Pursuing God: A Seeker's Guide

Pusuing God helps fill a void that exists in modern Christian literature. There are many books that are available that deal with variuos aspects of apologetics. This book was not written for the skeptic ,who does not believe that God exists ,or the agnostic,who is not sure about God's existence. It is designed to give guidance and wisdom to those who are confident that there is a God and want to learn more about what God requires of them. Jim Eliff's style is very informal and engaging. He is very gifted at breaking down theology at a grass roots level.He asks the question ,What does the Bible say you look like?,and answers it by quoting Romans 3:10-12(There is none righteous,no,not one...). He is also very persuasive but gentle. In speaking to the danger of delaying repentance he writes on p.44"there are those who seek a little while,but who never find,because their seeking is only surface,and their love for themselves is permanent." Mr.Eliff includes quotes and illustrations from history and from life in general. For example coming to Christ while cherishing sin is like attempting to fly an airplane in two directions at the same time. The author clearly points out in several places that your actions reveal what you truly believe(as a person thinks in their heart he or she acts). It has often been my experience that theology brought down to very basic levels is often compromised. Jim Eliff has the rare ability to bring Biblical teaching to a level that a ten year old could easily understand without watering down the truth even one drop. Pusuing God is an ideal book for the person who wants to know how to begin to relate to (the God of the Scriptures)on a deeper level.

Pursuing God - A Seeker's Guide is a book for those who are drawn to God and yearn to understand more about Him. Intended as a tool for evangelism, it is written in a warn and conversational style. Over sixty pages, author Jim Elliff, president of Christian Communicators Worldwide, leads the reader through the all-important questions and answers in what is a clear and biblical presentation of the gospel. I took me only a couple of pages to realize that I was going to like this book. On page seven Elliff asks, "What does God think of me?" So many Christians are afraid to address this question from a biblical perspective for fear of driving people away. But Elliff answers, "The answer to this question may surprise you - and disappoint you. But the disappointment is necessary. If you do not fully understand the awful predicament that sin puts you in, you may never appreciate Christ's coming, death and resurrection enough to become a Christian." Later he says, "Nobody was ever converted to Christ without knowing, and feeling deeply, the terribleness of sin and his or her desperate need for Christ." What follows is an, old-fashioned, out-of-style, non-seeker-friendly presentation of the gospel - the full gospel. Elliff follows Francis Schaeffer's suggestion that if he had only one hour to share the gospel with someone, he would spend 45 minutes showing him the problem and 15 minutes showing him the solution. The final chapter, entitled "What Shall I Do" does not lead the seeker in a prayer, as we have come to expect from evangelistic materials, but instead suggests some affirmations of an authentic child of God and recommends ways in which the person can find spiritual mentorship. The book contains an appendix which outlines a twenty-one day reading plan through the book of John. This book is intended to be an evangelistic tool. It clearly and unapologetically preaches the gospel, letting God speak for Himself through the words of Scripture. I enjoyed it and intend to keep a couple of copies on-hand for the times that I have opportunity to witness to others. Pursuing God is available from ccwonline.org for less than $4 a copy, so stock up!

Pursuing God is concise and well written. Each chapter stands on its own and yet the book fits together in a way that explains the truth of the Bible so that all can understand. I personally have learned so much from the reading of the text and have eagerly shared it with many family members and friends. It is life changing in its content. In a day when much is shallow and lacks lasting value, this book shines like a light in the darkness. Karen Eppler

This book is exactly what the title suggests-a guide for seekers who have an interest in learning more about God, Christ, and Christianity. With warmth and simplicity, Jim Elliff presents the issues that must be considered for an essential relationship with Christ. Written with the modern reader in mind, it is a remarkable achievement that briefly and solidly presents the gospel. The quality of this work is reflected in three ways. First, its brevity and straightforward simplicity make it readable for young and old alike. Second, it is written in a personal manner, as if the author is in a conversation with the reader. Finally, its most important strength is the faithful content and biblical integrity of the book.The central issues of the gospel are discussed in eleven chapters, beginning with the fact that a seeker must realize who God is and what He requires as the Creator. The first two chapters set forth man's true spiritual condition-every person is spiritually dead, blind, lost, condemned, and completely helpless to change his position before God. Subsequent chapters address important gospel themes, such as God's wrath toward sinners, the certainty of death, and the second coming of Christ as Judge.The emphasis begins to change in chapter seven, which speaks of the power of the gospel to change lives. The power of the gospel is applied by way of illustration in chapter nine to the rampant sexual immorality destroying our culture, with the gospel being set forth as the only true solution to the power of lust. Chapters nine and ten then deal with the gospel duties of repentance and saving faith in a manner that is simple enough to be understood by the youngest reader.The final chapter is practical direction for the seeker who has become a believer, encouraging such important steps as Bible reading, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and witnessing. The book concludes with a guided twenty-one-day journal exercise through John's Gospel.I warmly commend the use of this excellent book. It is a superb, practical evangelistic tool that is as good as anything I have seen in print for a modern pagan who is interested in Christianity but knows nothing about the Bible or the gospel.

This small work of eleven brief chapters is an ideal book to give to men and women who are truly seeking to know God. In very simple terms, Jim Elliff, President of Christian Communicators Worldwide, presents the essentials of the Christian gospel, especially its diagnosis of the human predicament, namely, our bondage to sin, and the only truly lasting solution, simple faith in the crucified Christ. The outline of a twenty-one day study of the Gospel of John is included as biblical confirmation of the teaching of the book A truly excellent evangelistic tool. Further tools can be found in the discussion guide for the book at wwwCCWonline.org and Elliff's website for seekers and their questions at www.WayToGod.org.