Published Oct 28, 2025 by IVP Academic
Does the church still matter in our modern world?
After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Yet Carmen Joy Imes offers a profound answer that resonates through the pages of Becoming God’s Family. Exploring the familial and communal identity of the church, Imes traces the thread of God’s presence in the gathered community of faith across the entire Bible. She invites readers into a vision of the church that is rooted deeply in Scripture and speaks directly to the challenges we face today. Imes reminds us of a powerful truth—God delights in the global, inter-generational family He has created.
Through this book, you’ll discover that God keeps His promises. When God’s people gather together, God shows up. Whether you’re struggling to reconnect with the church, seeking a constructive vision for its role in our world, or longing to better understand its biblical foundations, this book offers clarity, hope, and encouragement.
Check out what Dr, Imes has to say about her book on her YouTube channel HERE
My thoughts:
Becoming God’s Family by Carmen Joy Imes is the third in her trilogy. The first two books are “Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters” and “Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters.”
Imes earned a PhD in Biblical Theology at Wheaton College, an MA in Biblical Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a BA from Multnomah University. She is currently an Associate Professor of the Old Testament at Biola University.
With an outstanding Biblical perspective, Imes writes about what the church is meant to be starting in Genesis and taking you through the Bible. Imes’s theological narrative and approach to God’s church is beautifully weaved and her writing style is refreshing and approachable and I had no problem understanding the text. Imes is a gifted Bible teacher and writer.
I must say, as I was reading, Imes has given me a new insight on this subject that has been on my mind for the last few years now. As I was reading, I felt a calmness wash over me and it was also like a light switched on in my soul. I am over-whelmed with thankfulness that Imes wrote this book. Becoming God’s Family needs to be in every church across the globe. Whether you’re a believer or non-believer or thinking about joining a church, this book is a must read.
At the end of each chapter Imes gives us the key ideas and book resources (Digging Deeper) which is a great help for study. She also has Scripture verses throughout and I recommend having your Bible open as you read this book. I did not have my Bible open this round but I will in my second round of reading…
I will definitely be purchasing a physical book for my home theological library and will be using it as reference for Biblical projects I’m working on.
A big thank you to IVP Academic and NetGalley for a review copy.
Stephanie
Four quotes from “Becoming God’s Family.” (There are many more.)
“Christ has only one body, one bride, one temple, one kingdom. As we are united to Christ, we are untied to one another. “
“As long as we see others as the enemy rather than as potential family members, we have not become the community God desires.”
“The true family of faith is marked by hospitality. God calls us to arrange our lives so that we have room for others.”
“Israel consists of twelve tribes; Jesus calls twelve disciples, reconstituting the nation himself.”
Stephanie
Carmen Joy Imes’s Links:
Side Bar: I still have so many things to say about this book, giving examples of what Imes wrote that really impacted me. I will pulling topics and will be fleshing out topics (especially the global church) that I want to give my thoughts on.
I want to also makes sure that the readers know that the Old Testament and New Testament is a sweeping narrative and one must read the whole Bible. The New Testament helps you understand the Old Testament and vice versa.
Layered Pages 