Not That God: Trading the Believable Lie for the Unbelievable Truth

by Ryan Andrew Smith

Do you ever have trouble reconciling the goodness of God with the waiting, doubt, tension, and tragedy you see in the world? Does the voice of doubt ever whisper, "What on earth is God doing?" Gospel-centered and biblically saturated, Not That God discusses weighty themes in an honest, approachable, and conversational way. Through the lens of John 11 (The Death of Lazarus), Ryan helps us see how God is glorified even in the most unexpected of circumstances. If you have ever had a question about God, wrestled with an aspect of His sovereignty, or simply think you already know all there is to know about God, you may be greatly helped by this book.

150 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2015

Reviews

[Bonhomous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book

I'm so glad I read this book. I really want to do the author justice by writing a review that encourages others to pick up this book, but fear my skill isn't great enough.
I appreciated the author's honesty. There is a lot about Jesus and his words that is hard for us to understand. I enjoyed the author's joy and humor. I laughed at funny stories and rejoiced in positive affirmations. I admired the author's insight. It's a simple story, but oh so deep. The author would tie together ideas into new ways of looking at things that I hadn't seen even after a lifetime of reading these passages. I was challenged by the author's applications.
If you have faith, you will see God glorified. I am better for having read this book, and I encourage anyone to read it.

[Rod Innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. It is doctrinally sound and gives the reader a lot to think about; it is thoroughly Biblical. I really enjoyed reading it.

The author is an elder/pastor at my church and lives right across the street fr0m me.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Not That God" is a confrontation. It's where our ideas about God meet God's actions and words in John 11. In this account, Jesus does not save His friends from pain or even death; he waits for the right moment: after we are gripped by tension, after we doubt him, after he loses. At this moment, Jesus raises the man who was dead. Mixed with quip and personal narrative, Ryan's writing communicates firm and powerful truths about God without an ivory tower or iron fist. I had trouble following the introduction's purpose, but once my mind made steps with the truths of each chapter, it seemed that Christ became more personal, more real, more God than before. I suggest this book.