Who's trying to tame God? Just about all of us to one degree
or another.
Drew Dyck's new book, "Yawning at Tigers: You Can't Tame God, So Stop Trying," looks at the problem from two angles.
"Part 1: Tiger Territory" addresses the title
directly. Dyck notes how the ferocious tiger has become little more than a harmless
kitty when viewed in a zoo.
Fed on a regular basis and kept behind protective glass, the
killer offers little excitement to adults or children – basically becoming a
yawner.
That's how we've come to view God, Dyck says. We sing praise
songs, hear sermons and read spiritual books that offer us the comfort of God's
love and compassion while ignoring the ferocity of his judgment. And don't even
mention his requirement of our holiness.
But before you think you're being beaten into submission,
Dyck turns to "Part 2: Divine Embrace." This second part of the book focuses
on God's closeness.
These aren't two different Gods. Much like the popular
perception of the Old and New Testaments, the two sections present the same God
who is wild and untamable by his creation, requiring holiness and obedience
while also desiring a deep, loving relationship.
"Yawning at Tigers," [Nelson Books, $16.99, paperback, 209 pages] is a powerful challenge to
Christians to live a meaningful spiritual life. It is perfect for those who
read such books on their own, but it also has a discussion guide for each
chapter at the end of the book for those who prefer group study.
Drew Dyck is managing editor of Leadership Journal, a
publication of Christianity Today. Read my interview with Dyck on his first
book, "Generation Ex-Christian" on The Huffington Post.
An advance copy was
provided free to the reviewer of this book.
