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Summary: All to real...
Review: A friend of mine recommened Randell Arthur's writings. The context of his doing so was a conversation where I shared with him the pain and struggle I was feeling and agonizing through from a church situation marked by subtle spiritual abuse, and the recent exposure of the founding pastor's on-going promiscuous adultry and the lies he used to cover it up. As other reviewers have noted, Wisdom Hunter provides the background for Betrayal, though Betrayal can be read standing alone. Betrayal is not without it's faults. The adulation of Jason Faircloth is at some points approches excessive fawning. It would be more believable for the "new" Jason Faircloth to be a little fallible, and his followers to be more cautious about putting him on a pedestal. Apart from that, in writing Betrayal, Arthur once again deals with issues in the church most Chritians would like to ignore and avoid. I bear personal witness that the issues he deals with are real indeed, and I am an eye witness of the hurt and pain inflicted on bleeding and wounded sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ by such abuse and betrayal. I could not put Betrayal down. So much of it was all to familiar. I can identify with the emotions and feeling on both sides; the anger, the pain, the wanting of justice at the same time knowing I must be willing to forgive. Strangely enough, when I got to the end of the book, I felt some sense of release and a degree of healing. It was on that basis I recommended this book to others. Great Christian literature? No... Good, but not great... But nontheless, a compelling book that fills a real need in the Christian church.
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Summary: another triumph from Randall Arthur
Review: As with Wisdom Hunter and Jordan's Crossing, Betrayal takes you on a journey through several countries and states to expose the legalistic church. Devastated after her husband leaves her, Rachel McCain turns to the only one that she thinks she can depend on for support--her church. Instead of finding the strength and unconditional love that she needs, she finds a long list of "do's" and "don'ts" that she now has to live by. Rachel slowly begins to realize that the strict, legalistic church does not offer the emotional stabilty that she craves, and she begins to search for anwers elsewhere. As in Jordan's Crossing, Rev. Jason Faircloth plays an important part in Rachel's renewal of her spirit and her faith in God and the church. Betrayal is an excellent novel and will keep you reading whether or not you have ever questioned the "rules" that go along with Christianity. I think that each of Arthur's books is better than his last, and I am anxiously awaiting his next one.
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Summary: another triumph from Randall Arthur
Review: As with Wisdom Hunter and Jordan's Crossing, Betrayal takes you on a journey through several countries and states to expose the legalistic church. Devastated after her husband leaves her, Rachel McCain turns to the only one that she thinks she can depend on for support--her church. Instead of finding the strength and unconditional love that she needs, she finds a long list of "do's" and "don'ts" that she now has to live by. Rachel slowly begins to realize that the strict, legalistic church does not offer the emotional stabilty that she craves, and she begins to search for anwers elsewhere. As in Jordan's Crossing, Rev. Jason Faircloth plays an important part in Rachel's renewal of her spirit and her faith in God and the church. Betrayal is an excellent novel and will keep you reading whether or not you have ever questioned the "rules" that go along with Christianity. I think that each of Arthur's books is better than his last, and I am anxiously awaiting his next one.
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Summary: Dad I am so proud of you!
Review: Dad, I am so glad that you have once again taken the time to write a book that many people will be able to relate to and and can grow from. I want you to know that I am proud of your accomplishments. May God bless you richly. I love you, Heidi
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Summary: Refreshing: Non-sappy Christian fiction
Review: Following in the footsteps of his books: 'Wisdom Hunter' and 'Jordan's Crossing', Mr. Arthur once again displays his ability to show Christians as imperfect people moving through a very imperfect and often harsh world. Running contrary to much of today's popular myths of never-a-problem-Christianity; this book's characters are real people put into circumstances from which there seems to be endless pain, no one or place to turn to for help and prayers which seem to go no farther than their own lips. Taking his lead from the guidebook of the Christian faith-the Bible which does not gloss over the imperfections of it's heros, Mr. Arthur does not hesitate to show the darker sides of his characters. Also, as with real life, the plot of this novel does not twist in a clean and predictable manner, what is assumed is not always the case. 'Betrayal' left me: -angry at selfishness, cruelty and arrogance. -sorrowful at undeserved pain. -in tears at the kindness of a stranger. -suprised at it's end. Most of all though 'Betrayal' left me very aware of my own attitude toward others who are hurting and my personal expectations of God. I give it four stars only because it started a bit slow, however as with his previous books, I will share it with many others.
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Summary: Randall Arthur Does It Again
Review: For those who have read the Wisdom Hunter, this is a must read for them. It is as gripping as Wisdom Hunter and keeps your page turning interest more than Jordans Crossing. Be sure and buy two copies because you will definately think of someone who needs to read this book.
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Summary: He's done it again! (Heidi where are you)
Review: I loved this book. Mr. Arthur is gifted. I wrote my one and only ever fan letter to Mr. Arthur I am so not articulate but the Wisdom hunter , Jordans Crossing and Betrayed are so very profound and special Read them all
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Summary: Another Winner From Arthur
Review: Randall Arthur continues the saga he started in Wisdom Hunter and Jordan's Crossing in his newest work, Betrayal. He is again taking on the legalistic worldview but this time he approaches it from a slightly different angle, using betrayal as the driving force (hence the book's title). The story centers on a missionary family in Sweeden associated with an ultra-conservative branch of Christianity. As the story opens, Rachel has to deal with the abandonedment of her husband, Clay. Devestated, she turns to her church body for love and support only to find that their legalistic, dogmatic view of Christianity has no room for acceptance of people in her position (for various reasons). Sin is to be dealt with with a harsh, unwavering hand and even though she was the victim here she is still held responsible in many ways. How Rachel deals with this betrayal (of both her husband and her church leaders), as well as the story of Clay's disappearance contains the key on which this book ultimatly succeeds. Betrayal holds a strong message, both against the legalistic attitudes still permeating much of the church and for the hurting victims out there who have suffered from betrayal and a legalistic, judgemental church body. This is one of the best Christian novels of 1999, and it suffers only from sadly cheesy cover art (don't let that sway you). I would recommend Wisdom Hunter before and above Arthur's other books. It is a true Christian fiction classic. However, Betrayal is definatly worth the purchase. It is a book that will challenge and heal, yet still leave you entertained by the read. Four and a half stars.
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Summary: Best fiction book I have ever read.
Review: The most riveting and honest book about Christianity written. Timely, current and thought provoking. Left me stunned. I cried for a solid hour as I thought about the truth of this book. Not because my life related to this story but because I became aware of how truly this novel depicts our society today. Astounding, absolutely astounding. Will recommend this book to everyone I know. Inez Parish
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Summary: Must read for Christians
Review: This book completes Randall Arthur's first book, "Wisdom Hunter" and is a must read for those who have already had the pleasure of reading his first publication. Legalism in today's churches needs to be exposed for the horrors they impose on common people struggling for real meaning in their lives. Betrayal gets down to the heart of the betrayals lay people feel from their leadership in far too many of today's churches. You catch a glimpse of how to be "free indeed" perusing the pages of this excellent written book and would be hard pressed to put this book down once you've opened the front cover and began reading. Put this book in a loved one's Christmas stocking.
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