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Summary: Randy awakens us!
Review: Randy's latest offering follows his other novels in the fact that it forces you to think about eternal perspectives and the spirit world. We too easily grow complacent in our Christian walk and shy away from considering the spiritual forces working both for us as well as those which are at work against us. This book offers a unique approach as it tracks Fletcher, a typical American middle class husband, father and salesman, and his family as they are unwittingly influenced by the dark spirits. We get to look in on the letters written by the demonic Lord Foulgrin to his subordinate Squaltaint who is assigned to bring down Fletcher. This book is sure to awaken readers and re-awaken other readers to the forces at work in our lives.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: Thank you, Randy, for this eye-opening account of the other side. If you are a husband, father and employee (as I am) and need a challenging book, please read this. Yes, there are a number of Christian books for Men but there are many men out there who will be able to relate to Foulgrin's main character, Jordan in a very personal way. The challenge to me was to maintain a daily prayer and Bible study time so that I am more in tune with our enemy's
tactic of deception and keeping me overwhelmed by the "cares" of life at the expense of my wife and children. There is so much more at stake here than we care to admit, right men??
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Summary: This "fiction" strongly motivated me!
Review: Thank you, Randy, for this eye-opening account of the other side. If you are a husband, father and employee (as I am) and need a challenging book, please read this. Yes, there are a number of Christian books for Men but there are many men out there who will be able to relate to Foulgrin's main character, Jordan in a very personal way. The challenge to me was to maintain a daily prayer and Bible study time so that I am more in tune with our enemy's
tactic of deception and keeping me overwhelmed by the "cares" of life at the expense of my wife and children. There is so much more at stake here than we care to admit, right men??
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Summary: Lord Foulgrin - Contempory Christianity with Contemory error
Review: The book is a good read for the beginner Christian. However due to the contemporary emphasis, it misses some time-independt truths which the immature Christian may mistake as immutable truth.Examples of the 'Demons'-plot' often ignore the heart of Christian compassion towards the classic teachings of Christ. These would include the equivalent and equal concern for drug addicts, prostitutes, and various societal misfits which Christ was Outspoken towards most valuble in helping, regarding them as equal amd primary to any REAL ministery. The book may misrepresent Dogma, and Doctrine for the LOVE and forgiveness of Christ. This may be hard to see, due to the double negative inherent in the discourse (i.e. what is GOOD for THE Father Below, is BAD for the Enemy (Christ/Vishnu/etc.).. Foulgrin may declare that the drungard and addict is not to be bothered with, since the real jewels of 'soul' are in upper management which may be mislead... their position in life makes them more important when emphasising sin-promotion. The inherent implication is that those of little social value have less meaningfull souls, Do NOT get me wrong - this is a good book. Just remember it as written for modern times, and the modern human conflicts, especially w.r.t. political agendas. Mis-representative of Christ's true missionary, it presents a material interpretation of soul-worth, similar to TV evangelism.
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Summary: I hate this book. Says the devil.
Review: The devil must hate this book for the same reasons that I loved it, and that you should read it. Unashamedly indebted to the premise of C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters", "Lord Foulgrin's Letters" purports to be a collection of correspondence from the demon Lord Foulgrin to his understudy Squaltaint. Squaltaint's mission is to target the unknowing Jordan Fletcher by ensnaring him with evil, and prevent him from serving the Enemy - God. Fortunately for us, Alcorn has not just blindly emulated Lewis, but has added an innovation of his own. Alongside the demonic letters is a story recounting the events in the life of Fletcher and his family, a story that is readable on its own. Since Foulgrin's letters are very dense - as Alcorn might say, "the devil would convince us not to read them" - the independent story-line helps us along in sustaining interest. It makes Alcorn's effort more accessible and relevant for modern readers than its famous Screwtape counterpart. What Alcorn shares with Lewis, however, is the very thing that made the "Screwtape Letters" so popular and so powerful: a fascinating picture of the reality of spiritual warfare accompanied with a profound and insightful analysis of modern culture. Alcorn's portrait of this battle is of course fictional, but spiritual warfare itself is a Biblical reality. It is unfortunate that the content of the demonic letters does not always directly correspond with the accompanying plot description, and that Foulgrin's letters occasionally evolve into a hodgepodge of opinions on various matters, rather than structured expositions on a single theme. But nonetheless it is especially these letters at the end of each chapter that make this book so valuable. Alcorn's insights and analysis into today's world are sometimes shocking, but rarely are his criticisms misplaced. This book is not like a great deal of other contemporary Christian fiction. It is not meant to be. Firstly, it's not easy to read. Each section is in effect a mini-sermon, and it would be an excellent resource for group discussion. Secondly, it does not unrealistically present believers as shining saints. Alcorn's characters are like us: they have sins, shortcomings and struggles, and yet they experience progress in the Christian life. Thirdly, it's not light, fluffy and syrupy. It's meant to open your eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare, the dangers of sin, and the responsibilities of the Christian in the modern world. If you feel guilty at times, then it has succeeded. Alcorn equips his readers for spiritual warfare by critically analyzing our secular world though the glasses of his fictional demon. Although he also takes shots at the modern church, theological liberalism, and cultic Mormonism, Alcorn's critical eye especially targets modern secularism. In turn, he addresses the ills of our godless society: atheistic public education, secular colleges, abortion, pornography, and the occult. He warns against the dangers of the internet, television, and movies. He identifies our world's warped perspectives on love, sex and marriage, money and possessions. He demonstrates the relevance of the ten commandments in today's world. He encourages healthy habits for Christians, such as reading good Christian literature, maintaining regular devotions with Bible reading and prayer, and attending worship faithfully. He subtly teaches Biblical truths about complex theological problems and apologetics, by defending the divinity of Christ, maintaining the doctrine of creation over against evolution, and answering questions about the problem of evil in the world and how a loving God can allow suffering. Readers familiar with Alcorn's other writings on these subjects will recognize much they've read before. But it's a truth that bears repeating. Although what we have packaged in the end is Randy Alcorn's personal philosophy of life, it's essentially a Biblical philosophy. Certainly there are exceptions - More attention could have been given to the work of the Holy Spirit in preserving true believers in the spiritual war. But on the whole, Alcorn's theology is sound: he clearly states the bad news about human depravity and the default condition of sinful mankind as hell-bound, the good news of God's grace through Christ's atoning sacrifice, as well as the work of the Holy Spirit in working regeneration and preserving the saints. Alcorn is in fact a four-point Calvinist, committed to total depravity, unconditional election, invincible grace, and the perseverance of the saints - the doctrine of limited atonement being the only Calvinistic arrow not in his quiver. But alongside a sound theology, the premise of this novel also requires a sound demonology. Alcorn himself concedes that he is somewhat speculative in this respect. Although at times Alcorn became tiresome by unnecessarily spending too much time in describing the demons' hate for God rather than their deceptive wiles, his demonology was successful on the whole. It did raise some questions nonetheless: Is it possible for demons to witness scenes in heaven if they have been cast from heaven (Rev. 12)? Do demons have no ability whatsoever to read human thoughts? To what extent can demons control events such as causing a car crash or "inflict certain maladies" as with the case of Job? Alcorn has also struggled with these questions, and in the end a certain amount of speculation has to be accepted as a literary device and can hardly be avoided in a work of fiction. But a somewhat speculative demonology doesn't undermine the truth of Alcorn's theology or the accuracy of his cultural critique. And it is precisely this that makes Lord Foulgrin's Letters so brilliant. It resonates with truth and conviction, and reminds us of the Biblical truth of Ephesians 6. Life is a spiritual war in which we must not underestimate our enemy, put on the armor of God, and stand only in His strength. Alcorn concludes in his afterword "Know your God. Know yourself. Know your enemy. I pray Lord Foulgrin's Letters helps you better know each." This book sure does. That's the reason why the devil hates it, and you will love it.
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Summary: Lord Roulgrin's Letters
Review: This book contains thought provoking stories about what could be going on in the supernatural realm. It seems to me that God has inspired Randy Alcorn to use his gift of writing to make us aware that the "powers and principalities of the air" are alive and well, and very present in our lives. Something all people, including the christian community, need to be aware of in these days.
I have used both his books as well as the cassett tapes of the stories with my youth group. Very powerful! I pray that for Mr. Alcorn and his family. Our enemy doesn't want this information out! Keep up the good work , Randy.
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Summary: An Eye Opening Book!
Review: This book greatly helped my wife and me to see some of the tactics that the enemies of God use to try and distract the lost and children of God. This is a well written book that will open your eyes to the need to realize that Satan and his forces are doing all in their limited power to try and destroy us or our purpose in serving Christ. I challenge and believer and non-believer in Jesus Christ to read this book and take noticed that all though it is fiction it has real non-fiction application! In Christ, Chuck Gilbert
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Summary: Want to change your life? Read this book!
Review: This book is loaded. If you are looking for a great fiction read, this is it. If you are looking for a book that will change the way you look at life, this is it. If you are looking for a fresh perspective on the Christian walk this book is what you are looking for. Having never read The Screwtape Letters, by C.S.Lewis, I was not sure what to expect. I was very surprised by the depth of this book. I plan to go back through and study each chapter, take notes, then sit down with my Bible and do some serious studying. I believe that most of todays hot Christian issues have been covered in a very interesting way. This book will no doubt challenge the way you look at everything. If you enjoy books by Frank Peretti and Bill Myers, you will like this book. In fact, if those tend to be a bit over the top for you, try this book. I will be buying extra copies of this book to give out to my unsaved friends.
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Summary: Seeing through the eyes of the enemy
Review: This book is very similar to C.S.Lewis' SCREWTAPE LETTERS. Randy even compares it to Lewis' in his forward. The main difference is that it is more relative to today's world. In this book you get a good understanding of the spiritual warefare that is raging around us all the time. Thank God that we can't see it with our eyes for I am quite sure it would be more than we could cope with! This book really helps you see how Satan tries to undermine and destroy you with deception and manipulation. It made me a little less gulible to the devil's tricks and a lot more on guard. It helps me realize how vital it is that we put on the full armor of God daily!
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Summary: challenging
Review: this book really challenged me on many levels. it takes a little getting used to having the story 'interrupted' by the letters to and from the demons but its well worth the interruption as the insight gained is priceless
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