BOOK REVIEW: "MUSCLE AND A SHOVEL"

I have seen many people today try to review the book, "Muscle and a Shovel" by Michael Shank.  But most of the reviews have been bias and with an agenda.  Many have tried to discredit the author by saying that there is no way this could have happened.  While others have stated that the results from the book are inflated.  But neither argument takes away from the truths found in this enlightening book.  So with all the criticisms and praise for the book, I want to look at the content.

Michael Shank starts his story at the end and just before you see the conclusion he jumps back in time to show just how he and his wife got to that point.   This is a clever and productive way to draw you into what he is about to recount.   "Muscle and a Shovel" (Muscle) is on location in Nashville, TN.  It tells the story of how one man's courage to teach the Bible leads another man on the soul-changing journey of a life-time.  The man of courage is Randall and the journeyman is Michael Shank.  This eight month trip through spiritual turmoil drives Michael from one extreme to the other.  This is the same journey that so many Christians today have traveled.  And it is why this book is not only relative but an essential tool for evangelism.

The trip Michael took started with an unlikely friendship and for the better part of the next year would cover almost every type of emotion one could experience.  I for one love the pure honest truth in the book.  How Randall never backs down and always has a scripture to back up his teaching.  In fact Michael mentions that there are over 1,000 individual verses referenced from the KJV Bible.  It seems like every page of Muscle has the inspired Word of God mentioned. 

The Muscle book puts all the verses of the Bible that help you understand what must be done for salvation into a nice organized package.  You only need to have an open mind and search for yourself.  Michael would ask Randall a serious question and then Randall would give a biblical answer.  No need to second guess what Randall was saying all you have to do is look it up.  In the back of the book is listed every verse that is used in each chapter. 

I cannot find fault with this uplifting book.  I have read the reviews both positive and negative.  One said, "In the book, Randall says that everyone that is not church of Christ is going to hell."  That is not exactly what he said.  In fact the one quoted to have said that was a fellow named Kirk.  Kirk is seen to not like Randall very much and really hates religion.  On page 50, Kirk says, "You know that guy Randall believes that Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics - everybody but his church are all going to Hell?"  Michael confronts Randall with this statement and Randall's response is not only loving but honest.  Randall says after telling Michael that God is the final Judge, "from my understanding of God's Word, if you're a member of a denomination, whether it be Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Mormon, any church that Jesus Christ did not establish and buy with His blood, there's no question that you're headed toward eternal destruction" (page 52).  You see, Randall once again calls on God and His word to be the final judge. 

The difficulty with people and their opinions about this book is that most will not go into it with an open heart.  But these are the same people that find faults with God's Word and don't search His book with an open heart.  Now before someone goes on a tangent and says that I am placing Muscle on the same level as the Bible let me say in all caps, THIS BOOK IS NOT ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE IS FROM GOD AND MUSCLE AND A SHOVEL IS FROM A MAN.  Ok, did that clear it up.  But one thing that Muscle has is over 1,000 verses from God's word.  I would say that Muscle is a really good read. 

Have you read the book?  Take a look, and read the book.  Decide for yourself.  And as one said that Michael quoted on the back of the book, "This story provoked me on spiritual levels I didn't know existed!  Everyone who reads this story should be prepared to "fight or flee" - Muscle and a Shovel is one of those rare books that will raise your blood-pressure.  You'll either give it to everyone you know or put it into a shredder - there's no middle-ground.  This book just might turn the religious world on its ear! (Baptist Minister of 18 years). 

If you desire a copy of the book Muscle and a Shovel to read for yourself then email me with your address and I will mail one to you for FREE.  smellchristlike@yahoo.com

This truly is a book that ministers with a message.