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Apr 03, 2018Geaney rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
** spoiler alert ** One day I was praising the author on Twitter for so clearly explaining the depravity of man and Christ's propitiation for our sin. The next day, I had to withdraw my comment due to the shaky theology I was encountering. 1. These characters are constantly speaking to God and hearing definitive answers. Wouldn't that be nice? If it had only happened a time or two, I could have written it off as the "still small voice", but the rate of occurrence was unsettling. It's also interesting to note, these instructions from God never come while the character's are reading Scripture. 2. One character receives multiple visits from an angel. I do not deny the existence of angels. However, this visit is like nothing we read in Scripture. Do we ever read of anyone getting a personal friendly angel who comforts them nightly? 3. THE ABSOLUTE DEAL BREAKER -- When Roman drops DEAD on the sidewalk, he is ushered into hell by two demons. Once IN hell, he cries out to Jesus who appears as a bright light and takes his hand. Miraculously, Roman is revived and taken to a hospital both for his heart and a demon inflicted wound to his leg (which handicaps him for the remainder of the book). Perhaps at this point, you are questioning whether Roman was really dead. In a later chapter he tells a reporter, "I had a heart attack, died on the sidewalk, and went to hell. Jesus got me out." Chapter 37 My thoughts: We are given the opportunity to repent and believe today—while we are living. When we die, it's game over! Jesus does not do special operation rescue missions into the pit of hell. Why I believe this: In the parable of the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) we read, “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ And... I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (John 3:3) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. (John 3:36) Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27) They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. (Matt 25:44-46) Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (Rev 20:11-12) As a new believer, this author's Mark of the Lion Series won me to Christian fiction. She is an exquisite storyteller and I admire her skill. I'm not saying this book is poorly written. However, I do not feel like I can recommend a story in which the plot hinges on Christ descending into hell to save a sinner. To me, if you are a Christian fiction author your purpose should be to glorify God—that can only be accomplished when He and His Word are represented correctly. Theology does matter!