Customer Reviews

God's Tin Soldiers: A theological romance between a reluctant atheist and a prospective Catholic nun. Christian apologetics or a love story? Both! Is Christmas the new religion? What about Islam?

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John Cunningham is a very Christian atheist. He has abandoned the faith of his youth, not because of any atheist arguments to which he has been exposed, but because he himself has reluctantly come to the conclusion that the doctrines of Christianity are untenable.

It is these doctrines that John and Yvette discuss on their walks through snowy winter landscapes in the Eastern Townships of Canada. There are also lively discussions around the fireplace and at the dinner table with the other members of John's family in the warm Christian atmosphere pervading the Cunninghams' lakeside cottage during the Christmas season.

Christian readers will be challenged to counter John's arguments against their faith. Atheist readers will be challenged to counter Yvette's arguments. Seekers will find a lot to think about.

And everyone will enjoy a nostalgic love story that relies not on explicit sex, but old-fashioned story-telling for its appeal.

MacLean has managed to write about a very touchy subject, and not only does he not offend anyone, whether staunch believer or not,but the reader's attention is very firmly held by the seemingly impossible situation in which the two main characters find themselves. One finds one self sadly sympathetic with both of them, and wishing with all one's heart that a solution could be found. What does happen is a surprise which makes the book well worth reading to find out.
John Byron Edwards
Mariner

This is a lovely nostalgic story set in the snowy north, perfect to read over the holidays, curled up on the couch. You can feel the crunch of the snow and the crackling of the fire. It has romance, enough philosophy to be interesting and a good helping of suspence. It would appeal to a wide age range, from teens to seniors: the teens would learn about relationships and the seniors will relive old memories.

From the moment you open the book you are transported into lives of the characters, the poignancy and joy of their experiences and the beauty of their relationships and the snowy mountain world they cavort in during the holiday season.