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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
One word...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! This book was AWESOME!!! I strongly encourage reading it, especially for people enetering college.
My book club review:
Christian fiction is not the most popular genre in today’s reading. There is usually a good reason for this. Foreseeable plots, thin characters, and evangelical teachings turn people off. One author, though, is bringing new revelation and life into Christian fiction. Her name is Shaunti Feldham and her book, The Veritas Conflict, is a breath of fresh air.
The Veritas Conflict is the story of the spiritual battleground at Harvard University. Beginning with brief glimpses into colonial days, a country and college for God, and moving into the murky seventeen hundreds, Feldham outlines the deteriorating faith in God and His Truth. The story picks up in the twenty-first century, where young, believer Claire Rivers is given a chance to attend Harvard. Delighted at the opportunity, she is shocked at the lack of faith and tolerance for Christians. Christian Harvard professor William Mansfield is determined to do something about that intolerance. With the help of his TA Ian Burke, he begins a plan to research and reclaim Harvard for Truth.
In a unique twist, the writing does not only follow the humans at Harvard, but the angels and demons involved there. The spiritual warfare closely follows all character and God’s children must learn to pray, trust, and obey. As she encounters one argument after another from the enemy, Claire is exposed to many arguments she is unprepared for. Stunningly woven into the smoothly written plot, Feldham delves into a world of skepticism, lies, and controversial issues with schoolroom debates, apologetics and counter-arguments. An old family line, a two hundred year old plan, a corrupt business conglomerate, and a campus on the verge of spiritual war all make for a fantastic, spiritual read.
The Veritas Conflict was well-named. “Veritas” meaning truth, the title translates to “The Truth Conflict.” In those three words you have the theme of this book, the fight for God’s Truth, which encompasses the defense of truth, search for truth, and courage in the truth. In fact Harvard’s motto is “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae”, which means “Truth for Christ and the Church.”
The writing is terrific. Smooth transitions, great dialogue, and appealing, dynamic characters. Protagonist Claire was particularly easy to relate to, her struggle with choices, colleges, and being accepted are all familiar to my generation. The antagonists are driven, easy to dislike, and evil. A good example of the writing and the demonic is found on page 47: “They [the demons] loved doing that. Loved using and destroying those created in the image of the Enemy…who had forever cast them from glory. His human children might be wayward, but they were still His children and He loved them. He reached out to them every day, yearning to draw them to Himself before it was too late. That was the all the reason the dark forces needed to hate them; they wanted it to be ‘to late’ for as many people as possible.”
Like everything, The Veritas Conflict has some faults. Numerous switching viewpoints and characters were hard to keep track of. One character would enter the scene for a few chapters, only to leave and be replaced by another. I also found it unlikely that every time God did anything, it was through an angel. Whether it was delivering a message, protection, or suddenly blessing a family line, angels did all the work. There was never the sense that God works through people to deliver His messages, something I have discovered many times.
That said, this book was really fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. More than a good story, The Veritas Conflict offered me new perspective and insight into spiritual warfare and Truth. One of my favorite scenes takes place when two guardian angels greet each other in passing, the one proudly pointing out the toddler he watches who “will grow up to be a great evangelist.”
I would definitely recommend this book, but to an older audience. The book deals with several adult topics, including pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and abortion. It is a must read for all college students and their parents, perfect as a graduation gift.
As one character says, “We are more lost and sinful than we ever dared believe, but are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope.” Christian fiction may not normally be the greatest read, but God’s love and justice are apparent in this encouraging, convicting book. I would recommend putting it high on your to-read list, and hope you enjoy and discover as much as I did.
My book club review:
Christian fiction is not the most popular genre in today’s reading. There is usually a good reason for this. Foreseeable plots, thin characters, and evangelical teachings turn people off. One author, though, is bringing new revelation and life into Christian fiction. Her name is Shaunti Feldham and her book, The Veritas Conflict, is a breath of fresh air.
The Veritas Conflict is the story of the spiritual battleground at Harvard University. Beginning with brief glimpses into colonial days, a country and college for God, and moving into the murky seventeen hundreds, Feldham outlines the deteriorating faith in God and His Truth. The story picks up in the twenty-first century, where young, believer Claire Rivers is given a chance to attend Harvard. Delighted at the opportunity, she is shocked at the lack of faith and tolerance for Christians. Christian Harvard professor William Mansfield is determined to do something about that intolerance. With the help of his TA Ian Burke, he begins a plan to research and reclaim Harvard for Truth.
In a unique twist, the writing does not only follow the humans at Harvard, but the angels and demons involved there. The spiritual warfare closely follows all character and God’s children must learn to pray, trust, and obey. As she encounters one argument after another from the enemy, Claire is exposed to many arguments she is unprepared for. Stunningly woven into the smoothly written plot, Feldham delves into a world of skepticism, lies, and controversial issues with schoolroom debates, apologetics and counter-arguments. An old family line, a two hundred year old plan, a corrupt business conglomerate, and a campus on the verge of spiritual war all make for a fantastic, spiritual read.
The Veritas Conflict was well-named. “Veritas” meaning truth, the title translates to “The Truth Conflict.” In those three words you have the theme of this book, the fight for God’s Truth, which encompasses the defense of truth, search for truth, and courage in the truth. In fact Harvard’s motto is “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae”, which means “Truth for Christ and the Church.”
The writing is terrific. Smooth transitions, great dialogue, and appealing, dynamic characters. Protagonist Claire was particularly easy to relate to, her struggle with choices, colleges, and being accepted are all familiar to my generation. The antagonists are driven, easy to dislike, and evil. A good example of the writing and the demonic is found on page 47: “They [the demons] loved doing that. Loved using and destroying those created in the image of the Enemy…who had forever cast them from glory. His human children might be wayward, but they were still His children and He loved them. He reached out to them every day, yearning to draw them to Himself before it was too late. That was the all the reason the dark forces needed to hate them; they wanted it to be ‘to late’ for as many people as possible.”
Like everything, The Veritas Conflict has some faults. Numerous switching viewpoints and characters were hard to keep track of. One character would enter the scene for a few chapters, only to leave and be replaced by another. I also found it unlikely that every time God did anything, it was through an angel. Whether it was delivering a message, protection, or suddenly blessing a family line, angels did all the work. There was never the sense that God works through people to deliver His messages, something I have discovered many times.
That said, this book was really fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. More than a good story, The Veritas Conflict offered me new perspective and insight into spiritual warfare and Truth. One of my favorite scenes takes place when two guardian angels greet each other in passing, the one proudly pointing out the toddler he watches who “will grow up to be a great evangelist.”
I would definitely recommend this book, but to an older audience. The book deals with several adult topics, including pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and abortion. It is a must read for all college students and their parents, perfect as a graduation gift.
As one character says, “We are more lost and sinful than we ever dared believe, but are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope.” Christian fiction may not normally be the greatest read, but God’s love and justice are apparent in this encouraging, convicting book. I would recommend putting it high on your to-read list, and hope you enjoy and discover as much as I did.
This book was a phenomenal, compelling read - a powerful narrative about the spiritual forces that our at work and an important reminder that 1) we as children of God do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 2) this world is not our Home; we're just passing through, and 3) we as children of God have a purpose on this earth and dead tradition/religion, complacency, and lukewarm spirituality will serve no use to the Kingdom of God.
Such a good book. Every Christian needs to read this. At the end of this book, I was reminded that all I live for on this earth are the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Such a good book. Every Christian needs to read this. At the end of this book, I was reminded that all I live for on this earth are the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Really interesting read. The writing starts off a little dry but gets better as the story expands. I was really able to see the spiritual warfare as I read through, and the imagery was pretty arresting. Though it doesn't have a warning, I think that the reader should pray for God to guard your mind and spirit before you read it because I had some really awful nightmares inspired by the spiritual warfare the book portrays.