The Bible doesn't contradict itself, but it often runs counter to what we expect. Part of the problem lies in the limitations of the human mind. The very idea of God exceeds our grasp. Traditional views hold that God himself is the only uncreated being. Everything and everyone else was created by him. But then that means that before God created the things that are, he was alone - for eternity. But that seems impossible. It is possible to understand God, but only on his own terms, and only by his own revelation. When we try to go beyond what he shows himself to be, we risk creating God in our own image. God has not left us in the dark. He has given us clouds of witnesses, some of whom survived a close encounter with God. From their testimony and from the actions of God in history, a picture begins to emerge. So what in the world is God doing? What is God's purpose for mankind? This book is about understanding and knowing God as he wishes to be known, not necessarily as we wish to know him. The picture that emerges is disturbing. God is not only kind, merciful, forgiving, and longsuffering. He is dangerous. This is why the Bible speaks of the fear of God. This insightful, instructive, and provocative book will change the way you think about God.