Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected

Written by Gregg Lewis and Nik Ripken

The Insanity of God is the personal and lifelong journey of an ordinary couple from rural Kentucky who thought they were going on just your ordinary missionary pilgrimage, but discovered it would be anything but. After spending over six hard years doing relief work in Somalia, and experiencing life where it looked like God had turned away completely and He was clueless about the tragedies of life, the couple had a crisis of faith and left Africa asking God, "Does the gospel work anywhere when it is really a hard place? It sure didn't work in Somalia.Nik recalls that, “God had always been so real to me, to Ruth, and to our boys. But was He enough, for the utter weariness of soul I experienced at that time, in that place, under those circumstances?” It is a question that many have asked and one that, if answered, can lead us to a whole new world of faith. How does faith survive, let alone flourish in a place like the Middle East? How can Good truly overcome such evil? How do you maintain hope when all is darkness around you? How can we say “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” when it may not be visibly true in that place at that time? How does anyone live an abundant, victorious Christian life in our world’s toughest places? Can Christianity even work outside of Western, dressed-up, ordered nations? If so, how? The Insanity of God tells a story—a remarkable and unique story to be sure, yet at heart a very human story—of the Ripkens’ own spiritual and emotional odyssey. The gripping, narrative account of a personal pilgrimage into some of the toughest places on earth, combined with sobering and insightful stories of the remarkable people of faith Nik and Ruth encountered on their journeys, will serve as a powerful course of revelation, growth, and challenge for anyone who wants to know whether God truly is enough.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Aug 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781633893573

Gregg Lewis

GREGG LEWIS is editor of Campus Life magazine. A coauthor of The Hurting Parent, he holds an MA in communications from Wheaton College.

Reviews for Insanity of God

[james · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing to hear what God is doing in other Countries!

"Do not give up in freedom what we have not given up in persecution!"

[Beryl and Joe Nyamwange · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The most life changing book I ever read after the Bible. This is Acts in the New Testament! What a mighty God we serve. Oh how we limit His power. Lord, I want to experience You like never before. You are real and alive forever more. Amen.

[graceenough-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading this book opened my eyes to continuing miracles in the world. When the writer quoted the questions asked him by persecuted Christians in China, his comment says it all:
"In that moment, I began to realize how much I take for granted. I suddenly saw all the things that I have allowed to become common, things that would be considered miracles in the eyes of millions of believers in persecution. The truth is, these things we take for granted are all miracles!"
God IS present and at work in our world today.
Read this book -- prepare to be challenged to love God & be grateful for what He is doing in your life, and share His love.

[shanetchambless · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I’ve ever read or listened to. Every Christian should listen, especially western Christians. Conviction of the lukewarm.

[Bianca Steyl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is great!! The author spoke right into where I am with my struggles aswell. This was good!!

[Fit For Faith 〣 Your Christian Ministry. · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great book. What a powerful story.


PROS

+ Extraordinary testimony.

+ Although it appears that he had reaped little spiritual fruit in regards to the salvation of lost souls, he showed a lot of virtue in helping the poor to survive.


CONS

- The title should have been called 'The Insanity of Evil', in order to avoid using His name in a degrading manner. The author uses the term 'Insanity of Evil' several times in the book and it is a mystery why he chose the other title.

- Although I appreciate his honesty, he does rather not paint a positive picture of the LORD. For weak believers, this book could be rather deconstructive than constructive, by walking away from a 'God' who is unjust according to the image painted in this book. But the book could still motivate some to go out into the world and to serve the LORD in spiritually significant ways.

[Jeremiah Poole · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazing book. Having been in some of the places he described in the book I can say that I am compelled forward. What you carry into prosecution we make all the difference between how you walk away from the dark, as a light or as a blackened wick. And wow.

[kathy bickel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing book with amazing stories of those who have been persecuted.
A quote from the book: “don’t ever give up in freedom what we would never give up in persecution“.
The book covers stories from Russia to Ukraine to China to Asian countries, and Muslim believers. God’s hand was clearly on the journey of stories for this book.

[Annie Goering · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unreal. The people and situations mentioned in this book will leave you with goosebumps, bring you to tears and cause you to worship. God is bigger than anything we can imagine and He is still in control today. This book is a great faith strengthener for any Christian at any phase of their journey.

[Moni Abraham Kuriakose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unbelievable stories narrated with poetical eloquence. I loved it. Enjoyed

[Manon Benade · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Life changing! May I not give up in freedom what others were not giving up under persecution...

[An Nguyen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It gave me an insight more of suffering and love for Jesus. And how great is our God and it helps me to grow more in faith and prayer

[Warton Home · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an incredible book, very honest and very informative. So inspiring! Thank you for these excellent up to date Christian biographies

[Eugene Dollman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This testimonies of this book has transformed my life- Should be named- Acts continued. Thank you for sharing and writing this book. The western church need to wake up???

[Tom Showalter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very encouraging to hear testimony from our fellow saints in other areas of the world . Their commitment to God is real. I's that were we are at here in America?

[Carmen Muller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Faith moving and inspiring.
I'm so blessed
Praying for all

[Rachel R · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Always a good re-read. So challenging to be reminded to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

[leah fitzherbert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing heart stories! Recommending to fellow believers. We are definitely in a wake up time in history.

[Joshua George · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonder working God we serve. It was a heart breaking true stories.

[Jeremy Payne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Eye opening to the present works of God, heartfelt and both encouraging and challenging at the same time

[Irene Butcher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It challenges us all to re examine our foundational beliefs.

[Bianca Bonassi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just amazing! This is an incredible book where I could see the power of God, through Jesus, in many lives. This book also changed my own view about Christian persecution. To the God Almighty be the glory!

[justin scott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Solid truths and great narration by the author. Clear and compelling story telling

[Dolores Gutierrez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cried, had joy, felt worthless and praised God with this book. Recommend as the best of what life let’s us live and learn.

[Kristin Obert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The honest true inspirational stories will leave you craving more. A must read.

[Lois Goode · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is life-changing and everyone who call themself a believer in Jesus needs to read this book!

[Levi Lynde · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I personally listen to this book around once a year, it’s such a terribly beautiful, amazingly hopeful book that it’s a much needed reminder of the grace and care of God in tough places.

[Brooke Pritchard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Convicting, Inspiring, Eye-Opening, Encouraging. This book has convinced me of the necessity of persecution for the Gospel to spread and flourish.

[John · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Inspiring and informative, a glimpse of the global church in suffering one joy.

[jody stowe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the Most encouraging, and convicting books I have ever listen to. It is definitely on my top five.