“Because of the internet and AI, destructive behavior is more accessible to good men than ever before,” says Tim Hartzell. “We don’t even have to look for it — it pursues us. And if we are not prepared for the attack, we will fall.”

Hartzell, a recent area pastor and now a freelance writer focusing on men’s discipleship, is therein stressing needs addressed by his new book: Why Good Men Fall. Hartzell cautions all men, “If you believe a fall couldn’t happen to you, then you are already making fateful choices.”

Published in August by Westbow — a division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan — this clear, practical and strongly Scriptural volume has a self-explanatory subtitle: Identifying the Steps That Lead a Man to Failure — and the Powerful Grace That Can Protect His Life and Legacy.

“There is no height of position, maturity, or holiness from which it is impossible to fail,” writes Hartzell in an early chapter. Indeed, by focusing on five famed figures who failed — Adam, Moses, David, Judas and Peter — he shows that a higher position means a greater fall; and this, of course, warrants special and deliberate watchfulness.

Hartzell provides a framework for this in 40 short chapters — filed into six memorable categories: Rise, Risk, Ruin, Run, Rest and Rely.

“It’s a 40-day journey,” said Hartzell in a recent interview, “with daily readings of about 1,000 words each. I also include daily reflections to trigger further thought and to be used as discussion-starters for the weekly meetings. I firmly believe that men learn more effectively when engaging the accountability of a small group.”

Adding that the 40 sections can be used weekly rather than daily if preferred, Hartzell observes that several men’s groups have already used the book — and “their response was very positive.”

So was mine.

Regular Webb readers know of my fondness for books — and are probably also aware of my faith in Christ, plus long-term leadership in a local church. So I dove right in here — and was immediately struck by how user-friendly the book is.

In addition to clear definitions and a step-by-step format, the book offers takeaway reflections at the end of each brief chapter. And Hartzell has a winning way with analogies — especially ones that will appeal to men: highways, running, football, and mountain-climbing, to name a few.

He also peppers his prose with quotations from such figures as Ben Franklin, John Newton, David Livingstone, Will Rogers, Billy Graham, George Santayana, Martin Luther, Socrates and A. A. Milne. (Hartzell has an uncanny ability to track down the source of such well-known adages as “Measure twice, cut once” and “All work, and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.”)

And he includes plenty of personal anecdotes — for, as the book itself points out, “People can argue with you about many things, but they cannot argue with your testimony. Every time you share it, your story is redeemed.”

That last point is another aspect I appreciated: Much of the book deals with how to recover from a fall once it has occurred.

But of course, Hartzell’s strongest emphasis is prevention:

“A good man can protect himself, his family and his legacy from the devastating consequences unleashed by a moral failure,” Hartzell told me in the interview. “The good news of Why Good Men Fall is this: A good man doesn’t have to fall! It is a hopeful and positive book!”

Hartzell also noted that “women are not immune from the sin crouching at their door. The very same steps that lead a man to failure can also lead a woman to failure. The book is for everyone who wants to protect their life and legacy from moral collapse.”

Hartzell is now at work on The Five Questions of Life — first in a planned series of five discipleship books he is calling The WILD5 Project.

“Webb Weekly readers are currently getting a sneak preview of the book in my ‘Faith Conversations’ column,” Hartzell adds.

In the meantime, Why Good Men Fall can be found online at Amazon, Westbow and Barnes & Noble; it’s available in audio form as well — read by the author.

“My hope and prayer is that good men will read this book, be trained in its principles, and guard themselves from moral collapse,” says Hartzell. “If this book can save one good man from falling, and save one family from destruction, it will have been worth the effort.”