"From Eternity to Here" Book Review

Because we live with our human selves day in and day out, we are often painfully aware of our shortcomings, failures, and sin. While it’s important to retain an attitude of humility, we can get so caught up in our inadequacies that we fail to see just who we are in the eyes of the Lord. Many times, we’re so focused upon ourselves that we have a rather small picture of God. In From Eternity to Here, author Frank Viola seeks to expand our vision, taking us to a higher place with a clearer view of God’s perspective. He exhorts us to recognize that the ultimate story of the Bible isn’t merely about man’s need for a Savior (though that’s quite important), but underlying that is God’s desire and passionate love for an intimate relationship with the very people He created.

His book is organized into three sections: A Forgotten Woman: the Bride of Christ, An Eternal Quest: the House of God, and A New Species: the Body of Christ and the Family of God. Throughout the book, Frank draws some beautiful parallels from both the Old and New Testaments. Of course, the entire Bible points toward Jesus Christ, but it’s always encouraging to discover new pictures of Him in God’s word.

Frank follows up with a testimony of his own journey towards God. He progressed from seeking after things taught in many churches, until he reached the place where his single focus is knowing God. I believe this is a critical milestone in every believer's life, because this is what the Lord ultimately wants from us - that intimate relationship.

With all due respect to Mr. Viola, there are some areas of this book with which I do not agree. However, as with any books that we read other than the Bible, it’s important that we exercise discernment and wisdom. In From Eternity to Here, Frank Viola compels us to move outside of our daily, human lives and see the magnificent purpose of God, as well as our role in His ultimate love story.


OTHER BLOGS PARTICIPATING IN THE FROM ETERNITY TO HERE BLOG CIRCUIT

Today (June 9th), the following blogs are discussing Frank Viola’s new bestselling book From Eternity to Here (David C. Cook, 2009). The book just hit the May CBA Bestseller List. Some are posting Q & A with Frank; others are posting full reviews of the book. To read more reviews and order a copy at a 33% discount, go to Amazon.

For more resources, such as downloadable audios, the free Discussion Guide, the Facebook Group page, etc. go to the official website: http://www.FromEternitytoHere.org

Enjoy the reviews and the Q and A:
-----
Out of Ur
Shapevine (June newsletter)
Brian Eberly
DashHouse.com
Greg Boyd

Vision Advance
David Flowers
Kingdom Grace
Captain's Blog
Christine Sine

Darin Hufford - The Free Believers Network
Zoecarnate
Church Planting Novice
Staying Focused
Take Your Vitamin Z

Jeff Goins
Bunny Trails
Matt Cleaver
Jason T. Berggren
Simple Church

Emerging from Montana
Parable Life
Oikos Australia
West Coast Witness
Keith Giles

Consuming Worship
Tasha Via
Andrew Courtright
ShowMeTheMooneys!
Leaving Salem, Blog of Ronnie McBrayer

Jason Coker
From Knowledge to Wisdom
Home Brewed Christianity
Dispossessed
Dandelion Seeds

David Brodsky's Blog - "Flip the Tape Deck"
Chaordic Journey
Renee Martin
Bob Kuhn
Living with Freaks

Real Worship
Fervent Worship
Julie Ferwerda Blog
What's with Christina?!
Irreligious Canuck

This Day on the Journey
Live and Move: Thoughts on Authentic Christianity
Spiritual Journey with God
Dries Conje
Journey with Others

On Now to the Third Level
Christine Moers
Breaking Point
Hand to the Plough
Jon Reid

Weblight
D.L. Webster
Searching for the Whole-Hearted Life