An Essential Guide to Interpersonal Communication

"Schultze and Badzinski provide a firm foundation for flourishing interpersonal relationships in a digital age, integrating timeless scriptural wisdom, cutting-edge communication research, and compelling insights from everyday life in a highly engaging, student-friendly volume."

"Schultze and Badzinski seamlessly weave together contemporary communication research, the wisdom of Scripture, and the memorable words of Christian sages. The result is a book that not only increases our desire for warm friendship in a digital age but also offers inspired suggestions on how to reach this relational goal."

"At a time when we as a nation need to discuss important issues such as immigration, sexuality, racial unrest, and deep spiritual longings, we are losing the ability to talk with respect and civility. Unfortunately, social media often adds to our frustration and division. Where can we turn for help? Quentin Schultze and Diane Badzinski remind us that the Scriptures and communication theory offer rich advice on how to discuss difficult issues--both face-to-face and through social media--in order to help interpersonal relationships flourish. Their insights are practical, wise, and much needed in today's divisive communication climate."

"This book is disturbing--in all the right ways. No matter how good you think your relationships are, be prepared to come away convicted, recommitted, and passionate about making them even better. If your relationships need restoration, hope fills these pages."

"Well researched, accessibly written, biblical in its wisdom, and practical in its advice. I gladly recommend this book as a rich resource for learning to build real community through effective communication."

"Schultze and Badzinski have written a primer on what it means to take interpersonal communication seriously from a Christian perspective. In eight brief chapters, the authors cover many of the common topics of their subfield from an explicitly Christian worldview. Moreover, they integrate issues, questions, and problems from the realm of social media--Facebook, Twitter, Instagram--and relate those communicative media to such thorny interpersonal issues as forgiveness, cultural difference, reconciliation, peacemaking, evaluation of self and others, conflict avoidance, and truthtelling. In the end, knowing the truth as God has revealed it in his Word, through his Son, and in his creation is the standard against which all communication is measured."

"An Essential Guide to Interpersonal Communication will shake up your vision for relating. Professors Schultze and Badzinski understand that relating starts with the Spirit's virtues, such as gratitude and responsibility, which lead us to the redemptive skills of listening well, forgiving, and encouraging others. Along the way they point out our need to be true and to aim for peace while letting go of the myth that we can control everything about our relationships. Recommended for personal reflection and college classroom learning in communication and psychology."

"This is not your ordinary interpersonal text. Schultze and Badzinski uniquely combine communication theory and practice with centuries of spiritual wisdom, resulting in an engaging, practical, highly accessible guide that can be used as a stand-alone text or in conjunction with others. I highly recommend Schultze and Badzinski's Essential Guide for use in universities, churches, or any other setting where authentic, life-giving communication is desired."

"In An Essential Guide to Interpersonal Communication, Quentin Schultze and Diane Badzinski present students and others interested in healthy relationships with a wonderful companion to guide their reflection on and self-understanding of this important area. The balance between biblical sources and academic research sets this book apart from others and will make it valuable not only in schools but in church settings as well. Schultze and Badzinski do a brilliant job of capturing the eight key elements of healthy interpersonal relationships."

"Rarely does brilliance sing; but wisdom is poetic in Proverbs and Augustine, and in this phosphorescent book for the Twitter age. With its readability index a perfect ten, this book by award-winning authors turns the pivotal ideas of interpersonal communication into pathways of harmony and transformation."

"This book is accessible, practical, and inspirational and avoids meaningless generalities. It is filled with relevant examples and plentiful quotes. I know of no higher compliment than to say, 'It made me think.'"