EDH - BOOK
At the intersection of earthly and spiritual pursuits comes a book that addresses both imperatives — with 2025 release of Conflict and Peace: At Home with Jesus by author Eric D. Hovee.
Conflict & Peace
2025 is proving to be a year of national and global turmoil. Of new and renewed conflicts. But also with never-ending hope for peace — at home, in the workplace, among our leaders, and between nations. Conflict & peace go hand-in-hand. At times with conflict as the impetus for change, at other (all too seldom) occasions offset by periods of peaceful resolution — even the opportunity for abundance experienced both materially and spiritually.
At Home with Jesus
Looking to the future, can we learn from experiences and lessons of the past? Most definitively yes, especially if we look beyond the temporal and material to also consider the sustained and the spiritual. That’s what this book Conflict & Peace: At Home with Jesus is all about.
This book looks to the experiences of 12 individuals who have shaped Christian faith and western (if not also global) culture over the last two millennia. We start with the first four New Testament writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke, John — followed by early church leaders Paul, James, Peter, then by the enigmatic doubting Thomas and Mary Magdalene, then skipping forward to Roman emperor Constantine, further forward to Martin Luther, finally coming back full circle to first century Jesus of Nazareth.
Like the best fiction … only more real! For times like these …
Getting Your Book
Conflict & Peace is being made available for purchase by Austin Macauley Publishers (AM). ISBN identification is: 9798895430750
The book is currently available in hardback, paperback, and e-book book formats together with an audio book planned for availability by fall 2025. Book ordering is possible from websites for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and/or Austin-Macauley. Review options for book purchase by clicking on one or more web links for three supporting vendors as listed below:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Austin Macauley
REEDSY Discovery
The book Conflict & Peace … is now live by clicking on the book review and community platform of Reedsy Discovery. The full text of the 1st chapter titled “Matthew - Prophecy Fulfilled” is provided by Reedsy as a sampler.
Literary Titan Review
Conflict & Peace has been separately reviewed by Literary Titan with the the reviewer noting that this book is best for readers who want faith that is not easy, neat, or dogmatic” The full review is available by clicking on: EDH Book Review.
A separate brief interview with the author describing how the book came to be is is also available from Literary Titan by clicking on: Eric Hovee - Author Profile.
Online Book Club
Another recent (January 2026) review of Conflict & Peace … from can be found by clicking on: Online Book Club Review.
The Literary Review of Writers Association (United Kingdom)
The following review of March 2026 is provided in detail, as follows:
The Review — A Deeper Look: Conflict & Peace tackles one of the most uncomfortable paradoxes in the New Testament: the statement in Luke 12:51 where Jesus claims he came to bring "division" rather than peace. For readers who prefer a "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild" archetype, Hovee's exploration is a provocative wake-up call.
What Works Well: The "Twelve Pioneers" Structure. By focusing on specific figures-from the Gospel writers to Mary Magdalene and Martin Luther-the book avoids becoming a dense, abstract theological treatise. It feels more like a series of interconnected biographical sketches.
Historical Honesty: Hovee doesn't shy away from the messiness of the early church. He highlights the friction between Paul and James, and the seismic shift that occurred when Constantine merged the cross with the sword of the Roman Empire.
Relatability: The book's core thesis-that conflict is an inherent part of the spiritual journey rather than a sign of failure-is deeply practical for modern readers dealing with division in their own lives or churches.
Potential Drawbacks: The "Time Jump": The leap from the 4th century (Constantine) straight to the 16th century (Luther) is massive. Readers looking for a continuous, unbroken history of Christian conflict might find this gap a bit jarring, as it leaves out a thousand years of Medieval development.
Perspective Shift: Depending on your background, you might find the inclusion of Thomas and Mary Magdalene either refreshing or controversial, as they often represent "outsider" or Gnostic perspectives that differ from traditional orthodoxy.
The Verdict: Should You Read It? Read this if...
You are tired of "easy answers" and want to explore the more complex, demanding side of Christian history.
You are interested in how different personalities (like the four Gospel writers) can look at the same man and see totally different things.
You find yourself in a season of personal or communal conflict and want a theological framework to process it.
Skip this if...
You are looking for a strictly academic, linear history of the Church (the jumps in time are significant).
You prefer a traditional devotional that focuses exclusively on comfort and tranquility.
Honest Recommendation: Rating: 4/5 Stars
I recommend this book if you are a "seeker" or a "questioner." Hovee isn't trying to hand you a finished puzzle; he's trying to show you how the pieces have been clashing for 2,000 years. It is a solid choice for a small group study or for someone who feels disillusioned by the divisiveness in modern religion and wants to see that these struggles are, in fact, foundational to the faith.
Intro Video
Want more information before ordering your book? For a less-than 7-minute overview of the book and its key elements, click on arrow for the video below:
Want More?
I hope that you will find Conflict & Peace — At Home with Jesus valuable both for historical context and contemporary relevance. Thanks for your consideration.
Feel free to read and submit feedback in the form of questions or comments. For more, click here or on the Feedback tab provided with this website.
Sincerely,
Eric Hovee