Matthew Barrett [Barrett - None Greater

The mark of a good book on the attributes of God is that it doesnt solve God and doesnt neatly package him and box him up. Rather, it grapples with his immensity, his transcendence, and his incomprehensibility. It leads us to marvel at both how much and how little we know of him. It goes as far as Scripture goes, but no farther. This is just that kind of book, and on that basis Im glad to recommend it.

Tim Challies , blogger at challies.com; author of Visual Theology

Perhaps not since R. C. Sproul has there been a treatment of such deep theology with such careful devotion and accessibility. None Greater explores the adorable mystery of God with clarity and wisdom. Read this book. And stagger.

Jared Wilson , director of content strategy, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; managing editor, For the Church; author of The Gospel - Driven Church

Recent years have revealed that while evangelical Protestantism has done good work in defending a sound doctrine of Scripture, it has badly neglected the doctrine of God and at many points wandered away from classical Nicene orthodoxy, under the influence of a blunt, historically ill-informed biblicism. There is thankfully a renewed interest in classical theism among Protestant theologians, but the discussion often seems rarefied to the point where many Christians are confused as to why it is important and what is at stake for the church. Matthew Barretts excellent book bridges the gap between the professional theologian and the pew, laying out in clear, accessible terms what the biblical, historic, ecumenical doctrine of God is, why it matters, and why its abandonment by great swathes of the Protestant world is something that needs correction.

Carl R. Trueman , professor, Grove City College; author of Grace Alone

Way back in 1973, J. I. Packer reminded us in his book Knowing God that the greatest need of the evangelical church was to think big thoughts about our Triune God and to know him in all of his perfection, glory, and majesty. Sadly, many in the evangelical church have not heeded Packers cry to know God, as evangelicals seemingly have become consumed with everything but the glory of God, to the detriment of our spiritual life and health. However, Matthew Barrett has not forgotten Packers cry to know God. In None Greater , Barrett has given us what the church in our day desperately needs more than anything elseto behold the beauty, glory, self-sufficiency, and sheer otherness of our Triune God, who alone is worthy of our worship, faith, obedience, and service. This book is must reading if the church is going to regain her way and put God first once again. It is a wonderful antidote to shallow theological thinking in our day, and it returns us to ponder anew our undomesticated Creator and Redeemer. In one of the most readable books on the attributes of God I have ever read, Barrett calls us to return to Scripture and to stand on the shoulders of previous theologians who thought deeply about the God of the gospel. If you want to stand firm for the gospel today and to avoid all the fads and errors of our age, take up this book and by it be led to what is life eternal: the knowledge of God in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Stephen Wellum , professor of Christian theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of God the Son Incarnate

This lively and interesting treatment of the attributes of God will lead readers into a deeper appreciation of the God who alone is worthy of our worship. In a day and age when great confusion reigns as to the nature of God, Barrett brings responsible exegesis together with informed historical awareness of the Great Tradition and wraps the package in a writing style that engages the reader and explains complex matters with a deft touch. This is a fine introduction to the attributes of God that will strengthen faith and help us think more clearly.

Craig Carter , professor of theology, Tyndale University College and Seminary; author of Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition

Consistent with the classics of Augustine, Aquinas, and Anselm, this book gets to the heart of the question, What is God? With a simple but never simplistic approach, Matthew Barrett unpacks what the Bible says about the character or even the perfections of God. God is beautifully holy, and Barrett reminds us that there is none greater and no one better to know than God. If knowing God is your desire, take up this book and read.

Anthony Carter , lead pastor, East Point Church; author of Black and Reformed and Blood Work

The knowledge of God is the soil in which Christian piety flourishes. I am grateful for the publication of Matthew Barretts book None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God and pray it will be a source of growth in godliness among those captivated by its vision of Gods supremacy.

Scott Swain , president and James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological SeminaryOrlando; author of Reformed Catholicity

In an age of frivolities and distractions, we need more books like this! Here is the greatest of all subjects, theology proper, addressed with clarity and precision. Matthew Barrett writes in a way that is accessible and engaging as he explores the attributes of our God. No reader will walk away from this book disappointed. I pray many will devour this book, because it will not only inform their theology but lead to doxology. And the God detailed in these pages is worth worshiping!

Jason Helopoulos , senior pastor, University Reformed Church; author of The New Pastor s Handbook

Matthew Barrett is publishing important and edifying material at an astonishing rate. In his latest book he makes accessible a classical treatment of the attributes of God. It is clearly and engagingly written and yet shows the fruit of a great deal of careful theological research and reasoning. Barretts commitment to the supreme authority of Scripture as Gods written Word is apparent on every page. In an age when Christian people have far too often been satisfied with an anemic portrait of the living God, here is a tonic that is sorely needed. Enlarge your view of God by reading this book.

Mark D . Thompson , principal, Moore Theological College

Deep and powerful currents flow through Barretts exploration of the doctrine of God. He writes with exegetical rigor, theological precision, and practical insight, all in conversation with some of the churchs greatest minds. This book is well worth the time to study who God is and learn that there truly is none greater.

J. V. Fesko , academic dean and professor of systematic and historical theology, Westminster Seminary California; author of Justification

God created us to know, love, and worship him according to his revelation of himself. One of the greatest challenges to this has always been our idolatrous instinct to reimagine Gods character as one we are most comfortable with or that fits best with contemporary sensibilities. This happens when we distort or neglect any attributes of God, and this leads us away from the true, life-giving relationship with our Creator that he intends for us. In None Greater, Matthew Barrett has given us a tremendously helpful and biblical presentation of aspects of Gods character that often get left out in our thinking, preaching, and worship. Im confident that this book will help Gods people to know, enjoy, and worship our great and loving King in a more fulfilling and honoring way.

Erik Thoennes , professor of theology and chair of the Department of Undergraduate Theological Studies, Talbot School of Theology / Biola University; author of Godly Jealousy

This is an important book. The long-standing classic vision of God is being eroded in the contemporary church. Barrett is not a lone voice of protest (he intentionally points us to the best of Christian theology across the ages), but he presents the issues in an accessible form. His writing is engaging and clear throughout. Still, this book will stretch your conception of God. But then any worthwhile book on the doctrine of God should do that, because as Barrett keeps reminding us, God is he whom none greater can be conceived. Yes, Barrett teaches us about Gods attributes as well as how they interrelate. But reading this book is not like taking a class; it is much more like a spiritual exercise, even an encounter with the living God. It is like reading an extended hymn of praise. Few will read it without a growing sense of awe. This is a book to read and reread.