Customer Reviews

Brotherhood of Betrayal

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been a Randall Arthur fan for years. Since I saw that he had a "new" book coming out I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. I exciteldly opened the package from Amazon only to find that "Brotherhood of Betrayal" is the exact same book as "Betrayal"! All they did was change the name. Nowhere in the advertisements was that explained. I don't know whether to be disappointed in Mr. Aruthur, Multnomah, or Amazon. Bottom line, it was a great book back when I first read it a couple of years ago and I'll get over this frustration, but Arthur fans beware before you spend your hard-earned money. Oh, one more thing, it's being advertised as a bargain at $9.59, but upon receiving the book the cover price says $7.99.

Well, that's off of my chest, so on to life's real issues.

I too, like the other reviewer, am a fan of Randall Arthur's books. One of the first "Christian" fiction books I read was his first book, Wisdom Hunter.

If you like 'prairie fiction' that always ends neatly and comfortably, then you'd best not read Randall Arthur. If you enjoy impactful books that tell it like it is, then you've found your author!

Brotherhood of Betrayal is a re-release of Betrayal and is the best book yet by Arthur to date. It deals with the extreme legalism found in some churches in America and the even more widespread issue I could identify with: how do I treat 'fallen' brothers/sisters in Christ who've made serious mistakes? Am I willing to forgive a repentant brother? Do I continue to withhold forgiveness even after the God has forgiven that person? Why?

If you've wrestled with these issues in some form, you'll find an excellent, Godly model for forgiveness and grace in this book. I was moved!

I have read few authors that gripped me the way Randall Arthur has in his three stories (Brotherhood of Betrayal, Jordan's Crossing, and Wisdom Hunter). I could not put any of them down and lost a lot of sleep the week I read them. I cried and laughed and prayed my way through each of them. Randall, if you're reading this, thank you for letting God write through you. Though it has a been a good six months since I read them I am tearing up as I remember then now and how God used them in my life. Thank you for being honest about the good and the bad in the "church" and our lives, and about God's grace and His presence through both. I truly thank God for you, brother, I really do.

This book is well written for Christian Fiction. However, imagine my surprise when I ordered Betrayal and Brotherhood of Betrayal, shown as two seperate books by the same author. The only differece I found was in the Acknowledgments page. On this page in Brotherhood of Betrayal, Heartfelt thanks goes to MULTNOMAH Publishers (including Rod Morris, senior editor).
On this page in Betrayal, Heartfelt thanks goes to Word Publishing company. I purchased both books thinking that one was a sequel...not so..the words are identical. I felt this was misleading and dishonest, I see no reason for this fact.
The next time I will research more fully before making a purchase!

Randall Arthur is a gifted writer, exposing some of the ways Christians let each other down, or "shoot their wounded", as someone has said. This book is gripping. I couldn't put it down.

Yes, the story does pack a punch, and it is one of those books you have to stay up half the night to finish. The last reviewer already covered the positive side, and I agree with most of it. On the other hand, I found this book to be a little heavy on stereotypes, particularly in its portrayal of Fundamentalist Christians. I would not describe myself as a Fundamentalist, but I know many people who would, and they would be absolutely appalled by the behavior of the Fundamentalists in this story. Still, if legalism like this does exist, this book does a good job of pointing to a clear alternative in the liberty of Christ. This is a book will stimulate serious thought, and make a deep impression on the reader. It would also be good material for a study group discussion.

Arthur said that he wrote these books as a response to his pain. It is evident throughout. I have lived some of these very experiences and I could not believe how accurately he described what it was like, for instance, to find out that your spouse was unfaithful. He described how the wife felt, the physical sickening reactions to what changes your life forever, and to what you never wanted to or expected to face.

He unashamedly portrays the complete inability of many whose lives remain "untainted" to have any understanding as to how to relate to those who are damaged by the sin of others. I have also been excommunicated from a church, and this part of the story, though to the "untainted" would seem unbelievable, I know it is believable, and was thankful to have it put into print. Indeed, such an "untainted" woman once told me that I was defiling others by talking about the excommunication, (spiritual abuse), and that she didn't need (want) to know what was wrong in my marriage, (abuse).

My 15-year-old read this book while I went through a divorce from his dad. It facilitated his needed grieving, though his words weren't all there at age 15, his weeping and grief were very real as he identified with a main character in an incredible scene near the end. I know that my son's writing was improved as a result of reading Arthur.

I meet people who have been through similar experiences as are found in this book and I pass the book on. It is such a gift. Thank you, Mr. Arthur.

A wonderful book meant to stir thoughts about how Christians should treat their "brothers" in the Lord. How they should treat people...PERIOD!

Jason Faircloth is at it again- bringing in the lost sheep!

I was blown away when I read "Wisdom Hunter" so I had high expectations for this book. This book is very disturbing and shocking. I definitely think that Christian churches do have a problem with "shooting their wounded" rather than coming along side of them.

Overall, I don't think this book is anywhere near as good as Wisdom Hunter. Still, if you are looking for a quick read that will make you think, this would be a book for you.

I only bought this book because I read "Jordan's Crossing". Which I thought was 5 star. I really liked the book. So when I read this book, I thought maybe it would be somewhat of the same. The Legalist people were way over board to the point where the story was not believable. Of course, it was only fiction.

Jason Faircloth identified himself as "literalist" in "Jordan's Crossing", yet he was never clear on what he "literally" believed. It appears that if you believe in the Bible to the point where you actually obey it, look out! You are a legalist! I have to admit, there are churches that abuse their members. But this in no way makes it okay to wilfully disobey the Bible. It's almost like the message of this book is, if a church requires obedience to the gospel, it is a very, very bad, bad thing, but if we sin, let's just love one another and everything will be okay.

The denomination this young family was with, was obviously too extreme, not necessarily because of their standards, but because of their seemingly total lack love or mercy. From the moment they began to question and disagree with this denomination's wrong attitude, they should have left. It appears their congregation would've gone along with them, and that would have been the end of that. But the adultry thing,..well that would still have to be taken care of by somebody. Disappointing.