Nine Steps to Well-Being: A Spiritual Guide for Disconnected Christians and Other Questioning Journeyers

If you like my posts, then my book title above is OUT NOW as an e-book on Kindle/Amazon for £6/$9.99 (plus taxes). A paperback will ALSO be out in April so watch this space! Remember too that the first three chapters are NOW FREE on the publisher's website http://www.whisperingtreeoriginalbooks.com and then click on 'Reality'. OR, click on the book cover image at the top of my blog for a direct link to the page.

So, what is the book about?

I give a personal account of how a path to well-being must include us coming to God with our ‘disconnection’ – so with our questions, restlessness, struggles, and hang-ups about our faith – but with the ultimate goal of more fully accepting the liberating love and power of God and Christ in our lives.

Through personal story-telling alongside my theological reflections, I explore how this ‘state of disconnection’, as I call it, is commonly experienced, but can lead to our both struggling with, and being profoundly blessed by God. Indeed, as reported in Mathew’s gospel, Christ’s last searching question while dying on the cross is, for me, the most fundamental expression of disconnection. Being directed at God his father, Jesus shouts out his dreadful question ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ The Son of Man, as Jesus often called himself, was also, it could be said, the son of disconnection – feeling abandoned by God in this moment at least, as well as, paradoxically, being his son. However, I argue that by living in and through this paradox too, we are, by God’s grace and love, able to share this title as Christ’s siblings. That is, through the forgiveness and power offered us by Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, we are able to also journey with him and experience God’s love and promise of joy and well-being first-hand; as he lives in us and accompanies us through our disconnected lives.

Some commendations for the book so far:  

‘It’s not often you read something that is so honest and disarming as to make enjoyable the very necessary exercise of periodically subjecting fondly held Christian ideas to critical scrutiny. Professor Smith manages to make you laugh while also engaging both your interest and critical faculties – and in a way that breathes some much appreciated new life into the tried and tested good news of the Christian gospel, faith, and Kingdom of God.’ Reverend Canon Dr Ian Davies, Director of Ministry, Diocese of Swansea & Brecon (Church in Wales).

‘This is a seriously good book! Anyone, from the fresh-faced explorer to the weather-beaten Christian, will find inspiration in these pages. The reader gets to benefit from decades of Professor Smith’s experience, reflection and learning. He draws on the often intensely personal to take us through key aspects of the Christian faith, skillfully demonstrating why, after two millennia, the gospel of Jesus is still alive and kicking. Both personally and professionally, this book is a winner!’ Reverend Ruth A. Bierbaum, Mental Healthcare Chaplain, Kent Health Authority. 

‘This book captures the zeitgeist and speaks to our times. The book grows and develops very organically, with a mix of personal stories and insightful theological reflection. Professor Smith explores his faith with honesty and has the courage to address difficult issues. There are many parts of the book that touched me deeply, intrigued me and made me laugh, such as the swearing prayer in France – this being a “modern parable” in its own right. It is also well edited and accessible.’ Reverend Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga Steele, Minister of The Church of Christ The Cornerstone, Milton Keynes.