Redeeming Love

I'm going to have to retrain myself to the new 5 Minutes for Books carnival schedule. If you haven't yet made the change in your own mind, we've moved the I Read It carnival to the first Tuesday of the month (tomorrow) and instead of just writing posts about books you've read that the team suggested -we're opening it up a bit. The I Read It carnival is open to all blogger suggestions. So, if you took the reading suggested of any blogger in the blog-o-sphere or received a book gift from a relative that you want to mention, write up a review and link back to our I Read It carnival (tomorrow ;) - just consider this your reminder!). We're excited to make this a more community oriented event and hope you'll join in so that the recommendations can travel around to your blogs and we'll be inspired to read new things.

That introduction aside, I'm going to talk about a book that I haven't really seen reviewed very thoroughly, but one that "everyone" has recommended that I read. For awhile there, I didn't think I would be able to write about it either. But Barbara H. asked if I'd consider it and so I've been thinking through it a bit more.

Let me start of by saying that, in general, I am not a big fan of Christian fiction because I think it lacks imagination and creativity and many authors write predictable stories with lots of pop culture references and mimic the world's writing style. Harsh, I know! But it's what I think. There are a few Christian authors that have ever captured my attention and they've mostly done so by writing something that is fresh and unique. Good story tellers prove themselves and for all the ones I do not like, Francine Rivers I do.

The only other book I've read by Francine Rivers is The Last Sin Eater and I made the mistake of watching the movie before I read the book. (Never do that.) It kind of spoiled the book for me a bit because I already knew what was going to happen. (The flip side to that story is that the movie was so well done and true to the book that I had no complaints on that score!) Beyond that, Rivers has eluded me. But no more. Oh no more! Give me a button and a badge. Maybe even a t-shirt. I'll wear it. I'm hooked - with exception (explained below).

For anyone who is not aware of what Redeeming Love is all about, it is a retelling of the book of Hosea. Only that's a simple explanation and the only one I've ever been given. This book is simply horrific, and it probably focuses the most heavily on Hosea, Chapters 3 and 14 in unveiling the story of a prostitute who Rivers gives the name of "Angel"to in her book. Angel was sold into prostitution at the age of eight. The story is set in the 1850's during the California Gold Rush when men were flocking west and were in want of a little, er, company. Our upstanding man of honor in this book is named Michael Hosea and when God tells him that he is going to marry Angel, Michael is in disbelief. He has spent his life waiting for the perfect woman who has waited in faithfulness to give herself to the man she marries. He has been equally faithful and this story documents Michael's journey of frustration and love as he takes Angel as a wife and loves her with the love of Christ (i.e., in unfailing fashion, even though it wounds him).

Now, I had previously said I wasn't going to talk about this book online. Not because I didn't want to, rather, mostly because I couldn't. This story seeped in to me and left me feeling ...odd. I've also previously questioned whether we are doing good by re-writing scriptures as fictional "modern day" tales. I don't know whether this habit or practice is good or bad. I think only time can tell. (For example, I read Journey to the Well and enjoyed the story but there's a nagging doubt in the back of my mind which refuses to allow me to just accept the stories as stories.) That probably has to do with the fact that stories like Journey to the Well and Redeeming Love are taking liberties with scripture, which is sacred, perfect and complete in and of itself. God doesn't need our help in telling His story. But does He allow for our creativity in this particularly way in which the authors sort of elaborate the facts? And in what way will this effect future generations of Christians, readers and Christian readers? We don't know that yet as this particular style of writing seems to be a new trend. So I tread lightly and cautiously, unconvinced in either direction. (You can feel free to argue your point below if you would like.)

That said, Redeeming Love moved me internally. I read the introductory letter from Donald C. Jacobson, President & Publisher at Multnomah Publishers talking about how he sobbed as he read through this manuscript and I wondered exactly what I was getting myself into! The story of Angel is horrific. If the topic of sex trafficking bothers you, this book will bother you. But it is meant to bother you. It's detailed enough to paint an excruciating and accurate image, giving it a more PG-13 rating (as given by Jacobson). At the same time, Rivers closes the doors on complete scenes, narrowly avoiding the R rating. But you definitely get the picture of what is happening to Angel and it isn't always pretty.

Angel's pain at being used by men is gripping for the reader. Michael's pain at not being able to truly enjoy, trust and feel safe with his wife is also quite evident. Her sinfulness in her lifestyle is made incredibly clear. Yet, Michael also has sin issues and he recognizes that he is no more worthy to be called a child of God than Angel is.

This book helped me to "even the playing field", so to speak, when comparing myself to others. I'm not Angel. I'm also not Michael. I'm pathetically me and I have a long ways to go myself! The other loud and clear message I got from this book was that God is strong enough to handle my sin issues. Thankfully, my salvation wasn't birthed by me and is not sustained by me. Yes, I have a call to be obedient to God and His commands but He has the love and grace and sovereignty to help me actually obey. It is not of me that I could boast, it is a gift. (Ephesians 2:8) So, in a strange way, I am Angel. And I am Michael. And God is God and able to redeem, for which I am truly grateful.

Redeeming Love is a powerful read and therefore dangerous. It has the power to sway human emotions and human hearts - in good ways and bad ways. It isn't scripture, but it represents it. For the good? For the bad? I don't know that I (or you) could say. I only know that it spoke to me of God's ability to cover my sin. So I am thrilled by Francine Rivers and I simultaneously feel a caution in recommending the book the book to just anyone too hastily. I think if it swayed emotions over "just a simple love story" then the book will have served a very small and entertainment-driven purpose. If it moves you to see how much God loves you (enough to redeem you) then I feel more wholly positive about it. Rivers writes magnificently, assuring me that no one can read it and NOT be moved in some particular direction. I just question if the message of the book always accurately moves people towards the God she herself clearly loves.

It is a compelling and moving read. There is no doubt about that. It is craftily told and wonderfully written. Rivers possess great skill as a writer and I can certainly see why it is easy to become enamoured with her style. I certainly am. I am also grateful for the reminder of how very much God loves me, in spite of myself.

O The Blood of the Passover Lamb
by Martin Nystrom

O the blood of the Passover Lamb
Is applied to the door of my life
No power of darkness could ever withstand
The force of the blood sacrifice

Though Satan will bring accusations
I let him know where I stand
For now there is no more condemnation
I’m under the blood of the Lamb

I’m under the blood of the Lamb
That covers the guilt of my past
By the mercy of God
Holy and righteous I stand

I’m under the blood of the Lamb
I’m safe and secure from the enemy’s plan
No weapon formed against me will stand
I’m under the blood of the Lamb

To check out what others are reading for this carnival, CLICK HERE.