Title: Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun
Author: Doreen Rose
Publisher: PageTurner Press
ISBN: 978-1643768960
Genre: Religion
Pages: 256
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Pacific Book Review
Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun is an insightful examination of the Holy Bible. Doreen Rose has written a book that will enlighten readers. The title of the book comes from a sermon Rose heard in 1997. She turned the ideas from the sermon into an outline of the Bible in 1999, but put the book aside. However, through a fateful turn of events, Heaven to Gain became a published book 20 years later.
Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun starts with a concise summary of the books of the Old and New Testament. The book then shifts to answering questions about heaven, hell, and other aspects of the afterlife. Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun closes with Rose’s beliefs about how to live a life that’s pleasing to God and in tune with Christian values.
Rose’s evangelical beliefs in God and the Bible are evident in the text. She espouses the belief that only a belief in Jesus Christ will bring salvation to a person. This book is a compelling mixture of Biblical study and her personal testimonials about her faith.
Rose’s writing is very relatable and she makes the books and moral lessons of the Bible easy to understand. Her breakdown of the tenets of the Bible are very accessible and her steadfast belief in Christian doctrine shine through in Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun. She deftly uses metaphors to explain the Bible: “The Word of God is sharp, it is like a surgeon’s scalpel, it will save you, it will judge you justly.” This book also has helpful illustrations and pictures throughout the text to depict pivotal people and events in the Bible. The book uses bullet points and differently colored text to point out the book’s main points.
Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun would be best for readers who like Christian books by ministers such as Joel Osteen or TD Jakes. Heaven to Gain and Hell to Shun would be best for readers who want to find a more easy-to-access modern translation of the Bible. The book could be ideal for young readers who are just learning about the Bible or for people who are new to the Christian faith. While the book has evangelical Christian beliefs, even readers who aren’t religious can still take to heart the main morals of the books about love, forgiveness, and dedication. Rose has written a book that will educate many readers.
