How Do You Know He’s Real?

Celebrity Reflections on True Life Experiences with God

Author Amy Hammond Hagberg

Destiny Image Publishing

Hagberg’s new book How Do You Know He’s Real is comprised of 34 topical reflections from various sports, TV, movies, and music personalities.  All the testimonies are broken down into categories that you can easily look up at the beginning of the book.  I believe that I counted 81 categories all together, from abortion to worry.  At the end of each testimony is a practical application piece with devotions and scripture references. 

With 34 individual celebrities you are bound to be familiar with quite a few.  I would like to share two personal stories about this book that have already made a difference to me.  Without looking, when I first received the book I opened it up and came to Rudy Sarzo. Sarzo is the bassist for the classic rock band DIO and formerly of Quiet Riot (as well as Ozzy and Whitesnake).  I was a big Quiet Riot fan in high school and they were like the second band I had ever seen live.  I was a daydreamer when it came to rock ‘n’ roll, and Rudy’s testimony was a real awakening.  It was also relevant to me because I had recently attended an Alice Cooper concert and received much grief for it by both my Christian and non-Christian friends. Rudy’s testimony touched on false impressions and the concept of legalism.  It was very fitting to my situation. 

My second story is even more amazing because it involves a family member who is seeking and asking tough questions about their faith and who God is.  The book didn’t even have to be opened.  It was seen on my desk and the names that were visible on the cover immediately opened a discussion.  These are people that are well known and that people look up to on a higher level.  I would not propose that placing celebrities on a pedestal is a good thing (idolism), but in some cases, a name like Billy Ray Cyrus, John Schnider, or Kirk Cameron can turn people on to a discussion they may not otherwise be willing to get into.    

This book is perfect for those who are searching for a faith of their own.  There would be an immediate attraction to the stardom of the individual stories. As that draws them into the book, they will then encounter the good news of the Gospel in a very personal way.  That is very cool.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say a few words about the author as well.  Putting together this type of project could not have been easy.  I can imagine a lot of phone calls and e-mails and then more follow up calls and e-mails, and a lot of frustration.  With that in mind, I was just as moved by her testimony as I was by any of the celebrities within the book.  I am so glad that she put that in the book for us to understand where she was coming from when she put this project together.  This isn’t another celebrity magazine glorifying Hollywood stars.  This is a book that shows a human side of well-known individuals. The main point is that the stories can help others to find their own faith in Christ, and possibly avoid (or get through) some of the pitfalls that have occured in the storyteller’s lives. 

I highly recommend this book for every church library and for every Christian as another means of sharing the Gospel.  Check out www.amyhammondhagberg.com for more information.