The Encounter is the new novel and parable by Stephen Arterburn. It is the story of Jonathan Rush, a famous ultra successful and very wealthy businessman, who has been sent on an assignment by his Pastor to learn the truth about why his Mother abandoned him as a child in Fairbanks, Alaska when he was only four years old. He knows nothing about his Mother accept her name.
On his search Jonathan meets a mysterious woman named Mercy. Mercy seems to hold the key to the answers that he seeks, but is unwilling to confide in him. Can he convince her to tell him the truth about his Mother and his past?
Filled with anger and bitterness over his abandonment that threatens to consume him, Jonathan must learn to forgive his Mother and himself before it destroys him.
This was an awesome read. It was a very quick read. I enjoyed it a lot. It’s routed in truth. It’s a modern day parable that based on two true stories. The characters weren’t fully fleshed out. It would have been better if the characters were more well rounded. Also it would have been nice to know more about their pasts and how they reach this specific point in their lives. When did they get to the end of themselves and realize they needed to change? In spite of these short comings it was a very good book. The lack of these things just make you want to know even more.
Jonathan Rush is like so many hurting people. Not only does he hurt himself, but others with a bad attitude and wicked tongue. This isn’t the reason for all nastiness in others. But sometimes the saying that ‘hurting people hurt people” is sometimes true. Also sometimes we think we have all of the answers about a situation. But sometimes what we think we know isn’t always true. Because of this we sometimes live miserably because we chose to believe and internalize a lie instead of searching for the truth. Jonathan may be like someone you know, including yourself.
Interestingly Jesus seemed to be missing in action a lot. The main theme in the story is forgiveness. But how can you have forgiveness without Jesus? I wish that Jesus was mentioned more. This is a Christian book right? Jesus died so that we could all be redeemed and experience the ultimate act of forgiveness. But the Gospel was missing. I found that this happens a lot in many “Christian” books where the authors (as well as the publishing house) wants the book to have a wider appeal to those that may not know Christ. But if you don’t present Him to the people and give them the Gospel message, how will they ever find Him?
It is our responsibility as Christians to tell them. And if we don’t, no matter how good the story told may be, we fall short of God’s command to spread the Gospel to all the world. The Gospel must always be presented clearly, even if it means offending someone. To write for the Christian market is a form of ministry. And serving God must come before profits or pleasing a publishing house. It must never be absent or watered down.
At the back of the book there is a short history about the two stories that the book is based on. As well as a “Solitude and Discussion Guide” to help you find your own healing.
All in all I think that anyone that is dealing with unforgiveness and painful emotional wounds should read this book. You may learn how to deal with the things in your past that you haven’t learned how to let go off. You may finally find healing in your own life.
I give this book 3.5 stars.
Copyright © 2011. Haneefah Turner. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy without permission. Thank you.
I am a member of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program “BookSneeze”. I received a copy of this book free of charge in order to review it. I was not paid for this review. I also was not required to give a positive review, but to give my honest opinion of what I felt about the product. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Whether positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product.
-
-
NaNoWriMo Winner!
