MacArthur brings you into closer communion with God by showing you who He is. Though it is not a book strictly about the doctrines of grace, much of that content is discussed. Of course, how can they not be discussed when God’s gracious nature is the subject of examination? It is a quick read, chock full of encouragement.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short book, respected pastor and author John MacArthur aims to get beyond the mere facts of who God is and help the reader to develop an understanding of His character. He wants us to not just know about God, but to know Him. Among the many important topics he briefly covers in this book include election, God’s sovereignty, salvation (justification, sanctification and glorification), imputation, substitution, evil and God’s holiness.
He writes that the truth about election is essential to understanding who God is, His plan of redemption, and His design for the church. We also must hold the doctrine of election with great humility. The ultimate end of election, the ultimate purpose behind God’s grace poured out on us, is the eternal glorification of the Son.
A particularly helpful section is when he looks at God’s sovereignty and human will, an issue that many struggle to understand. He writes that while some see an insurmountable contradiction between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, God’s sovereignty does not nullify our own personal responsibility for the sinful things we do. He writes that the Bible is not concerned with reconciling divine judgment with any human assumptions about justice or fairness. Scripture simply explains what God did, and we are to understand that it was just and fair because He did it. He tells us that God’s sovereignty is a truth that should provoke wonder and worship.
He tells us that salvation is God’s work, but it is nevertheless our duty to believe, and God will hold those who refuse Him responsible for their unbelief. And while the Lord knows whom He chose in eternity past, we do not have insight into His electing work. As a result, we must fervently pursue every sinner while there is still time to repent.
He states that salvation is primarily for the honor of the Son, not the honor of the sinner, and that the purpose of the Father’s love gift is not to save us so we can have a happy life; it is to save us so that we can spend eternity praising the Son. In God’s perfect plan, He sovereignly draws us to Christ. On our own, we would never choose to believe in Christ. But in God’s sovereignty, those He draws will, without fail, believe. He tells us that the Lord’s gracious choice of certain people unto eternal life is just that, His choice. It’s not based on human merit. God has graciously, lovingly extended the offer of the gospel to all mankind. But that offer won’t last forever.
He writes that if we understand the true nature of sin, righteousness, and judgment, we should realize that it’s no mystery at all why God condemns sinners. The real mystery is why He saves anyone at all.
He writes that the gospel proclaims the way to forgiveness, redemption, a right standing with God, and the gift of eternal life. It is not a guarantee that earthly suffering will be banished from our experience, nor does it promise immediate or automatic healing from every physical affliction.
Don’t underestimate this book due to its small size. There is much gold included.

[Joshua Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and overall good book on God's sovereignty, goodness, love, and holiness. While I disagree theologically and exegetically in places with MacArthur, I appreciated the no-nonsense discussion of these topics.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start for wanting to learn more in depth theology in regards to the Lord and Biblical impact on faith. I kept taking breaks to read it, so it took me longer than necessary. A family friend was kind enough to let me borrow it for so long.

[Annie Clapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small book of 123 pages, but has so much truth in it. It covers everything from the Lord’s sovereignty, justice, love, and saving nature. I learned a lot and was refreshed in many ways. Great book for all stages of faith.

[Alan Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and solid theology proper.

[Mathew Neahring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book on who God is. One of my favorites that John MacArthur has written.

[Jerrill Wyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an awesome little book. Great points. Easily readable and thought-provoking.

[Linda Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Elaborates chapter by chapter on the character of God.
The God of the Bible is Gracious
...is Sovereign
...is Good and Powerful
...is Holy
...is Loving
...is a Saving God

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

small group study

[Jason Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic overview of Reformed theology.