Active Theology

I recently preached a sermon on Exodus 34:6-7 and as I searched for commentaries to use, I came across God Has a Name by John Mark Comer. I already had a Comer book sitting on my “to-read” stack, but I thought prepping for my sermon was the perfect chance to read one of his books for the first time. 

Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised! I’m eager to read more from Comer and have already pre-ordered his next book, Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did.

God Has a Name is a thought-provoking exploration of God’s nature and character as it is revealed in Exodus 34:6-7. Further, Comer provides a great answer and explanation to the question: who is God? In order to do this, he first brings up a good point: We often don’t think about the fact that God has a name, Yahweh. This observation from Comer sets the stage for the rest of the book. Before the book really gets going, he reminds the reader that God (YHWH) is a personal being, that He’s different from any other god, desires to be in relationship with you, and hears your prayers. 

Comer has a knack for explaining dense topics with ease and he guides the reader through understanding the content in a clear and concise manner. For instance, the beginning section dives into the linguistics, history, context, and cultural aspects of the sacred name of God. I found this section fascinating, dense, and yet so easy to understand. Throughout the book, the information is deep but approachable. 

One of the book’s standout features is Comer’s engaging writing style, which is both approachable and intellectual. He combines personal anecdotes, biblical references, and scholarly insights to create a narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. His ability to make complex theological concepts accessible to a broad audience is noteworthy.

Another aspect of the book that I love is that Comer isn’t writing this book just to increase our knowledge. Each chapter goes through a pattern: passage study, Bible study, how it relates to Jesus, and ends with what all of this means for us. Comer is worried about how the character and nature of God impacts our lives and influences our identity as Christians. He is concerned with living out our theology!

Comer’s way of teaching Scripture is passionate, captivating, and engaging. I believe this book appeals to those that are in the beginning stages of figuring out their faith and all the way to those that have been theologians for decades. It might challenge your perspective, but nonetheless, it will invite you to pursue and experience God in a personal and profound way. 

Craig is a worship pastor at Wallula Christian Church and the creator of Active Theology. He loves coffee dates with his wife, reading, and riding his bike. A few of his favorite things are third wave coffee, vanilla ice cream, and plain t-shirts.