WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD?
WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD is recommended reading for Christian adult believers and thinkers, and focuses on the latest scientific evidence supporting belief and the Word of God. Tom P. Wise’s purpose and focus is clearly presented in introductory paragraphs that combine science, news, and affairs of belief and the heart: “In this book we are going to explore what it means to trust in Jesus, and to trust in our God––who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As we broach this subject, we will dig into concepts of suffering as they are presented in the Bible and in issues of trust as they are described in current academic research. Combining the two elements of academia and faith may provide for us a picture by which we may choose to trust in Jesus, God’s only son.”
This blend of perspectives from both scientific and faith-based examinations allows readers to contemplate not just the meaning of God’s Word and Biblical promises, but the scientific evidence that support them. Additionally, Wise creates a blueprint for this progressive examination and follows it religiously: “As we progress through this discussion, we will learn together how the three bases of trust form our ability to choose to trust. These bases are personality, cognition, and institutional trust.”
Chapters stick to Wise’s plan as they document God’s consistency in his message, advocating a form of attention and listening which encourages not only introspection and belief, but cultivating time to truly listen and perceive this message in daily life: “God does not need us in order to carry out his plans. He provides us with opportunities to participate in his plans so that we are blessed by doing his work, and that others can see God in us and in our lives. By listening carefully, God will tell us what he is doing and then we can do his will.”
One doesn’t anticipate an injection of autobiography into such a treatise, but Wise adds observations of life that includes his own, juxtaposing Biblical passages and quotes with his own experiences to pinpoint moments of enlightenment and realization. This creates a multifaceted, human approach to spiritual understanding that encourages his readers to adopt their own reflective process from a combination of reasoned examination and Biblical study, daily life experiences, and scientific knowledge.
The result is a survey recommended for any thinking Christian who would better understand the nature of God’s actions in the world, the process of both watching and acting, and how to link personal objectives and goals with God-driven belief.
Christians will find WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD? empowering, enlightening, and rooted in personal, political, religious and scientific experience.
with credit to D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review).
WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD – by Thomas P. Wise shows readers how to trust in Jesus, and to trust in our God – who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The book tells readers about the Four Sorrows – Life in a Fallen World, Pain Due to Our Sin, God’s Pruning, and The Hate of the World – and how in the desire for self-fulfillment and sin, we build walls between us and God. The book shows readers the many ways they can get to know God better. God never changes and he does not lie. The author decodes the spiritual undertones of many psalms and scriptures in this book.
The author speaks about an often discussed topic in an engaging way and I found the imaginary exchange between Adam and the Serpent interesting and informative. This book will help us readers realize how God always wants to have a relationship with all of us, and while living in a world of sorrow and suffering everyone is pointed back to the Lord who provides happiness when sorrow is overwhelming. The book reiterates the power of God and his presence in our lives. It is also a good book to understand God’s grace and blessings. It will help us to build trust in God for all things and also for a better connection with family members, brothers, and sisters.
~ Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite
WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD by Thomas P. Wise is a book that gives us a blueprint of how to lead a life of service to God through trust and suffering. Wise tells us that there are three bases of trust that form our ability to choose to trust — personality, cognition, and institutional trust. He posits there are four sorrows we face in life, Life in a Fallen World, Pain Due to our Sin, God’s Pruning, and the Hate of the World, all designed to point us to God. Using scripture and modern-day science and thinking, Wise deftly intertwines the two to show us a path that brings us closer to God and what he wants us to do in service to him. Wise shows us how we develop trust in our lives and how that trust can lead us to salvation through Jesus Christ, and then how that trust can lead us to a fruitful life of service to God. Wise goes through the four sorrows one by one, showing how pain and suffering have all been designed to impact our lives and to lead us to Jesus and a closer walk with Him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really made me think. Using scientific reasoning along with scripture really opened my mind to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and what that really represented for mankind. Always using scripture to back his teaching, and throwing in personal experiences that show how suffering affected his life deepened the message Wise presented. I would really recommend this book to those who are seeking Christ and for those who have accepted Him and are looking for a way to serve God by having a closer walk with Him.
~ Reviewed By Richard L DeMoss for Readers’ Favorite
WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD by Thomas P Wise is a Christian non-fiction book that outlines The Four Sorrows of The Bible That Lead Back to God. The sorrows that Wise addresses are: Life in a fallen world, pain due to our sin, God’s pruning, and the hate of the world. Broken down by chapter, the author walks the reader through a deeply thorough study of each sorrow, providing scriptural evidence and a host of supplementary testimony for additional sources. Wise is able to simplify complex findings and present a wholly informative and intelligent illustration that cohesively blends, in equal parts, both a philosophical and academic case for those who are open and willing to learn and grow in their faith.
Thomas P Wise has done an admiral job in the research, analysis, and the overall writing of His Way: Trust in the Father. At first glance, the book’s compact size is almost deceptive with regard to the amount of information covered. This isn’t a light read and, frankly, not all of the material is easy to digest on the initial pass—particularly when Wise imparts personal stories. I had to set the book aside after reading about the loss of a prematurely born daughter. The emotion described transcends the page and I found myself getting choked up. How does one find a way back to God when such a loss has occurred? Wise does the improbable and is able to convince that it is not only possible, but can be done with all of the grace, love, and hope that God provides even in the darkest moments of our lives. Highly recommended.
~ Reviewed By Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite
Life OnBase: Quantico Cave
Readers Favorite – Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite
Readers favorite 5 stars:
Quantico Cave is a coming of age story written by Thomas P. Wise and Nancy Wise. Stephen and Jimmy are best friends, for now that is. Their fathers are in the Marines, so the length of time their families will be in the same location is an unknown quantity. They both love Triangle, the small historic town in Virginia that is home to Quantico. There are woods and streams to play in and a small group of friends to play ball with. Being the son of a Marine officer has its stresses, besides the worry over relocation. Stephen’s father has high expectations for his son and expects that he will perform with discipline and honor, no matter what.
Thomas P. Wise and Nancy Wise’s coming of age story, On Base: Quantico Cave, is marvelous. The authors explore the stresses and strains military children experience being part of a military culture. The Marine dads are stern, and some kids have scars, which may not always be on the outside. On Base: Quantico Cave is filled with scenes from the outdoors, as the kids play ball and explore the surroundings. I’m a sucker for caves and caving and was thrilled when Stephen explores the cave under the tree roots. The BB gun battle was quite reminiscent of Lord of the Flies and was filled with the tension of battle, a war game played by kids who’ve been indoctrinated into a culture that extols success in spite of pain. My only complaint would be that when I had finished the story, I wanted more. Perhaps there’ll be a sequel to this coming of age, action and adventure story? I hope so.
Luxury Reading – Reviewed by Nina Longfield for Luxury Reading
For a child growing up on a military base, life is different from that of the outside “ordinary” world. The children follow order and rank just as their military serving parent or guardian does. Authors Tom and Nancy Wise show this unique military up bring in their highly readable and engaging middle grade novel Life on Base: Quantico Cave.
Stephen is a determined twelve-year-old boy. He strives to live up to his father’s esteem and plant himself as a leader amongst his peers. He is no longer the new kid at Quantico Base, Virginia, but he’s not one of the old kids either. His family transferred from California to Virginia with the beginning of a new school year. Stephen is a kid used to changing schools and finding new friends. When his old friend, Rick, from California arrives on the base, their former friendship is tested by the differences in their father’s ranks. Stephen is now an officer’s son and he is not supposed to fraternize with a Non-Commissioned Officer’s (NCO) kid. Rick’s presence brings about a certain degree of chaos to Stephen’s orderly existence. Suddenly, the two are locked in a competition that Stephen does not fully understand. Stephen is challenged with ideas of friendship, loyalty, and order as he considers what is right for him and tries to bring Rick back around to being his friend.
Life on Base is a well written, engaging, and edifying middle grade novel. There is plenty of action and dialogue pushing the story forward. The first two chapters seem to read at both a rushed pace and a slow pace. Don’t be put off. Stephen, the main character, is showing the reader what life is like on base, what is expected of the children, how things are different and, at the same time, how similar it really is to life outside the base. The novel takes off with the introduction of Rick in the third chapter. At this point, action pushes the story with minimal exposition about life on base. As one reads, the reader becomes aware that ordinary is more a state of mind rather than a common sameness with the outside world.
I found Life On Base an enjoyable read. I was not brought up on a military base, but I get a sense of that childhood lifestyle from the Wise’s likeable novel. I liked Stephen as the narrator. His sense of determination became clear as the story progressed. Stephen’s resolve and attempts to mend old friendships gave the novel a satisfying feel from beginning to end.
