Local Opinion Editorials

HIDDEN IN GOD – The Book Nook

HIDDEN IN GOD:
Living as God’s Beloved
by James Bryan Smith
Intervarsity Press, 978-0-8308-3575-1, HB
220 pages, $17
When James Bryan Smith began to memorize Colossians 3:1-7, his whole outlook on life changed, and with it, he gained a deeper gratitude and confidence in Jesus. He now writes this book so that readers will find encouragement, refreshment, and enthusiasm in the central truths that come from this passage. Meant to be read as a devotion, or used in a discussion group, this book has thirty chapters, each followed by an affirmation, a prayer, and questions related to the key issues of a particular chapter (faith, mercy, discipline, witnessing, obedience).

This book is similar to an inductive study, as Smith breaks down every word or phrase in the passage. He successfully keeps the book engaging by sharing anecdotal personal experiences, while still including biblical studies. Although Smith makes some very bold statements about the differing importance of the roles of the Trinity that may not please all readers, his book is well organized, thought-provoking, and insightful.

Ronni M. Meier is a professional writing major at Taylor University and a freelance writer for WBCL radio, The Echo, Church Libraries, and Christian Book Previews.