Dr. James Bryan Smith, Friends University executive director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation and author of the bestselling book “The Good and Beautiful God,” will debut his first volume of a new book series this August.
The new book is titled “The Magnificent Story: Uncovering a Gospel of Beauty, Goodness and Truth” and will be the first of Dr. Smith’s “Magnificent” series. It will be available this August, with the two other books in the series publishing in fall 2018 and fall 2019.
In his newest book, Dr. Smith focuses on how stories and narratives determine who we are and how we make sense of the world. Through this book, Dr. Smith shows how individuals’ stories about God, the cross and other aspects of Christianity shape how they live their lives. Each person has a unique and powerful story, Dr. Smith says. Spiritual practices and a group discussion guide are included at the end of each chapter.
Dr. Smith is associate professor of religion and executive director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University. He is a founding member of Richard J. Foster’s spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré. He received his undergraduate degree at Friends University and earned a master’s in divinity from Yale University Divinity School and a doctorate in ministry through Fuller Seminary. He is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and speaks throughout the United States and beyond about Christian spiritual formation. This past fall, Dr. Smith was part of the Friends University team that developed a new master’s degree program in Christian spiritual formation and leadership.
Dr. Smith’s new book is currently available for pre-orders and is expected to be out by Aug. 8.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.