Customer Reviews

The Awakening: One Man's Battle With Darkness

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not the work of a writer's imagnation, this story (c 1840) puts a different spin on the occult, spiritualism and its relation to the reader simply because it really happened. Conversations with the dead, inexplicable shufflings and bangings, a young ministers two year prayer-battle with darkness for the soul and sanity of a possesed woman. Watch out! this book may not only change the way you view the supernatural, it could change your entire outlook on life.

When I first read an older version of this book some years ago it scared the heck out of me. The haunting fact that kept coming back to me was that this was NOT fiction. Since the new edition came out I have re read it several times and this time what hits me most is God's total victory over even the most frightening powers of darkness. Blumhardt takes on the worst of the worst in a desperate two year prayer battle for the soul and sanity of a possessed woman. God intervenes and gives a victory that impacts the whole town, with experiences of inner and outer healing.

This book may challenge some people's thinking on evil and how God works. It challenged my theology on the origin of evil spirits. In addition, it caused me to think about what is required for individuals to become serious about Christ. It is an easy to read book, which can be read in a short period of time. I recommend it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My sister gave it to me to read on a weekend when I was visiting. I was done in a day. It is an experience difficult to describe, but worthwhile to every Christian to read. Johann Christoph Blumhard was not trying to convince anyone, just telling of his personal experience. I enjoyed his simple but amazingly strong faith. It makes one evaluate one's own faith and strive to be closer to God and full of love for others.

Everything was good with this order. The condition of the item was as stated and it came to me in a timely manner.

The book is very short, which is good, but not written in a particularly interesting fashion (i quit about halfway through it). The 'awakening' that is refered to by the title is the spiritual transformation of the town. Skip it and read "Hostage to the Devil", which is well written, has a variety of contemporary posession cases and contains the Roman Catholic "Rite of Exorcism"