Dr. Emily Smith helps readers live out one of Jesus’ greatest commands through ‘The Science of the Good Samaritan’
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (Aug. 3, 2023) – Dr. Emily Smith, global health expert and creator of the popular Facebook page Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist, encourages readers to change the world through the simple act of loving their neighbor in her new book, The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors (Zondervan, Oct. 24, 2023).
Through The Science of the Good Samaritan, Smith outlines practical steps for individuals to live out the principles of Jesus’ Good Samaritan parable through the story’s three themes of centering, cost and courage. She weaves together fascinating stories of faith at work in the Bible, in her life and in the lives of others to inspire readers to think and act in a way that redefines their concept of “neighbor.”
“Jesus reveals to us that anyone who lives on the margins is the neighbor,” said Smith. “This book will show that truly being a neighbor goes way beyond simply donating food or money. It’s the ‘and also’ way of neighboring. It’s about doing the good things like donating food or money and also changing our hearts and posture to match those deeds. It’s about shifting our perspectives away from being just good enough to living into a life of neighboring that comes as naturally to us as thirst. It’s a radical shift in our thinking and worldview that will transform us into different people.”
An epidemiologist and Christian, Smith became known as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist during the COVID-19 pandemic when she created a Facebook group to share science-based updates on what was unfolding and remind individuals what it means to love your neighbor as the Good Samaritan did.
What started as a project for a few friends and family members quickly developed into a page with tens of thousands of followers. But as the page grew and Smith continued sharing her knowledge, she learned the cost of centering on the neighbor, which for her included harsh criticism, loss of her friends and community, and threats on her and her family’s personal safety.
“There’s a cost in shifting our worldview and actions to match,” Smith said. “It’s hard, disorienting, lonely, vulnerable. It’s full of loss and pain. It’s messy and can feel long. But there’s something on the other side. There’s a courage that helps us be neighbors Jesus talked about despite the cost.” In the book, Smith notes that that loving your neighbor can be done anywhere by anyone and emboldens readers with biblical and real-world examples of how to be courageous in their neighboring journey.
The Science of the Good Samaritan releases Oct. 24, 2023, from Zondervan. For more information visit faithgateway.com.
Dr. Emily Smith is an assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine/surgery at Duke University and at the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI). During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also became known as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist through her social media outlets which reached over 10 million people in 2020-2021. Before joining the faculty at Duke University, Smith spent four years at Baylor University in the department of public health and was a research scholar at DGHI for two years. Dr. Smith received her PhD in epidemiology from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill and a MSPH from the University of South Carolina. Smith has been married to her pastor-husband for 20 years and they have two fantastic children, one spoiled golden retriever and a new very-friendly golden doodle puppy.
Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.
Contact: Kristin U. Cole kristin@kcolecommunications.com 615-289-6701
