If the church of our Lord is to ever see revival in the real sense of the word, it must not be equated with evangelistic meetings. Rather, the truths explained in this book will need to be mastered and preached.
The writer has paid his "tuition" both academically and in practical service in the kingdom. Both of these are among the necessary ingredients of a worthwhile and profound author.
It seems to have never occurred to many speakers that if we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, He must have some lovable characteristics. In this book, George Otis, Jr. restores to our great God many of His true and lovable characteristics that various modern day theological concepts have obscured.
When God said in the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me," He didn't say, "Thou shalt not be an atheist." There are no atheists. Man is so created that he must have, and does have, a god. Perhaps his god family, money, liquor, fame, health, education, beauty, power or security. These are just a few of the thousands of gods available to man. Every person has a "theology" and a god. The author is trying to get us to see, worship and love the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, maker of heaven and earth and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any other god will hurt not only ourselves, but those around us in a thousand ways.
George treats many important areas of theological thought in such a sound manner, that according to my knowledge, this book is a "must" for our time and people. His treatment of the atonement, wherein lies the real power of the gospel, is unparalleled in any other book on that subject today. His treatment of the "blood of Christ" removes it from the place of a new religious "rabbit's foot." This teaching may seem new to many readers, but it isn't. It is the same view of the atonement as preached by Charles G. Finney, Berge, Barnes, Luther, Wesley, N. W. Taylor and a host of others. It merits your attention, study and meditatlon.
Perhaps the most mispreached and ill-taught Bible verse of our day is Isaiah 55:9. The explanation of that verse in this book is a classic gem. The removal of "holiness" from the realm of the mystical and abstract to a learned and possible state has been long overdue. The author removes "faith" as an act or state of reaching out and embracing what you don't understand from the realm of magic. The emphasis on salvation as a right relationship or reality (instead of a technicality) is just exactly that which the blessed Holy Spirit can use to bring revival. The "forgotten doctrines," repentance and sin, are treated in an irenic way and not neglected. Repentance is not portrayed as being optional or subsequent to salvation.
Never has there been a book more timely and needed. Yet the biggest problem most will have with this material is that they will be forced to make up their minds as to whether they want to be "right" in a revivaless age, or embrace and preach these truths and see God's Holy Spirit lend credence to their propagation.
God has said, "Come, let us reason together." This book IS for the person who dares to think. It is my prayer that millions will accept the challenge of God through this book.
Harry Conn Rockford, Illinois