Randall
Arthur is one of my favorite authors. He is a master at creating
thought provoking plots and developing engaging characters, all
wrapped up with well crafted writing. He did not disappoint me in
this novel.
Arthur
centers his plot on the contemporary issue of women pastors. When one
is forced on a conservative church in a small Georgia town, tempers
rise and sides are drawn. “So, was she a voice of Satan that
mastered in deception? Or was she a voice of God that shattered lies
and defended truth?” (186) Arthur counters that issue with the
plight of women having genital mutilation forced on them in an
African Muslim country. The relating of male domination of women in
some areas in America and an African country was thought provoking
for this reader.
There
are additional social issues rounding out the plot. Race is one,
including bi-racial marriages and including non-whites in a
conservative church that had been all white since its inception.
Forgiveness is another big issue as is biblical interpretation and
accepting social change.
I
highly recommend this novel. The plot may well challenge some of your
preconceived ideas about Christianity and how a church is to
function. The characters may well engage your emotions so that you see
strangers in a new light. This novel may well inspire you to change for the
better.
My
rating: 5/5 stars.
Randall
Arthur and his wife have been career missionaries since 1975,
planting churches in Oslo, Norway; Munch, Germany; and Berlin,
Germany. He has also coordinated and led over 100 short term mission
trips. He wrote his first novel, Wisdom Hunter, in the late
1980s. The novel was controversial, challenging legalistic
Christians. His goal as a writer is to rip the mask of pretense from
American Christianity and present stories portraying true life
struggles, thoughts, reactions, and journeys.
Life
Image Publishers, 488 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
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