Customer Reviews

Betrayal

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Book is well written Christian Fiction. However, much to my dismay, I purchased Betrayal AND Brotherhood of Betrayal only to find that the Copyright dates are both 1999, both books are indentical except for the Acknowlegedgments which on Betrayal, the last paragraph differs in a heartfelt THANKS to the staff at Word Publishers and in Brotherhood of Betrayal Thanks to Multnomah Publishers (including Rod Morris, senior editor).
I feel this is dishonest, misleading and I regret spending the price of two books when they are the same. I thought one was to be a sequel. Silly me..from now on I will do more research before purchasing a book or books.

A friend of mine recommened Randell Arthur's writings. The context of his doing so was a conversation where I shared with him the pain and struggle I was feeling and agonizing through from a church situation marked by subtle spiritual abuse, and the recent exposure of the founding pastor's on-going promiscuous adultry and the lies he used to cover it up. As other reviewers have noted, Wisdom Hunter provides the background for Betrayal, though Betrayal can be read standing alone. Betrayal is not without it's faults. The adulation of Jason Faircloth is at some points approches excessive fawning. It would be more believable for the "new" Jason Faircloth to be a little fallible, and his followers to be more cautious about putting him on a pedestal. Apart from that, in writing Betrayal, Arthur once again deals with issues in the church most Chritians would like to ignore and avoid. I bear personal witness that the issues he deals with are real indeed, and I am an eye witness of the hurt and pain inflicted on bleeding and wounded sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ by such abuse and betrayal. I could not put Betrayal down. So much of it was all to familiar. I can identify with the emotions and feeling on both sides; the anger, the pain, the wanting of justice at the same time knowing I must be willing to forgive. Strangely enough, when I got to the end of the book, I felt some sense of release and a degree of healing. It was on that basis I recommended this book to others. Great Christian literature? No... Good, but not great... But nontheless, a compelling book that fills a real need in the Christian church.

Following in the footsteps of his books: 'Wisdom Hunter' and 'Jordan's Crossing', Mr. Arthur once again displays his ability to show Christians as imperfect people moving through a very imperfect and often harsh world.

Running contrary to much of today's popular myths of never-a-problem-Christianity; this book's characters are real people put into circumstances from which there seems to be endless pain, no one or place to turn to for help and prayers which seem to go no farther than their own lips. Taking his lead from the guidebook of the Christian faith-the Bible which does not gloss over the imperfections of it's heros, Mr. Arthur does not hesitate to show the darker sides of his characters. Also, as with real life, the plot of this novel does not twist in a clean and predictable manner, what is assumed is not always the case.

'Betrayal' left me: -angry at selfishness, cruelty and arrogance. -sorrowful at undeserved pain. -in tears at the kindness of a stranger. -suprised at it's end.

Most of all though 'Betrayal' left me very aware of my own attitude toward others who are hurting and my personal expectations of God.

I give it four stars only because it started a bit slow, however as with his previous books, I will share it with many others.

This book completes Randall Arthur's first book, "Wisdom Hunter" and is a must read for those who have already had the pleasure of reading his first publication. Legalism in today's churches needs to be exposed for the horrors they impose on common people struggling for real meaning in their lives. Betrayal gets down to the heart of the betrayals lay people feel from their leadership in far too many of today's churches. You catch a glimpse of how to be "free indeed" perusing the pages of this excellent written book and would be hard pressed to put this book down once you've opened the front cover and began reading. Put this book in a loved one's Christmas stocking.

Randall Arthur continues the saga he started in Wisdom Hunter and Jordan's Crossing in his newest work, Betrayal. He is again taking on the legalistic worldview but this time he approaches it from a slightly different angle, using betrayal as the driving force (hence the book's title). The story centers on a missionary family in Sweeden associated with an ultra-conservative branch of Christianity. As the story opens, Rachel has to deal with the abandonedment of her husband, Clay. Devestated, she turns to her church body for love and support only to find that their legalistic, dogmatic view of Christianity has no room for acceptance of people in her position (for various reasons). Sin is to be dealt with with a harsh, unwavering hand and even though she was the victim here she is still held responsible in many ways. How Rachel deals with this betrayal (of both her husband and her church leaders), as well as the story of Clay's disappearance contains the key on which this book ultimatly succeeds.

Betrayal holds a strong message, both against the legalistic attitudes still permeating much of the church and for the hurting victims out there who have suffered from betrayal and a legalistic, judgemental church body. This is one of the best Christian novels of 1999, and it suffers only from sadly cheesy cover art (don't let that sway you). I would recommend Wisdom Hunter before and above Arthur's other books. It is a true Christian fiction classic. However, Betrayal is definatly worth the purchase. It is a book that will challenge and heal, yet still leave you entertained by the read. Four and a half stars.

Wisdom Hunter was great, Jordan's crossing was so-so, and Betrayal is excellent. You can actually skip the second book and not miss a thing. There is a neat twist in this book in how Jason Faircloth is brought into the story. Arthur does a superb job of expressing emotions in his characters. You can seriously feel and relate to their pain. Arthur must have had a background in the type of legalistic churches he writes about. He seems to know it all to well for an outsider. Seeing it myself, I can vouch that this stuff actually happens. Great eye opener to insiders and outsiders alike.

Randall Arthur has once again brought Jason Faircloth back in a book that everyone must read. The plot is gripping and the wisdom woven through the book is eye-opening. Mr. Arthur clearly shows the effects of spiritual abuse by churches and reminds us that we, like Christ, should love, forgive, and help those in need instead of our current judgemental attitudes that only lead to more hurt. I wholly recommend this book.

Dad, I am so glad that you have once again taken the time to write a book that many people will be able to relate to and and can grow from. I want you to know that I am proud of your accomplishments. May God bless you richly. I love you, Heidi

The books I have read thought the fastest in my adult life have come from the pen of Randall Arthur. I just finished reading "Betrayal" and was simply floored. I am beginning to believe that the reoccurring character, Jason Faircloth, from his first book, "Wisdom Hunter" is a more a reflection of Randall himself though he would never promote himself as such. I realize this is pure speculation but I can't help but believe it to be true. Randall, you must have lived out some of the episodes in these books in your time as a missionary to write so poignantly and endured the memory and pain of those experiences. If I'm right, we owe you a debt for your courage to write through the pain. Perhaps you will pick up the pen to offer us a farewell to the life of Jason Faircloth someday. I look forward to it.

This is one of the most real and moving books I've read in a while. The characters and situations leap off the pages. I have been fortunate to not have been touched by such hardheartedness and cruelty--spiritual abuse is right--in my own church, but I can absolutely believe there are denominations, churches and preachers like North Metro and Pastor Lovett. Just as I have seen with my own eyes the healing and hope in churches such as Liberty with pastors such as Jason Faircloth.

All the time I was reading I kept thinking, WWJD? I know that He would embrace Rachel and the children, let them cry on His shoulder, and reassure them of His love. I also believe that He would accept with joy Clay's true repentance, love him and direct him in the right paths--and also tell him to go and sin no more. But I would pay GOOD MONEY to see Jesus preach at North Metro. I'm sure He would let loose some of the choicest words he used against the Pharisees when He was here on earth. "Brood of vipers"--"whited sepulchres"--"stumbling blocks"--"millstones"--come to mind. Although He would love them as He loves everyone, He would grieve for their hardened hearts. He would know and show them clearly that THEIR hearts were about as far from His heart as one can get!

Anyhow, the next time I'm feeling a little judgmental as a Christian, I'm going to try to remember this story.

This beautiful novel richly captures the complexity of a difficult and sad situation, the hope and healing that can be gained, and the pain of cruelty from those who think THEY have done no wrong. The ending is bittersweet. I almost cried when I read the part about Clay--it felt so very sad--then I read it again and realized that in the end he did find the hope he sought, although not on earth--and it made me cry even more in my heart.

What a terrific reading experience! Every legalistic fundy pastor, deacon, elder, church lady, etc. should read this and ask themselves: How WOULD Jesus treat Rachel? How WOULD Jesus treat Clay?