The deeper our relationship with God grows, the less we will be driven by fear, and the more we will be drawn by His love and His kindness. A quote from G. Campbell Morgan- "The reason for man's fear of God is not in God, it is in man.

How do you think of God? Do you think of him as a grandfather type? A genie in a bottle, a best friend? A being waiting to squash you and your dreams? How we think of God is important as it drives our relationship with him. Do we draw near him? Do we think of God has irrelevant?

Having a correct view of God is important and the author does a excellent job in introducing the reader to who God and not whom we want him to be. It is easy for us and maybe you feel the same but we can easily slip into Why God? Why does he allow suffering? Not that God can take our questions as to why but it also reveals what we think of God in our questions. How we view God and ourselves. It is not the nature of God but the nature of sin. We loose our perspective and by losing our perspective, we can easily loose our hope.

The driving force of the text is Romans 11:22. The contrasting character of God in his kindness and severity. A contrast that is worth a deep study as it reveals the whole nature of God and sin.

In knowing God for who He truly is we can have hope for justice in all things and a peace that moves us forward in His will. I highly recommend.

A Special Thank you to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Brestel begins his discussion with Romans 11:22. Paul wrote of the kindness and severity of God, seemingly opposite character traits. He notes that modern Christianity has diminished God's harsher attributes. We may want a kinder and gentler God but He does not conform to who we think He should be.

Brestel reminds us that it is very important, a matter of life and death, to get right what God is like. God has revealed Himself as both severe in His holiness and gentle in His compassion. We are not free to create Him in our own image. He addresses issues like whether God is unfair and how God shows His anger over injustice.

Brestel includes a survey of other gods in other religions. He uses the experiences of Moses to show how God reveals His character. He also writes of how we are to relate to God. Plently of questions are included for discussion.

Brestel's writing style is not academic and is aimed at laypeople. He writes much about his own life and experiences. I found out he is an introvert, has been married to his wife for over 52 years, where he got his theological education, where he pastored, that he flew to Mumbai, and more. The personal aspect of the book felt more like I was having coffee with the author rather than reading a book by him. This book may appeal to older readers because of it.

I appreciate Brestel encouraging readers to accept God as He is revealed in Scripture. The book is not academic in style and may appeal to laypeople.

I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

How can God be both kind and severe? Today, many people separate the God of the Old Testament from the Jesus of the New Testament and believe in a safe God because they don't comprehend how God can be both kind and severe.. In his book "God in His Own Image," author Syd Brestel helps readers embrace the truth that God is the God of both the New and Old Testaments--that He is both kind and severe. And even if our human, finite minds cannot comprehend an infinite God, it's okay, Brestel says. In fact, according to Brestel, it's a good thing that believers cannot fully comprehend God, because it's what makes Him worthy of honor, glory, and praise. Also, Brestel says that when people try to believe in a God that is only kind and good, but not severe, they are creating God in their own image, an idol, rather than worshiping the True, Triune and Sovereign God.

Written for everyday people and not academics, Brestel helps readers wrestle with this topic, doing it a comprehensive and a biblical way. Encouraging readers to embrace all of God's unique characteristics and qualities and his unchangeableness, Brestel says, "We can't simply choose our favorite attribvute of God and ingore the others. To do so is to insult His name."

Whether you are wrestling with this topic yourself, or you're walking with someone else who is wrestling with God's kindness and severity, Brestel's "God in His Own Image" will help you construct a more biblical understanding. Brestel relies heavily on Scripture to interpret itself, while also giving some personal examples. The discussion questions at the end of the book are an incredible way for individuals or small groups to process what they're reading.

Note: I received a cop of this book from Moody Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I liked that he presented God as He is, in severity and compassion. It was well written and an excellent book.
I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.