Considering A Heart for God

I have an older copy of Sinclair Ferguson’s A Heart for God, part of the Christian Character Library.  It is a short, very accessible book.  It is understandable to those without any theological training, but it also has a depth of heart that should challenge those who do.

It is dedicated to his old mentor William Still.  His main premise is that the main problem with contemporary Christianity is that we lack a deep knowledge of God.  Lacking this knowledge, we therefore are tossed about by winds and waves as well as experiencing stunted character.  Growth as a Christian is connected not with steps or methods, but primarily knowing God and being transformed by the renewing of our minds.  This is the thought that fills the book.  So he explores who God is.  As he goes there is plenty of application and illustration.  Sinclair Ferguson is the theologian for everyman.  He writes books of great meaning without assuming you have lots of theological training.

1. Growing in the Knowledge of God
2. Three Personed God
3. Maker of Heaven and Earth
4. The Covenant Lord
5. The Ever Present One
6. The Savior
7. God Only Wise
8. The Holy One of Israel
9. The Faithful Provider
10. Let Us Worship God!
11. Remember the Lord

In these chapters, Ferguson brings us back to Scripture.  Often it feels like a series of sermons turned into a book because he’ll work through a primary text.  This is purposeful.

“Only as God’s Word impacts how we think, live, and feel will we develop hearts that are characterized by obedience to God and filled with love for Him.  … There is no such thing as genuine knowledge of God that does not show itself in obedience to His Word and will.  The person who wants to know God but who has no heart to obey God will never enter the sacred courts where God reveals Himself to the soul of man.  God does not give divine knowledge to those who have no desire to glorify Him.”

So you see that Ferguson writes with a pastor’s heart.  He doesn’t just want there to be an information dump, but life transformation as we wrestle with God in His Word.  More than that, that God subdues us and transforms us with His Word.  This is a book worth finding and reading.