God Has a Name

What's "God Has a Name" by John Mark Comer about?

• Exploration of God's Character: The book delves into the nature and character of God as revealed in the Bible, particularly focusing on Exodus 34:6-7.
• Understanding God's Name: It emphasizes the significance of God's name, Yahweh, and how it shapes our understanding of His identity and relationship with humanity.
• Relevance to Modern Life: John Mark Comer connects ancient biblical truths to contemporary life, encouraging readers to see how these insights can transform their relationship with God and others.
• Theological and Practical Insights: The book combines theological depth with practical application, making it accessible for both new believers and seasoned Christians.

Why should I read "God Has a Name"?

• Deepens Understanding of God: It provides a profound exploration of God's character, helping readers to know Him more intimately.
• Challenges Misconceptions: The book addresses and corrects common misconceptions about God, offering a more accurate biblical perspective.
• Encourages Personal Growth: By understanding God's nature, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and grow in their faith.
• Engaging and Relatable: John Mark Comer's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex theological concepts easy to understand.

What are the key takeaways of "God Has a Name"?

• God's Name is Yahweh: Understanding that God has a personal name, Yahweh, which reveals His character and desire for relationship.
• Attributes of God: The book highlights God's compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, and justice as central to His nature.
• God's Relational Nature: Emphasizes that God is a relational being who desires to be known and to know His people.
• Balance of Mercy and Justice: Explores the tension between God's mercy and justice, showing how both are essential to His character.

How does John Mark Comer explain the significance of God's name, Yahweh?

• Identity and Relationship: Yahweh is not just a title but a personal name that signifies God's desire for a personal relationship with humanity.
• Revelation of Character: The name Yahweh reveals God's character traits, such as compassion and faithfulness, which are foundational to understanding Him.
• Contrast with Other "Gods": Yahweh stands apart from other deities of the ancient world, who were often capricious and distant.
• Invitation to Intimacy: Knowing God's name invites believers into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.

What does "God Has a Name" say about God's compassion and grace?

• Parental Love: God's compassion is likened to the love a parent has for their child, deeply rooted and unconditional.
• Active Grace: Grace is not just a feeling but an action, where God actively helps and rescues His people.
• Baseline Emotion: God's baseline emotion towards humanity is mercy, which is foundational to His interactions with us.
• Universal Mercy: God's compassion and grace extend to all people, even those who may not seem deserving.

How does the book address the concept of God's anger?

• Slow to Anger: God is described as "slow to anger," meaning He is patient and not quick to wrath.
• Righteous Anger: God's anger is always just and directed against evil and injustice, not arbitrary or capricious.
• Anger Born of Love: God's anger stems from His love and desire for justice, not from a place of malice.
• Cultural Misunderstandings: The book challenges modern misconceptions that equate God's anger with human anger, emphasizing its righteous nature.

What does John Mark Comer say about God's love and faithfulness?

• Covenant Loyalty: God's love is described as steadfast and unfailing, rooted in His covenant promises.
• Faithfulness as Reliability: God is trustworthy and reliable, never abandoning His people even when they fail.
• Love and Faithfulness Together: These attributes are intertwined, showing that God's love is expressed through His faithfulness.
• Hope in God's Promises: Believers can have hope because God's love and faithfulness ensure that His promises will be fulfilled.

How does "God Has a Name" explain the balance between God's mercy and justice?

• Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment: While God is just, His mercy often takes precedence, offering forgiveness and grace.
• Justice as Restoration: God's justice aims to restore and heal, not merely to punish.
• Forgiveness and Accountability: God forgives sin but also holds people accountable, ensuring that justice is served.
• Ultimate Resolution in Jesus: The tension between mercy and justice is resolved in Jesus' death and resurrection, which embodies both attributes.

What are the best quotes from "God Has a Name" and what do they mean?

• "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - This quote emphasizes the profound impact our perception of God has on our lives and actions.
• "We become like what we worship." - Highlights the transformative power of worship and the importance of worshiping the true God.
• "God is not a permissive parent; neither is he an angry jerk of a dad. He’s a good Father." - Clarifies misconceptions about God's nature, portraying Him as a loving and just parent.
• "In Jesus, we see more clearly than ever before what God is like." - Points to Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God's character and nature.

How does "God Has a Name" address the problem of evil?

• Acknowledgment of Evil: The book acknowledges the reality of evil and its presence in the world.
• God's Response to Evil: God is actively working to combat evil and bring about justice and restoration.
• Human and Spiritual Wills: Evil results from the interplay of human and spiritual wills that oppose God's good purposes.
• Hope in God's Justice: Believers can hope in God's ultimate justice, which will one day eradicate evil completely.

What practical advice does John Mark Comer offer for living in light of God's character?

• Imitate God's Attributes: Believers are encouraged to emulate God's compassion, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness in their own lives.
• Trust in God's Promises: Trusting in God's faithfulness and promises provides hope and stability in uncertain times.
• Engage in Worship: Worship is a response to God's character and an essential part of the believer's life.
• Pursue Intimacy with God: Developing a personal relationship with God through prayer and reflection is vital for spiritual growth.

How does "God Has a Name" redefine the concept of worship?

• Worship as Response: Worship is a response to who God is, not a means to manipulate or appease Him.
• Life-Oriented Worship: Worship extends beyond singing and includes living a life oriented around God's character.
• Intimacy and Awe: Worship involves both intimacy with God and awe at His majesty and holiness.
• Reflecting God's Name: Worship includes reflecting God's character to the world, showing His love and justice through our actions.