Forgotten God - Review

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit By: Francis Chan & Danae Yankoski

Published: September 1st 2009 by David C. Cook (first published August 20th 2009)

166 pages

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

Goodreads--In the name of the Father, the Son, and ... the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today's church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.

Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church's power—the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we've ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan's invitation to stop and remember the One we've forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.

You guys, I can’t even explain how much Francis Chan’s books have inspired me. Crazy Love ( my review) just about blew me away. And Forgotten God is the same way. I feel like whatever words I have to say on this one would be inadequate.

Not only do I completely agree with Francis Chan’s assertion that we have removed the activity of the Holy Spirit from our lives and our church, but I’ve witnessed it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “God doesn’t work that way anymore,” Or “God doesn’t speak to us today, except through His Word.” And while like Chan says, I am hesitant to be thought of as overly charismatic or to ascribe movement of the Holy Spirit for my every whim, I have seen and felt and witnessed the Holy Spirit move and work in my life. I have felt His whisper in my ear.

All of that being said, I definitely agree that we’ve taken the Holy Spirit and doused Him with water, over and over and over again. Of course, literally speaking, throwing a bunch of water on God doesn’t mean He wouldn’t be able to work despite that. But He never has and never will force us to choose Him, nor will He force us to allow Him to work through us and in us.

If you need a check on your view of the Holy Spirit and how He works in us, I challenge you to pick up Francis Chan’s Forgotten God. It’s a short book and a really quick, simple read with a powerful message. Forgotten God gets 4 Stars from me. Check it out!

Have you read Forgotten God? If so, what did you think about it? Let me know!