The God Who Smokes: Scandalous Meditation on Faith | 
 enlarge | Author: Timothy J. Stoner
Publisher: Deliberate
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 8112
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 315
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 1600062474
Dewey Decimal Number: 270.83
EAN: 9781600062476
ASIN: 1600062474
Publication Date: February 15, 2008
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Book Description
Perhaps no recent spiritual movement has caused more division than the emergent church. For some, the trend represents a refreshing resistance to fundamentalist attitudes. For others, the ideas suffer from a lack of sound theology. Is there a middle ground? With a casual, narrative voice, Timothy Stoner presents an honest look at a controversial subject. The God Who Smokes is an unwavering answer to the postmodern cry for an authentic, knowable truth that is compassionate and courageous, demonstrated in sacrificial commitment to a life of righteousness and justice. Throughout, Timothy celebrates what the movement has achieved, provides a balanced critique, and offers an engaging read for anyone seeking to understand this cultural phenomenon.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 A Must Read July 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Philip Yancey, John Piper, Ravi Zaharias, and Donald Miller are among my favorite Christian writers. I am now adding Timothy Stoner to that list. He is honest, intelligent, theologically sound, and compassionate. An impressive combination! He allows us a glimpse into his life - how he thinks, what he thinks about, and how those thoughts have been shaped by experiences and the people around him. His is a superb writer, as well, drawing the reader in from one topic and one chapter to another. I read this on a plane and finished each chapter so excited I could barely sit still! I was sad to have finished it, but I will read it again and again. Once through is not enough!
Wise, Insightful, Enlightening, and Funny! July 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm not a real avid reader, and I have a bad habit of losing interest in books before even getting halfway through. So that when I say I enjoyed this book to the last page, it goes without saying that it's worth every penny.
Stoner's writing style is very personable. Reading things like CS Lewis, I feel as though I'm there to learn and sometimes have to read a paragraph 3 times to even get a clue about what he was trying to convey. Stoner, on the other hand, draws you in at a very personal level and makes you feel like you're sitting in a coffee shop having a heart-to-heart with him. He draws on scripture and a multitude of power-thinkers of the Christian world to drive home often forgotten or misunderstood truths about Jesus. I can say without doubt that I was deeply convicted and challenged several times during my journey through this book.
Also unlike a typical apologetics book, Stoner incorporates relevant life stories into each chapter. At times, you almost feel as if you're simply reading Stoner's blog and his personal reflections on what God taught him through the experience. I love this approach as it helped me relate these seemingly controversial concepts about Jesus into my own life quite easily. He brings the word down to earth in a very accessible way.
On top of the powerful content, Stoner has a very dry, subtle wit that sneaks into even the deepest discussion points of the book. In the midst of learning a great deal about Stoner's childhood and his reflections on scripture, a funny comment would catch me off-guard and have me busting up laughing out loud in the middle of a quiet room or plane flight.
To be fair, I do feel the need to acknowledge another review that referred to Stoner's writing as combative, especially towards Rob Bell and his assertions in Velvet Elvis. Having read bits and pieces of Velvet Elvis, I can honestly say that I see where the gray area is, and how a misinterpretation of both Stoner and Bell could take place. My advice would be to explore both books for yourself. They're both easy reads and well worth your time. And while some may feel that Stoner's commentary of Bell's book is misplaced, at any rate, what he says is still very true in a general sense.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a new look at their faith, and a few good laughs along the way.
For Such a Time as This April 10, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I believe that Timothy Stoner's book has been written "for such a time as this." As a true watchman on the wall, the author is discerning the times that we are now in. I believe that God has poised Timothy "at the gates" as He did Mordecai in Esther 4. Mordecai overheard the words of the enemy, Haman, and his plan to destroy God's people, the Jews. Mordecai went to the gates of the king and had this word of warning brought to Queen Esther describing the evil plan of Haman. Esther was unaware of the destructive plan that was being devised right within the gates of the king's domain in which she lived. This book serves as that warning.
A "new" hip teaching has emerged carrying with it a unique, somewhat open-ended flare that sounds a bit more exciting than an "exclusive," holy, jealous and passionate God. The vague deception has subtly found its way into unsuspecting hearts and minds of a generation.
Thank you, Timothy Stoner, for standing as Mordecai did and sending out this very clear warning of a deceptive plot to rob Jesus of the worship and glory that He alone deserves. Someone needed to articulate this message and you have done it very well. This book is important, profound, God-honoring and Christ exalting. Thank you for sharing honestly with your readers of your struggles and lessons learned, and also, for balancing out your critique of some of the emergent church's weaknesses with their critically important call to social justice.
 Good truth, but a bit combative at times April 9, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
(Review Update - I am posting this at the top of the review, although this is being written a number of weeks after my initial review. I went back and read this book a second time. Apart from my criticisms that are noted below in my initial review, I really do think this is a good book. I really have been impacted by the chapter "David's Dance." What a great story. I still believe my initial criticisms are valid, but in my second reading, I was already expecting those and I was able to look at the book freshly despite them. I really hope that Stoner writes another book with the focus just on his own personal experiences and wisdom, rather than feeling a need to respond to segments of the church he is concerned with).
I just finished this book that was given to me by friends. I think that Stoner presents some very good points in a clear and interesting way. His writing is best when he sticks to personal stories and relates how God has used those to teach him deeper truths. However, at times, he is a bit too combative when critiquing statements by Rob Bell or Brian Mclaren.
Unfortunately, I felt that Stoner misrepresented Rob Bell's views frequently. For example, on p. 111, Stoner discusses comments by Rob Bell (from p. 21 of Velvet Elvis) that Jesus showed us the best way to live. Stoner then implies that Bell is leaving the door open for Jesus to just be a good teacher or for there to be other ways to heaven. However, the rest of Bell's comments on p. 21 and 82-83 of Velvet Elvis make clear that is not what Bell is saying. For example, Bell says that Jesus "was telling those who were following him that his way is the way to the depth of reality" and that Jesus was showing people "how things are." Further, Bell acknowledges that Jesus and God are one and says Jesus is "the design" and that "Jesus is how God put things together," being present since before the beginning of creation (pp. 82-83). In fact, Bell makes the statement that "we have to believe in a big Jesus." Bell goes further and says that "for a Christian, Jesus' teachings aren't to be followed because they are a nice way to live a moral life." Rather, they are to be followed because they are the best possible insight into how the world really works. "They teach us how things are." (p. 83). To me, this is clearly affirming that Jesus is the source of truth and is the way into truth (note that Bell used the term "the way" not "a way.").
Moreover, if you look at the doctrinal statement of Mars Hill (the church Rob Bell pastors) you will find it to be entirely orthodox in its views on sin, redemption, the inspiration of scripture, the fact that Jesus is the only way to heaven, that people are only adopted as children of God through trust in Jesus, etc. So, many of the criticisms that Stoner has of Bell are unfounded in my opinion and are simply a basis for Stoner to set up a straw man to knock down.
I focus on the issue of Stoner's criticism of Bell's theology simply because I think it was the greatest weakness of Stoner's book. Had he just focused on his theological points without directly or indirectly attacking Bell or others, then it would have been a better read.
Having said that, I think that Stoner is a talented writer who has put together a very good first book. I look forward to reading other books of his in the future. (I certainly hope he will write more!)
 stories with a purpose April 7, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book needs to be read with a bookmark in the Notes section that moves along with the main chapters because of all the references that fill out Stoner's points. And they do need to be read! He has done a ton of reading and research and quotes C.S. Lewis extensively, Peter Kreeft, Father Reardon, Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Augustine, Boyd, and Dorothy Sayers, to name a few, as well as providing insights into Jewish practices, so... I now have a new list of books I want to read. I was glad that he didn't just trash current controversial authors, but gave them credit where their thinking was Biblical and helpful, and also that he proved irrefutably where they go wrong, based on Scripture.
It felt to me that he was writing this book for his childrens' sake, as if he wanted to make his concerns known in a way that would not make them angry and defensive, but by telling stories about his own life and showing with Scripture and the writings of theologians of all types, that "There is a truth to know. There is a way to follow. There is a person to love. And that ultimately these are all about Jesus."
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