Customer Reviews

Fire (The Great Awakenings Series #1)

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This Christian fiction novel is set during 1740-1741 in Havenhill, Connecticut, during the days of the huge revivals preached by George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards, and this book was much more interesting than I thought it would be. The novel begins when 26-year-old Josiah returns to his hometown of Havenhill after seven years of exile. He's now a preacher, and he feels God leading him to shepherd the now-pastorless church in his hometown. However, the circumstances under which he fled the town seven years ago are terrible. One night, he and two of his buddies were drinking and carousing in a warehouse, and while in a drunken stupor Josiah accidentally knocked over a lantern that sent the warehouse up in flames. The fire killed two little girls who'd been playing hide-and-seek in that warehouse along with the town preacher, Rev. Parkhurst, who ran into the burning building in a futile attempt to rescue the girls. Josiah and his buddies made it out unharmed, but the town never forgave Josiah. Most people harbored a bitter hatred toward him that continued building during his seven-year exile.

Josiah's best friend, Philip (who was also one of his buddies present on the night of the infamous fire), is the person who encouraged Josiah to return to Havenhill. Philip is now the town leader, and without his influence, Josiah knows the town would never have given him a chance to pastor and try to redeem himself in their eyes. However, soon after Josiah's arrival, strange things begin happening in Havenhill: more fires. Of course, every finger points to Josiah, but he knows that, for some unknown reason, he's being set up.

Josiah also has a spiritual gift that allows him to feel the spiritual condition of people. For example, when in the presence of an evil person, Josiah becomes nauseous as a sick feeling grips his gut. Similarly, he feels great peace and joy in the presence of a godly person. Josiah's gift shows him that the majority of the down is suffering from what he calls "Soul Sickness," but they are blind to their own condition. Most people attend church regularly and are "good" people, but their actions and words often contradict their supposed Christian beliefs. Josiah enlists the help of great preachers George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards to help bring revival to his town, hoping that will open his parishioners' eyes to their Soul Sickness.

Meanwhile, as Josiah continues to be blamed for fires, accidents, indiscretions, and countless other "faults," murders also begin happening in the town...and the fingers again point toward Josiah. However, Josiah knows that God didn't bring him back to Havenhill to abandon him there. Josiah is determined that the town can be turned around, even if it takes his imprisonment to do so.

"Fire" has several elements of mystery to it, which kept me very interested in the book. The novel also has powerful lessons about forgiveness, something we all need to learn more about. I was impressed with the character development in this book and the historical attention to detail. I read "Proof," the first novel in the Great Awakenings series by Bill Bright and Jack Cavanaugh, before I read "Fire," but I must say that I enjoyed "Fire" the most. If you enjoy Christian fiction with a message that also has an intriguing plot with twists, well-developed characters, and a believable conclusion, then you will probably enjoy "Fire."

Author Jack Cavanaugh, using notes from the late Bill Bright, has created a collaboration for Fire, the second book in their Great Awakenings series. This historical novel is set in the middle of the eighteenth century and tackles issues related to redemption and spiritual strength. It shows how God's love is both cleansing and eternal.

Josiah Rush is a newly ordained minister who carries unbearable regret. He is the cause of three innocent deaths that stunned his town seven years ago. In a twist of fate, Josiah returns home to preach, but he is met with cold stares, unforgotten memories, and decaying spiritual lives. He also discovers a few alliances still intact, but his former sweetheart is now engaged to a childhood friend. Things only get worse when two diseases ravage the town: one being the epidemic-inducing smallpox and the other a spiritual disease that Josiah has coined "Soul Sickness." Amidst all this turmoil, Josiah must continually ask himself how he can be the religious advisor to a people who only see a murderer standing at their pulpit.

Cavanaugh and Bright's style is easy reading, with flowing sentences and short chapters. The authors also have the skill of creating characters who are realistic, entertaining, and intriguing. Yet, at times tangents and subplots amid the main plot bogged the story down in several places. All in all, Fire is an engrossing novel that carries with it an empowering message of salvation. - Andrew Culbertson, Christian Book Previews.com

This is the 2nd book in the Great Awakenings series, the first being "Proof". I loved "Proof" so much that I shared it with both my parents, who in turn shared it with others. My wife read this one, "Fire", before me and didn't like it as well as "Proof". It's just different from "Proof". In it's own way, it's equally as good. The main character, Josiah, is a minister struggling with a horrible event from his past. He also struggles as the new preacher in his own hometown. The character development of Josiah is sensational. I could really feel his pain in being such a young man taking over a pastorate in a tough town. The author(s) really make Josiah human and believable, and that's the best part of the book. An enjoyable read all the way around.

When Josiah, the main character, returns to the town where he has so much bad history, you wonder why he would come back to such hatred. But God has His own reasons. You will get caught up in the adventure of this story of redemption. It did not let me down!!!

This is historical fiction that focuses on spiritual awakening at the community level. The historical facts are interesting. Also, the way the author extended the notion of awakening from the individual level to the community level was important. My only quibble is that I found the launching premise of the book implausible (i.e., the pastor returns serve a community where he is hated for a horrendous crime that he does not deny).

But, in this case I'm glad I did. Very good storyline. Very inspirational with regard to revival and the strength of faith. I also liked the focus on the role and strength of a man, spiritually. Very good book. I am starting the 2nd one.

I especially enjoyed reading about how the power of God fell on people back in the old revival days, the things you've heard about but never really saw yourself.