The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts
Encyclopedia
The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts (2008) is a non-fiction
self-help book written by Fr. Jonathan Morris
, a Catholic priest
, professor and news contributor and analyst for the Fox News Channel
. The book is published by HarperOne
. Using his counseling and ministerial background as a priest, and his experiences in traveling to areas of unrest and persecution as a journalist, Morris provides biblical insight and practical guidance to people going through difficult, painful or challenging life situations.
: 'With all the suffering in the world, is God just really ticked off?' As a news contributor and blogger who often covers issues relating to society, ethics and culture, Morris was often asked to consider writing a book on social issues or the state of politics. However, he felt that the widely asked question - why an all-loving, all powerful God would allow suffering - was the question to help address for readers, and that the topic of suffering was an issue that mattered the most for everyone.
The book is broken down into three areas:
In Part I: God on Trial, Morris addresses the major questions, doubts and preconceived notions that many people have about the nature of God and faith. He also writes about the suffering of the Jesus Christ as related in the Gospel accounts, as well as the challenge of reconciling the existence of suffering together with the existence of a merciful God.
In Part II: Emotional and Spiritual Healing, the author highlights the complexity of suffering by examining the different kinds - physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual - as well as some of the various sources of suffering.
Part III: Principles for Freedom-Living is written to provide readers with insight on how to live with a sense of holiness and awareness of their particular calling, or vocation, in life. Morris offers a five-step process, outlined as 'principles of freedom living,' to help the reader achieve spiritual goals and develop the strength to withstand future life trials and obstacles.
Throughout the book, Morris provides brief excerpts entitled 'Letters from My In-Box,' which are snippets of e-mails he has received as a blogger for Fox News.com, and the end of each chapter includes two brief questions for use as personal reflection for the reader, or in a group discussion.
, O.F.M. Cap., the Archbishop
of Denver, wrote of the book and its author, "...Pope John Paul II
spoke often and eloquently about the meaning of suffering. Father Morris has written a wonderful sequel to the Holy Father's thoughts, but from a very different perspective: that of a young priest; a man of energy, insight, world experience and engaging popular style." One critic (writing for catholic.net) wrote, "This is the first book of a young priest who is already fulfilling a big mission as an effective communicator of the Gospel to the American people."
, and was a religion bestseller for HarperOne.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
self-help book written by Fr. Jonathan Morris
Jonathan Morris (priest)
Fr. Jonathan Morris is a Roman Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of New York and a news contributor and analyst for the Fox News Channel. He currently serves as one of several parochial vicars at the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in New York City . Before joining the archdiocese, Fr...
, a Catholic priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, professor and news contributor and analyst for the Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
. The book is published by HarperOne
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
. Using his counseling and ministerial background as a priest, and his experiences in traveling to areas of unrest and persecution as a journalist, Morris provides biblical insight and practical guidance to people going through difficult, painful or challenging life situations.
Background
In an interview, Morris said the idea behind his book came partly from a question posed to him by Neil CavutoNeil Cavuto
Neil Patrick Cavuto is an American television anchor and commentator on the Fox Business Network and host of three television programs, Your World with Neil Cavuto and Cavuto on Business, both on the Fox News Channel and Cavuto on sister channel Fox Business Network.Cavuto also tapes a nightly...
: 'With all the suffering in the world, is God just really ticked off?' As a news contributor and blogger who often covers issues relating to society, ethics and culture, Morris was often asked to consider writing a book on social issues or the state of politics. However, he felt that the widely asked question - why an all-loving, all powerful God would allow suffering - was the question to help address for readers, and that the topic of suffering was an issue that mattered the most for everyone.
Content
In discussing his focus behind the book in the introduction, Morris writes, "My goal is to provide something to know and something to live - to address both your mind and your heart. I have not written a textbook answer to the philosophical question of suffering and evil; rather, this is a guidebook of spiritual principles and practical ideas - examples and techniques, rooted in the teachings and the person of Jesus of Nazareth - that aim to better your life."The book is broken down into three areas:
- Part I: God on Trial
- Part II: Emotional and Spiritual Healing
- Part III: Principles for Freedom-Living
In Part I: God on Trial, Morris addresses the major questions, doubts and preconceived notions that many people have about the nature of God and faith. He also writes about the suffering of the Jesus Christ as related in the Gospel accounts, as well as the challenge of reconciling the existence of suffering together with the existence of a merciful God.
In Part II: Emotional and Spiritual Healing, the author highlights the complexity of suffering by examining the different kinds - physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual - as well as some of the various sources of suffering.
Part III: Principles for Freedom-Living is written to provide readers with insight on how to live with a sense of holiness and awareness of their particular calling, or vocation, in life. Morris offers a five-step process, outlined as 'principles of freedom living,' to help the reader achieve spiritual goals and develop the strength to withstand future life trials and obstacles.
Throughout the book, Morris provides brief excerpts entitled 'Letters from My In-Box,' which are snippets of e-mails he has received as a blogger for Fox News.com, and the end of each chapter includes two brief questions for use as personal reflection for the reader, or in a group discussion.
Critical Reception
Charles J. ChaputCharles J. Chaput
Charles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving since his installation on September 8, 2011. He previously served as Archbishop of Denver and Bishop of Rapid City .Chaput is a professed Capuchin and...
, O.F.M. Cap., the Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Denver, wrote of the book and its author, "...Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
spoke often and eloquently about the meaning of suffering. Father Morris has written a wonderful sequel to the Holy Father's thoughts, but from a very different perspective: that of a young priest; a man of energy, insight, world experience and engaging popular style." One critic (writing for catholic.net) wrote, "This is the first book of a young priest who is already fulfilling a big mission as an effective communicator of the Gospel to the American people."
Sales History
On the first week of its release, The Promise was a #1 bestseller among the 'Christian Living' and 'Catholic-Inspirational' books on Amazon.comAmazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
, and was a religion bestseller for HarperOne.