The Forgotten Fear: Where Have All the God-Fearers Gone?

by Albert N. Martin

The fear of God is an important theme in the Bible, yet many Christians today overlook it or treat it carelessly. Fearing God is the soul of godliness, and those who claim to love God should desire to understand what it means to fear Him. The Forgotten Fear revisits this important topic. Author Albert Martin first establishes the theme of the fear of God in both the Old and New Testaments, and then defines what fearing God means. Finally, he addresses the practical implications of fearing God, showing its expression in the lives of Abraham and Joseph and providing instruction for believers today to maintain and increase their fear of God.

Table of Contents:

Predominance of the Fear of God in Biblical Thought
Definition of the Fear of God
Ingredients of the Fear of God
Source of the Fear of God
Relationship of the Fear of God to Our Conduct
How to Maintain and Increase the Fear of God
A Final Word to the Reader


Author

Albert N. Martin served as a pastor of Trinity Baptist Church of Montville, New Jersey for forty-six years. He now resides in western Michigan with his wife, Dorothy.



Endorsements

“The twenty-first-century church desperately needs this book. The fear of God is evaporating from our consciousness, and the effects are tragically public. I am convinced that Albert Martin is casting forth the seeds of the revival that we need in the nick of time. The Forgotten Fear of God is a comprehensive journey from Genesis to Revelation, tracing the rich contours of this pivotal doctrine. It is a feast full of surprises. We need the kind of revival that springs from the ‘godly fear’ of God. This book is a gift to the church in time of need. You will know and love God more after reading it.” — Scott Brown, president, National Center for Family-Integrated Churches

“There is arguably no better and no wiser voice to speak about the fear of God than Pastor Albert Martin. In this book you will find a wonderful balance of a solid biblical argument linked with a heart-piercing application for both the believer as well as the unbeliever. Pastor Martin handles this lost and controversial topic with a pastoral tenderness that is warm and inviting and highlights well that the fear of God is a doctrine which should draw us near to God in worship and awe, not cause us to run from Him. This book will move you to worship God and marvel at the work of Christ on our behalf all the more.” — Brian Croft, senior pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church; founder, Practical Shepherding; and senior fellow, Mathena Center for Church Revitalization, SBTS

"Professor John Murray once wrote, “The fear of God is the soul of godliness.” Well said! But what is the fear of God? And how does the Christian biblically express it? Thankfully, Reformation Heritage Books brings us a new work that answers these questions. Coming this October is a masterful treatment of this vital subject by Pastor Albert N. Martin, who sets forth the Bible's teaching on this topic in ways that are clear, practical and motivating. Since the fear of God is a major theme from Genesis to Revelation, it is an enormous blessing to have this comprehensive exposition available. I highly recommend it." - Rob Ventura

Genres: Christian, Theology, Faith, Nonfiction

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

Pastor Albert N. Martin shepherded the people of Trinity Baptist Church in Montville, New Jersey for 46 years. He was a Reformed Baptist at least a quarter-century before anyone considered it to be cool. Now retired from ministry, he has written this book for Cruciform Press to recount what he learned from the death of his wife, Marilyn, at age 73. Grieving, Hope, and Solace is his second book, and his first for a lay audience. To offer a sense of the depth of Pastor Martin’s ministry, the late John Murray, Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and author of several classic books, including Redemption Accomplished and Applied, once said regarding an upcoming conference,“If Al Martin is to be there I really think he should be asked to take the three evening services proposed for me. He is one of the ablest and most moving preachers I have ever heard…I have not heard his equal.”

Reviews

[Timothy Lugg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad recently gave me this book with a great recommendation. I agree that everyone who treasures God's Word would benefit from Martin's work. In the Foreword, Geoff Thomas writes that these reflections were originally sermons, but that they have been reworked. What I appreciate the most is the clear presentation that invites the reader to move from one chapter to the next; from a general review of the fear of God in Scripture, to a definition of fear, to the ingredients of fear, to the source of fear, etc. The overall impact of the book on my life has been to make me more aware of what it takes to be a God-fearing man and lead others to be the same.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great meaty material to chew on for a lifetime.

[Joshua Mesloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I wish he drew from Proverbs more to explain the fear of the Lord, "The Forgotten Fear" is a simple, pastoral, and convicting book on what the fear of God is, what it means to be a God-fearer, and how it applies to daily life. Highly recomend.
May we grow in the knowledge and fear of the Lord so that we might faithfully serve Him and proclaim His holy name before others that they too might rightly fear our God, for He is great and greatly to be praised. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!

"Nowhere are we more inclined to obey the divine mandate to 'serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling' (Ps. 2:11) than when we stand before an immolated God and receive the pardon purchased at the price of His blood." (60)

"The fear of God in us is that frame of heart and mind which reflects our apprehension of who and what God is, and who and what God is will tolerate nothing less than totality of commitment to him." (62) -John Murray

[Cody Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was doctrinal, experiential, and practical. I must say, Mr. Martin stands as an heir to the Puritans for his ability to thoroughly and systematically unfold the light of Scripture to shine upon and so expose the darkened mind and heart of man. There is not a hair's worth of flattery nor an unlawful pity to be found in this book. Rather, with great precision and searching of conscience, he corners you into sober self-examination and points you constantly to Christ.

He demonstrates plainly from the Scriptures of both testaments, and especially from the new covenant, that the fear of God is the soul of godliness, the heart of all true, saving religion. And he gives many helps along the way to assess yourself, to attain this fear, and to aid its growth, all by using God's good appointed means. Reader beware: this is strong meat and drink in an age of cotton candy and milk. If you haven't heard Mr. Martin preach, I encourage you to find his sermons on SermonAudio and pick a series.

[David Bruyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful and pastoral treatment of the fear of the Lord.

[Karla Fernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Excelente libro!
Cuánto necesitamos libros que aborden el tema del Temor a Dios. ¡Muy recomendable! 🌷

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are diving into the topic of the fear of God, I'd start here. This is a short and very easy to read book on the topic with great application throughout. Great reminder that the fear of God doesn't go away after you are saved, though it does change. I love Albert's writing style, reminds me of 19th century authors.

[Dave Tuttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent admonition

This is an excellent admonition on an important but neglected characteristic of a true follower of Christ. However, it has a heavy-handed covenantal emphasis that must be considered.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read with good questions at the end of each chapter. Definitely worth your time.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reminder to a truly forgotten truth.

[Ethan Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very needed antidote to common, flippant view of God held my so many. My way of life and thinking was challenged by the reading of this book.

[Carl Palmateer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent response to the current anodyne religion of "love is god" (normally written as God is love). My problem with the book is one of style. The author is a Pastor, you can see it, feel it and comes through in the book. Too often it slips into sermon mode especially the end of each chapter as the author gets into I'm talking to you. Do you... did you... will you.... I enjoy reading good sermons but it needs to be a sermon.
This book is trying to be all things, theology, discussion guide, exhortation, Christian living and personal outreach. I would have liked to see a closer focus on the base point with the exhortation/application in either separate chapters or a companion book. This is, however, a matter of personal preference and should take away from a good book.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a book you should pick up if you don't want to be intensely convicted. Martin is sharp with his words and gets directly to the issues concerning the missing fear of God in our lives today. This is Paul Washer-esque level stuff here and you will finish this book with either a hardened heart or a soft one. You will know whether you are in fear of God or man. There were a few qualms here-and-there in the book, but by far and away it was on point.

[David Monreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a Wonderful Book

I cannot speak highly enough on how challenging and practical this book is for every true believer! We have lost a sense of awe and wonder of God as well as a right sense of dread. God is not our buddy even though he is our friend. But we come to him in fear and trembling as well as awe that he has drawn us near to himself.

[Tebel Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unpopular topic, this book will draw few readers, which is the tragedy of modern Christianity.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amen!

[Timothy Crockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a Christmas gift, and I am glad I did. Albert Martin is a great speaker, and after reading this, I see that he is also a great writer. Romans 3, when speaking about the unregenerate, says there is no fear of God before their eyes. This is just as true now as it was then. He goes even deeper by talking about the lack of fear in the lives of God's people. The author quotes Murray, who sums it up succinctly - "The fear of God is the soul of godliness." There is a flippancy today towards a reverential fear of God, and it shows in the state of the church. We must do better. As the author stated, we are to be precise in our walk because the God we worship is precise.

There are seven chapters, each building on the last, covering the biblical basis for Godly Fear, the definition of the Fear of God, the ingredients of the Fear of God, the Source of Fear, the Relationship, and how to Maintain and Increase the Fear of God.

175 pages, easy reading, very Puritan in style and content, plenty of scripture to support his thesis, and each chapter closed with review questions, making it a great resource for a group study.

Overall, a great book that I would recommend to anyone interested in this important topic.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book resembling that of the puritans, it is small but has a lot of depth. Defines the two types of fear and gives OT & NT scripture references of each type. You will come away with a greater awareness of the holiness of God by showing He must be at the apex of your holy fear.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lucid treatment of a much-needed topic, the fear of God.