There’s no doubt he is passionate about the secret place, and in our walk with God we can always deepen our relationship, but there’s some thing here that needs balance, and I’m not exactly sure what it is. He uses a ton of Scripture, but his interpretation/application/reading between the lines takes things a little too far sometimes. How can I criticize a book that endeavors to deepen in your walk with God? His aim is most noble, and parts of this book are really good, but, quite frankly, other parts make me really uncomfortable. Notwithstanding the above, I would definitely recommend this book to mature Christians, who should be able to 'chew the meat and spit out the bones.' Sorge helps us to see that 'the secret place' isn't just our retreat when things go wrong, or a place to go out of obligation or ritual, but the place we should run to, in order to be with the One we love. Also, in certain places I felt that Sorge's use of bridal metaphors strayed into weird and unbiblical territory, particularly with regard to the cross. Viewing the entire Christian life through this lens can lead to the minimization of such weighty issues as sin, holiness, judgment, and the fear of God, which are equally present in Scripture, and equally essential to understanding the message of the Gospel. Now, I'm fully aware that the Scripture makes heavy use of such metaphors, but it's very important to realize that they're not the whole picture. (He mentions the pastor of this church in his book a couple of times, quite favorably.) From what I know of it, this theology seems to position the Song of Solomon as one of the most important books of the Bible, and to view everything about our relationship with God in terms of romantic metaphors. This is the so-called 'bridal paradigm,' and I understand it's featured prominently in a large church with which the author is associated. However, the reason this is not a five-star book for me, is the undercurrent I sensed of a theological view with which I am not in harmony. (I read it as a daily devotional, which is the way the author seems to intend.) I found some really great insights, some of which made it into my personal journal.

The book is well-written, interesting, and relatable, and I found myself looking forward to each new chapter. Mostly, I found it to be an excellent book for those who want to go deeper in their devotional life, and the emphasis on that very pursuit as the core of the Christian life is absolutely spot-on and Biblical. As I've found myself saying fairly often in my book reviews, I have some mixed feelings about this one.

The secret place book