In His Steps

I've decided to actually review some of the books I've read lately.  Now that I have children, I've found it somewhat difficult to race through books like I could when I was first married, but I do find some time to read here and there. 



I recently finished the book In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon.  For some reason, before I began it, I had the impression that it was going to be a non-fiction, instructional book.  This is a fiction which follows the lives of several members of a well-to-do church when they commit to viewing every decision in their lives through the lens of what Jesus would do in that situation.  There were many personalities involved... musicians, pastors, wealthy socialites, businessmen, a newspaper editor, and it was intriguing to me how well Sheldon was able to deal with the personal struggles that arise in all types of professions. 

The book is a little older, and you can tell through a few things here and there, but overall it was really applicable for today.   It struck me as a little sad how far Christianity has come in general.  There isn't the outrage over a newspaper publishing who won the prize fight, or the fact that the city allows a bar to run.  The world has changed some, too.  The minister in the book was treated as an intellectual professional man, on par with the president of a university.  Ministers rarely get that kind of respect anymore.  I guess it was a good glance on how American culture has changed over the years.

The plot is interesting, the book moves along well,  the characters are pertinent and believeable, and the message is convicting.  What would Jesus do as a blogger?  What would Jesus do with His time at home with children?  It's a good read to get you thinking without the heaviness of a spiritual instructional manual.