Arguably one of the most neglected doctrines in the Christian theology today is the doctrine of God. The Bible, unlike many Christian books, is not silent on the topic of God. Instead, the Bible opens with God speaking the world into existence in order for man and woman to live in it. God not only created the world for man and woman, but He continues to sustain the world, He created. One day He will bring the whole world into perfect order whereby it will no longer feel the effects of man’s sin. Equally important to what we’ve considered so far is understanding the character and attributes of God. For example by understanding the statement in Hebrews 13:5 that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us—we come to understand that the faithfulness of God is tied to the character and attributes of God.
When one considers the Old Testament what we usually think of are the Psalms. The Psalms are awesome. They reveal the character and attributes of God like few books do. Yet there is also Moses at the burning bush and Isaiah completely undone when the Lord calls him to be a prophet in Isaiah 6. Enter Drew Dyck’s new book Yawning At Tigers You Can’t Tame God, So Stop Trying, a book that seeks to serve as both a corrective and instruction on the majesty of God.
Drew’s book has two parts. The overarching goal he says is to “invite readers to encounter the blazing holiness of God” (3). In evangelicalism today as has been noted by many, many people there is a tendency to overemphasize the love of God to the neglect of the holiness of God. As many theologians have noted the holiness of God is the multifaceted jewel that explains who God is and what He is like. This is important since Drew writes to help us understand this concept. In part one in six chapters, he gives readers a view of God’s holiness that aligns with the biblical record. In part two in six chapters, he seeks to elaborate on the attributes of God. Many Christians today don’t have a robust understanding of the doctrine of God. In fact, I’d say that this book is a basic introduction to the doctrine of God. And it is also one of the most helpful introductions to the doctrine of God I’ve ever read, I might add.
When Isaiah saw the glory of God he was undone. When men in the Bible see the glory of God not even in His fullness they are undone. The same is true today. We have the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. If we are to understand who Jesus is and what He is like—it will come as we understand the critical doctrine of God. After all, a sound doctrine of God leads to a right understanding the Bible. It is critical to understand who God is and what He is like since the Bible spends so much time elaborating on this concept. As you read Drew’s book you’ll find an author who cares about you. You’ll find an engaging writer in Drew, a conversation partner, if you will who, will guide you through what he is saying in easy to understand language, helpful illustrations, and faithful explanation of the biblical text.
You and I live in a culture where a neglect of the doctrine of God is by and large the norm today. We live in a Christian culture obsessed with arguments for God’s existence and proofs that He is real. Yet, the Bible does none of this. The Bible presumes that God is and moves to explain who and what He is like. What we need to understand is the truth Drew writes about namely the God of the Bible who is mysterious, yet powerfully present, dangerous yet accessible. The God of the Bible is a God who beckons His people to know and worship Him. Yawning at Tigers will rip off the domesticated uninterested and far view of God that many North American evangelicals have. In its place will come a vision of God that accords with His Word—a God of splendor, might, power, all-knowing, all-seeing—a God worth knowing, worshipping, and serving.
Whether you’re a new Christian or a seasoned scholar of God’s Word, I highly recommend you read Drew’s book. This book will help you to consider perhaps for the first time how the doctrine of God relates to your life. In a culture that is massively confused about who God is and what He is like this excellent book takes us near to the throne of God. After all, it is there that God’s people have been summoned by Christ Himself (Hebrews 4:16). So, I encourage you today to pick up Drew’s book. You’ll find that this book will help you to see, know, and enjoy God more. And in the end, what more could you ask from a Christian book than to challenge you, and help you grow in your walk with God? This is exactly what Drew’s book does so well. So go pick it up, read it, and enjoy it as I did.
Buy the book at Amazon.
I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
