“A Conversation with God” review
by V.E. on March 3rd, 2011
filed under recap/review, spirituality
A Conversation with God:
If You Could Ask God Anything What Would It Be?
by Alton Gansky
Thomas Nelson Publishers
15 March 2011
Let’s be clear: this is not a conversation with God so much as a conversation with the Bible. There’s no mention of any god besides the Christian one, and by far the majority of references are simply Bible verses. That’s all fine and good—if you’re already a Christian and take the Bible as the word of God. If not, the title A Conversation with God is actually misleading. I picked up this book because of one line in the description: the question that asks, “God, does choice extend to abortion?”
But wait; back up a little. A Conversation is set up in question-and-answer format. Of course, the answers are mostly given by characters named “God” and “Jesus” (since this is a book based on the Bible, after all), but other characters weigh in, too, like Eve, King David, Joseph, and Mary Magdalene. Other, lesser known Biblical personalities also make appearances. The answers are written in standard English vernacular with end-notes (I’m starting to hate end-notes) referencing Bible passages and other information of note.
The author invites readers to do three things while they read A Conversation. “First,” he writes, “take your time… Second, read the book in any order you wish… Last, let the material percolate.” He also recommends actually looking up the passages quoted from the Bible to see for yourself what the verses say—something I support. Since I chose the book to see about the abortion question (and the author encourages readers to read in any order), I skipped right to that page. Well, I have to agree with another reviewer who said that A Conversation was nothing new or ground-breaking. As difficult questions go, these are pretty standard (American) Christian answers. Let’s see if you’re (as un)surprised (as me) by any of these answers (which I’m paraphrasing, except for direct quotations):
One
Q: God, how can we believe that You created us? (#2, pg.21)
A: The complexity of life on Earth and the human body and brain lend themselves to a creator, not blind chance. “There is no lack of evidence, only a lack of belief.”
Two
Q: Why weren’t all early writings included in the Bible? (#9, pg.55)
A: God didn’t inspire all early writings, so why would they be in the Bible? The people who put together the “canon of Scripture” were also inspired by God to include the correct writing. “Unlike other books, the authentic books [in the Bible] touch the heart and mind in ways you may have trouble explaining.” That is, you’ll just know when you read the Bible (and the stuff left out, presumably) that it’s God’s Word.
Three
Q: How should we prepare for the end of the world? (#15, pg.83)
A: Be vigilant; live as if Jesus is returning tomorrow; be a person of faith; do the work of Christ; “be involved with worship, praise, and prayer”.
Four
Q: Jesus, can I lose my salvation? (#28, pg.144)
A: No, but it’s complicated. “The only way to lose out on spending eternity with Me is to walk away from the salvation I offer.” Duh.
Five
Q: What will we look like in heaven? (#37, pg.182)
A: You’ll look the same as now, basically, except you’ll have an immortal, incorruptible body. There will be no marriage since there’s no need for procreation (because, you know, that’s the whole point of marriage -_-), and “people [will] be like the angels, who do not reproduce.”
Six
Q: God, does choice extend to abortion? (#53, pg.254)
A: Technically, yes; you—as a “free moral agent”—are allowed to choose to sin, which abortion obviously is. So, no. “You may make whatever choices you want, but every decision has a price.”
Just looking at those six questions (there are 55 in total), it’s clear that the author assumes more about the reader than I’m comfortable with. The first question’s answer is more a product of the Enlightenment, bringing to mind the story of the Watchmaker. The second question leaves out all the politics that went into creating the Bible as we know it today. (For example, earlier versions had no chapter or verse distinctions. Was it “inspired” to have someone put them in, or was it practical, or was it politics, or…?) The third question’s answer is part of Christianity 101. I can’t even begin to expound on the fourth question and the fifth actually just kind of creeps me out. (Also, the fifth question’s answer implies there will be no sexual intercourse in heaven, which—from my perspective—is really just plain sad.) As for the sixth question’s answer—the entire reason I read A Conversation in the first place—don’t even get me started. Saying, “You have a choice, but choosing against my will is a sin” (if it even is against God’s will) doesn’t really make it much of a choice, now does it?
DISCLAIMER: I received A Conversation with God free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in return for a review of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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