What I begin noticing when reading this book is how little I had thought of its subject before, how few books I had ever seen on the subject, and how at a loss I would have been to talk meaningfully about it. Brian Rosner has stepped into the lacuna to explain some theology that’s comforting to know but rarely discussed. In fact, the book is part of a series by Zondervan called “Biblical Theology For Life”. Mr. Rosner has at once written with theological and exegetical depth as well as with personal anecdotes and practical explanation to make this a helpful, accessible work.

While we spend so much time thinking about our knowing God, Mr. Rosner explains how important it is to be known by God and how that fulfills something deep inside of us that allows us to secure a personal identity.

He has one chapter where he, in his words, identifies the angst in us and how this subject speaks to it. Chapters 2 through 10 explain how believers in Christ have an identity where we are known by God as His children and that’s tied to Jesus Christ. He does a great job explaining from both the Old and New Testaments this concept as well as differentiating between being made in the image of God and being known by God. He explains all the elements that make up our personal identity while further showing how they come up short in explaining the Christian’s position.

The third section made up of chapters 11 through 15 seek to explain the relevance of this theology to our lives. Those chapters cover significance, humility, comfort, direction, and being known by God. To my mind, the chapter on significance was especially apropos to the fruitless struggle so many have finding significance.

I’m not aware of all the literature out there on the subject, but I’m convinced having this book on the shelf could answer any possible question on it that might arise. It’s also an area where some of the systematic theologies might come up short. The book is well done, has a few charts, and nice quotes on several pages that really add something to the discussion. Mr. Rosner has co-written a major exegetical commentary on First Corinthians, but proves himself adept here with a completely different kind of work. I judge it a success.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.