Reaching for the Invisible God

Yancey quotes extensively from classic writers and sketches scenes of doubting biblical figures as he grapples with making sense of a God who is personal, yet sometimes so elusive. Six different aspects of the Christian life are explored: our longing for God, who God is, the Holy Spirit, our faith, growth, and spiritual transformation. In his explorations, he reassembles the difficult and perplexing events of life around an ability to trust in a loving God. Trust is pivotal. Admitting that God's style "often baffles me," Yancey leaves no doubt that his framework of faith is still in place, that he sees "evidence of (God's) long-suffering, mercy, and desire to woo rather than compel--I have learned to trust God."

Here is the clear, concise writing mixed with deeply personal and authentic insights that won Yancey nine Gold Medallion Awards for previous books. Expect a 10th. --Cindy Crosby

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All Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A More Dismal Look at God in a Time of Silence, 2008-10-22
"Does God deserve our trust, no matter how things appear at the time? " ~ pg. 55

"Reaching for the Invisible God" was not at all what I expected it to be. The title seems to imply a study of God's qualities and how we can relate to him on a daily basis. What I found was a more negative view of God. Instead of being powerful, God seems to hide, not answer prayer and generally seems distant and aloof. With that said this book is not an especially encouraging book, rather it is an honest look at what some Christians may experience when they feel far away from God. If you feel that God is not listening or that your walk with God has become more difficult then this book may answer some of your questions.

"I trust that God can use even those bad things for my benefit." ~ pg. 65

The first few chapters of this book focus on doubts and skepticism. By chapter nine, Philip Yancey finally starts to talk about the qualities of God. I felt that he touches on very few qualities and misses the opportunity to reveal God's glory and majesty. Instead of focusing on a God who answers prayer he talks about a God who seems distant. As you age, Philip Yancey seems to believe you struggle more with your relationship with God. I have not seen this to be the case in the lives of people I know so this didn't seem to be completely true or based on extensive research. It seems to me that as you age your faith in God deepens and you acquire more patience. You also learn that God's "apparent" silence is often a "no" instead of a "yes." So God is still speaking and is just as close as he ever was.

If you have a lot of doubts then this book may be a safe place to contemplate them. If you are seeking a deeper relationship with God then there are a few creative ideas interspersed between the negativity. There are some good discussions about human freedom and why bad things happen to good people. There is some good advice about how to love God (keep his commandments). Overall, I felt this book fell short of my expectations but it was still fairly enjoyable to read.

~The Rebecca Review



0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Love this book, 2008-07-11
the first time I tried to read this book...forget it...I couldn't get through it, but I love Yanceys works so I have set sail with this book. I am not one of those christians who has child like faith all the time. It is easy to have it when things are going well for me and others I don't question much. but I can be hard when observing others suffering. I don't question my problems or suffering to much. I just accept it and try to get through it with the faith that i have, but it is very hard for me to see others suffer. But this book is great!!! I do think there are levels of faith and doubt in the christian walk. It is also good to see that I am not unlike alot of bibilical characters out there. I also enjoy the fact that he pulls alot of references from other books and historic writers. I enjoy that Yancey is brave enough to take this walk with this and starts by admitting his own doubts, trials, and wins.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Another good Yancey, 2008-07-08
Discusses many of the questions/doubts we all we have, but are afraid to bring up in our Christian circles because we are supposed to have all the answers. Thought-provoking.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Well-conceived, 2008-03-26
This is the first book written by Philip Yancey that I have read. It is a fairly fast read and accomplishes what I believe it sets out to. The premise of the book is: The biblical God is real and good. The question the book deals with is: What is the biblical God good for? Yancey admits that his writing style is a problem solving activity - a biography of his own journey through a question. He does not position himself as an academic or pastoral authority. I appreciate this approach and the inherent humility.

Here are additional impressions made by my reading:

(1) Many of the blunt questions and candid observations that Yancey makes have passed through or taken harbor in my mind. It is encouraging and enlightening to hear Yancey explore and even wrestle with these.

(2) Yancey is well read or at least (judging from the works cited in this book) differently read than other Christian authors I have read (Morley, Lucado, Eldredge, Warren, etc). I found myself filling my Amazon cart with Merton, Buechner, Moltmann, Mann, Kierkegaard, Auden, Updike, Donne, Augustine, Aquinas, etc. Some of these authors I have read, others I have not. In both cases, I find my self inspired by Yancey's work to search deeper into their works.

(3) The margins are marked up by my pen. I experienced a number of moments of reflection. I see myself going back through this book and the thoughts I had while reading it. I am glad I took this walk with Yancey.



0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

One of the "Best" I've read., 2007-10-01
This is probably the best book that I have read in terms of letting fellow Christians know that we all share bad times and periods of doubt. It was very refreshing reading how other Christians sometimes feel empty, in a day and age where the Church seems to avoid this topic. A truly great read and the perfect book for those sitting on the fence and doubting how some Christians can have as perfect of a life as they lead some to believe.

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