My new book, Justice Revealed, is set for public release tomorrow. As the launch approaches, I’ve been asked several questions about the book and its message. Here are some of those questions and my responses:
Why did you write Justice Revealed?
Have you ever tried to make sense of the world around you – of the challenging and often inexplicable things that happen? Try experiencing it through the eyes of a law enforcement officer! The sights we witness daily can be frustrating, discouraging, and sometimes downright horrifying. Yet, even amidst seeing humanity at its worst, we are privileged to see moments of light and love demonstrated in ways that offer profound hope. This hope stems from the understanding that God has not abandoned us.
However, this raises complex questions: How does a God of ultimate justice seemingly tolerate so much injustice in the world? And how can we, as His children, find His peace, His joy, His perspective, His truth, and His justice amidst a broken humanity? These are the core questions that Justice Revealed seeks to answer.
What is the overarching message?
The central thesis for Justice Revealed is about reaching people for Christ and connecting them to biblical truth. I explore this through a series of instructive vignettes, illustrations, satire, and allegories. These narratives combine my professional experience in criminal justice with a personal proclamation of God’s impartial fairness—His perfect justice.
Do you have a favorite chapter?
Without hesitation, I believe the Holy Spirit inspired each devotion within the book. The chapter that resonates most deeply with a reader will likely depend on their current season in life. However, if I had to select one segment that could potentially have the greatest impact, it would be the portion that includes testimonials from each member of my immediate family.
Chapter 22 is titled, “Our Family Was Pregnant.” This deeply personal part of the book shares the perspectives of those I love the most. The chapter begins with a raw and honest reflection: “When a seventeen-year-old high school girl from a home practicing biblical principles becomes pregnant, it’s like an angry mule that kicks, and everyone feels the impact.” As the chapter unfolds, each family member provides their unique perspective on the challenging yet ultimately redemptive journey we took during the arrival of my granddaughter.
Why should someone read your book?
Everyone needs a relationship with Jesus. God has uniquely allowed me to introduce people to Him by using my background in law enforcement to illustrate biblical principles. This book is not intended solely for cops and their families, but for anyone who desires a deeper appreciation for Scripture as seen through the unique lens of a peace officer.
Regardless of your personal disposition, the satire is designed to make you laugh (I promise!), and the drama may bring a tear to your eye (for some, perhaps more than others). Yet, everything is firmly tied to the Bible, which is God’s divine revelation to us. Through engaging with His Word in this context, readers will form logical conclusions that can truly make a difference in your life.
On a related note, do you enjoy watching the Olympics? I confess, I’m an Olympic junkie! Recently, I became a fan of the Brazilian men’s soccer team after watching their gold medal-winning match. A prominent player for Brazil, Neymar, is known for wearing a headband that says, “100% Jesus.” My research revealed that he belongs to an organization called “Atletas de Cristo” (Athletes of Christ), which was organized to help Christian athletes handle the worldly temptations that often accompany wealth and fame, particularly in Brazil.
I also learned that Brazil has consistently had a core group of evangelical players over the years, with former world player of the year Kaka being a high-profile recent example. After scoring goals, the AC Milan midfielder would sometimes unveil a T-shirt displaying the powerful message, “I belong to Jesus.” Congratulations to Brazil on their gold medal in soccer and to these athletes for boldly living out their faith!