The God You Thought You Knew by Alex McFarland

Maybe We've Been Wrong About God All This Time

We call this the information age, but it's also the age of misinformation--especially when it comes to God and Christianity. Many of us believe the Christian God is far away and unapproachable, that we have to be good to be accepted by him, and that the Bible is just an antiquated list of do's and don'ts. But maybe none of that is true. Maybe we've gotten it wrong.

Instead of proofs for God's existence, what we really need are compelling reasons to want to know him, and those reasons are more personal than we sometimes think. Through sharing his own story, author and speaker Alex McFarland shows how the God you thought you knew actually cares about you--about the rejection and loneliness you feel. It's time to replace the half-truths and lies we believe about ourselves with his overwhelming love and forgiveness.

We all want acceptance and purpose. Let this book teach you how to be anchored in the security that comes through knowing God for who he really is.

My review:
   The author starts this book out by telling a little about how he was raised, and how that affected his views of God. To have been raised and treated the way he was by his father and still end up serving God is amazing. The book covers some of the things he had to deal with and come to believe.

Each chapter starts out with a myth about Christianity and God, followed by the truth that contradicts the myth. McFarland then writes the chapter to combat the myth and show the truth. The book is an easy read, yet has a lot of deep truths in it. I personally haven't struggled with most of the myths in the book, but have had my questions and doubts about a few things which he addressed in the book. He does a great job of addressing the issue and putting it out there in plain and simple terms why the myth is wrong and what the truth is.

 This book would be great for a new Christian or a more mature Christian who may have some questions about the things the book deals with. It is an interesting and helpful book.

About the author:

Alex McFarland is a speaker, writer, and apologist. He has preached in over 1,500 different churches throughout North America and internationally, and has been featured at conferences such as the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Focus on the Family's Big Dig, Josh McDowell's True Foundations events, and many more. In 2011, Alex became cohost of Explore the Word, which is heard weekdays in the nearly 200 markets served by the American Family Radio Network. Alex and his wife, Angie, live in Greensboro, North Carolina. Learn more at www.alexmcfarland.com.


The God You Thought You Knew is available from Bethany House Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.