Knowing the Face of God: The Search for a Personal Relationship with God

by Tim Stafford

The author recounts his efforts to establish a personal relationship with God, describes spiritual paths recommended in the past, and discusses how God appears in one's daily life

Genres: Christian, Spirituality

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1986

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book on the ways we can know God personally through looking at how we know other people. I was most encouraged by the thought that as long as we are physically separated from Jesus, our relationship will feel incomplete and that’s normal - but if Jesus is the one who truly can fulfill every emptiness and need, the wait for his return will be worthwhile!

[Sagely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I faced into my final year of undergrad at a conservative Christian university, and found myself with a lot of questions. One question, though somewhat vague, loomed largest of all: What is the real-life "experience" of being a Christian, of having a "relationship with God"? It was hard for me to put into words--obviously, it still is. But it mattered so much to me, and still does.

I took this question as my focus for my senior capstone research project. Beginning with a question about Christian experience, I ended up writing a thesis on Karl Rahner and God's presence in the church. (That church focus was probably an early warning sign of where a lot my future energy would go.)

Then a few months back I picked up a copy of Tim Stafford's Knowing the Face of God in the local thrift shop, totally by chance. Way back 1989, Stafford wrote about his own struggle with my same question: What does it mean to know God personally? I wish I would have stumbled on it back in 2004.

Stafford does a great job. He ends up walking some of the same roads I eventually stumbled into: a discovery of spiritual disciplines and God in everyday realities, church (the good and the ugly), the complexity of Scripture and the promise of the Spirit.

I rarely find devotional writing all that helpful. KFG is a beautiful exception. This book came alongside me where I was on the road. It's a great traveling companion.

[David White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Knowing the Face of God several months after it was first released when I was a seminary student back in 1986. I liked it enough that I taught through it to an adult Sunday School class at the church in which I was interning. Through the years, I picked it up and re-read it several times. When the COVID-19 stay at home order went into effect earlier this year, I picked it up again. As good as I thought it was when I first read it, I was blown away by my new appreciation for it now that I've gained some 30+ years of life experience and 30+ years of Bible study and teaching. I've been reading a chapter a day since then and am on my fourth time through it.
I would characterize Knowing the Face of God as applied theology. Obviously no book can cause a reader to have a personal relationship with God, but by sharing his own thoughts and experiences, Tim Stafford calls the reader to join him on the journey of exploring what it means to have a personal relationship with God. Thank you, Mr. Stafford. I've come to realize that aside from the Bible, your book has been the most beneficial book in developing my own personal relationship with God.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will definitely re-read. Stafford brings theology and piety together in one of the best books I have read in in a long time. His chapter on infant Baptism or conscious faith was the best I have ever seen. The book consist of twenty-eight chapters that were fascinating. The book is designed to help the reader know God better each day. The book was originally published in 1986. It was a wonderful read.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't care for the rant during a lot of this book. There are other authors who touch on the same subject without taking you over the mountain and through the valley to bring home the point.

[Patti]

Deep but very good read!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read a few chapters but took some good notes. Over my head at this point in my development.