Disclaimer: These links to other resources are here to help you understand that this wonderful truth about God's loving character and the proper way to understand the Biblical truth concerning it spands across denominational barriers. However, my linking to certain web pages and endorsement of certain books does not mean that I agree with everything that an author of a book or web page espouses. If there is any doubt as to what I believe then please click here and read our statement of faith.
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The Character of God: The Place to Learn the Truth about the Character of God
A web page created by my friend in Canada, Ray Foucher, which is committed to spreading the message that God is loving and wonderful, or, as in Ray's own words, "This website is about our wonderful God and the revelation of what He is like through the life of His Son, Jesus. God has been badly misrepresented and misunderstood - here is an attempt to understand Him better." Ray has a number of teachings and links on his web page that will bless you and help you to further understand the truth about God's love and interpret the Scriptures in that light.
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Schizophrenic God?
Finding Reality in Conflict, Confusion and Contradiction
Written by Pastor Steve C. Shank. This book is explains the truth about God in the light of some of the predestination teaching that disparages His character and paints Him as the author of evil. As the book itself says, "You will be challenged to rethink the assumption you have made about God, which brings comfort and empowerment in the truths of a good God." Visit Pastor Shank's web page by clicking here for more details on his ministry and how to get this wonderful book.
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If God is in Control then Why...?
Trusting a Just God in an Unjust World
I enjoyed reading this book by Craig Hill thatnot only vindicated God's character but helped me understand more how to emulate Him. Hill says that this book, "....deals with that difficult question about the nature of God that plagues the minds of most people." Visit Craig Hill's page by clicking here.
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The Truth about God
He Doesn't Do Evil that Good May Come
A bold but needed book by Mrs. Porter. One of several reasons for this book is to, "Take a deeper look into Scriptures, find the true character of God which is the foundation of Christianity." I agree. While I don't agree with Mrs. Porter's position on the "trees in the garden of Eden" or on "how hell gots its flames," I would not let that keep me from the other Biblical insights that she has to offer. Also, recommend the music CDs by her husband Michael. Visit Delores J. Porter's page by clicking here.
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When Bad Things Happen God Still Loves
Pastor Joe Blair of First Baptist Church in Ruston, Lousiana. Pastor Blair writes, "If Christ is the expression of the Character and nature of God--and He is--we know that God is incapable of evil because evil is not a part of His nature" (pp. 65, 66). I especially liked Blair's insights on how to read the alleged acts of God in the Old Testament. Click here to get your copy.
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God, Why?
Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
From the cover: "In God, Why? Chas Stevenson presents powerful, precise, scriptural logic that eradicates popular spiritual myths and flawed teaching that has misled and confused people about God's character and God's good will." I think you will find that Stevenson addresses several topics and is able to show from Scripture how some have misunderstood or even twisted Scripture to present a negative picture of God's working in the world. Click here to visit Chas Stevenson's page.
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Who Is God?
His Character Revealed in the Christ
C. S. Cowles is a former pastor with the Church of the Nazarene. I enjoyed how Cowles spends the majority of the time helping us to understand God's character as it is seen through Jesus Christ. Cowles says, "The clearest picture of God's character is found in the Christ. The life and ministry of Jesus reveal to all of us the very heart of the heavenly Father but also challenge some deeply rooted, long-standing notions about God." Click here to get your copy.
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God's Not Guilty
By Don Hughes
In this unbelievably out-of-print and impossible to find book, Don Hughes uses Scripture to refute many of the false ideas about God that were taught during the period in which he wrote this book (1982). Sadly these ideas continue to prevail and this book needs to get back into print. Hughes writes, "The love character and attribute of God does not allow Him to do us any harm." Hughes tackles many of the misused Old Testament passages to make his case. I first ran across this book in 1991. I had some contact with the author back then but have not been able to locate him since. However, this book was instrumental in my quest to vindicate God's loving character. If you can get a copy of this book, I encourage you to get it, read it, and treasure it. May God bring it back into print.
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Don't Blame God
Making Sense of Tragedy and Suffering
This book is by Carol A. Michalski who is a registered nurse. Michalski takes us through the Scriptures to show us why God is often blamed for our sickness and tragedy and how to correct this view. Included is an excellent chapter on Bible discrepancies and in another chapter we are corrected on our bad eating habits. It is a well written book. Please do NOT buy it from Amazon.com since they only have one for $13,000. Not sure about you but price really is not within my budget. Buy directly from the publisher. Click here to buy directly from the publisher for a much, much, much lower price ($7.95)
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God's Strategy in Human History
by Paul Marston and Roger Forster
In the introduction we are told, "This is a study of what the Bible says about God's strategy throughout human history. It deals with the conflict between good and evil...." This book will help you to understand that there is a real cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan. This is not some scenario brought about by God. Our choices and God's choices affect the outcome of the conflict. I highly recommend this book. Click here to visit Pastor Forster's church web page and to learn about this and other books he has authored.
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The Salvation of Angels
Understanding the Heavenly Impact of Jesus Christ
Pastor Michael A. Wiley along with his wife Joan pastors Hope Church in Fairview, Oregon. In this book Pastor Wiley gives us some rare insights from the Scripture and show us that Satan's fall not only affected God and, later, man, but it had a negative impact on the unfallen angels as well. In order for Satan to have succeeded in having a third of the angels follow him, he undoubtedly left questions in the minds of the unfallen angels concerning God's character. Wiley writes, "....we can be certain that before the serpent ever made his accusations against God's character in the Garden of Eden, he, as Satan, made them to the angelic hosts in heaven." (p. 119) This book explains how the unselfish loving sacrifice of Christ on behalf of mankind refutes Satan's attacks against God's character for both mankind and the loyal angels. Click here to visit Pastor Wiley's home page and to learn more about the book
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Dissertations on Some Parts of the Old and New Testaments
Which Have Been Supposed Unsuitable to the Divine Attributes
This book was published in 1824 but is well worth the read today. The author, Richard Twopeny, addresses a number of areas in the Bible that many atheists (and some of God's so-called defenders) have used to malign God's character. Though it is quite "scholarly" this book is very helpful in recognizing how the original Hebrew language can be translated in a way to vindicate God in the English language. For example, concerning the hardening of Pharaoh's heart Twopeny writes, "So when God is said to do it, you can understand it as his doing it by consequence; and contrary indeed to his own desire: for he wills not the death of even one sinner." (pp. 49, 50) Click here to to get a printed copy from Amazon.com (slightly expensive) or download a free e-book copy from Google books by clicking here
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A Help for English Readers to Understand Mistranslated Passages in our Bible
By John Hale Murray
Another classic book (1881) worth reading. My favorite chapter is the one in which the author deals with mistranslations in the Bible that have supported Calvinism, thus casting aspersions on God's character. The author writes, "Our translators have not only made mistakes in what affects men, but in what regards the honour of God, in making him the author of sin in wicked men, that he might find occasion to destroy them." (p. 133) Murray then sets out to deal with a number of mistranslated passages in order to vindicate God's honor. Get a printed copy from Amazon.com by clicking here or download a free ebook copy from Google books by clicking here
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Hard Sayings of the Bible
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. (editor and Contributor)
This is definitely my favorite one volume commentary on the Bible. This commentary covers quite a few "hard sayings" and in them we find God to be a God of love rather than a harsh scary dictator. Included is an essay titled "Why does God Seem So Angry in the Old Testament & Loving in the New?" One of the first answers is, "God does not present Himself first and foremost as a God of judgement, but as a God of love." (p. 44) The authors point out how God can withhold judgment for over 100 years before He finally is left with no choice but to bring it. Yet, even with that He always brings a promise of restoration. This foundation sets forth the way many "hard sayings" of the Bible are dealt with. Highly recommend it. Get a printed copy from Amazon.com by clicking here or get the cheaper Kindle version here
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Job and the Gospel of Suffering
Robert Sidney Reyes
From the author: "This work tackles some traditional and absurd teachings on the Book of Job along with that accompanying "Gospel of Suffering," which some have built to support these teachings. It removes the darkness from God's character and sets the disciple of Christ free to stand in the light of a good God who does not tempt (test or try) his saints. It shows that the statement by the young Elihu, that God will not afflict, is not only true in itself, but is the unfailing word of God." I have personally been blessed b this author's perspective and hope that you will benefit as well. Get a printed copy from Amazon.com by clicking here.
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Suffering and the Love of God: the Book of Job
by Roger Forster
From one of the author's who gave us the great book, "God's Strategy in Human History." In this book, Roger Forster confronts some of the issues concerning God's character as it relates to the teachings from the book of Job. Many great insights. Forster writes, "So, I don't think the book of Job gives us any encouragement to wave our fists at God every morning and complain. Rather, it teaches us to wave our clenched fists at wrong views of God." AMEN! Click here to visit Pastor Forster's church web page and to learn about this and other books he has authored.
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