The God Who Smokes by Timothy Stoner could be called a multifaceted book. Stoner recounts his days as a missionary child in Europe and South America. He also writes about his children and how they heard the call of God on their lives. But the bulk of the book focuses on “Emergent theology” and how it effects the body of Christ.

Emergent theology is a very controversial topic. Critics say that it is watering down and diluting the gospel, while its proponents say that it is making the gospel relevant to our contemporary world.

According to Stoner, many who believe in Emergent theology are trying to domestic God. While Christians believe that God is love (1 John 4:18), and know He gracious and compassionate (Psalm 145:8), it can often be difficult to reconcile these truths with the fact that terrible things happen, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti. Ironically one of the chapters in the book is called God Is An Earthquake. No doubt many would object to this, but Stoner makes the point that God is in control of the universe. To illustrate his point, Stoner points out two incidents in the life of King David: taking the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and the counting of David’s army. In both of these incidents God seemed to act in ways we cannot fully understand. Stoner also points out in the book that God never explained to Job why he suffered the way he did. The Old Testament is full of accounts of God acting in ways that seem beyond our comprehension. We cannot domestic God and put Him in a neat little box. As difficult as it may be, we must admit that God is good and bad things happen, both through nature and the evil acts of men.

Stoner also points out in the book that many who profess Emergent theology put more emphasis on caring for the poor than preaching salvation. No doubt the church is called to help the poor, and both the Old and New Testaments are full of references urging believers to be generous to the poor. While there is merit in helping the poor, the church’s primary calling is to preach salvation through Jesus Christ. Stoner admits that at times the church has gotten judgmental and bigoted with this mandate. However, he still contends that the message of salvation still needs to be preached. Some in the Emergent movement have watered down this truth, and in an effort to be polite have ignored the consequences of rejecting Jesus.

Stoner’s book acknowledges that the Emergent movement has some important things to say to the church, mainly  be open in worship, don’t allow minor things to get in the unity, and listen to what unbelievers have to say. However these things should never be used as an excuse not to preach the gospel or exalt Christ.

The God Who Smokes is ultimately about God, the One who baffles, surprises us, love us beyond measure, and is worthy of all our worship and praise. This was a highly readable book and I would recommend it.

Book review submitted by Steve Ryan