The Christian Studies Shelf

The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose
Bruce B. Miller
Global Media Outreach
https://globalmediaoutreach.com
9781683160205, $9.99, PB, 216pp

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Questions-Searching-Truth-Purpose/dp/1683160207

Synopsis: With the publication of "The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, = Truth, and Purpose", Pastor Bruce B. Miller addresses such difficult questi= ons as: Why is life hard?", Why is there suffering?, and What is my purpose=
in life?

No matter our faith background or denominational affiliation within the Chr= istian community, we all have questions about God, our purpose, and why bad=
things happen. Trying to find reliable answers can be overwhelming. It's h= ard to know who to trust with the questions you are most afraid to ask. Wha=
t is needed a safe space to ask these common questions about faith.

"The 7 Big Questions" invites us to explore some of the most common questio=
ns about faith including: Does life have a purpose? Is there a God? Why doe=
s God allow pain and suffering? Is Christianity too narrow? Is Jesus God? I=
s the Bible reliable? Can I know God personally?

Throughout these questions and more, Pastor Miller deftly guides his reader=
s through a thoughtful approach to finding answers for themselves.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The 7 Big Q= uestions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose" is unreservedly recommende=
d for personal, professional, church, and seminary library Christian Theolo= gy/Apologetics Studies collections. It should be noted for the personal rea= ding lists of seminary students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers=
with an interest in the subject that "The 7 Big Questions" is also availab=
le in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

Editorial Note: Bruce B. Miller (https://www.brucebmiller.com) is a dedicat=
ed Christian pastor, consultant, and author. As a thought leader on faith a=
nd culture, he provides consulting, online courses, and books. He is passio= nate to help people grow, develop leaders, and empower churches. He consult=
s and creates resources to foster personal growth and provides fresh insigh=
ts into how we can live more productive, joy-filled lives that make a diffe= rence in a rapidly changing culture.

The Power of Positive Thinking: Interfaith 21st Century Edition
Norman Vincent Peale, author
Hasan Abdullah Ismaik, author
Waterside Productions
9781958848197, $18.95, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Thinking-Interfaith-Century/dp/195884= 8190

Synopsis: Norman Vincent Peale (May 31, 1898 - December 24, 1993) was an A= merican Protestant clergyman who served as the pastor of Marble Collegiate = Church, New York, from 1932, leading this Reformed Church in America congre= gation for more than a half century until his retirement in 1984. Alongside=
his pulpit ministry, he had an extensive career of writing and editing, an=
d radio and television presentations. Despite arguing at times against invo= lvement of clergy in politics, he nevertheless had some controversial affil= iations with politically active organizations in the late 1930s, and engage=
d with national political candidates and their campaigns, having influence =
on some, including a personal friendship with President Richard Nixon. (Wik= ipedia)

The Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's inspirational The Power of Positive Thi= nking is arguably one of the most influential books of modern times. It has=
sold more than twenty-four million copies worldwide and been translated in=
to forty-two languages. It quotes generously from the Christian Bible.

Hasan Abdullah Ismaik created and annotated the Interfaith 21st Century Edi= tion of this iconic book with analogous quotes from the Quran, the Hebrew B= ible, and the modern Christian New King James Version Bible to resonate wit=
h people of all faiths, awakening them to the shared philosophy and beliefs=
of the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and pr= ovide a unifying and universal voice in our polarized world.

Critique: The new Interfaith 21st Century edition of "The Power of Positive=
Thinking" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to church=
, synagogue, mosque, community, and academic library Spiritual Self-Help co= llections. It should be noted for personal reading lists of seminary studen= ts, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subj= ect that this new edition is also available in a digital book format (Kindl=
e, $9.95).

Be Healed
Bob Schuchts
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781646801664, $24.95, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Healed-Guide-Encountering-Powerful/dp/1646801660

Synopsis: Based on retired Catholic therapist Bob Schuchts's popular progra=
m at the John Paul II Healing Center, "Be Healed: A Guide to Encountering t=
he Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life" offers hope in the healing power of=
God through the Holy Spirit and the sacraments and incorporates elements o=
f charismatic spirituality while being steeped in scripture and the wisdom =
of the Church.

Schuchts's trusted process for finding inner peace and healing is boldly Ch= rist-centered, maintaining focus on the person of Jesus as "the life-giving=
and ever-present physician of our souls." Schuchts will help you recognize=
your brokenness and find your hope and healing in the risen Christ. Schuch=
ts shares his own journey of healing after enduring a series of betrayals i=
n high school including his father's infidelity, his parents' divorce, his = older brother's drug addiction, and his own subsequent periods of struggle = with God and faith.

"Be Healed" also includes helpful tools such as charts, tables, lists, refl= ection questions, and personal challenges to guide you on your own healing.

Critique: Originally published almost ten years ago and now available in a = hardcover edition for a new generation of readers, "Be Healed: A Guide to E= ncountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life" by Bob Schuchts has es= tablished itself as the classic guide to spiritual healing. This durable ha= rdcover edition includes a new preface from the author and is ideal for use=
by group leaders, individuals, and therapists. Highly recommended for pers= onal, professional, community, church, and academic library Christian Self-= Help collections, it should be noted that "Be Healed" is also available in =
a paperback edition (9781594714764, $16.95), in a digital book format (Kind= le, $12.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,=
9798200475612, $34.99, CD).

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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