The Spirit: the Power of Christ in Us

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an excellent companion to the book of Acts, which starts with Christ telling his followers to gather together, to wait, and then receive

What does Francis Chan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Some people are great writers, some are great speakers, and some people do not read out loud what they write. Some things will always be labor intensive to read, even things that hold our interest. Those things that represent a passion that is beyond verbal expression can lose that passion in print. Francis Chan covers the emotional spectrum in this book. It is more of a 3-D narrative - not with pictures and such, but with reason, feeling and passion. I might get the paper version to mark up and take notes in, but the written words will not hold the same energy and passion the spoken word brings to this very important subject.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

God desperately wants to have a relationship with me. And you. This book made me look at the purpose behind my prayer time. God knows what I want, fear, hope for. By regaining focus on God, the Holy Spirit is sharing what God wants to do through me. I have laughed at the joy of realizing this, and cried over the wasted time spent wondering why I wasn't

Any additional comments?

God wants me to know Him. God who made everything, wants me to know Him. He gave His son, Jesus, to bring salvation by satisfying the Wrath of God earned by our sin; He gave the Holy Spirit to let us know Him personally... the veil no longer exits between man and God. This book will help you put Acts into perspective, and will put acts in your life, that glorify God the Father.

18 people found this helpful

A wakeup call ALL Christians need

I read Francis Chan's last book, "Crazy Love", and it changed my life. So much so, that I bought 10 copies for my friends.

So when this book came out, and saw all the great reviews on Amazon, I was eager to read it. I commute an hour to work each way, so audiobooks are great. This book really helped me to perceive the Holy Spirit, not as some little ghost friend that helps you out here and there, but GOD's true, powerful spirit, living in me. It once again put me back in awe of my creator, humbled me, and changed my life in a biblical way.

Chan never ceases to amaze me with his writing and speeches, and this book did not disappoint. Amazing! Thank you Francis for helping me to learn to see my Heavenly Father more clearly!

17 people found this helpful

True, but typical

Pastor Francis Chan insists that we have all but forgotten about the Holy Spirit, and we treat Him as if He were not in fact God's own Self. He urges us to revive our relationship with the Holy Spirit. The book is interlaced with biographical sketches of "Spirit-filled" people, not to mention the example of Chan himself, whose church gives 50% of its funds to the needy.

It is hard to argue with the author's ideas, however it is equally hard to grasp onto exactly what he is suggesting to be our problem, and exactly what he is saying we ought to do about it. He makes huge, vague claims, such as "clearly there is something very wrong with the church today", the remedy for which is "we ought to be walking in the Spirit".

This book-- and I suppose this domain of study in general-- has a confusing relationship with the word "should". We SHOULD be reading our Bibles diligently, giving freely of our resources, engaging with our churches as we would family, and showing sensitivity to our fellow human beings. Then again, we "can't do any of this under our own power", therefore we SHOULD be walking in the Spirit, in order to better enable our good actions. Still, if we claim to be Spirit-filled, we SHOULD be exemplifying such goodness, "more than people who are not Christians". It is to our own shame, he notes, that this is often not the case.

In the end, I am not clear on the difference between "walking in the Spirit" and "making good decisions", save that perhaps the former may generally be accompanied by feelings of intense spiritual intimacy, and is supposedly responsible for the formation of superhumanly good people.

Perhaps I lack the "spiritual literacy" to fully comprehend these concepts, and its just spiritually over my head. I suspect, however, that this is a not-terribly-creative message of Christian inspiration accompanied by familiar moral exhortations.

14 people found this helpful

Reformed church, this is mostly for us

What did you love best about Forgotten God?

I love the fervency and desperation in Chan's style and reading. Coming from a charismatic background and then moving into the reformed tradition, I feel like I know where Chan is coming from.

What other book might you compare Forgotten God to and why?

I'm not sure I know of any books that are comparable in content - Chan's purpose is to focus your attention on the Third Person of the Godhead, and help you commune and fellowship with this Person.

Have you listened to any of Francis Chan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Francis Chan reads like he preaches. He's passionate, intense, and edgy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have easily allowed myself to listen to this book in one sitting; who doesn't want to experience more of the Spirit's power in their lives? Or to glorify God in greater measure?

Any additional comments?

Mostly, I felt like Francis was talking to those of us in the Reformed tradition. We are most easily characterized as "putting the Spirit in a box" or "quenching the Spirit". I do feel there is room for those accusations, but it's not entirely warranted. That's another discussion.

Where I felt the book lacking was knowing how to discern the Spirit's leading, prompting, and direction. Chan gives several examples of people living by the Spirit, keeping in step with Him, but doesn't give any biblical insight on how one knows that it is, in fact, the Spirit leading us there.

Overall, I profited from this book. And I would read it again. I would also recommend it. At the very least, Chan's got me thinking about my theology of the Spirit, and how I can better serve my Savior by living by, in, and through, the Holy Spirit.

6 people found this helpful

Great for an open mind with a lense of scripture

Where does Forgotten God rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved it. He seems very sincere and humble.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Holy Spirit.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved it. I had an extreme reaction by learning more and more about the Holy Spirit from a biblical perspective that was also practical.

4 people found this helpful

Great!

Would you consider the audio edition of Forgotten God to be better than the print version?

Both the print version and the audio version are great! I have both. I read the print chapter and then listen to it in the car on the way to and from work to let everything sink in better.

What about Francis Chan’s performance did you like?

Francis Chan is very sincere. He really LOVES God and tries to help you in your walk with him.

3 people found this helpful

Not a fable, but an important reminder...

What did you love best about Forgotten God?

The impact of F. Chan's discoveries

What could Francis Chan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Nothing

Which character – as performed by Francis Chan – was your favorite?

N/A

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Total investment

Any additional comments?

This book is for anyone who accepts the supernatural; Creation; intelligent design; a personal GOD. Or, anyone who is open to the possibilities that there may be more in this life than meets the eye, and that these possibilities are good. This book presents the reality that we can navigate this life in freedom, without succumbing to fear.

3 people found this helpful

Challenging and thought-provoking

For me, the introduction about different views of the Spirit and fears and biases that are associated with those views struck me and got my attention. Chan's challenge to read what the Bible teaches about the Spirit and to explicitly seek Him is important and I believe it has unfortunately been overlooked in many churches, while abuses of use of "the Spirit" plague others. Regardless of where you are, this challenge to take a fresh look is important.

2 people found this helpful

Great work

Thank you. Greatly appreciate your work, the work of the Holy Spirit in you. May the Lord continue His work through you and your family. Blessings!

2 people found this helpful

this is a mind opening book.

when it comes to God, The Bible or Religion, Francis Chan explains things to inspire you and challenge you to think.
Great Job. I loved this book.

1 person found this helpful