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: 👍
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