Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News

Written by Brian Zahnd

God is wrath? Or God is Love? In his famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Puritan revivalist Jonathan Edwards shaped predominating American theology with a vision of God as angry, violent, and retributive. Three centuries later, Brian Zahnd was both mesmerized and terrified by Edwards’s wrathful God. Haunted by fear that crippled his relationship with God, Zahnd spent years praying for a divine experience of hell. What Zahnd experienced instead was the Father’s love—revealed perfectly through Jesus Christ—for all prodigal sons and daughters. In Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Zahnd asks important questions like: Is seeing God primarily as wrathful towards sinners true or biblical? Is fearing God a normal expected behavior? And where might the natural implications of this theological framework lead us? Thoughtfully wrestling with subjects like Old Testament genocide, the crucifixion of Jesus, eternal punishment in hell, and the final judgment in Revelation, Zahnd maintains that the summit of divine revelation for sinners is not God is wrath, but God is love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: May 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781545907528

Brian Zahnd

Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Known for his theologically informed preaching and his embrace of the deep and long history of the church, Zahnd provides a forum for pastors to engage with leading theologians and is a frequent conference speaker. He is the author of several books, including When Everything's on Fire, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, A Farewell to Mars, and Beauty Will Save the World.

Reviews for Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God

[Lyndsay Stewart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some good news theology right there! I loved it.

[Levi L. Blackburn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A well articulated, easily understandable defense of the good and loving God revealed through Jesus Christ.

[Emilie Pacey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So good.
So challenging in a gently confrontationalway.
Totally worth it.

[Daniel Kertesz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you! For the thoughts, the personal testimony and a kind of a way forward (contemplative prayer) and for explaining these using Jesus’s parables and teachings.

[Matt Rachel Leitner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Powerful thoughts, and makes sense to me. The Bible tells us that God is Love (epistle of John). The author does a good job of reconciling the loving Christ of the New Testament with some of the harsh events from the Old Testament, such as the conquest of Canaan. In my opinion, this is a VERY useful book for the church.

[Allan smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the best Christian book I have ever read, and I've read many! Thorough, Biblical, Convincing - I am going to reread slowly! Thank you Brian!

[Rob Goertz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book presents God in a way that is beautiful and I believe true… It is probably one of the most beautiful books, besides, the scriptures that I have ever read! Read it and prepare to have your heart changed.

[Caroline Talitha Saliba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and made love and cherish the Bible more, feel at ease and in love and hopeful. The kingdom of god is here.

[Michael Rodriguez · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Miserable exegesis of the Old Testament. Zahnd takes away all the beauty of God's mercy and justice. Not a book for people that believe the Bible is the word of God. Exact quote, "Jesus saves the Bible from Itself".