ERIC SHUSTER has dedicated his writing career to building bridges of understanding between Christians. His first book Catholic Roots, Mormon Harvest chronicles the faith journey of he and his wife including the respectful comparison of dozens of doctrines between Catholicism and Mormonism. Shuster’s second book, The Biblical Roots of Mormonism (co-authored with Charles Sale) provides a common scriptural platform for Christians to better understand Mormon doctrine using over 1,000 scriptural references from the Bible. Shuster’s latest work, Where are the Christians: The Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion explores the “who, what, where and how” of Christianity with an eye towards increased unification and respect among all Christians regardless of denominational affiliation. With his professional research background, directorship at the Foundation for Christian Studies, and his unique life experiences, Shuster is able to delve into complex spiritual subject matter and make it understandable and enjoyable to the everyday reader.
INTERVIEW
1.
If
you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the
future?
To
the formation of the United States to be with the Founding Fathers and to
understand their vision for the United States both then and into the future. I
would speak to them about the state of the US and how the Constitution should
be applied in these latter days. I have a section on the Founding Fathers in
chapter 4 of my book.
2.
If
you could have any superpower what would you choose?
The power to heal people from whatever infirmity they are
inflicted with. However, as with all super powers there are unintended
consequences to be dealt with. In this case, who does the Lord want healed and
who does he wish to remain in such a state?
3. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Where
are the Christians? will improve your understanding and appreciation of Christianity
historically, spiritually, behaviorally and socially—helping you reach your
full potential as a Christian in your family, church and community.
4.
Any
other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I have written on the comparison of Catholic and Mormon
doctrine, how Mormon doctrine can be supported solely by the Bible, and how
Christianity can be united. My next book will look at scripture and text
revealed in the latter-days (LDS scripture, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.) and examine
how each brings great clarity to the Bible, creating a “high definition” gospel.
5.
Tell
us your most rewarding experience since being published
Hearing from people all over the world with touching stories of how they were inspired by reading my books. It is the greatest blessing of writing.
Hearing from people all over the world with touching stories of how they were inspired by reading my books. It is the greatest blessing of writing.
6.
What
is your favorite Quote?
“Don’t let best be the enemy of better” – author unknown
“Don’t let best be the enemy of better” – author unknown
7.
What
do you do in your free time?
Outside of work and writing there is only family. Besides
my three kids (all older) and grandchildren, we have taken in and are raising three
more children: twin boys 2 years old and
their older brother 3 years old – this is where my free time goes.
8.
If
someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
I wrote, arranged and recorded a song for my wife this
Christmas for our 25th wedding anniversary where I sing about how
our life is nothing like we planned –
that would be the title of the book.
9.
Give
us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you
lie down again.
I wake up at 4:00 AM to pray, read the scriptures, write
and take care of personal matters. I manage the kids’ morning routine from
about 6:00 AM until 8:00 AM when I then go into my home office to work (I am
the CEO of a market research firm). I return to help with the kids’ lunch time
routine at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM when I return to my office until 5:00 PM. I
then help with the kids’ dinner and wind down routine until 8:00 PM. At 8:00 PM
my wife and I see how much energy we have left to catch a decent show on TV,
talk, share time and then collapse in bed around 9:30 or 10:00 PM. This all
changes of course when I am on the road in some part of the world.
10. Favorite music?
Heavy rock music believe it or not (e.g. Three Days Grace), although I loathe the
lyrics sometimes. I am a musician, songwriter and have recorded and produced
many songs; however, at about age 20 I decided life as a musician was not
conducive to having a family. I poke at it now and record from time to time as
time and inspiration move me.
11. What is something people would be surprised to know about
you?
I am an introvert at heart; however, put me in front of a
crowd and my personality completely changes to a raging extrovert. Once the
lights go out I am back in my shell.
12. What do you think of book trailers?
When done right they can be powerful. The trailer for Where are the Christians? is extremely
powerful with dramatic narration, stunning 3D graphics and a great call to
action. You can watch the trailer at www.FindYourChristianity.com
13. Where do you write?
Literally where ever I am. I write mostly at a desk in our family room
in the early morning, but also on airplanes, hotel rooms, office and in
airports. Can you tell I travel a bit? J
14. Who or what inspired your last book?
I was
inspired by ever increasingly divided state of Christianity in America and how
it is operating far under its potential in generating positive influence on
issues of politics and morality among our citizens—thus the title of the
book: Where are the Christians? The Unrealized Potential of a Divided
Religion.
15. Happiest moment in your life so far
Marrying my beautiful wife of over 25 years—Marilyn.
16. If you were President for a day, what is the first thing
you would do?
Encourage all citizens, churches and institutions to take
responsibility for themselves and their own while reaching out to help others,
recognizing the government cannot sustainably do that.
17. What drew you to writing this genre?
My passion to help others understand the gospel and gospel
principles in a way that they can immediately apply to their own lives and be a
happier people.
18. If you weren't a human, what would you be?
A dog—I am fiercely loyal
19. Craziest thing you ever ate?
June bugs in a brown sauce while I was working in Singapore; or
perhaps raw fish guts in Japan. I have lived and worked in Japan and Europe and
have eaten many wild things that most would never think of eating
20. What makes your book standout from the crowd?
No one has ever taken on the challenge of summarizing the
who, what, where and how of Christianity in so few pages with so many fresh
perspectives
21. Describe your book in 5 words
Viewing Christianity Differently and Hopefully
22. 140 Characters or less Tweet about your book.
Find out who the Christians are historically; what a Christian is spiritually; where the Christians are behaviorally; and how Christianity can unite
This or That
TV or Movies?
Movies
Hot or Cold?
Hot weather, cold drinks.
Night owl, or early bird?
Definitely early bird.
Print or Ebook?
Print
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate candy, vanilla shakes
Action or Drama?
Action
Pizza or Pasta?
Whole wheat pasta
Summer or Winter?
Summer
City or Country?
Country
Harry Potter or Twilight?
Harry Potter
Spontaneity or Planning Ahead?
Planning ahead
PC or Mac?
PC
Beach or Pool?
Beach
Cause or Effect?
Cause
Truth or Dare?
Truth
Text or Talk?
Talk – overwhelmingly!
Top Fives
Things That Inspire You
Godly leaders
Selfless people
Underdogs winning
Children in need
Motivational music
Pieces of Advice you have for aspiring writers
Create an outline of the book and how it would flow – a map is critical
Write the easiest chapter first and let that inspire and
motivate you – you need early wins
Every minute counts, write if all you have is 15 minutes
to write – it adds up
Use a template provided by the publisher – formatting matters
Writing the book is not the hard part, marketing is – be prepared to market, market, market
Favorite desserts
French silk pie
Apple cobbler with ice cream
Chocolate fondue
Fresh peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies
Tres Leches cake
Guest Post
Ponder if you will
the state of our world; and in particular the condition of America. Although
one can easily argue the United States is still the greatest nation in the
world and a country so many desire to come to—even risk their lives to enter
into—there is no denying America’s social, moral and spiritual fabric continues
to deteriorate at an accelerated pace. For many this is an alarming and
discouraging trend.
Now consider the
fact that 76% of Americans claim to be Christian, making the United States one
of the highest per-capita Christian nations in the world. A nation full of
Christians in a deteriorating society? If this indeed be the case then WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS? To solve this
conundrum author Eric Shuster gives us a book that bears this question as its
title with the promise of answers and a unique journey for readers.
Where are the Christians? uses the classic
format of who, what, where and how to explore Christianity and the dynamics
that unite and divide the religion into the unrealized potential it suffers
from today (thus the subtitle of the book—the
Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion). The book enlightens readers as
to who the Christians are from a
historical perspective; what a
Christian is from a spiritual perspective; where
the Christians are from a behavioral perspective; and how Christianity can be strengthened and more united from a
societal perspective. Where are the
Christians? examines hundreds of Biblical and scholarly sources, analyzing
data from a multitude of studies leading to unique perspectives and solutions
to the challenges facing Christianity in the modern era.
Where are the Christians? contains 17
chapters arranged into four sections:
·
SECTION
1: WHO
ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—a history: 4 chapters providing a concise history of
Christianity spread across four distinct periods: Evangelization and Formation, Legitimacy and
Codification, Corruption and Division, and Reform and Denominational Proliferation.
·
SECTION
2: WHAT
IS A CHRISTIAN?—a definition: 4 chapters examining the definition of a
Christian from the perspectives of the world, the Bible, landmark religious
studies, and what Shuster refers to as Modern Day Pharisees.
·
SECTION
3: WHERE
ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—a categorization: 5 chapters profiling the five types of
modern Christians including a unique and enlightening exercise to help readers
understand what type of Christian they are among the five.
·
SECTION
4 – HOW IS CHRISTIANITY TO UNITE?—a vision: 4 chapters describing the ways Christians in
America can unite into a force for good by focusing on individuals, families,
churches and communities.
To watch the book
trailer, take a survey to find out what type of Christian you are, and to
pre-order the book go to www.findyourchristianity.com.
Where are the Christians: The Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion uses the classic format of who, what, where and how to explore Christianity and the dynamics that unite and divide the religion into the unrealized potential it suffers from today. The book enlightens the reader as to who the Christians are from a historical perspective; what a Christian is from a spiritual perspective; where the Christians are from a behavioral perspective; and how Christianity can be strengthened and more united from a societal perspective. The book examines hundreds of Biblical and scholarly sources leading to unique perspectives and solutions to the challenges facing Christianity today.
