A book review of Spiritual CPR: Recognizing and Intervening When a Christian is in Crisis by Dr. Shaun Jester
Stars: ****
Jester Entertainment (2026)
Christian Nonfiction>Counseling
136 pages
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.
Summary: In Spiritual CPR, board-certified physician Dr. Shaun Jester draws on a lifetime of responding to physical emergencies to present a practical, biblically grounded guide for recognizing and responding to spiritual emergencies.
From pornography and infidelity to abortion, addiction, and other life-altering struggles, this book equips believers to move beyond judgment, silence, and avoidance toward restoration, healing, and hope.
Using the memorable WASH PIGS framework, readers will learn how to assess difficult situations, offer wise counsel, and extend grace without compromising truth. Each chapter explores real-world scenarios, examines both secular and biblical perspectives, and provides actionable steps for helping fellow Christians navigate moments of spiritual crisis.
Whether you are a church leader, small-group facilitator, mentor, parent, or believer seeking to strengthen your ability to care for others, Spiritual CPR offers a compassionate roadmap for restoring those who are hurting, struggling, or wandering from their faith.
When spiritual emergencies arise, will you be prepared to help save a life? The next spiritual emergency in your church, family, or circle of friends may be closer than you think. Will you know how to respond?
Spiritual CPR
I have not read a book like this before and I’m glad I did. It really shows you how you can help others who are struggling with sin and how to tell which approach is the right one. For example the book teaches that depending on who you are and your connection with the person, what is appropriate for you to do will change. Sometimes praying is the most you should do. Other times there is more you can do.
The sins covered are Pornography, Sex Outside of Marriage, Elective Abortion, LGBTQIA+, Idols, Chronic Disease, Estrangement and Apathy. I want to specify Chronic Disease is not what I thought it was. I thought the author was saying having chronic illness was a sin. It’s not about that. It’s about smaller things you keep doing over and over like greed, gluttony and gossip.
I like how the author at first makes clear why those sins are a problem. So if you aren’t sure you agree that those are sins, the book will help you clear it up with actual bible verses and interpretation, not just a blank statement.
In the Sex Outside of Marriage section for example we have: What’s the Problem with Sex Outside of Marriage?, Is Infidelity Really That Big of a Deal?, What Does the Bible Say About Sex Outside of Marriage?, Practice Scenario (re examining the scenario from beginning of chapter), Biblical Examples of Compassion and Grace, Restoration, Practical Actions, Study Guide and Resources.
Buy Spiritual CPR from Amazon.com