The Dream of God: A Call to Return

Rating:
Summary: God's Dream
Review: I first read this book almost three years ago.
It has changed my life. I often quote from this book in my sermons. I have found that most lay people agree with her and most clergy disagree. That alone is very telling about how correct she is in her views of the institutional church.

In addition to her very valid criticisms of institutional religion, perhaps the most important thing Verna Dozier says in this book is that we are called not to worship Jesus, rather we are called to follow Jesus. If the hiarchy of most denominations were to read this book and actually take Verna Dozier seriously, we would have a second "Reformation". Read this book, give a copy to your pastor, priest, and/or bishop and be a part of God's Dream.

Rating:
Summary: A really good read.
Review: The Dream of God: A Call to Return by Verna J. Dozier really is a good read for those people who are looking for a more in-depth look at the church as an institution. Dozier believes that the church "has failed...to hold up again the vision of what it is called to be the biblical story..." In other words, the church has failed to follow the "dream of God." The reason that Dozier feels this way is because she says that the church is not up to code, so to speak, because the people of God have their calling from God. And I must admit, in some ways I agree with her.

Dozier's uses many references to the Bible. Because of the fact that I am a Christian, I do believe her evidence to be true. I guess that my answer would be completely different if I did not believe in God. I think that Dozier presented a very clear and precise argument. She stated in her book "What is impossible with human beings is possible with God". I think this quote pretty much sums up what she is trying to get across. What Dozier is trying to say is that human beings cannot do everything but if they would just put their trust in God they would be better off. Also, with followers hearing their call from God it would improve their church as a whole. Not just worshipping Him but doing what His word says. Then the church would be on its way to becoming that dream that God wants.

She voiced her concerns well and with supportive evidence to back up her argument. In my opinion, Dozier's argument was a deductively valid one. I'm sure that a philosopher could find many fallacies that Dozier's committed in her argument. Again, I guess my opinion would be biased in this case because of my I strong religious beliefs.

I would truly recommend Verna J. Dozier's The Dream of God: A Call to Return. She makes some really good points in her book. It will definitely get you thinking about things. More importantly it will have you step back and take a look at your own church and yourself as well. Dozier's book will most certainly make you want to turn your life around. This is the effect that it had on me personally. Just remember: "We have all failed the dream of God. The terribly patient God still waits."

Rating:
Summary: Not For the Faint of Heart
Review: This book challenges our way of thinking about God, Christ and the Church. No chance of putting God in the comfortable boxes we so often do. Rethink the history of our spiritual fathers and how we should view the Bible.