The Christian Handbook

A Field Guide for Intrepid Christians

How do you identify an angel? What should you do if you're condemned to burn at the stake? A new guide has answers.

"The Christian Handbook," a tongue-in-cheek guide for the concerned Christian, answers questions you may have never thought to ask--and some you may have been too afraid to bring up. Click the image below to open the gallery and sample some the humorous tips and useful information you'll find inside.

Images and text excerpted with permission from 'The Christian Handbook' & 'The Lutheran Handbook' c 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Avoid Getting Burned at the Stake

Helpful Tips

• If you find yourself in a situation where being burned at the stake poses an imminent threat, try wearing flame-retardant material.

• If there is no hope of escape, request dry wood and plenty of dry kindling. Green wood burns slower, smokier, and at lower temperatures, causing a more painful death.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

How to Identify a Possessed Person

Helpful Tip

While it is the sign of mature faith to take evil seriously, it takes equal maturity to refrain from rushing to judgment! Attributing any of the symptoms to demon possession without first taking the time to pray, consult faith elders, or wrestle with the "diagnosis" can be akin to curing a headache by chopping off the sufferer's head.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Helpful Tips

• Not everyone who claims to be filled with the Holy Spirit actually is. The Bible warns against succumbing to "false prophets" and others looking to steal the Spirit's thunder.

• The Holy Spirit may enter your life or someone else's life at any time. Remain alert.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Helpful Tips

• Focus on your posture. Sit up straight with your feet planted firmly on the floor. Good posture will promote an alert bearing and assist in paying attention, so you'll get more out of worship.

• If all else fails, try pinching yourself. Dig your nails into the fleshy part of your arm or leg. Try not to cry out.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Helpful Tips

• Disregard most minor situations. The facts should indicate something of high order, such as one that is life threatening, one involving suffering, or involving an immediate threat.

• The miracle of life in Jesus Christ is a daily event and should be regarded as a free gift.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Helpful Tips

• Avoid confusing an angel with God. Angels cannot deliver salvation, grace, or forgiveness of sins.

• Hunches, intuition, and a "sixth sense" are not signs of an angelic message from God. If an angel brings a message, you'll know it.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Helpful Tips

• Laugh out loud. Laughter is abhorrent to the devil and should be indulged in frequently.

• Seek the company of other believers. Play games with children, attend worship, join a prayer team, host a dinner party, or locate a Bible study. Solitude can provide the devil an opportunity.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.

Helpful Tips

• Dress for survival. Wear only cool, breathable fabrics.

• Pray. Jesus survived on prayer in the desert for 40 days. Lifting or extending your arms in an open prayer position may help cool your body by dispersing excess heat.

Images and text excerpted with permission from "The Christian
Handbook" & "The Lutheran Handbook" © 2005 Augsburg Fortress.