Posted on 01/07/2008 5:59:13 AM PST by LikeLight
The answer to the question of the title is: Yes. The second part of the title gives the reason why people should read your book. It deals with everyday things that can happen to human beings, and also the critical decisions each of us inevitably faces in life, which we sometimes must make, not only for ourselves, but for our loved ones. It does so, first, from the legal perspective.
But this is just to lay the ground for the Christian witness that you bring to this work. You maintain that God’s higher law is the final standard in these matters, and demonstrate this with case studies, or “Life Lessons,” on each of your topics: litigation avoidance, divorce, pre-nuptial arrangements; criminal defense; estate planning, living trusts, Medicaid planning, living wills, bankruptcy, taxation, real estate. And then you present your observations and provide information and practical advice informed by Biblical insights.
I particularly appreciated your thoughts on business ethics. You point out that Christian ethics requires that a businessman treat his customers, suppliers, employees, stakeholders, creditors whole-heartedly under Jesus’ command to love our neighbor as ourself. Obviously this is a huge step up from the currently fashionable doctrine of the Voice of the Customer, a business philosophy that posits the customer as the primordial, essential driver of ALL business value. The problem is, nobody knows how to implement VOC. Or even what it actually means. (How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?)
Christianity tells us the “customer” is sacred, as are all the members of the business community, in the sight of God. And so we should each deal with each other accordingly, as our Good Lord bids us to do, in His Name, by His Spirit, to the glory of God Almighty.
The book concludes with “The Christian Conciliation Alternative” and an “invitation to a Contract with God.” Here we are moving in the dimension of soul as an actor in the general society. Here it is asked: What can Christian soul, sacrifice, spirit bring to alleviate the dysfunction of so many social and political institutions today, which accrue because of the general lapse from Truth in our time?
Having said all that, may I also add that I found your book amazingly entertaining??? Your “Life Lessons” draw on characters that I found engaging, persuasive, and very “well-rounded.” I can’t tell you how very much I enjoyed meeting “Kent Kipp” (in the business ethics section), and the serious pickle you got him into, and its final satisfying denouement…. (Kudos! Very well done!) :^)
Also, there were passages of your prose that were perfectly lyrical….
A very fine, lovely, gracious, prayerful work.
Recommended without qualification to all, Christian and non-believer alike. This book speaks to souls, and perhaps may help to bring souls to our Lord Jesus Christ.
But even if it didn’t in particular cases, I would still highly recommend this book to anybody who thinks he wants to “go to law” for whatever reason. Chances are, your “problem” is covered here. In this book you will find lucid, jargon-free descriptions of the legal environment you are entering, and wise observations regarding the “pros” and “cons” you would face in making — and living with — your decision.
Thanks so much, betty boop! And welcome!
It is a privilege to have you here!
The publisher actually retitled the book in the last couple of weeks to “The Believer’s Guide to Legal Issues” - - - but the manuscript you had for reivew was still the old title - - - I should have explained that - - - now, I’ll return to enjoy reading the rest of your review!!!
You're one of only fewer than a dozen or so human-beings to have seen the manuscript, so the feedback is exciting!
I also add that I found your book amazingly entertaining???
I have little tolerance for anything boring or long-winded, so for the benefit of my future readers I was striving to keep the book engaging and enjoyable, even though some of the underlying topics might seem less than thrilling on their face.
Lest someone ask me a question about something I said, I don't know how to add anything more.
Except, the re-titling is okay. I suppose it's more "commercial" -- ugh!
IMHO yours is a very fine book and I expect it will find wide readership. IMHO, it deserves to!
Yes, what a blast it was creating that guy!!!! And then creating the "pickle"!!!
By the way, Jean, if you can freep mail me your mailing address, I’d like to send you an autographed copy as a gift when they come out. I so appreciate your kindness and willingness to read so quickly!
Your Brother,
Steve
LikeLight, congratulations on your accomplishment!
I always thought the Class of ‘98 was special.
Thanks for that radical bump!
Thanks, and thank you for stopping by!
Hey girl, are you out there somewhere? I know you said you’d be very late...it’s midnight here in PA...can’t wait up much longer...
Yes, I just now am checking in. We’ve been under tornado warnings off and on since we got back - and still have a tornado watch. Jeepers...
Wow - I hope you and yours are all safe!
I love betty boop's review of your wonderful book and agree with everything she said!
Hi there Fiddlstix! Thank you for the ping/bump!
Thanks for announcing on FR and for posting the TOC. Congrats on publishing your first book! Very timely subject matter. This is definitely at the top of my “books to buy next” list. Having worked closely with a specific strain of family law, I look forward to reading Chapter 2, especially.
Thank you, A-G! This whole experience is such a joyful adventure - - - all sort of surreal after years of late night toiling with no certainty of the book ever seeing the light of day.
Great choice of words! I like how you equate family law with a dread disease! Unfortunately all too often true in the world of secular law!
Good evening, FRiends! I wanted to give all of you a ping to LikeLight’s book - a page-turner, easy to read and powerful in applying Scripture to real life situations.
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