Charles Stanley's Handbook for Christian Living: Biblical Answers to Life's Tough Questions

by Charles F. Stanley

Since life is a journey, feel free to stop and ask for directions. Previously released as the bestselling The Glorious Journey , this practical volume by Charles Stanley shows readers how to put God's Word to work in their daily lives with this easy-to-apply handbook. As believers, our desire is to follow the Lord more closely and to utilize His Word for maximum impact in our lives. Occasionally, however, we find ourselves not even knowing the questions to ask, or the best way to approach Scripture in search of answers. Charles F. Stanley's Handbook for Christian Living is not a lofty theological work, nor is it an academic commentary. Instead, Dr. Stanley has prepared a friendly, easy-to-use help system for every believer. In this collection, he speaks with authority on such issues as: He also shares biblical insight into relationships, children, parenting, loneliness, sexual pressures, as well as strategies for personal growth. From the thorny issues of daily life to a framework for the end times (and everything in between), Charles F. Stanley's Handbook for Christian brings Scripture to life, makes sense of the hard questions, and enhances your understanding of the way life was meant to be lived.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Reference, Theology

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2001

About the author

Dr. Charles F. Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, founder of In Touch Ministries, and a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than fifty books, and has sold more than nine million copies. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs and provides Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.

Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.

However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Instead, like his father and grandfather before him, he clung to God’s Word and took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whoever would listen.

Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”

Dr. Stanley’s teachings can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, through the In Touch Messenger, and in the monthly, award-winning In Touch magazine.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...you can't go wrong with Charles Stanley. He is well able to take biblical knowledge and translate it into a path we can follow each and every day. If you find it difficult to read the bible without a Godly guide, then you will enjoy this book. Practical help and how to incorporate Godly principles in our lives takes time, effort, and a strong desire to be more Christlike. This is a keeper.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful teacher on the word of God...this is a great resource book on dealing with life. It's separated by topic...an easy and inspiring read.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that all Christians should have. Really everyone should have. It gives you Biblical answers to many issues that Christians have discussed and debated for years. Some are controversial and some form the basis of the Christian life. You can even use it as a devotional taking one subject a day. Each topic is about 5-6 pages. I didn't do this. I read straight through it. It starts out with a Bible verse that covers the topic, followed by a commentary on the topic, a closer look at the topic, an application of the topic, and finally a growth section.

Some of my favorite topics covered by the book include baptism, suicide, tongues, employment, government, the unpardonable sin, stress, time, waiting, worry, sex, the new age movement, fasting, prayer, and quiet time. There are many more. Any issue or topic you are struggling with is covered. You don't have to agree with Stanley regarding the topic but he will give you his reasoning for his stance which he bases on the Bible. An example is a baptism. I was baptized as an infant with a sprinkling of water. Stanley makes the arguement that baptism should take place when you establish a relationship with Jesus and that it should be immersion. You aren't saved by baptism but it is a public statement that you have a relationship with Jesus.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Christian resource- just as it says on the cover of the book it’s biblical answers to life tough questions. The book is broken into sections: church concerns, daily living, doctrine, end times, personal growth, relationships, service and outreach, and spiritual disciplines. Within each of these sections there are different topics that he addresses- there are topics such as baptism of the Holy Spirit, justification, redemption, repentance, hell, tribulation, government, New Age movement, occult… is it quite sizable book. It’s not a book that you’re going to read in one day. I read 2 to 3 topics,, each day. Each topic has about 3 to 5 pages. I think Dr. Stanley does an excellent job at using the Bible to explain each topic and answer questions related to that topic. I use this along with my study Bible and different commentaries that I use to deep in my understanding of God‘s word

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that all Christians should have and use along with their study Bible reading. As it says on the cover...."Biblical Answers to Life's Tough Questions." The book is broken into sections: church concerns, daily living, doctrine, end times, personal growth, relationships, service and outreach, and spiritual disciplines. Can be read all through at once or read by topics as each topic is about 3-5 pages. I choose to use it as a Handbook to answers questions as they pop up through out life and to answers any questions that pop up during my daily Bible readings.

[Caitlin Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very easy book to read. Always encouraging, and even though I took months off or weeks at a time, it always seemed to have an answer based on what I needed help with at the time. I would recommend this to everyone I know. It was a huge reminder that God is always there with provisions and love for every area of our lives.

[Zeba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real good read for people who come from a different background and would love to know how Christian Living should be like. My favorite chapters are Love and Sifting.

[Kevin King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover looks different but the title is the same. Good book as well.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

565 pages of Biblical truth. Charles speaks on a number of topics including the 'Unpardonable Sin' -to attribute the work of The Holy Spirit to the power of Satan in the face of undeniable evidence to the contrary. He goes on to explain how the circumstances of Matthew 12 make it impossible for this sin to take place today.
"Unpardonable sin is not a singular event for which a person later feels remorse. It's an ongoing, willful, and active rejection of the testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning the person and truth of Christ, and it can only be committed by an unbeliever. -Mark D. Taylor
While it didn't take me quite two years to read this, that is when I started it and I'm hoping to meet this reading challenge.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter what you're facing in life, God has an answer. I love the way this book is set up with with scripture, commentary and applications on each topic. An excellent book to refer to again and again!

[Adrienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a reference book...and good to look up terms you want to learn more about.

[Miranda Mcginnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Has a lot of great answers in it.

[Donn Vaught]

This book went into the real meaning of baptism. It took a deep aproach other than Dying of the old and being clothed with the new. It delves into what that new life is in perspective of the Christian faith and walk. Another area that really grabbed me was about grace and worry. When we worry we are not really trusting in God for possitive results but rather are depending more on the flesh which in turn will pull us away from God and the grace inwhich he has to give to us is basically kicked to the curb.

This book is inline with sola scriptora and is an asset for walking gracefully and whole heartedly in embraced in the safety of our Savoirs will for our lives. The pieces on Baptism and Grace were the most meaning full of all. There is truely more to offer in this writing in the areas of raising your children, relationships with others, dealing with our loneliness, and much more.

If I have time I'd like to read thi book again, but at a slower pace. Unfortunately I gave the book away. I will buy the Kindle version.