Skip to main content

Review: Becoming God's Family

Becoming God's Family book cover on blue background

Isn't it amazing how God brings along the right authors and books at the right time? In casually browsing YouTube, I was thrilled to discover Carmen Joy Imes and her book recommendations. From there, I learnt that she is also an author, theologian, and professor (with a Canadian connection, to boot!). I was hooked and immediately requested her upcoming book, Becoming God's Family, for review; it releases on October 28, 2025 and I couldn't wait to dive into it!

Many thanks to IVP Academic and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Does the church still matter in our modern world?

After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Yet Carmen Joy Imes offers a profound answer that resonates through the pages of Becoming God’s Family. Exploring the familial and communal identity of the church, Imes traces the thread of God's presence in the gathered community of faith across the entire Bible. She invites readers into a vision of the church that is rooted deeply in Scripture and speaks directly to the challenges we face today. Imes reminds us of a powerful truth―God delights in the global, intergenerational family He has created.

Through this book, you'll discover that God keeps His promises. When God’s people gather together, God shows up. Whether you’re struggling to reconnect with the church, seeking a constructive vision for its role in our world, or longing to better understand its biblical foundations, this book offers clarity, hope, and encouragement.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This book reads like a biblical commentary and an invitation into a community as the Christian church is examined in great detail from Genesis to Revelation. I love how the author incorporates so many cultural insights into Old and New Testament texts, bringing to life the concept of ἐκκλησία, where God's people have gathered throughout history to worship Him. As the chapters progress, we are ushered into a marvelous story of how God has been at work through these communal gatherings where His Word is taught and people have the opportunity to belong to each other. If anything, this is a central motif of the book, where the author exhorts Christians to be a part of the church body, highlighting the perils of going at the Christian life alone and the losses that result when we are removed from other believers.

Becoming God's Family is the third of an informal trilogy by Old Testament professor Dr. Carmen Joy Imes, and it's as approachable as it is thorough in detailing the importance and relevance of the church. I would not hesitate to read the first two books on Bearing God's Name and Being God's Image given how all of the themes tie together, painting a more complete picture of what it means to honour our Creator and to corporately proclaim His name above all names. While there is a lot of historical context provided, one of the realizations that stood out was that siblings could be closer to one another than spouses depending on the culture and era. As a result, becoming brothers and sisters in Christ is actually a bigger deal than we may understand it to be, especially when church hurts and abuse sadly exist and are acknowledged head-on in this book. Readers wanting an in-depth knowledge of the body of Christ throughout the Bible will appreciate the author's love letter to the church and why it matters more than ever today.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Shadowing You - The Wright Heroes of Maine #10

For Camp CCR , hosted by the Clearly Christian Readathon , I thought I would make my way to the Rescue Ridge campsite for romantic suspense and thrillers (earning this lovely badge ), and read Shadowing You by Robin Patchen . Taking place in China, terrifying circumstances are ratcheted up several levels with vendettas and technology creating a nearly insurmountable setting for the main characters. This book certainly left me breathless, dreading what could come next in a series of death-defying actions. Many thanks to  NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : marital dishonesty, violence, death Book Synopsis When the wife he believed dead calls from China, an ER doctor races to find her before her enemies silence her forever. Ethan Wright never recovered from the death of his first love. Six years ago, Mei Lin discovered evidence linking powerful officials to a human trafficking ring. Sh...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Emotional Hoarding

The topic of home organization appeals to me where, in reflecting our orderly God and Creator, it is nice to be in a calming environment. This book takes that sense of physical space and translates it to our emotional space, helping us clear out the debris that may be taking us away from what God wants for us to experience. Emotional Hoarding by Laurie Davies is gentle without diminishing the pain that can accompany such a state of mind, making it a useful primer on a myriad of feelings that can have us staying down. Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : references to Brené Brown and Mark Batterson Book Synopsis We could live free, but cleaning house is hard. Emotional baggage is trendy. We might even joke about it. Yet, one of the early English definitions of luggage is anything of more weight than value. Let that sink in. When we collect, stack, and stockpile b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Still Judas - Dear Judas #2

I have been anticipating Still Judas by James Finke for some time after reading Dear Judas , a modern-day version of the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Coupled with a narrative that brings the epistolary content to life, Dear Judas is a series that merges a fictional couple with non-fiction truth in a unique way. This book picks up after Tommy Finch's life is changed, and it is ideal for Christians who are established in the faith and yet may be reticent to share their beliefs. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Real spiritual warfare unfolds quietly in offices, living rooms, hospital rooms, and everyday conversations where believers decide whether to speak or stay silent. Tommy Finch survived cardiac arrest, encountered the reality of eternity, and gave his life to Jesus. But after his conversion, he slipped into something dangerously comfortable. He attends church. He prays...
Post a Comment
Read more