Customer Reviews

Face of God, The

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is as timely as today's newspaper and as deep as a primer on Islam and fundamental Christianity. Myers takes two men--both religious, both devoted, both strong--and brings them to the edge of eternity where they encounter a living and holy God. I can't recommend this book enough. Must reading for all who seek the truth.

This book provides more than just excitement, intrigue and facinating interply between the characters. This book also offers the reader some incredible insights into the Muslim religion, as well as insights into the weakness in the Christian Church. A must-read for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of our world today!

The Face of God is a gripping look into grief, fatherhood, and the synergies/differences between Christianity and Islam, all masterfully rendered by an author who has learned to distinguish shades of gray. Bill Myers is not a writer who leans on the supernatural. Rather, he is one of those rare individuals who understands that everything is spiritual, and that the physical universe enveloping us is actually the waiting-room for Eternity. If you're fond of story, fine writing, well-told relationships, and writers who get the facts straight (and who is not fond of those things?) then you absolutely have to buy this book.

When Daniel Lawson's wife Jill is killed by a mysterious intruder while the couple are hosting a Holy Land tour from their large church in America, Pastor Lawson loses the center of his existence. He's not quite lost his faith in God, but is heartbroken that God would take her away. Her last words haunt him; that she must go, it's "the only way". Those and the earlier words spoken to him by his gracious wife, that he did not love the people of God anymore.

Daniel begins a quest to learn the truth behind the mysterious stone that was given them by a market trader at the last minute. It's old, it's strange . . . and it's potentially the reason why Jill was killed. He is joined by his estranged son Tyler, and interested archaeologist Helen Zimmerman. A native Muslim girl named Nayra joins them as well, offering her knowledge of the region in their search. God blesses their mission, and they are successful many times. But Daniel is also haunted by dreams, the same type of dreams that his wife mentioned the night before she died - and the same dreams that seem to be caused by the stones.

At the same time Daniel's quest is progressing, another man is on a hunt for the stones. Ibrahim El-Magd is a devout Muslim, and he believes that Allah's time has come. He has positioned many members of his radical group around the world to engage in "Allah's Day" of judgment and cleansing. He too has learned of the stones, and has experienced dreams. He, too searches for more of the mysterious stones, in hopes that his dreams will be fulfilled, and that he will also see . . . The Face of God.

BAD POINTS: This book is a violent book, no question there. In fact, author Bill Myers requests that any reader under 17 delay reading it until he or she is a little older. That's an NC-17 rating, folks. If it were made into a movie, with today's lax rating standards, it would probably only warrant an R rating, but it's still rather intense. Violence includes the cutting off of a Muslim boy's hand as punishment for stealing, a few deaths by gunshots (including Jill Lawson's), and a nighttime raid on a Christian group in a Muslim country. One soldier proceeds to disrobe a young girl, and uses his sword to cut off her . . . well, her feminine aspects, okay? There's also a few [love] references: Helen uses her womanhood to gain favors from government agents, and various small-time indications.

GOOD POINTS: The book is written from a Christian perspective, in case you haven't noticed yet. Daniel believes in God, and tries his best to follow Him. Each Stone he uncovers, however, teaches him something that he has somehow lost sight off, and helps him see his wrongdoing. There is a lot of material about the Muslim world versus the Christian world. In fact, for most of the book, it appears as if Myers "goes soft" on Muslims by indicating that they are men of devout faith, not entirely unlike believers in Christ. Perhaps, it appears, they are even more devout, as they strive to be holy more than Christians. The words "politically correct" come to mind. But all this is wrapped up very nicely in the end, really. It's just something to watch out for.

THOUGHTS:

Myers states in his introduction that he finished this book on September 11th, so you can tell as you go through it that it took some re-editing on his part to graft references to such events. Things like "ever since the victory of 9/11, the enemy had been bombing more frequently" and things like that.

The book is a good read for Christian fiction enthusiasts, but do watch out for the violent content.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was the first one that I read by Bill Myers. After reading it, I immediately went out and got more. I don't know if any of the other books that I have finished so far have been quite as satisfying (although most were quite good). This one is a definite read, but if you are thinking of becoming a devotee, save this one for last.

Early this morning--around 5 am--I finished reading THE FACE OF GOD, after letting it sit in one of my TBR piles for months. I'm sorry I waited so long! :)

What do we have in this Christian fiction thriller? A pastor who outwardly seems like the perfect servant of God, but who, through tragedy and visions, sees that he's lost his first love, not just the literal one--his wife, but the Biblical idea of what this means. This, and the possession of an unusual green gemstone with Hebraic inscription, sets off a chain of breathless events, some exhilirating and some tragic, that all lead our main character to experience transformation, find illumination (in more ways than one), and see the God whose face is...well, read the book. :)

The pace is unrelenting. You will not be bored. The characters include all three major monotheistic religions--Judaism, Islamic and Christian. The setting moves from the middle east to Europe to Africa to the US. It's all over the map, but not haphazardly. The story is totally focused on the external journey (finding the 12 stones of the Levitical high priest's breastplate, plus the Urim and Thummin) which parallels the internal journey (from legalism to satisfying relationship). The ending is realistic, with some matters satisfyingly closed, and others interestingly open-ended. Muslim characters are treated with respect--not simply painted as all malicious, wild-eyed, bomb-carrying killers. In this current tense environment, that alone gets Mr. Myers a thumbs up.

The first novel of Mr. Myers that I read, BLOOD OF HEAVEN, was exciting, but it didn't have the heart, the really moving moments, that THE FACE OF GOD provides. I felt my own moments of real conviction about my own legalistic tendencies while reading this book. Im now on my own journey to recapture my first love and see the face of the Beloved more clearly, and reflect it better. Thank you, Mr. Myers.

I recommend this book to all believers--and not just Christian ones. :)

Mir

This book arrived with the publisher's sticker on it stating: "We guarantee you'll love the book, or it's FREE." It's a no-risk guarantee, because I can't imagine anyone's not loving this great adventure story written from a Christian perspective. The plot is complex and very well executed. The characters come alive--it's very easy to identify with them. It's just a tad far-fetched, but hey--it's FICTION. If you have a modicum of imagination and a love for adventure, this is for you. One more thing...as a Catholic I enjoy Myers' Christian slant, but I truly believe this books transcends the Christian fiction genre and can appeal to anyone and everyone. Also, I noticed some reviewers referred to the violent content. For anyone who reads adventure stories, this book is pretty gentle in my view when it comes to violence. I heartily recommend it as one of Myers' best!

This book was one of the best book I've read this year. I think that this author really did some keen research on this book. The book was incrediably accurate regarding the cultures of other countries, and also interesting to the point that there never was a dull moment. I would suggest this book to all of the christian book readers especially.

I didn't dream that I would like this book as much as I did. I'm a non-fundamentalist-Catholic woman and this book was so interesting. It's an action-packed adventure as well as an educational journey without being "preachy" or trite. It's really great---highly recommended!

The Face of God, by Bill Meyers, provides an insightful metaphor of how Christ's death and resurrection free us from the law in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Simultaneously, the reader is thrusted into the lives of two very similar men: a Christian pastor, and an important Islamic leader. The setting for this book is the Middle East, and it's fast-paced and action-packed! I highly recommend it for Christians; Mr. Meyers offers information about how the Muslims are a moral and a faithful people. I, also, highly recommend this book to Muslims.