Betrayal

Rating:
Summary: Powerful, poignant, infinitely moving
Review: This is one of the most real and moving books I've read in a while. The characters and situations leap off the pages. I have been fortunate to not have been touched by such hardheartedness and cruelty--spiritual abuse is right--in my own church, but I can absolutely believe there are denominations, churches and preachers like North Metro and Pastor Lovett. Just as I have seen with my own eyes the healing and hope in churches such as Liberty with pastors such as Jason Faircloth.

All the time I was reading I kept thinking, WWJD? I know that He would embrace Rachel and the children, let them cry on His shoulder, and reassure them of His love. I also believe that He would accept with joy Clay's true repentance, love him and direct him in the right paths--and also tell him to go and sin no more. But I would pay GOOD MONEY to see Jesus preach at North Metro. I'm sure He would let loose some of the choicest words he used against the Pharisees when He was here on earth. "Brood of vipers"--"whited sepulchres"--"stumbling blocks"--"millstones"--come to mind. Although He would love them as He loves everyone, He would grieve for their hardened hearts. He would know and show them clearly that THEIR hearts were about as far from His heart as one can get!

Anyhow, the next time I'm feeling a little judgmental as a Christian, I'm going to try to remember this story.

This beautiful novel richly captures the complexity of a difficult and sad situation, the hope and healing that can be gained, and the pain of cruelty from those who think THEY have done no wrong. The ending is bittersweet. I almost cried when I read the part about Clay--it felt so very sad--then I read it again and realized that in the end he did find the hope he sought, although not on earth--and it made me cry even more in my heart.

What a terrific reading experience! Every legalistic fundy pastor, deacon, elder, church lady, etc. should read this and ask themselves: How WOULD Jesus treat Rachel? How WOULD Jesus treat Clay?

Rating:
Summary: Powerful, poignant, infinitely moving
Review: This is one of the most real and moving books I've read in a while. The characters and situations leap off the pages. I have been fortunate to not have been touched by such hardheartedness and cruelty--spiritual abuse is right--in my own church, but I can absolutely believe there are denominations, churches and preachers like North Metro and Pastor Lovett. Just as I have seen with my own eyes the healing and hope in churches such as Liberty with pastors such as Jason Faircloth.

All the time I was reading I kept thinking, WWJD? I know that He would embrace Rachel and the children, let them cry on His shoulder, and reassure them of His love. I also believe that He would accept with joy Clay's true repentance, love him and direct him in the right paths--and also tell him to go and sin no more. But I would pay GOOD MONEY to see Jesus preach at North Metro. I'm sure He would let loose some of the choicest words he used against the Pharisees when He was here on earth. "Brood of vipers"--"whited sepulchres"--"stumbling blocks"--"millstones"--come to mind. Although He would love them as He loves everyone, He would grieve for their hardened hearts. He would know and show them clearly that THEIR hearts were about as far from His heart as one can get!

Anyhow, the next time I'm feeling a little judgmental as a Christian, I'm going to try to remember this story.

This beautiful novel richly captures the complexity of a difficult and sad situation, the hope and healing that can be gained, and the pain of cruelty from those who think THEY have done no wrong. The ending is bittersweet. I almost cried when I read the part about Clay--it felt so very sad--then I read it again and realized that in the end he did find the hope he sought, although not on earth--and it made me cry even more in my heart.

What a terrific reading experience! Every legalistic fundy pastor, deacon, elder, church lady, etc. should read this and ask themselves: How WOULD Jesus treat Rachel? How WOULD Jesus treat Clay?