Disobedient God: Trusting a God Who Goes Off-Script

by Albert Tate

In this powerful guidebook, the lead pastor of Fellowship Church demonstrates how the moments that test our faith are the moments God uses to direct our hearts to the one thing we truly desire a relationship with Christ. When the people of Israel, those who had witnessed the most abundant and inexplicable acts of God, grew tired of waiting for Moses to come off the mountain, they made a calf of gold. It was easier for them to make a new god than to continue serving a God that didn’t conform to their schedule and expectations.

Just like the Israelites in the desert, we are all fundamentally longing for God… but who and what are we actually reaching for and serving? Disobedient God addresses the things we do when we feel ignored, inconvenienced and frustrated by God. What things are we reaching for in our life? Are we reaching for porn when we long for intimacy? Reaching for success when we long for security? We would never say that we have replaced God, but our actions tell a different story. Whether we are trying to replace God, trying to run away or trying to perform for Him, we have no mindset to deal with a disobedient God. Disobedient God is a book for people dealing with this disappointment and interested in properly understanding and loving the God they’ve misunderstood.
 
This is not a step-by-step instruction manual for how to react when things are difficult; rather, it is a way of understanding God that leads people to discover the relationship with God that they were always meant for.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion

208 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2023

Reviews

[Johnny Carau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I first heard of the author from JP’s podcast “becoming something” it was a great episode going over the book I decided to pick it up. I tend to struggle with trusting God when things don’t go my way, more times than I’d like to admit. Ultimately, I trust him anyway. He makes no mistakes psalm 18:30. Highly recommended, very good perspective on how to trust God when things just aren’t lining up. Cheers.

[John Frias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Tate is one of my favorite authors and speakers. His thoughts are compelling and challenge my understanding of scripture.

In disobedient God, he sets up a framework of how to practice our faith when God goes off script. Typically we replace, run, and perform. Tate says that we should confess, rest, and reach for Him.

The big idea: Even though God is disobedient, He is trustworthy and consistent.

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up Disobedient God after hearing it recommended on a podcast. The title itself seems somewhat blasphemous in its provocative and alluring statement. I was sure what would be between the pages would follow this model of being thought provoking and empowering while drawing nearer to a good God who always is perfect despite our inner expectations. That’s the book I wanted to read but not the book I ultimately found.

Maybe my expectations were disobedient, but I found this to be at times an incessant rambling of loose analogies and thoughts. I also was disappointed that Scripture was referenced but frequently was not quoted. Instead we read “as you read in Jonah…” My opinion is if you are using Scripture to make a point it should be quoted (at a minimum you should enclose chapter and verse).

Sadly the title was the best part of the book. And after reflecting, not sure it was the best title in the first place.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Disobedient God, Albert Tate explored how we can learn, manage, and address the areas in which we feel ignored and frustrated by God. A great deal of us has the expectation that if we do everything right then God will allow everything, we go through in life to go right. When life doesn’t go as planned, we start to believe that God is being disobedient towards us. He shared how strong faith comes from being rejected, facing loses, struggling with doubt, and going through painful events. He explained how the children of Israel replaced God and chose to worship a golden idol instead. They kept on waiting and waiting for Moses to return from the mountain and they felt that God was taking too long and he was being disobedient. They reverted back to what they knew and forgot about all the times and the ways in which God provided for and protected them. Albert asked readers what golden calves do they have lying around. He indicated how our idol could be food, alcohol, money, and whatever else you replace God with.


He revealed how his secret idol was revealed while they were watching Oprah and his wife asked him if he struggled with pornography. He finally confessed his struggle to her and how he believed that marriage would fix the problem and it didn’t. He explained how he learned how he was really longing for God and intimacy. He looked at how we are all made to worship something and we get to choose what that is.



One of my most favorite stories was about Lisa and how she was one of their former youth group students. She confessed how was date raped by several men and would go from relationship to relationship. She would also meet men in bars and engaged in sexual relationships. She clarified how she faced guilt and shame. He encouraged her to state the number on how many people she has slept with. He then proceeded to tell her 316 and used this number to reference the scripture verse on how God loved her and how if we would believe in Him and we can have everlasting life. He powerfully explained how this number is the only number that needs to define her. I loved this prevailing example and how many people will be able to contact to this story and how we need to let John 3:16 to redefine our life and we don’t need to live with shame or guilt over our past sins.



I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is wanting assistance in learning to deal with disappointment and they have been misunderstanding a disobedient God. We could be trying to replace God, trying to run away from Him, and trying to perform for Him to get Him to notice us. All of these can aid us in reaching for Jesus. This book was very inspirational and will help readers to trust God and to learn to handle their longings. I seriously loved how he went into detail about Jonah’s life and how he ran from God. He stated to readers how we can’t outrun God’s presence and we are wasting our efforts when we try to. I also appreciated how he opened up about his own stories of being bullied and how he ran from them emotionally and didn’t ever deal with the events until he was in his 40’s. I really enjoyed reading about his stories and thought he did an excellent job in tying in Biblical stories into the lessons.




"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

[Tristan Bath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves every star! I first heard about this book through the Becoming Something Podcast. In episode 221 - God Didn’t Answer my Prayer (10/10 recommend), the cast interviews Albert Tate who introduces his book - Disobedient God. Because I LOVED this episode of the podcast, I knew I had to read the book.

This book was really one of the best Christian books I’ve read to date. It was raw and honest and it wrestled with topic(s) I think all believers struggle with whether they’d admit to it or not. The main question throughout the book is - What do you do with a disobedient God? A God who doesn’t follow the script you’ve written for your life. How do you work and wrestle through the heartbreak and devastation you’ve endured with a God who didn’t come through the way you wanted Him to or the way you thought He should.

This book read like a 7 part sermon and I really learned and grew through every chapter. I cannot recommend this enough. If you’ve ever struggled with doubts about God’s goodness of His faithfulness, if you’ve ever struggled through devastation or heartbreak when things didn’t work out like you thought, this book is 100% for you. I’m already looking forward to reading it again.

[Orsayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disobedient God offers a powerful guidebook that explores the moments that test our faith and redirects our hearts to the genuine desire for a relationship with Christ. This book delves into the human tendency to seek alternatives when God doesn't conform to our schedules and expectations, drawing parallels to the Israelites in the desert, who turned into a golden calf. It addresses our actions when we feel ignored, inconvenienced, and frustrated by God, examining what we truly reach for in our lives. Disobedient God allows readers to discover a fulfilling relationship with God, emphasizing understanding and loving God, rather than providing step-by-step instructions for difficult times.

[Esther]

I read through this book during a long weekend. Its perspective is refreshing since it doesn't try to answer all the hard questions but rather tries to show the reader that God is ok with you asking your most difficult questions in times where you feel like He is going off-script. And who of us has never experienced situations in our lives where we wondered how we can actually make sense of this in light of our faith in Him? I wonder if it is satisfying enough for readers with profound doubts but I totally agree with the resolve the author offers: instead of trying to run away from God, face him and allow for the pain, hurt and disappointment to take space. 

[Jacob Kraker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disobedient God presents a discourse with impressive potential, however, the content rarely lives up to what it seems to promise.

Tate walks the reader through a great question: what do we do when we are disappointed by God’s actions or will? And don’t get me wrong, this book has great moments, but his writing style places more focus on being accessible and relevant rather than expository and edifying. As a result of this, the great moments get lost in the sea of forgettable biblical application.

[Amber Ginter Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning, this book had me hooked. Let alone the compelling title, Disobedient God by Albert Tate presents an issue that many Christians grapple with. How can we trust God when we can't predict His ways, His timings, and His ideals? It's not an easy answer or question to grapple with, but by His power, grace, and help, we can. Resting and trusting in His mercy, grace, and timeless promises, Disobedient God reminds us that doing so it's easy, but it's always worth it.

[Trevor Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Tate is my favorite preacher. I have never heard a man make you laugh and cry in the same paragraph as him. This book is pure Albert. You can hear the loving Mississippi accent as he practically gives you a verbal hug. This book is a keeper, and I will probably listen to it again every couple of years just to be reminded of His truth laid out here. If you have ever felt discouraged by God "breaking" the rules, this book is for you.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad passed away 20 years ago, and ever since then I've struggled with trusting God fully because He allowed my dad to leave us. Albert Tate's book Disobedient God has helped give me a new perspective on my view of God, my situation and strengthen my faith in the process. Albert does a wonderful job of weaving scripture into real everyday life situations. So thankful for this book! Have a highlighter ready.

[Christopher Sweet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book but not as in-depth or as “intense” as I expected. I thought it would be more convicting but it was a bit soft. I was also disappointed toward the end because it felt as if Tate was saying that God lets us have our way (within biblical boundaries) before He leads us through His way. This is leaning toward progressive theology and prosperity gospel. It’s ALL about God ALL the time. But read for yourself and measure it all by the Scripture and see what God reveals to you.

[Derek Griffon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert’ empathy, humor, and commentary are so challenging and encouraging in this book.

“A faith where you expect God to co-sign on all your life plans on your timeline and at your demands is a shallow faith.”

[Jenna Hilger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a book that needs to be read multiple times throughout the year. I loved this one and i soaked it up so much. It’s so easy to not trust God when he goes off script but this is just a reminder of why we SHOULD ALWAYS trust in him.

[Matthew Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four(ish) Word Review: submitting to God’s authorship

[Brandon Boley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dynamic communicator with a relatable message. Just what i needed to hear!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning to relate to God as he is rather than who we want him to be is a great gift.

[Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good content but many many tangents between key points.

[Derek Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

“strong faith comes from deep rejection, painful losses, doubt, discomfort, and suffering.”

[Quinn Torgerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Must read. I need to sit down in one sitting and reread this book. So gooood.