Names of God reviews
NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Dianne Spain
Jabek Publishing
Sometimes one is privileged to read a book that raises the spiritual bar. This was my experience as I read Dianne Spain’s simple yet profound book Names and Attributes of God.
For those searching for God and knowledge of His nature, this book could become an indispensable aid to living a more Godly life. From Scripture there are 100 names and attributes of God presented. Each page lists one Hebrew name for God and along with the English equivalent are several Bible verses using that name. Included is encouragement or a short explanation of the name. Since we are made in His image the book gives the goal and benchmark to aim for.
Names and Attributes of God is ideally suited for either group or personal meditation and included is a brief foreword on ways to meditate on and engage more fully with the contents.
My one criticism is the cover. The contents are excellent but the cover does nothing to convey that. The contents deserve a more striking and arresting cover.
DS
NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Dianne Spain
Jabek Publishing
Spare, minimalist, gorgeous.
The thick creamy texture of the paper invites you to linger on the page, touching the words and drawing you deeper into the heart of God.
I love this book. So simple, so elegant. It calls me into the calm and the quiet, to that place of rest where ‘all will be well and all manner of thing will be well’ because God is who He is.
Names and Attributes of God has only one problem. It didn’t invite me to pick it up in the first place: the cover just doesn’t do justice to it. A pity, because it’s a book to treasure for a lifetime.
AH
NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Dianne Spain
Jabek Publishing
Spain, a professional counselor from New Zealand, compiles a listing of the many names and attributes that describe God in the Bible. While the catalogue is not exhaustive, it is comprehensive – contrasting many well known names like Rabbi, Our Father and Immanuel, with other lesser known appellations like El Maowz-Dal (Defender of the Helpless).
The book is beautifully presented. Both Spain’s text and Linda Beattie’s ‘tree of life’ drawings have an understated elegance. On the right-hand side of each double page spread is inscribed one name or attribute together with its meaning and applicable Biblical verses.
In her counseling work Spain has observed that people with negative images of God have problems drawing closer to him, and that people with positive images have better self esteem. With this book she aims to help people understand the Lord’s positive aspects. A brief two page introduction suggests the use of Dr Dianne Divett’s six step ‘Refocussing” meditative technique. But the book’s format could readily lend itself to other styles of individual or group study activity. NS
NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
Dianne Spain
Jabek Publishing
This is a nicely set out glossary of the names and attributes of God. It includes the Hebraic term and its meaning and then two or three scripture references where that name or attribute can be found. I would have liked some discussion of each name or title. As it is, although beautifully presented, there seems to be a lot of blank paper with very little text. WN