I've heard John Mark Comer speak on podcasts and such before but admittedly, this was the first book of his I've read and to be honest, I'm wondering why it's taken me this long to pick one of his books up! It was so well written- somehow the tone was kind and warm while the content was confident, well-informed and thought provoking. Absolutely brilliant book that I will be buying friends and re-reading myself! Full of too many gems to ever be able to pick a favourite quote and honestly now feel like I need to buy a physical copy so I can go through and highlight the whole book. "We become like what we worship"- the author then unpacks this in terms of who God says He is and how what we believe of Him shapes us as individuals and our lives. Another beautiful quote he used was by Tozer- "We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God... Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, 'what comes to mind when you think about God?' we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man."

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

John Mark Comer is a fabulous author and theologian who helps me understand God better and this book is no different! Thank you for the advanced copy. I bought a hard copy, as well. Highly recommend

I love John Mark Comer's books and this one didn’t disappoint.

I love the way Comer explores the Bible, it is informative yet also remarkably practical and life giving - beyond informative, it's challenging and he writes in a manner that allows the reader to explore their own thoughts and beliefs.

Comer opens with the idea of that what we believe about God, defines us and shapes us. And then goes on to unpack Exodus 34. There's so much to grapple with in the text, theres so much to chew over. I like the way he unpacks other 'gods' as "invisible but real spiritual beings".

Comer is such a helpful voice in today's society, he unpacks Scripture in a challenging and relevant way to today.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The author, Comer, went into these topics with a mixture of clarity about what scripture is pointing to and then a challenge to how we need to see God. There was a balance of how much the Bible points to the character of God that we may have not always been taught in this Western culture. This was the first book I've read where it didn't shy away from talking about geographical areas being governed by certain spirits or powers, as well as generational curses and sin.

I received a free copy from Nelson Books via NetGalley. A positive review is not required & all opinions are my own.

I had heard of John Mark Comer (in that I knew he had written some books), but had never read his books or listened to his sermons or podcasts, so really went into this book blind. Wow! Was I in for a surprise.

I found this book to be insightful, refreshing, and thought-provoking. I fully enjoyed his conversational writing style coupled with theology and history (does a commentary have to be so scholarly and boring that it makes me fall asleep? I think JMC would say, "NO"). He gave insight into ancient beliefs that we in this century and culture might not understand or practice. He dove into how God describes himself and looks in depth at why it's important for us to know God this way.

While I might not agree with everything he says (I'm not sure where I stand on other gods...are they gods or demons?), I do believe it's thought and conversation provoking, as well as a beautiful examination of God, compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, filled with unfailing love, faithfulness, and lavishing love on generations. Highly recommend!!

Thank you Nelson Books and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
This was really good! I loved that it was a deep dive into Exodus 34:6–8. He unpacked things in a way that was easy to digest. It honestly felt like doing a Bible study—walking you through every verse, breaking it down, giving cultural context, and pulling meaning from the original Hebrew.

Another great read by John Mark Comer - I've always enjoyed his writing style and felt like I couldn't highlight/underline enough of the good truths of God's identity in the Bible that the author brought up in this book. Highly recommend!!!

This was my first John Mark Comer book and I am excited to read more of his backlog. God Has a Name is very informative yet accessible which I am learning is how John Mark Comer's style of book seem to be. I would rate this book 5 stars! I am better because of reading it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a review for God has a Name by John Mark Comer that was released on Oct. 15, 2024. I'm writing this honest review for NetGalley, and my opinions are my own, as I have not received compensation for them!

What a life-changing, incredibly written, amazing, 5 star book that is based on, in my opinion, one of the most important verses in the Bible, Exodus 34:6-7 “The Lord [Yahweh], the Lord [Yahweh], the compassionate and "gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation."

I cannot write all that I learned because it would make review too long, plus I will be studying this book for a long time as I really love this book!!! But here are some things I learned through this book, and I cannot recommend it highly enough, for it has really changed my life, and how I see God, plus it has deepened my relationship with Him so much! 5 stars just doesn't do it justice!

A few things that I learned:
- What the significance of a name truly means, and why knowing that name is so important.
- Jesus is the true revelation of the cry, " Show us Your glory, Lord!"
- What I thought was prayer, really is so much more beautiful and relational than what I had been taught, which lead to a deeper and more intimate prayer life between me & my Abba!
- Some helpful insights about the Hebrew and Greek languages which helped me to understand the Bible a little better!
- Who my Abba, my name for Him, says I am, and what true intimacy looks like from His perspective, that has been shown to all of us in His word!
- Most importantly, I learned through each line of Exodus 34:6-7 to see the glory of the Lord by learning His real name, not just what He is called, but His true identity that is wrapped up in His character, and embodied completely in Jesus, and thereby helping me to see that same amazing, holy, pure, righteous, loving, compassionate, and incredible glory is daily filling this temple - me!

I feel literally like my eyes have been opened, and scales have fallen off - scales that have been stopping me from seeing God as He truly is. I took the challenge Mr. Comer gives at the beginning, asking if I have the courage to go up on the mountain, like Moses, where God was waiting, so He could reveal His glory to me, and I'm so glad I did, because now, through Jesus, I got a glimpse of His glory, and it lives in me! I am still a work in progress, but Yahweh has taken this book, and begun to open my eyes to see Him in the way He has always desired for me, and now I can't wait to keep journeying on this road together with Him! I can't thank Mr. Comer enough for allowing the Holy Spirit to write such a life changing book, and I pray that many will read it, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal who God truly is, and deepen their relationship to Him in true intimacy. There is nothing better!!!

Here is what Mr. Comer speaks about, an excerpt from his book:

"We’ll talk about Exodus 34v6– 7 line by line, taking time to soak our imaginations in each word. Each chapter will run something like this:
First, we’ll talk about the original Hebrew. It’s amazing what you can find when you dig into the language.
In TWO: Stories, we’ll look at a story or two where this passage is quoted by later Scripture writers— stories where we see God display his character.
Then in THREE: Jesus , we’ll fast-forward to Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, I very much believe that the God on top of Mount Sinai— the God of thunder and lightning and fire and smoke and a voice like a trumpet blast with a subwoofer in the back trunk— took on flesh and blood as the rabbi Jesus of Nazareth. And in Jesus, we see more clearly than ever before what God is like.
And finally, in FOUR: Us, we’ll take a step back and think about what who God is means for who we are, and how it has the potential to reshape our lives from the ground up, unlocking the weights that hold us back from the full, deep, wide, boundless, difficult, invigorating, I-can’t-believe-this-is- my-life kind of existence that God made us for and Jesus put on display."

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another great, and challenging, book by John Mark Comer.

God Has a Name – A Fresh and Deeply Biblical View of God

John Mark Comer’s God Has a Name is a powerful and refreshing read that stands out from many other Christian books. Rather than focusing on individualistic faith, Comer brings us back to God’s self-revelation in Exodus 34. Line by line, he unpacks what God says about Himself, challenging common misconceptions and helping us see God not as a distant doctrine but as a relational being.

What I appreciated most is how deeply biblical this book is. Comer doesn’t rely on abstract theology or personal opinions but roots everything in Scripture. He shows how Exodus 34 is the most quoted passage about God in the Bible and why that matters for our faith today. This passage has come alive for me in a new way.

The book is both theologically rich and highly readable. Comer asks thought-provoking questions: Do we truly know God, or just a version shaped by our own ideas? His insights challenge and inspire without ever feeling forced.

If you want to deepen your understanding of God’s character in a way that is both accessible and profound, God Has a Name is an excellent choice. It will change how you relate to God.

I always appreciate John Mark Comer's writing. I find his books simple but yet deep and profound. Loved this look at in depth look at Exodus 34.

I love the writing style of John Mark Comer. It's like conversational, it's made easy to read a so profound and beautiful truth about the God of the Bible. I didn't have the opportunity to read the previous edition of God Has a Name so I can't compere it. I enjoyed so much this book it's incredible beautiful with a healthy and well rooted theology. Highly recommend it.

I love this updated version. I really appreciate how John Mark Comer points us to a deeper understanding of who God is. Thankful for his writing and teaching!

probably my favorite book from John Mark. A important piece on who God is, what that means for us, & how important it is to work to get it right.

Not only does God have a name, He wants a relationship with you. Simple yet profoundly missed a lot in today's Christian culture. Comer takes us on a deep dive into Exodus 34:4-7 ito invite discussion in a real way. I appreciate the ARC

Unpacking Exodus 34:6-8, this guide reveals God’s self-description as relational and responsive. It explores how knowing His character transforms our relationship with Him, inviting readers to encounter a God who surprises and changes everything.

I first read this book in August 2017 while lying in my hammock on the tiniest island (seriously, only 120 acres) on the Saint John River. It was during my final week of traveling to summer camps after what had been the worst summer of my life. I was desperate—not just to believe that God was better than I thought He was, but to know He was wholly different. During my afternoon breaks, I devoured this book, and by the end, I wasn’t just hopeful about God’s relational desire to meet with and know us—I was experiencing it.

Fast forward to 2024. After several years of walking with God and letting Him know me, I didn’t realize how complacent I’d become in my approach. Don’t get me wrong—I still prayed regularly, but my prayers had taken on a pattern of, “Here’s my request, God, but do what You’d like,” or, “I’m asking for this, but, um, Your will be done.” I thought I was growing in contentment—and to a degree, I was. Contentment is important, and God calls us to it. But this book reminded me that I’m not just approaching “God.” I’m approaching a person who deeply desires community with me, someone who can actually be moved by my prayers and relationship with Him.

Somewhere along the way, I’d become so focused on “respecting” God’s will that I forgot prayer can move His heart—yes, even change His mind. If that statement makes you think, Wait, what? That’s not true!—then please, read this book. I pray it encourages you to pray boldly, as it has taught me to do.

This newly republished version even includes a fantastic section at the end outlining contemplation!

Thank you @thomasnelson @netgalley @yatesandyates for the books

Perfect for you if you like:
Characteristics of God
Challenging misconceptions
Books that blend theology with personal stories

Similar to:
Holier than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
Jesus Is_____ by Judah Smith

Thanks to NetGalley for an early-release copy of this book. I read God Has a Name previously when it was originally published, but I truly love the new edition that includes the contemplation and addition of spiritual disciplines together with the view of God and His name. Thanks to John Mark for writing an intriguing book that calls us to not only evaluate what the Israelites called God, what he said about Himself, but more importantly, what I can call Him too.

John Mark Comer is one of my all-time favorite authors, podcasters, preachers, and spiritual leaders. He is a Jack of all trades and master of all! (But he is humble, so he won’t tell you that…)

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for people at ANY level of faith, from the “God-curious” who don’t necessary have a relationship with Him to those far long in their journey and relationship with God.

If you ask a dozen people to tell you about God, you will probably get a dozen different responses. Yet, God has TOLD us clearly in the Old Testament exactly who He is. This book helps to provide clarity and comfort in the character of our loving, compassionate God.

The author has an excellent sense of humor and a sarcasm that make his books like this one a very fun read. Recommended for anyone!

God has a name....and it isn't God. How often do we read the bible and.....and still miss the big points? Honestly? A lot. John Mark Comer has a great gift of bringing the vast information down to a single point, but speaks volumes in the process. Not only does God have a name, He wants a relationship with you. Again, simple yet profoundly missed a lot in today's Christian culture. Comer takes us on a deep dive into Exodus 34:4-7 in a way that invites discussion and doesn't make you feel completely lost with super educated, technical information. Plainspeak. It's why I personally appreciate his style of doing so. This one is worth reading, marinating, and contemplating. Highly recommend!
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*