The Gospel of Yes: We Have Missed the Most Important Thing About God. Finding It Changes Everything by Mike Glenn is a helpful corrective for those who believe God is  emphasizing what you are not to do and that He wants to take away your joy.  The author writes, “It had never occurred to me that God might want me to enjoy my life” (p. 17).

A summary of the book states, “What you believe about God affects the way you approach life–often in ways you don’t realize. Are you convinced that God limits you, or liberates you? Is he more interested in correcting you or connecting with you? And when you hit a rough spot and start looking for help, do you believe God is against you or on your side?”

The author emphasizes the promises of God in 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”  Although this book does not does not contain a great deal of scripture it seems that the author may be writing for an audience that may be exploring Christianity.

He writes, “What makes life increasingly difficult is to know what you are against without knowing what your are for” (p. 25).  Later on he asserts, “So why do Christians keep emphasizing what they oppose, making their calling card what they are against?” (p. 187).  So rather than emphasizing what we are against, for example, divorce; he affirms that we should emphasize the positive, that we for marriage.  Robertson McQuilkin would often say, “It is easier to go to a consistent extreme than to stay at the center of biblical tension.”  Our responsibility is to walk in the center of that biblical tension.

Overall, this is a good book. The discussion questions at the end of the book make it easy to process the content for small groups.  As James Michener wisely observed, “An age is called dark, not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.”  Do you see God saying not only “no” but also “yes” in your life? (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.)

Dr. Rick Higgins

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University