Critical review of In His Steps by Charles Sheldon - Assignment Example

Critical Review of In His Steps by Charles Sheldon In His Steps is a book by Charles Monroe Sheldon, which was published in 1896. The book is basically meant to advise Christians on how to deal with tough situations by answering the question, "What would Jesus do?" if He was in such a situation (Sheldon 7). The book is considered as one of the best sellers and it is vital to review it to understand what people can get from the book. The book, in my opinion, is a must read for every Christian. Even though, it is written as a novel, it is overly instructional presenting fascinating characters and a catching plot line.

The lessons embedded in the pages are completely influenced by the Bible and is overly convicting. The author does a great job in showcasing many interesting and significant characters. These characters traits are not unpleasant or overdone, plus their strengths, as well as their weaknesses, are not obviously clear. None of the characters are ever presented in a single, big block of information, but the reader gets to understand the character as he or she goes on with the book; therefore, he or she will not entirely comprehend them when they initially start reading the book.

The author structures the book in a sense that the reader becomes attached to the character as the book moves on.The story takes place in Raymond town (Sheldon 15). The author presents a clear description for one to have a clear image of the town in the 1800s, but also leaves plenty room for one to add element of his or her own town to the setting presented. The town appears like a pleasant place, but under the elaborate church services and calm suburbs are visibly defined social classes (Sheldon 34).

The area is overly segregated with the middle class never interacting with the rich and the deprived being shunned by everyone else. Corruption permeates the towns key businesses; introversion and greed run rampant in the higher classes. The town is desperately in need of change, which can only come from one key source (Sheldon 56).A major criticism of the book it that there were no actual verses from the bible or even much reference from bible verses. The characters in the book asked, "What would Jesus do?

" and then they replied to themselves "Yes, I think He would to this," or "Jesus would not do this," with no more exploration as to how they reached the decision from a biblical viewpoint. I think it would be important to reference the Bible for a book that seeks to teach its principles. Also, the novels characters fought for closure of saloons and ran for office and also got involved in the same causes. In my view, the social gospel conveys Christian energy from people worshipping corporately and distracts them from individual discipline.

Even though, the book did not cite any bible verse, I would still recommend it to anyone who wants to understand what the bible wants people to do. One still feels that the information is right even if it was not supported by any biblical evidence.Work CitedSheldon, Charles M. In His Steps. Chicago: Chicago Advance, 1896. Print.