The God They Never Knew: The Tragedy of Religion Without Relationship: Revised Edition

by George Otis Jr.

The God They Never Knew is about knowing God and having a relationship with him. From chapter one: "Who are the deceivers and why are they deceivers? The deceivers are a coalition of the religiously affiliated who know quite a lot about God but fail to relate to Him on a personal basis. They include faithful churchmen, Bible school and seminary graduates, fundamentalists and evangelicals. They are the people who are incredibly active doing good works under the banner of Jesus Christ, but who have never slowed down enough to get to know the One they think they are serving. Carnal theological professors, whose hearts may mutter in secret, "God has a wonderful plan for my life," have failed to realize that Christianity, in its naked essence, is nothing less than a relationship. Whatever else may issue forth from the Christian life must be rooted in that sublime relationship-God with the soul."

Genres: Theology

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Sheri-lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book with the inscription saying it was a gift from my father-in-law to his dad. I never met his dad as he died in his 60’s from brain cancer.

So, I think I’m trying to be generous for them.

It was okay. It had some good points that were worth thinking about. But it’s not entirely helpful. I think it has a small view of God and too big a view of man. But I think it comes from a place of good intentions. It didn’t make me mad … like some other books I’ve found on our shelves from family libraries. (Except the weird analogy re: Rhodesia … blah. I think it also lacks grace and tends to condemning rather than helping.)

Wouldn’t recommend it, but helped shed some light on some family history and thinking.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the time I thought it was good. I would say troublesome now.

[Marcie]

Not quite finished reading this book. Think it's a good book to help others evaluate where they are at in their journey so far and what they might be overlooking.