Stephen Barkley
The interplay of serendipity and providence is a wonderful thing. A few months back I engaged in a practical theology discussion in a Society for Pentecostal Studies Facebook forum. People were sharing resources on the topic when the author, Alan Ehler, mentioned his book: How to Make Big Decisions Wisely.
To be honest, that’s not the sort of title that would usually catch my attention—I’m allergic to the self-help genre! But this isn’t that. I learned in that Facebook group that Ehler designed this book to support a his practical theology class. One quick trip to Amazon and the book arrived at my door.
How to Make Big Decisions Wisely is a book that uses a practical theological methodology to walk people through decision-making processes. Ehler thinks in narrative, exploring the story of our lives and how we shape that story. This led him to create a four step process that resonates with the pastoral cycle of Osmer:
- Read the Backstory
- Catch God’s Story
- Craft a New Story
- Tell the New Story
Ehler’s book is easy to read and immensely helpful at making a challenging academic discipline (Practical Theology) immediately accessible. It should be welcome in undergrad courses in Practical Theology as well as in the libraries of pastors and thoughtful Christians.
Ehler, Alan. How to Make Big Decisions Wisely: A Biblical and Scientific Guide to Healthier Habits, Less Stress, a Better Career, and Much More. Zondervan, 2020.
