Review: God without Passions: A Primer

Samuel Renihan. God without Passions: A Primer.  Palmdale, CA: Reformed Baptist Academic Press, July 21, 2015. 107 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

What does it mean when Christians say that God is immutable and that God is without Passions?  This book answers this question concerning this attribute of God in a way that is biblical and historically rooted in the sound teaching of historical theology.  I got this book and read it since I was impressed reading the author’s other book Deity and Decree.  This particular book also impressed me with Samuel Renihan’s ability to be biblical, clear, simple and yet deeply profound with regards to who God is.  This book is meant for the layperson and was originally from his Sunday School series on this topic.  Overall the book was worshipful and edifying and it lifted my soul reading this on vacation.

Following a preface and introduction the main part of the book is divided into five chapters.  Chapter one is on “Impassibility’s Foundation” which goes over the verses that suggests God does and does not change along with other passages that are relevant to the discussion.  Renihan then lays out four principles with regards to how we should look at these passages biblically in a way that synthesize what looks at first seems to be conflicting teachings on God’s character.  Chapter two then looks at a biblical teaching of what humans are like in regards to passions, since the Bible contrast God with man, and we know man better than God being human beings.  Here Renihan define Passions and Affections and it might not be what some people might think.  Then chapter three talks about how we know who God is through the means of negation and eminence in talking about God; this was very helpful to understand how we talk about an incomprehensible God, though we can apprehend Him.  Chapter four addresses the topic of Christ’s incarnation and how this does not compromise with Divine Impassibility. The final chapters then discusses applications.

I found this book a treat for my spiritual thoughts on God and also helpful in understanding what historically Christians meant when they talk about Divine Impassibility.  I really found the definition of Passion and Affections helpful in chapter two of the book.  Renihan organized the book well in that it starts with giving us the passages that’s from the Bible then the question of hermeneutics, then consideration from the perspective of systematic theology of how to make these doctrinal truths properly relate and fit with one another and then personal applications for the Christian life.  I was reminded from reading this book that God doesn’t change and He keeps His promise; what a comfort that is to meditate upon!  Furthermore I thought the book had a good discussion of how much more intense is God’s mercy if His mercy is based upon God being impassible rather than how we are often merciful when we are moved to compassion because we can put ourselves in someone’s shoes, etc., but if God who is so different and greater than us can be merciful even though He has not sinned and like us ontologically, how much more does His perfect mercy shines the more glorious.

I don’t want to give the whole book away but I hope this review is enough to encourage you to purchase a copy and read it for your theological growth and sanctification!