Forgotten God

By Francis Chan

David C. Cook; 208 pages; softcover

Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, Calif., and author of the breakthrough book Crazy Love, returns with his sophomore volume that begins by posing a pressing question, and concludes with an even more critical challenge.

That question: What did the American church do with the Holy Spirit?

Forgotten God isn't necessarily a "Holy Spirit 101" type of book that merely introduces who the Holy Spirit is. Rather, it heads in the direction of a "Holy Spirit 201" hands-on type of class in which the author reintroduces what the church already ought to know about the third person of the trinity and causes the reader to reexamine God's work in today's church culture.

Or, according to Chan, the lack thereof.

Chan makes the distinction that the church often talks a lot about what the Holy Spirit does, but does very little to actually follow the Spirit's leading and do what He commands.

At first glance, Forgotten God comes across very harsh and judgmental; however, it's a message that is rarely preached and needs to be heard. Amid the church's focus on modern technology, its "consumer-driven" mentality, and the desire to create overwhelmingly safe family environments, Chan encourages churches to first follow the Holy Spirit's leading no matter where He leads—because it's in those very moments of obedience where God is fully glorified.

"My hope and prayer for you, the reader, is that church people don't try to normalize you," Chan writes. "What I mean is that we often try to calm people down who are just too passionate or too sacrificial and radical."

Between chapters, Forgotten God weaves in personal testimonies of radical followers of Jesus wholeheartedly obeying the Holy Spirit's call.

Pastors looking to find personal renewal and, potentially, revival in their churches, will reap great benefit by reading Forgotten God.

How to get this resource

This book is available at your local Christian bookstore, or at your favorite online book retailer.

Reviewed By: Derrick Engoy, associate pastor at Harbor City Foursquare Church in Harbor City, Calif.