In this book, the author sets out to consider what is the appropriate approach to God, from a variety of real life and biblical starting points. He believes it is a question of recognizing God’s worth and worth-ship, which the origin of the word ‘worship’. It simply means giving God what He is worth.
“But the word ‘worship’ means, literally, ‘worth-ship’: to accord worth, true value, to something, to recognize and respect it for the true worth it has.” (Page 6)
“This little book is an attempt to say that the way through is by sheer unadulterated worship of the living and true God, and by following this God wherever he leads, whether or not it is the way our traditions would suggest. Worship is not an optional extra for the Christian, a self-indulgent religious activity. It is the basic Christian stance, and indeed (so Christians claim) the truly human stance. ‘Worship’ derives from ‘worth-ship’: it means giving God all he’s worth.” (Page 1)
“the purpose of a cathedral—and this would, of course, apply to any church anywhere—is worship and mission.” (Pages 7–8)
“The net result is that I become god; and this god I’ve made becomes my puppet. Nobody falls down on their face before the god they wanted. Nobody trembles at the word of a home-made god. Nobody goes out with fire in their belly to heal the sick, to clothe the naked, to teach the ignorant, to feed the hungry, because of the god they wanted. They are more likely to stay at home with their feet up.” (Pages 23–24)
“If Jesus is the Word of God, the answers might just take your breath away—and offer you God’s breath instead. When that happens, the first result is worship, worshipping God for all he’s worth; and the next result will be mission. That movement, that rhythm, is what this book is all about.” (Page 3)
All Christians worship God, but many do not fully understand what "worship" means. For All God's Worth is an insightful exploration of both the meaning and the results of worship. Part 1 focuses on God and on what worshiping God actually means. Part 2 addresses a range of church-related issues that arise from the activity of worship. Based firmly on sensitive and creative readings of the biblical text, For All God's Worth is an inspiring call for renewal in the worship and witness of today's church. N. T. Wright is a New Testament theologian of international standing, a committed Christian, and (as For All God's Worth clearly demonstrates) an outstanding communicator.
—Midwest Book Review
4 ratings
Glenn Crouch
7/28/2017
Gordon Jones
10/23/2013
Daniel Caballero.
8/13/2013
Jim Wait
7/13/2013