A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original review appears below. Jack Whytock is a ministerial student in Glasgow, Scotland.
A Heart for God, Sinclair B. Ferguson. Navpress, 1985 (Christian Character Library), 176 pages.
Ferguson has tackled the most profound pursuit we are to be engaged upon – to have our hearts yearning ever more to know the richness of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and hence to have an obedient heart. In many respects this is parallel to the basic theme of Calvin’s Institutes; the knowledge of the Triune God, accompanied by a life lived in conformity with that knowledge.
The introductory chapter, “Growing in the Knowledge of God” sets forth the aim of the book. The remaining chapters pursue, by way of devotional biblical exposition, an examination of certain attributes or biblical doctrines of God. Each of these chapters aid in leading to a conclusion of exhortation. The exhortation is clear – to worship God rightfully and remember him by seeing his work of grace in our past and present lives.
The author must be commended for his discerning statements as he calls into question much of so-called evangelical activity. He is concerned with a rootless Christianity and lays bare the fact that often as evangelicals we are centred too much on “issues” rather than God himself. Hence, this devotional work concentrates heavily on the great biblical doctrines of salvation, the trinity, God all perfect in holiness, all wise and ever present. Ferguson is telling us that if we desire to grow in an intimate knowledge of God we must be spoken to by his Word. Surely Ferguson is speaking to our age – an age that devalues such themes being preached and taught. The end result has been Christians who are not decisive or determined to remember their Lord (p. 163). Why would they? For their God is not known fully to them.
A Heart for God is part of Navpress’ series “The Christian Character Library”. The goal of this series is to help stimulate Christians to model Christ’s character in practical ways that are pleasing to God and thus produce fruit.
The present work is the foundational book to this series even though it did not appear first in print. Perhaps, better known is The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges, also in this series. It calls the Christian to holy living, but can only follow upon the individual knowing the Lord through a personal acquaintance – Ferguson’s theme. Other themes in the “Christian Character” series: godliness, commitment, and fellowship, all rest upon the basic premise expressed in Ferguson’s book that the Christian who knows the Lord has as his or her chief goal to “please Christ” (p. 111). As Ferguson writes: “What we know of God determines the ministry and service we render” (p. 132). As I read this work and pondered its contents I was continually saying, “I have but one thing to ask of you, my brother, do give us more, for you are hitting home, but we need more.” The theme is grand; there are countless profound and extremely “down to earth” statements but we need more rounding out on many of the points. Appreciation must be given for his discernment into the contemporary need for development in this area. It is also a work of pastoral strength if we have ears to hear and pray the Spirit to convict us. Yet to give it the punch of a classic, further expansion is needed. One is led to conclude that the series itself may partially restrict an individual author and thus make further elaboration out of order. In that sense, A Heart for God should be read in conjunction with the other volumes in Navpress’ series, “The Christian Character Library.”