Is God Dead?

The cover of Time Magazine, April 8, 1966 featured three disturbing words. “IS GOD DEAD?” Although the vast majority of American’s say they believe in God, the real question is what do they believe about God? The article sited several ideas from “on the street” interviews.
- Scientist - “God, if anything, is hydrogen and carbon. Then again, he might be
thermonuclear fission, since that’s what makes life on this planet possible.”
- Prostitute – “God will get me out of this filth one day. He is a God of mercy, dressed all in
white and sitting on a golden throne.”
- Cleaning Lady – “God is a ghost floating in space.”
- Screenwriter – “God is an infantile fantasy, which was necessary when men did not
understand what lightning was. God is a cop-out.”
- Janitor – “God is like a fiery flame, so white that it can blind you.”
- Seminary Student – “God is all that I cannot understand.”
- Another Scientist – “God is the totality of harmony of the universe.”
- Playwright – “It is the voice which says, ‘It’s not good enough’ – that’s what God is.”
- Civil Servant – “God is a lot like he was explained to us as children. As an older man, who is
just and who can get angry at us. I know this isn’t the true picture, but it’s the only one I’ve
got.”

What is wrong with this picture? Things haven’t changed much over the years. Too many people are coming to God with their own ideas about who He is. He is not who we think He is. He is not who other people say He is. God is who He said He is. God is not dead, but if people put faith is a confused misunderstanding of God, I’m afraid they will be terribly disappointed.

In his book, “When God Doesn’t Make Sense,” Dr. James Dobson said, “There is no greater distress in human experience than to build one’s entire way of life on a certain theological understanding, and then have it collapse at a time of unusual stress and pain.” Did God fail, or did an individual’s misconception of God fail?

Who is God? What is His true identity? A person can be identified by personal I.D., fingerprints, blood type, dental records, or DNA. God’s identity is to be discovered in a diligent search for Him in the pages of the Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah saying,
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will
be found of you.” (Jeremiah. 29:13)

Our faith is only as good as the God we put our trust in. My book, "IDENTIFYING GOD" is designed to be a training course in identity. The study series begins with identifying God. In order to know who we are, we must first know who God is and why He made us - what our purpose is in Him. After identifying God, we can identify the believer. When we understand what the ministry of the believer is, we can then identify the ministry of the Church, and begin working together as one.

I am a fellow seeker, a fellow struggler. This has been a personal study for me that I would like to share with you. My search begins by understanding the knowledge of truth. The direction that my study takes investigates the meaning of the seven proper names for God from Old Testament Hebrew. These can help us to define the nature, character and authority of God. You will also gain a perspective of the kind of relationship that He wants to have with us. From this vantage point, you will get a clear perspective of who Jesus Christ is in relation to God. Finally, you will meet the Holy Spirit and discovery His divine attributes and manifestations.

These lessons are intended to be an introduction to the unique and personal relationship God wants to have with each of us. It is not my intention to be exhaustive, as the mystery of who God is must become a lifelong pursuit. If time spent in my book helps you to get off to a great start in your faith, or fills in the gaps of a partial understanding of the Lord, and thereby improves your relationship with Him, than the many hour spent in study and preparation have been worth it all.

May you be blessed and greatly rewarded in your diligent pursuit of the true and living God.

Check out my book "IDENTIFYING GOD at www.edhan-idgod.vpweb.com