I've seen a number of Randy Alcorn's books around and have read a few of his non-fiction in the past, someone recommended this book which looked interesting. Alcorn's focus in most of his writing tends to be on heaven--one of his better known books is simply entitled Heaven. Although, this is fiction it deals with the same subject from a slightly different angle.

Ben (American) and Quan (Chinese) end up studying together in America and become firm friends. They have both made professions of faith. Several decades later, Ben is a wealthy businessman and Quan is back in China suffering due to religious persecution. The story revolves around their reunion and how things have dramatically changed for both of them over the years.

The author depicts scenes from heaven throughout the narrative. The angels are watching over the characters in the book and recording their deeds. There is an overlap between earthly and heavenly matters. Towards the end of the book, he also describes a person in hell. This part of the narrative was almost unbearable to read but I forced myself to finish it because it is likely the reality of what unbelievers will face. I think it is good for us sometimes to remember the reality to spur ourselves on to share with those who are still in darkness.

I'm in two minds as to whether depicting any type of activities in either heaven or hell is a good idea for an author. One review I read makes the case that we shouldn't put words in God's mouth. Whilst I agree with this in principle, I think the author has done a good job with this material. He makes it clear that it is fiction but not fantasy. The things described are taken closely from the biblical account and therefore are likely to be part of our experience in heaven. Having said that we are told that no human mind can imagine what God has prepared for us....I can see both sides of this debate. As long as the person reading remembers that it is fiction, I think it could actually encourage us as believers as the author has been faithful to Scripture.

The main storyline about the Chinese underground church is powerful. The author has done his research and the text is full of facts and figures and information that brings life to the characters. I was particularly interested in his assertions about the Chinese government's propaganda machine. That they present an image to Western countries but the reality is somewhat different. I witnessed this in the Philippines when the Pope came to visit and all of the slum dwellers were packed off to luxury accommodation for a night only to lose their homes and belongings and be kicked onto the street a day later.....sad but true. Image is everything.

I did enjoy this book and am impressed that the author has chosen to donate all royalties from it to the persecuted church around the world. The ending dragged on a bit and became a little removed from reality. However, this was definitely above an average read, provides a lot of fascinating detail about the persecuted church, has a few pages of gripping (and terrifying) writing depicting hell which will challenge and has some ideas about heaven which are worth exploring.

There is no bad language or sexual content. There is some graphic violence and some torture scenes which some readers may struggle with. However, it remained border-line for me and wouldn't stop me reading this book again.

Recommended for Christians interested in the persecuted church or for those looking for inspiration for evangelism.



( )

I love the fact that Alcorn is able to both weave a compelling story and inspire you to love the Savior more. This is a really good book. ( )

One of the best books have ever read.leaves you really thinking ( )

This is a magnificent book, telling us a very touching story about two friends, Li Quan and Ben Fielding, that lived together as roommates while in college, and after that each one followed his path. When reunited twenty years later, they are chocked with what they see. At college Ben Fielding took Li Quan to his church meetings, but after college Ben forgot about God, relying more in his abilities to advance in his business career than in God's intervention. In the other hand, Li Quan did not deny his new re-discovered God, same God of his ancestors, and he give up all his worldly dreams of becoming a professor and writing books to follow the path of evangelising in China.
The author shows us all the "behind the scenes" persecution that happens in China for those who preach the gospel of Jesus. We follow all the sufferings of Li Quan and his family and the rewakening of Ben to his faith, while witnessing everything that Li Quan is enduring in his life in China, in the name of a God that he had forgotten and abandoned.
This is a brilliant book, very well written, easy reading and that keep us turning pages till the very end. It is a must have book in the permanent library of any serious christian reader. Thanks, Randy Alcorn, for such a masterpiece!
This book was written by Randy Alcorn and it was published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. in 2011 and they were kind enough to send me a copy for reviewing through their blogger book review program.
( )

http://thelittlemaninchina.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/book-review-safely-home-by-r... ( )