Carl breaks the book of James into 7 sections, with each section relating to a specific portion of the Christian life - life's circumstances, God's help, life's trials, faith vs works, godly heart, humility, and prayer. Each chapter has personal stories, Biblical examples, and questions for exploration. Overall, I like the format, and Carl does a good job at explaining his view and inviting you to use these insights to get closer to God.
Now for the not-so-great part... At first, I was surprised by the short length of this book (just over 50 pages), but I was still hopeful that Carl would pack enough into the pages that the length wouldn't be an issue. I can easily say that this book is not a quick read, despite its length. However, that comes at a cost. Most of the book is complex and from a theological view, rather than having a gentle "chatting over a cup of coffee" feel that I typically relate better with. For longtime Christians and frequent Bible readers, this probably wouldn't be an issue, But It's not something I'd recommend to anyone still searching for their newcomer footing in the Christian faith.
Also, Carl has a tendency to jump around and go from one idea to the next without a definite break in the writing. There are several 1 - 1 1/2 page long paragraphs where I could easily find enough separate topics to have made 4-5 paragraphs instead of one. Again, this probably is not an issue for most people. But for someone who likes easy break spot while dealing with the kids, and finds it confusing when topics jump suddenly, it might be a problem. I found myself having to go back and re-read frequently just to keep track of what he was talking about.
All in all, it's a good read for someone looking for a bit more guidance and insight from the book of James, as long as the above issues won't bug you. 3/5 stars.
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy from the publisher via BookCrash for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
About The Author (copied from back cover):
Dr. Carl Garrigus is a Professor of History at Brewton-Parker College. He holds a PhD in History from Georgia State University and a doctorate in Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary. He has written Finding My Knees Again, The Reading Habits of Maryland's Planter Gentry, and Profit and the Press.
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