As Sure As the Dawn (Mark of the Lion, 3)

Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: Francine Rivers is such a wonderful writer. If you enjoy Christian fiction, you'll enjoy her books. She writes such interesting stories, with well developed characters, her books really take you to that time and place.

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Summary: Gripping historical Christian romance
Review: Francine Rivers' writing grabs you and drags you into the story. I couldn't put it down after the first few chapters. The story takes some interesting twists that keep you on edge until the end. She also manages to convey some great messages within the substance of the story in a non-preachy way.

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Summary: Rizpah
Review: I can identify so much with Rizpah, that I even named my screename for her. I enjoyed this last of the trilogy. My favorite character has to be Theophilis. His quiet and gentle spirit, and his faith and love, comforted me. He seemed like the kind of grandfather I always wished I'd had. I cant wait for the next book to come out so that I can find out what happens to everyone.

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Summary: AVL's review
Review: I enjoyed reading As Sure As the Dawn. It was so exciting that you don't want to stop reading it. Although the second book in the series is still my favorite, I think As Sure as the Dawn is definately worth your time.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first two
Review: I have read the first two books in this series and I really didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. I was bored with the book almost from the start. I would recomend the first two, A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness, but not this one.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first 2
Review: I loved the first two books in the Mark Of The Lion Series, and was excited to read about Atretes. Now..this wasn't a bad book, but i was disappointed in it. It was inspirational, but something was just missing this time.Hadassah's story is abandoned in this in favor of Rizpah and Atretes. A must if you like Francine Rivers.

Rating:
Summary: Not as Good as the First Two...
Review: I was eager to read the last book in the Mark of the Lion series, having enjoyed the first two very much (although I liked the first one the best). But, As Sure as the Dawn was a disappointment. The overall story was good...but I did not like the use of so many miracles. I can stand having them speak in tongues...that's believable...but I did not like the end when she survived the drowning and such. I believe in miracles, but too many at once isn't very believable.

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable.
Review: If you read the first two books of this series, and is definitely worth finishing. It really completes the lose ends left by the first two books.

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Summary: The gladiator returns - but not as gloriously.
Review: In this third volume of the "Mark of the Lion" series, Francine Rivers chronicles the journey of the ex-gladiator Atretes back to his Germanic homeland, accompanied by the Christian widow Rizpah, nursemaid to his son. For Atretes, it proves to be much more than just a journey to his barbarian Chatti tribe, but also a romantic journey of love, and a spiritual journey of faith.

Readers familiar with the "Mark of the Lion" series will know that the central issue of the first volume in the series - "A Voice in the Wind" - was how to witness to an unbelieving world, and this is the most powerful and convincing book of the entire series. Like the second volume of the series ("An Echo in the Darkness" - an exploration of forgiveness), the third volume ("As Sure as the Dawn" - an exploration of anger) is much more introspective than the first. Since "As Sure as the Dawn" shares with "An Echo in the Darkness" a focus on inner conflict, it unfortunately also shares many of! its weaknesses. Certainly it has to be conceded that Rivers writes on a much higher level than most contemporary Christian fiction. When packed with a deep theological message, such literary fiction has the potential to pack a serious punch. But not when the theology is weak. Sadly, that is the case not only with "An Echo in the Darkness", but also with "As Sure as the Dawn".

The most serious theological weakness is that Rivers places the events of her story *after* the apostolic era, and yet incorporates signs and wonders that were unique to the apostolic era. These include direct revelation (to Rizpah p.26 and Theophilus p.354), the gift of tongues (when the main characters suddenly speak German, p.314), and miracles (resurrection, p.278-80 and miraculous deliverance by walking on water, p.467). The presence of miracles outside of the apostolic era is particularly unfortunate, because Rivers makes them decisive turning points of the plot - in both instances resulting! in conversions. That the miracle of resurrection causes a conversion appears to be in direct contradiction with the words of Jesus in Luke 16:31 "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Not only do these miracles and wonders result in an overly optimistic story-line that fails to reflect the harshness of real life for Christians today, they are dependent on a tenuous theological position. If one agrees with the assertion that apostolic wonders and miracles ceased with the apostolic era, one must also concede the plot of "As Sure as the Dawn" is not credible.

There are other minor theological weaknesses that are not as crucial to the plot. The portrayal of first century worship (p.126) is questionable, and certainly the idea of "coming forward" (p.5) is anachronistic and without basis in the New Testament, and is more indicative of contemporary rather than ancient worship. The exegesis of several !Bible passages is highly disputable, such the use of Matt. 7:1 "do not judge" (p.53) which fails to take into consideration the immediate context dealing with hypocrisy; the use of 1 John 4 "love one another" to include unbelievers (p.83,373), despite the clear application of this text in Scripture to fellow believers; the suggestion that each piece of the armor of God in Eph. 6 is another name for Christ (p.87); the understanding of Rom. 6 as requiring baptism by immersion (p.283); and the explanation of Gen. 6:5 as meaning that after the fall there was just a "seed of sin" which progressed into increasing corruption (p.291). Also questionable are the assertions that Satan was God's most beautiful creation (p.291), that the Israelites are still God's children today (p.301), and that forgiveness is required independent of repentance (p.423 - note that Christ did not forgive his murderers, rather He *prayed* for their forgiveness). As usual, the theology of universal atonement !(p.60,112,314), partial depravity (p.248-9, 290) and the emphasis on Christ as an example rather than as an atoning substitute (p.306) is typically Arminian.

Like the first volume of the series, the graphic allusions to Atretes' sexual relations outside of marriage and frank discussion of sexual thoughts makes "As Sure as the Dawn" unsuitable for children. In fact the emphasis that Rivers lays on physical attraction is somewhat disturbing (p.187,189). Romantic love appears to play just as much a role as religion in determining the course of events, as evidenced in the fact that one of the religious climaxes of the novel (baptism) is promptly overshadowed by a romantic climax (marriage). The fact that this baptism was rather premature (one of the characters later observes that the baptized person does not even really understand what it means to be a Christian! p.309) appears to confirm this.

The above criticisms may seem harsh but they are honest. At the same time!, there are many positive theological insights that Rivers successfully and effectively shares. The fact that the apostle John quotes numerous Scripture passages verbatim is a real strength. The portrayal of spiritual conflict as the gospel is proclaimed in pagan territory is particularly convincing. Rivers' description of demonic powers at work among the pagans under the guise of their gods is powerful and accurate. Thankfully the third volume of the series is not ALL internal conflict like the second volume, and thus overcomes some of its weaknesses. There are also some exciting action scenes reminiscent of the first volume. A reasonable effort, but unfortunately not enough to equal the first gem produced in this series. Like Atretes, Rivers is back, but not with the same glory as when we first met.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as books 1&2, but still rates a 9/10
Review: Ms. Rivers, please write more!!! Especially about Hadassah!