cover image Hurt Healer: Reaching Out to a Broken World

Hurt Healer: Reaching Out to a Broken World

Tony Nolan, Baker, $17.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-8010-1352-2

An injured man lies bleeding on a dirt road. Two men walk past—one stops to help. The Good Samaritan is not a new character, but in the hands of pastor-speaker Nolan the story becomes contemporary and applicable to even the most terrifying situations. Nolan stresses the need for Christians in particular to put life on hold to help someone in need. To help readers slow down their thoughts and lives, he forces readers to pause after each chapter by asking questions to stimulate reflection on his message. Incorporating his version of the Good Samaritan parable into recycled tales that tell of others' redemption, the author demonstrates the reward of halting to help. Although some of his anecdotes about others sound unoriginal, Nolan is best when recalling his own painful past, with physical abuse, drug use, and suicide attempts. His childhood memories are haunting and violent, but when toned down with a witty, hopeful voice, the author becomes a living example of hurt man turned hurt healer. His forward-thinking optimism inspires action without inducing guilt, a recipe that should "fling open the locked hearts of those who are indifferent." (Sept.)