"Tough Issues, True Hope" by Luke H. Davis. A Review

When my wife and I traveled to Oregon last year, we went old school (sort of). We pulled out an actual paper map, examined the roadway from Oklahoma City to our destination, Detroit Lake State Park. We looked over topography, river-ways, elevations, city locations, etc. It was very helpful, both for the big picture, but also to give us way-points, and to allow us to "adapt-and-overcome" as unplanned things happened. But the map couldn't prepare us for all we experienced, the explosion of stark terrain differences, and so forth. It was a guide that put us on the right trail, but could not prepare us for the exigencies, nor smooth them out. Luke H. Davis, teacher of ethics and church history at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, and author of young adult fiction, has taken in hand to map out the good life and Christian ethics in his brand new 240-page softback "Tough Issues, True Hope: A Concise Journey through Christian Ethics". This handy little manuscript is perfect for young adults, the once-was-young, and the no longer young. It's easy to read, straightforward and manageable. 

After the informative Preface, Davis tackles twenty ethical subjects under four headings: "Ideas Matter," "Life Matters," "Relationships Matter," and "Stewardship Matters". He spans the playing field, from goal to goal. Whether it's our words, use of technology, capital punishment, euthanasia, gender, bioethics, racial relationships, or the various aspects of stewardship, Davis sketches out yard-markers and goals in an easy to follow fashion.  Each chapter is around 12 pages long, and normally follows the pattern of addressing the "what?" of his subject, explaining why it matters to his readers in the "so what?", and then wraps up with the application of "now what?" To top things off, the author concludes every chapter with a series of "for your consideration" questions to facilitate discussions.

The nature of such a book may lead some to think it's a tabulation, a roster to be ticked off after accomplishment has been achieved. Yet, throughout, Davis draws in the Gospel, and why the grace of God in Jesus Christ matters most.  His approach is not shrill or threatening. I appreciated the sensibleness he counseled when tackling some very difficult subjects. For example, when addressing our words, the author notes that free speech "protects unpopular speech." But then he goes a step further, and notes that "God is more interested in your speech and communication being faithful than free" (20).

"Tough Issues, True Hope" is perfect for High Schoolers. But it should be in the hands of older adults, as well. This could be easily adapted for church youth groups, and adult Christian Education classes. And individual readers will benefit richly from these pages. I highly recommend the book.

My thanks to the author who notified me that this book would be coming out and asked if I'd be willing to review it. My further thanks goes to Christian Focus Publications for sending me the copy used for this evaluation. Neither the author or the publisher made any demands on me. No hostages were taken, nor were any animals harmed while writing this review.

You can purchase a copy here: Tough Issues, True Hope