What do you think?
Rate this book
God of Surprises
The purpose of this book is to suggest ways of finding the treasure in what we may consider an unlikely field--ourselves. Through many practical suggestions for heightened prayer, including Ignatian exercises and Jungian exploration, God of Surprises guides readers along the inner journey which reveals to us a God we may not have expected to find.
Paperback
First published November 4, 1985
85 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 23, 2021
Gerard Hughes writes really absorbing books without pushing religious belief. I found it well worth reading and I like books that make me think.
December 3, 2019
Loved this book. It affected me personally. Definitely spiritually based.
June 15, 2013
A book that combines psychological and spiritual insights into both our own humanity and the goodness and love of God, a transforming book whose message can be liberating for the reader who takes its message to heart
August 18, 2012
This book took apart what I thought I knew, challenged my apathy, correctly anticipated most of my doubts and areas of weakness, and gave me a new way to explore my faith. Genuinely thought-provoking; a kind, loving book.
January 26, 2020
Gerard W. Hughes was a Roman Catholic priest, born in Scotland, and the writer of this devotional book. I read it a few years ago and was captivated by his thoughts about finding God in unexpected places - such as in ourselves as he has made us in his image. We may fight against finding him there because it means we are not our own since everything we are or have comes from God and has to be given back to him. Hughes found human beings complicated "with layers upon layers of consciousness", most of which we never break through. At the end of most chapters, he provided exercises that related to the thoughts he had discussed in that chapter. Some were useful and some were less useful for me. Maybe they will be in the future because I know I will read this little book again and again.
April 16, 2017
A wonderfully powerful, deeply spiritual book.
February 4, 2018
For those who prefer "theology - lite," this book is great. Hughes centers on Jesus's teaching regarding a hidden treasure, and how we may obtain it. The Kingdom Jesus spoke so much about is not that far away at all, and is the most priceless thing ever.
January 27, 2019
Definitely a book to read slowly and probably one to be re-read multiple times to get the full effect. The exercises were very useful though they felt unevenly spread throughout the book with some chapters having several large meaty exercises and some having none at all. In terms of content and presentation the book is very good and will give you an awful lot to think about, it certainly changed my view on a lot of topics, especially the seeking guidance chapters. The only thing that is a bit jarring is the final chapter on Nuclear War. It feels like an enormous handbrake turn for the book to take as it should be concluding and as a result it doesn't really feel finished. Other than that I would recommend the book but be prepared to read it quite slowly and really take the time to dig into the exercises if you want the full benefits.
June 5, 2023
I picked his up at random in a charity shop, but I’m glad I did. Gerard Hughes covers a lot of ground in a deceptively short-looking book, so there’s plenty to get you thinking, and it will be worth going back to and rereading.
I was particularly taken with a simple yet profound definition of sin - the refusal to let God be God in my life. (Compared to how easily we tend to make ourselves God.) And his explanation of what it means to be ‘indifferent’ was very helpful.
The book is written from the perspective of a Jesuit Catholic. That’s a long way removed from my own evangelical charismatic background, so I’m impressed how well Hughes is able to present his message to the church as a whole, even though quite a lot of it is based on the teachings of Ignatius of Loyola.
I was particularly taken with a simple yet profound definition of sin - the refusal to let God be God in my life. (Compared to how easily we tend to make ourselves God.) And his explanation of what it means to be ‘indifferent’ was very helpful.
The book is written from the perspective of a Jesuit Catholic. That’s a long way removed from my own evangelical charismatic background, so I’m impressed how well Hughes is able to present his message to the church as a whole, even though quite a lot of it is based on the teachings of Ignatius of Loyola.
June 23, 2023
A very good book to go back to - it summarises nicely the Ignatian spirituality. God in all things, in you, you are, and all around you. The developmental stages of spirituality: the institutional stage, the the critical stage, and the mystical stage. That someone who is not a Christian could be closer to God than someone who is a religious. That the world often misuse 'the name of God' - and use it as an excuse to do something seemingly good but creates destruction and division (e.g. war in the name of religion). That wherever there is love, joy, and peace, that is where God is, regardless of your background and beliefs.
December 15, 2015
This is a guidebook for the journey of life which began at conception and will end at death. It is written especially for bewildered, confused or disillusioned Christians, who have a love-hate relationship with the Church. God is a ‘God of Surprises’ because He is not remote or distant, dwelling only in tabernacles and temples of stone, but near to us. Smiling and waiting to embrace us despite our confusion, bewilderment, anger etc. This book aims to suggest some ways of detecting the hidden treasure in what may be considered a most unlikely field, oneself.
The treasure is within us. The First Chapter illustrates this premise. The treasure lies hidden in our inner moods and feelings. Many people live without getting in touch with their inner selves. Our inner selves can tell us the direction our lives should take and supply the inspiration and energy to take it. If the inner life is ignored, violence erupts in some form or the other. Religion, as it is often presented and understood, not only fails to give importance to the awareness of one’s inner self, but even actively discourages it.
The Second Chapter shows us how we can get in touch with our inner selves. The author presents von Hügel’s analysis of the three main stages of human development-infancy, adolescence and adulthood-describing the predominant needs and activities which characterize each stage. The growth of faith and its connection with these stages is also presented.
The Third Chapter deals with the ups and downs of our inner selves and false images of God we may have. Our inner life is at times chaotic and seemingly dangerous. Some of the feelings and emotions we discover could wreck us if we let them take control of us. How do we deal with them? We need to go to God and let him illumine our darkness. False images we may have of God, constructs of our upbringing, experiences or ideas can disturb and stifle us. Becoming aware of these false images is vital for our growth.
In the Fourth Chapter, the author suggests some methods of prayer. These methods help us meet the God who is actually out to meet us. Each of us has our own unique way of praying and hence may find one or the other method suitable. The suggestions of the author however could be a useful tool for those struggling to pray. He gives a good variety of methods to choose from.
Chapter Five shows how the journey is not only made with our minds and with the religious part of ourselves, but involves our whole being and affects every aspect of it, our relations to other people, our attitude to health, wealth, reputation, power, and our reactions to the economic, social and political structures in which we live.
Repentance is a must if we are to discover the treasure. Failure to repent is the root cause of many evils. The Sixth Chapter dwells on this theme and its pivotal role in Christian life. At the end of the chapter, the author makes a wonderful comparison between the marks of true repentance vis-à-vis false repentance.
In the Seventh Chapter, the author gives some exercises that will help us recognize the action of God in our lives and give him praise, thanks and glory for it. He suggests reviewing one’s consciousness and imaginative contemplation. At the end of the chapter, he presents some biblical texts which could be useful for imaginative contemplation.
The Eighth Chapter is devoted to learning to recognize the treasure when you find it. God is the answer to our inner restlessness and emptiness. When we approach Him we experience peace, tranquility and joy, but when we move away from Him the opposite feelings envelope us. The author presents seven guidelines that help us interpret our moods and feelings.
Chapter Nine is about Christ our treasure, whom we often take for granted and fail to recognize. The Jews did not recognize him and sometimes neither do we. This truth is illustrated in a letter written by an imaginary parish priest complaining of the disruptive behaviour of one of his parishioners.
Chapter Ten is aptly tilted ‘Knowing Christ’. When people imaginatively contemplate on the Gospels, they are often surprised by the Christ they meet. The author gives us some guidelines for reading or contemplating Christ in the Gospel.
Chapter Eleven focuses on the passion and resurrection of Christ. Faulty understanding of these two important events in Christ’s life contribute to producing a distorted image of God and deter us from our spiritual journey.
We move towards the field and dig towards the treasure through the decisions we make in everyday life. Chapter Twelve is not a treatise on decision-making, but offers some basic guidelines for individual and group decisions.
The Final Chapter applies the insights of the book to a very real situation- the threat of nuclear war. In this chapter the author expresses his inner feelings regarding nuclear war and beautifully presents the Christian approach to nuclear weaponry and warfare.
The book was well received and was awarded the Collins Biennial Religious Book Award 1987. The author must be commended for his down-to-earth presentation and penetrating insights. His Jesuit spirituality permeates the entire book. Every chapter has the breath of the spiritual exercises. Ignatius is often invoked as a model. The exercises given at the end of each chapter helps to interiorize and work on the insights gained. Spiritual growth is aimed at and if one is serious, one will surely benefit.
The treasure is within us. The First Chapter illustrates this premise. The treasure lies hidden in our inner moods and feelings. Many people live without getting in touch with their inner selves. Our inner selves can tell us the direction our lives should take and supply the inspiration and energy to take it. If the inner life is ignored, violence erupts in some form or the other. Religion, as it is often presented and understood, not only fails to give importance to the awareness of one’s inner self, but even actively discourages it.
The Second Chapter shows us how we can get in touch with our inner selves. The author presents von Hügel’s analysis of the three main stages of human development-infancy, adolescence and adulthood-describing the predominant needs and activities which characterize each stage. The growth of faith and its connection with these stages is also presented.
The Third Chapter deals with the ups and downs of our inner selves and false images of God we may have. Our inner life is at times chaotic and seemingly dangerous. Some of the feelings and emotions we discover could wreck us if we let them take control of us. How do we deal with them? We need to go to God and let him illumine our darkness. False images we may have of God, constructs of our upbringing, experiences or ideas can disturb and stifle us. Becoming aware of these false images is vital for our growth.
In the Fourth Chapter, the author suggests some methods of prayer. These methods help us meet the God who is actually out to meet us. Each of us has our own unique way of praying and hence may find one or the other method suitable. The suggestions of the author however could be a useful tool for those struggling to pray. He gives a good variety of methods to choose from.
Chapter Five shows how the journey is not only made with our minds and with the religious part of ourselves, but involves our whole being and affects every aspect of it, our relations to other people, our attitude to health, wealth, reputation, power, and our reactions to the economic, social and political structures in which we live.
Repentance is a must if we are to discover the treasure. Failure to repent is the root cause of many evils. The Sixth Chapter dwells on this theme and its pivotal role in Christian life. At the end of the chapter, the author makes a wonderful comparison between the marks of true repentance vis-à-vis false repentance.
In the Seventh Chapter, the author gives some exercises that will help us recognize the action of God in our lives and give him praise, thanks and glory for it. He suggests reviewing one’s consciousness and imaginative contemplation. At the end of the chapter, he presents some biblical texts which could be useful for imaginative contemplation.
The Eighth Chapter is devoted to learning to recognize the treasure when you find it. God is the answer to our inner restlessness and emptiness. When we approach Him we experience peace, tranquility and joy, but when we move away from Him the opposite feelings envelope us. The author presents seven guidelines that help us interpret our moods and feelings.
Chapter Nine is about Christ our treasure, whom we often take for granted and fail to recognize. The Jews did not recognize him and sometimes neither do we. This truth is illustrated in a letter written by an imaginary parish priest complaining of the disruptive behaviour of one of his parishioners.
Chapter Ten is aptly tilted ‘Knowing Christ’. When people imaginatively contemplate on the Gospels, they are often surprised by the Christ they meet. The author gives us some guidelines for reading or contemplating Christ in the Gospel.
Chapter Eleven focuses on the passion and resurrection of Christ. Faulty understanding of these two important events in Christ’s life contribute to producing a distorted image of God and deter us from our spiritual journey.
We move towards the field and dig towards the treasure through the decisions we make in everyday life. Chapter Twelve is not a treatise on decision-making, but offers some basic guidelines for individual and group decisions.
The Final Chapter applies the insights of the book to a very real situation- the threat of nuclear war. In this chapter the author expresses his inner feelings regarding nuclear war and beautifully presents the Christian approach to nuclear weaponry and warfare.
The book was well received and was awarded the Collins Biennial Religious Book Award 1987. The author must be commended for his down-to-earth presentation and penetrating insights. His Jesuit spirituality permeates the entire book. Every chapter has the breath of the spiritual exercises. Ignatius is often invoked as a model. The exercises given at the end of each chapter helps to interiorize and work on the insights gained. Spiritual growth is aimed at and if one is serious, one will surely benefit.
June 8, 2021
A life changing book! Even if you take God out of it, as I did, it provides amazing insight and structure into how to know yourself better, to stop trying to take all your worries and deal with them yourself, and ultimately giving you tools to be able the understand how to live a more fulfilling life. This book openly addresses many of the issues I have with churches and organised religion. It's easy to read for anyone. The treasure you're looking for has been inside you all along!
April 19, 2025
I have read this book as part of the St Martin in the Fields online Lent Course for 2025. It is a great book to study with other people because it's a book to read, reflect and pray about chapter by chapter. It's a book where a highlighter pen is invaluable because there are so many helpful sentences and paragraphs to go back to and think about again. No wonder this book just published in 1985 is still being reprinted .
February 7, 2021
It is a bit patchy. Some parts are great, some not so. I think that Gerard Hughes' railing against the church in which he serves, a little intriguing as I wonder what else he would have done. However I applaud him in his honesty. A little dated but the problems persist the same with those that he identified.
March 30, 2025
Well worth a read. This book has been around quite a while but I have never read it. It's target audience is people of Christian faith and encourages you to rethink your images/expectations of God. I found it thought provoking and will probably have to read it almost again before too long to mull over some of the passages.
I enjoyed it a lot.
I enjoyed it a lot.
February 7, 2021
Hugely positive influence on me as a teenager.
June 28, 2022
Stunning and brilliant. Loved it so much. Will re-read to further absorb the wonderful teaching. Timeless.
January 31, 2023
Excellent for furthering one's Christian faith - also good for both atheists and agnostics to discover a direction
August 3, 2023
Wonderful book, full of extraordinary wisdom and a compassionate voice. Especially helpful for those who have experienced hurts or loss of hope, even loss of faith.
May 22, 2008
If Gerard Hughes had expressed during the Inquisition what he'd written here, he would surely have been branded a heretic. Hughes openly challenges many of the most commonly-observed pillars of organized religion but productively offers solutions for churches progressing with the times to serve modern humanity.
As a baptized Catholic who seeks meaning in life and spirituality, yet feels alienated by organized religion, I found this book to be a great comfort. Perhaps it was because Hughes wrote things that validated my own views. I'm sure some of the more conservative Catholics would say he is way off, but, well, he's a priest too and views like his will do a lot more to help people and the Church.
It's a great book for people who dismiss spirituality out of hand because of prominent religious extremists and lumping most of the world in with them. I don't have a lot of patience for the "coolness" in dissing people for believing in something bigger but that's my own problem to get over.
As a baptized Catholic who seeks meaning in life and spirituality, yet feels alienated by organized religion, I found this book to be a great comfort. Perhaps it was because Hughes wrote things that validated my own views. I'm sure some of the more conservative Catholics would say he is way off, but, well, he's a priest too and views like his will do a lot more to help people and the Church.
It's a great book for people who dismiss spirituality out of hand because of prominent religious extremists and lumping most of the world in with them. I don't have a lot of patience for the "coolness" in dissing people for believing in something bigger but that's my own problem to get over.
December 9, 2015
As one who is, more likely than not, within a decade or two of his demise, I ponder often on spirituality and the question of 'life after death'. This book was recommended. I had a Christian education (Anglican, not Roman Catholic)but Christianity never really 'caught' for me. I am, by nature, a Humanist. This book seemed to accept the Gospels as a 'given' - an axiom if you like. This is problematic for me, because I am also a scientist and more inclined to accept things according to the evidence supporting them than on a premise of faith. If I have got the wrong end of the stick, perhaps someone would enlighten me or direct me to another book that might have a better chance of starting me on a journey. I have in the past been advised that I should 'pray', but have not done so since childhood, and in fact lapsed as a consequence of my own experiences in childhood.
June 26, 2015
A fantastic little book about prayer, our inner lives, and how we grow (taking steps forward and backward) in interacting with God. Also has many helpful practical suggestions on how to take ideas about prayer and make them applicable.
February 14, 2009
This book broke my heart by teaching me more about the goodness of God and His regard towards us.
May 3, 2018
Inspirational reading. Well-written.
November 2, 2013
One of the best.
June 9, 2014
a book to read slowly over and over again
February 3, 2015
True to its title it has surprised me. If like me you seek a better understanding of God, this will be a very useful guide. Well reasoned, sequential and for me at least; inspiring.
January 11, 2021
God of Surprises
This was very thought provoking and inspiring. It was well written. Interesting title! I should go back for the spiritual exercises!
This was very thought provoking and inspiring. It was well written. Interesting title! I should go back for the spiritual exercises!
Read
April 19, 2017Good book
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews