The Organic God
By Margaret Feinberg
Reviewed by Chris Jarrell
“When I encounter something new that represents everything that is good and true and beautiful, something awakens inside me. Maybe it’s a heart cry for the creator or maybe it’s the Creator heart cry for me.” The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg
The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg is one of those books, that I wanted to read but haven’t had a chance to pick up yet. So, having a chance to do a review on this book is an honor. My expectations going in were high and it did not disappoint.
I really enjoyed Margaret’s natural and simple approach of having an authentic relationship with God. I also gathered many quotes throughout this book as well. All in all it was a great read and very inspiring. This reading wasn’t deep or even extremely thought provoking, it is however a quick read.
I think this book is good for those who are coming into faith as a Christ follower or for someone who may be on the verge of crossing the line of faith. It is an inviting book that I feel draws people to a greater understanding of God’s nature, as well as expressing God’s desire to be closer to those His creation.
In many ways the stories and experiences that Margaret shares about her life I can identify with and relate to. One of my favorite quotes towards the beginning of the book is closely associated my personal heart’s cry, “I want to know a God who in all his fullness would allow me to know.” That just really resonates in me. However, she continues by saying, “I want a relationship that is real, authentic, and life-giving even when it hurts.” Throughout the pages of the book she gives these insightful nuggets of wisdom and reveals her desire to be intimate with such an amazing God.
I also enjoy her attitude of not telling us who God is or not even necessarily how we are supposed to live. Instead, she tries to show ways to explore God and to see for ourselves who He is and what He is about for our lives. Again, she illustrates this by revealing openly and honestly her own personal life and experience.
For me this The Organic God is a gentle reminder that I can continue to encounter an awesome God in simply incredible ways. I step away from this book with a renewed hunger and thirst to seek after an infallible God. The pages of this book challenged me to saturate myself in the pages of Scripture.
My favorite chapter in this book is the final chapter .010 deeply mysterious. Throughout this chapter, she encourages the reader to ask the Why questions of God, such as: Why the abuse? Why the injustice? Why the suffering? Why the silence? She also challenges us to allow God to ask the greater Why questions to us: Why not you? Why don’t you fight against injustice? Why don’t you provide comfort for the suffering? Why don’t you speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves? Thoughtful and yet personally challenging.
I also enjoyed the added bonuses of The Organic God. First of all there is The Organic God Soundtrack, which are suggested songs that you can listen to as you go through the book with various songs that go along with the theme of each chapter. Many of the songs I already had and a few of them I just got off Itunes. The song list includes Nickel Creek’s “Out of the Wood,” Simon & Garfunkel’s, “Homeward Bound,” Sara Groves, Maybe There’s a Loving God,” Derek Webb’s, “Rich Young Ruler” and Sara McLaughlin’s, “Push” among others.
Also there is the Rainy-Day Reflections, which is a great supplement to each chapter that asks reflective questions that you can go through personally or as a small group. It also includes deeper readings from Scripture.
Overall, this was a great book that would be inspiring and even challenging no matter where you are at in your faith journey. This book will give you a desire to draw closer to a real, knowable, conversational, creative, mysterious, kind, gentle, Organic God.
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