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Product Review Summary: chris I think this book is written for academics and not for the general reader, who may want to gain a general understanding of how God may have revealed himself in other cultures. I found what I read quite informative, but have to confess I gave up, because the amount of detail was overwhelming. Having said that I'm sure it will be of benefit to some people. There was no investigation of India or Asia other than China and Korea. Also no investigation of indigenous cultures in Australia or New Zealand or the Pacific.
Product Review Summary: Global God Review Drawing from a diverse group of distinguished experts in their fields of study, the Spencers offer a theme summarized in the well selected title, The Global God. God is presented as the One who has revealed Himself to all cultures, but is not limited to one culture's understanding of Him. Rather, by revealing Himself, He is calling people beyond their culture and toward the narrow road which leads to Christ. In the words of the Spencers, it is "Inclusive to all people...exclusive to one Supreme God."
Each author presents an attribute of God from the perspective of his/her own culture, making positive and negative judgments based on the standard of an Evangelical approach to Scripture. The contributors selected originate from the cultures that they represent and in addition to their "real world" experiences hold relevant academic credentials. As approaches and styles vary, sources used in depicting cultures also varied. For example, William Spencer in his article draws from history, whereas Tae-Ju Moon appeals to many statistics in his approach. In their approach to the study of Scripture all of them use a similar method including concept studies and careful consideration is given to context.
Introducing the theme, the Spencers explain that God has revealed Himself to all people through both natural and special revelation and yet he is calling them to a new way of life beyond their cultural values. Appropriately, the first article, by Aida Spencer, presents the Biblical view of God noting His attributes as they are revealed in Scripture. Following are ten articles. For the sake of space, four examples are offered here. William Spencer by observing history shows America's Darwinian view of power which is distinctly different from God's power; driven by love. Diememe Noelliste observes Caribbean religion and how the African religious beliefs have infiltrated the culture. The prevalent view of God is explored and compared with Scripture. Tokunboh Adeyemo writes about African religions who view God as One that once lived among them but now as a result of sin is far off. Grace May argues that Chinese-American Christians influenced by Confucianism overemphasize God's holiness without taking into account His mercy. Interestingly, all of the cultures represented have somehow developed a view of God that is in some ways representative of the God revealed in Scripture. In some cases this can be credited to natural revelation.
With this summary in mind the question of Scriptural soundness arises. Such an issue depends heavily on one's view of Scripture. Suffice it to say that the Global God is self-proclaimed as Evangelical and Evangelical views are assumed as it is "Inclusive to all people...exclusive to One Supreme God." Moving forward, the concept of a Global God is Biblical and few Christians would deny such a notion. This Biblical concept which underlies the entire project is summarized in John 12.32: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
After reading and reflecting upon the contents The Global God and the current global culture, it is my belief that it is an important work for many reasons. Offered below are three:
1. One cannot deny the vast differences between many cultures. Indeed, if Christ is the Savior of the world, His message must be one that relates to all people. The Global God shatters the idea that the God of the Bible is strictly Western, but demonstrates that He has revealed Himself globally.
2. If we view God as One who is conformed to our culture we live in ignorance. By viewing other perspectives with respect and in light of Scripture we come to a deeper understanding of Him.
3. Through media and communication technologies, in America as well as in many other nations, we have become increasingly aware of the diversity of our world, and thus, numerous other religions. Such a phenomenon can result in doubting the reality of Christian faith, degrading it to a religion that only relates to the Western world and certainly not a global reality. The Global God depicts the God that is revealed in Scripture as One Who has revealed Himself to vastly different cultures.
Nothing in the text struck me as something with which I would strongly disagree. My one concern is that it fails to be truly global by not including a Middle Eastern perspective. This is a small geographical area that in recent current events has elevated to a place of high visibility. This is the one significant area where I still had questions after completing the text. If afforded the opportunity to speak with the Spencers, I would ask where I could find a good source to learn about the makings, history and current state of the prevalent Middle-Eastern perspective on God. To myself and to many others this would be an important issue to research as we may see a mission field open in Iraq and especially to the un-reached Kurdish people group.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of natural revelation or anyone who has questions about whether God truly reveals Himself to all cultures. The Global God would be a great starting point for a person with such questions. Also, I would recommend this book to Urban-American pastors who find people from other nations getting involved in their churches and living in their communities. It would certainly be helpful in seeking to understand the perspective of the diverse cultures represented in many urban communities and churches.
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