Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed
Review: I felt that this book was poorly written in parts. For, example, I almost laughed out loud at one point where they were speculating about AntiCrist - underestimating him so much because he had poor grammar - gee, he can't write, obviously he must be an uneducated imbecile. The thought never crossed their mind that he could be pretending? Anyway, perhaps McDowell should stick to nonfiction.
Rating: 
Summary: You just can't put it down....
Review: I have read many books by Josh McDowell but this was my first for him in the fiction genre and in Christian fiction in general. I am a senior in high school so I can give the book from my point of view.
All of the characters in the book are very real and can be seen everyday in Christian and non-Christian society. You have the divorced Christian, fundamentalist Christians, homosexuals, teachers who promote the "new age" movement, and many others.
The book has a twisting plot so you're always wondering what will happen next. As a teenager I found it surprisingly well written considering the plot and the style it was written in. This book takes one through the issues of tolerance, conservatism, Christians in politics, and more.
If you are a liberal this will not be your favorite book although it might still be an okay read, as long as you keep reading until the end and don't quit halfway through. Christian teens, young adults, and parents will enjoy this book. In conclusion, McDowell and Stewart did it again creating another awesome book to read in the Christian genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book! I'm ready for the authors' next installment.
Review: I thought the book combined a fast-moving plot and enjoyable narrative with excellent character development. Clearly, the authors know what goes on in the minds of troubled youths. I would recommend this book to older teenagers and to parents. I found the book well written, fun to read and helpful at exposing our depraved human nature. You'll be glad you picked this one up, and I wouldn't plan on putting it down until you're finished.
Rating: 
Summary: this kind of stuff warped me as a child
Review: I was raised in a conservative Christian life as a child and young adult, inundated with influences like McDowell. If you are a parent, do yourself a favor and educate yourself first. If you are a teenager or young adult, do the same. I regret to say that people like McDowell implant false notions like "the world hates you" and makes you think the world is non-Christians who are totally against all the "Christians". Please do yourself a favor and get a well-rounded education. These types of books breed fear and misunderstanding of other people and beliefs, and subtly enforce the notion Christians should assume some sort of power or overbearing influence in American society. That kind of attitude is indeed scary, but unfortunately typical in fundamentally-inclined circles like McDowell's.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, interesting, competent
Review: I'm a recent convert to Christianity, and somewhat of a bookworm, so I guess I have a natural interest in the so-called "Christian fiction" genre. I have to admit I picked up this novel with a bit of trepidation. Much of the stuff I've read has been nauseatingly bad. Not that the authors' hearts haven't been in the right place, but the quality of writing is, on the whole, lower than "secular" fiction. Anyway, this novel is a refreshing change. It's not brilliantly written by any means, but it *is* competently written, and the authors have a grasp of the elements of a successful novel. The Christian doctrine is rock-solid, in case you're concerned about that. I think the authors have a problem with getting into the characters' heads and letting us know what they're feeling, instead of just narrating their actions. The plot deals heavily with politics; one of the main characters is running for the governorship of the newly-created state of Northern California. Politically, I consider myself a moderate, but the authors present some pretty convincing arguments for conservative values. BTW, if you consider yourself a liberal, you probably won't like this book. :) We also have the typical New Age Shirley MacLaine-type antagonists found in a lot of contemporary Christian literature. In conclusion, I have to say McDowell and Stewart are pretty gutsy to suggest the idea of a Christian nation-state. I don't know if that's the way to go, but hey, it worked for the Jews.
Rating:
Summary: American Conservatism is NOT the same as Christianity
Review: In the same way that it would be GREAT to hear an American liberal speak out against abortion as an infringement of human rights, so it would be great to hear an American conservative speak out against capital punishment for the same reason. For us non-Americans there is only despair at the cliched positions of liberals and conservatives in the US. This book simply reinforces this. Homosexuality has killed a lot less people than the American Govt's use of the electric chair/lethal injections, yet McDowell's character doesn't seemed concerned abut this, even given that his Lord, Jesus Christ, was the innocent victim of a state execution. It is time for US Christians to see that what they often espouse as "Christain" views on social issues is really just "American Conservatism" with a few bible verses thrown in. One suspects that 150 years ago these same people would have supported slavery.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Book By Exceptional Authors
Review: This book is about the polarization of American society as well as a "divorce" among Christians, beautifully symbolized by the estrangment of the two lead characters: Stephanie and Jon Van Horn. Stephanie is working to secure the election of a "family values" candidate who would drive the coffin nail into ills such as assisted suicide, gay rights, and abortion. Jon Van Horn is working at chaning the heart, by staying rooted in his inner-city school where he can make a difference, by demonstarting God's compassion and love with action and not by legislative mandates. The thrust of the book is it takes both- Compassion and Justice-to make a difference. And with all due respect to the previous reviewer, Josh McDowell is no enemy to intellectualism. His book MORE THAN A CARPENDER is point in hand. Examine the claims Christ carefully before passing judgement.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Book By Exceptional Authors
Review: This book is about the polarization of American society as well as a "divorce" among Christians, beautifully symbolized by the estrangment of the two lead characters: Stephanie and Jon Van Horn. Stephanie is working to secure the election of a "family values" candidate who would drive the coffin nail into ills such as assisted suicide, gay rights, and abortion. Jon Van Horn is working at chaning the heart, by staying rooted in his inner-city school where he can make a difference, by demonstarting God's compassion and love with action and not by legislative mandates. The thrust of the book is it takes both- Compassion and Justice-to make a difference. And with all due respect to the previous reviewer, Josh McDowell is no enemy to intellectualism. His book MORE THAN A CARPENDER is point in hand. Examine the claims Christ carefully before passing judgement.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Book By Exceptional Authors
Review: This book is about the polarization of American society as well as a "divorce" among Christians, beautifully symbolized by the estrangment of the two lead characters: Stephanie and Jon Van Horn. Stephanie is working to secure the election of a "family values" candidate who would drive the coffin nail into ills such as assisted suicide, gay rights, and abortion. Jon Van Horn is working at chaning the heart, by staying rooted in his inner-city school where he can make a difference, by demonstarting God's compassion and love with action and not by legislative mandates. The thrust of the book is it takes both- Compassion and Justice-to make a difference. And with all due respect to the previous reviewer, Josh McDowell is no enemy to intellectualism. His book MORE THAN A CARPENDER is point in hand. Examine the claims Christ carefully before passing judgement.
Rating:
Summary: this kind of stuff warped me as a child
Review: This is a book all Christians must at least browse through. The story is a cutting edge view of many issues we face today. It shows that we can be misguided even in the best of intentions. Thanks to Josh McDowell, who in my opinion has always had excellent ways to encourage young people to do the right thing, and Ed Stewart for writing an excellent book. Us parents need to remember that teens need our love and we need to be there for them. Also, California isn't "Sodom and Gomorrah". I converted to Christianity here, and our family relocated to Southern California, where we attend and enjoy a church that is firmly rooted in the literal interpretation of the Word of God. Morals must begin in the home, being taught and lived by parents.
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