Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
A very good read about the reality of a conflict we don’t want to or dismiss to see. If you’ve already made your mind up (and dismissed) about a realm that you cannot see and how that interacts with this present reality then pass this by. If you are even a little curious about a wondrous reality that remains out of sight and yet can still be accessible then go dive in.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The Veritas Conflict is a novel about Claire Rivers, a Harvard freshman. But moreso, it is a dramatic revelation of spiritual warfare as a real and present thing. Claire the student is a devout, evangelic Christian, and Feldhahn details the the difficultly of her transition to an environment and community that is actively hostile to her beliefs. Concurrently, she uses Claire as the fulcrum of a story about territorial and generational warfare over the fate of Harvard and its body. The story starts as a gentle, didactic bildungsroman but works its way into a Christian thriller. Claire's story starts with the discomfort of being reviled and hated for her views. As the plot progresses, she becomes part of an investigation that begins as a survey of ideological diversity and ends with a pitched battle for both territory and the human spirit.
Feldhahns story is biblically accurate. She goes so far as to provide notes to scripture, plus two bibliographies and an apologia for the limitations of human imagination. The seminar scenes are largely didactic, but having been there and done that, they're not inaccurate, in tone or content. At any rate, they're vastly less cringe inducing than some similar scenes I've read. The spiritual warfare she writes about spans the gamut, from simple worship to corporate intercessory prayer, to a limited look at deliverance from almost complete demonic possession. The writing is detailed and exciting without being lurid.
Feldhahn writes a lot of characters, several of whom seem to exist simply to be mouthpieces. Yet they're well drawn enough that you get a sense of the intersecting friendship groups one could make in a first semester at college. The pacing is a little uneven at times, with the advertised thriller portion taking quite a while to get going. And having said that, I'm still giving it five stars. It's not an amazing, mind-bogglingly good novel. But it is wonderful in its own way. After it finally gets going, it's very compelling. And most of all, it's heartening. It's so nice to read a book and never have to ignore anything because of a check in the spirit. I'll start now on hoping for a sequel.
The Veritas Conflict is a novel about Claire Rivers, a Harvard freshman. But moreso, it is a dramatic revelation of spiritual warfare as a real and present thing. Claire the student is a devout, evangelic Christian, and Feldhahn details the the difficultly of her transition to an environment and community that is actively hostile to her beliefs. Concurrently, she uses Claire as the fulcrum of a story about territorial and generational warfare over the fate of Harvard and its body. The story starts as a gentle, didactic bildungsroman but works its way into a Christian thriller. Claire's story starts with the discomfort of being reviled and hated for her views. As the plot progresses, she becomes part of an investigation that begins as a survey of ideological diversity and ends with a pitched battle for both territory and the human spirit.
Feldhahns story is biblically accurate. She goes so far as to provide notes to scripture, plus two bibliographies and an apologia for the limitations of human imagination. The seminar scenes are largely didactic, but having been there and done that, they're not inaccurate, in tone or content. At any rate, they're vastly less cringe inducing than some similar scenes I've read. The spiritual warfare she writes about spans the gamut, from simple worship to corporate intercessory prayer, to a limited look at deliverance from almost complete demonic possession. The writing is detailed and exciting without being lurid.
Feldhahn writes a lot of characters, several of whom seem to exist simply to be mouthpieces. Yet they're well drawn enough that you get a sense of the intersecting friendship groups one could make in a first semester at college. The pacing is a little uneven at times, with the advertised thriller portion taking quite a while to get going. And having said that, I'm still giving it five stars. It's not an amazing, mind-bogglingly good novel. But it is wonderful in its own way. After it finally gets going, it's very compelling. And most of all, it's heartening. It's so nice to read a book and never have to ignore anything because of a check in the spirit. I'll start now on hoping for a sequel.
This is an incredible book, and it shows that Shaunti Feldhahn should spend time writing more fiction material. This is an elaborate story of a girl and those that she forms relationships with at Harvard University. It is a story about supernatural spiritual encounters with people, God, angels, and minions of darkness. It is well written, exciting, and consuming. The ending isn't really what you want, but it doesn't ruin the book. It is a fantastic read, especially if you like a little supernaturalness in there.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed it, but it wasn't an amazing book.
It felt a little out of touch with the modern generation, but then it was published in 2001 haha. Reminded me a little bit of the stereotypical Christian parents who assume the worst of anything secular, but it wasn't too bad. Another small critisim I have is that Sherri and Claire seem to be the only of the Christian character that ever sin or are ever tempted, even though Brad even admits to struggling sometimes.
It felt a little out of touch with the modern generation, but then it was published in 2001 haha. Reminded me a little bit of the stereotypical Christian parents who assume the worst of anything secular, but it wasn't too bad. Another small critisim I have is that Sherri and Claire seem to be the only of the Christian character that ever sin or are ever tempted, even though Brad even admits to struggling sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Abortion
Moderate: Violence, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual assault
I am a fan of Christian Fiction like this! Ok so I'm a little bias - Shaunti goes to my church . . .
AMAZING book about spiritual conflict. You follow the lives of several college students and get to see the view point from the demons and how Satan manipulates their lives. This is seriously my favorite book as it is the only book I've read twice. I love fiction books involving spiritual warfare.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
“We are more lost and sinful than we ever dared believe, but are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope.”
A powerful, compelling narrative depicting an intensely fascinating account of spiritual warfare. I found this novel well written and thought-provoking.
A powerful, compelling narrative depicting an intensely fascinating account of spiritual warfare. I found this novel well written and thought-provoking.