How have I not reviewed this yet? I love this series. Packed full of Truths about God and why he is glorious and deserves to be worshipped. Every time I read one of these books my soul is refreshed.

This is a really encouraging book- can be used as a devotional or I think you could read it like a normal book. But it is definitely encouraging and thought provoking too. As someone actively in church ministry, it was just what I needed and I can see myself recommending this to others too!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!

Wonderful devotional book. Our understanding of mission is connected to how we view God and what He is doing in the world. This book can both be read as a work of theology but I would recommend for devotional encouragement.
The only minor critic (kinda funny to me) is that it depends heavily on Puritans. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Puritans. But similarly to books like Gentle and Lowly by Ortland there are sections of this book that make me ask myself "why am I reading this an not just reading my puritan collection?" The last chapter has upwards of 15 quotes by Edwards alone in 20 pages. But hey we need to continue to point modern audiences to the rich inheritance we have of those who have come before.

First sentence: Let's get it out in the open right at the beginning. Doesn't something about mission and evangelism just feel "off" to you? Every Christian knows we're meant to share the gospel and look for opportunities to witness to Christ, yet almost all of us find it a genuine struggle, if not a gloomy discouragement.

I loved, loved, loved this book on missions (and evangelism). What sets it apart? It has gone a bit old school in looking at the subject. The author(s) examine(s) WHAT fuels missions. And the answer can be found in the first question to several old-school catechisms. Notably, what fuels missions is delight in the glory, majesty, and beauty of God. This book celebrates GOD. Every chapter is written with clarity and passion and with the single goal of making the reader EXCITED about seeing God as He is revealed in the Word.

While reading of this one, I thought of two theologians--A.W. Tozer and John Piper. I was reminded of their zeal and passion for KNOWING God. I was reminded of their absolute devotion to the Word of God.

I loved how substantive it is. Gave me a lot to think about!!!

God Shines Forth is a beautiful book. Hames and Reeves reminded us what our motivation should be and fuel for our mission work. They tell us how the nature and character of God shapes us, lead us and motivate us in our calling to share the Gospel. We can't give what we don't have. If we don't have an intimate relationship with God, if we don't know His word, and who He is; We won't be able to understand our mission work and we will feel frustrated, confused and discouraged. God Shines Forth has deep theological roots but is easy to read and understand. Love it. It's part of my Christmas presents.

God Shines
How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church
By Daniel Hames & Michael Reeves
Pub Date 11 Oct 2022
Crossway
Christian | Religion & Spirituality




I am reviewing a copy of God Shines Forth through Crossway and Netgalley:



The Church of the west experiencing a lull in evangelism at a time when the need has never been greater nor the opportunity brighter for the church to tell the world the good news in Jesus.

In God Shines Forth, Daniel Hames and Michael Reeves take us to the heart of the biblical motivation to share Christ: a proper vision of our great and glorious God. The more we are overflowing with the glorious loveof God, the more we will overflow with words of the gospel to others. This book will show you how to overflow with gospel love.”



I give In God Shines forth five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is my first experience with a Michael Reeves book (though I own several that are on my TBR list), and it does not disappoint.

Thought-provoking, in-depth, and engaging!

I particularly enjoyed all the Jonathan Edwards quotes--he's one of my fave Great Awakening-era preachers.

I'd agree with other Goodreads reviewers that the subtitle is a bit unrelated/a "misnomer" ("mis-subtitle"? LOL), and was less on evangelism (the main reason I picked up the book) accordingly, but that aside, a very good read.

I'm looking forward to reading his books on my TBR list!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

God Shines Forth gives us a vision for the Christian life that delights in God, and this delight is the fuel for the mission. He addresses reasons why evangelism is difficult for many believers and how returning to revel in the glory of God helps guide our heart and our actions.

Your heart will be enriched as you learn to gaze once again upon our Lord.

Quick Stats
# of pages: 176
Level of difficulty: Moderate
My rating: 4 stars

*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.

Thank you to Crossway for the chance to read and review this book prior to release. I loved Gentle and Lowly and Deeper is on my TBR, so I was so excited to see what I would learn from this.

I struggled with the physical book, but when I switched to audio, it was much easier for me to follow the flow of his thoughts,. The chapter breakdowns (or lack thereof) and so many headers sometimes made it hard for me to pull out the BIG PICTURE of what Reeves was trying to get across.

It seemed to have less of a central thought than other similar books I've read recently.

I still think this is a great read that will be of great spiritual benefit to many!

This book is available now.

In God Shines Forth, God's mission truly does shine. Authors Reeves and Hames do a great job in giving the reader historical and biblical information.
This book is a great read for all Christians.

*I received this book from the published through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and authors for the honor of reading this book.
What lies between the covers of this book is RICH. There is so much to unpack here, so many layers to peel back. Every single page has something that is noteworthy and cause for pause and reflection. Each debate, valid point, argument, historical reference is firmly planted with scriptural reference.
This book, in my opinion, would be a bit overwhelming for a "new" Christian or someone who is searching and seeking Christ. However, once someone begins to be firmly planted in faith and is comfortable, this book is a must read.
In a world that is in great need of Christ, evangelizing His mission, doing the work joyfully and without grumbling or ego, this book challenges us and guides us to be true, selfless followers - workers in the field, and to do it with humility.
What a great read this was for me - in ministry for many years, staying "under the radar" with service to others, teaching our youth that we are all in the journey together - never a teacher lording theology over a student, but equal partners with mutual respect, but always for the Honor and Glory of God.
I know I will read this book again and again, and will see something new and different with each reading and as the "Seasons" of my life and faith evolve. I loved it. God bless.

I enjoyed the fresh outlook on missions. I still struggle with accepting that everyone's mission looks different, but this book helped me understand it better. It really opened my mind to a new way to look at everything I have been through in my life.

In God Shines Forth, Daniel Hames and Michael Reeves want to step back from models, strategies, and processes for evangelism. At the root of our “mission fatigue” and the typical grumbling response is our view of God. They argue evangelism and mission should flow not from command and duty, but from our understanding of who God is as he has given himself to us and shares his life with us.

To begin the book, the authors provide an excellent introduction to a theology of God, describing he nature and why he is a God we may delight in. Jesus is the eternal Son of the Father and God with us, he is the light of the Father and glory of God. In response to understanding who God is, we exclaim as the psalmist does, “Who is like the Lord our God?” (p. 56). As Jesus shows us the Father, we stand in awe of the kind of God who would redeem sinners. The authors articulate a simple, but wonderful theology of God’s nature — because God exists in and of himself, he needs nothing, yet abounds and overflows in love and joy that spills out into creation. Because our God does not and cannot be empty, we can turn to him in fallen estate and our emptiness and he will restore us.

The authors then turn to what this means for evangelism and mission. We don’t respond with duty and debt, nor with the goal of self-preservation. Those that have been captured by the glory of God in Christ will this God they know and are in awe of.

God Shines Forth is a book I would recommend. Too often the rich theology and understanding of God present in this short book is missing from preaching and discussions of mission. Too often discussions about our faith are about us rather than the object of our faith.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review purposes. Comments are my own and any page references may change.

I feel really blessed by reading this book. It explains a lot and makes good sense especially if evangelism has been almost like a 'thorn in your side' because you feel guilty not to be able to 'do it' well. Even though this book is geared towards preachers, evangelists and missionaries, the rest of us congregants can learn a thing or two, chiefly, since we too are meant to propagate the gospel, sharing and shining forth the glories of God's glory.

Knowing God through Jesus brings us His glory and light for shining and drawing others towards Him (not towards ourselves, which the authors seem to be saying is a big reason why we fail and/or burnout in this aspect of Christian living). When lit with God's energy and strength bringing revival to ourselves first, then as believers who transform more to His image, being empowered by the Lord to shine out to others. In this manner, evangelism will happen naturally. This is the nugget of message I gleaned from the authors and appears to be the main thrust of this Christian book.

The authors have harvested much from other authors and evangelists such as Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, C.S.Lewis, Martin Luther, John and Charles Wesley and a number of others. They lead us towards a better understanding of why we may feel and be, ineffective to the point of wanting to give up in our evangelistic efforts; feelings of guilt, obligation, and so on that surface up even in dedicated service for the Lord. This expose, is a grow book, to "grow out of ourself and into Jesus Christ," who is the Light of God, guiding readers towards the essential impetus to God shining forth in and through us to, as mentioned above, more natural evangelistic outcome.

I hope and pray many will take up this book and read it. I believe it will be a blessing to many souls who do, as it has been to mine. Thanks to the authors for their faithful explanations.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

September 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimetnary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.