Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott [Kindle Edition]

Beth Nimmo (Author), Darrell Scott (Author), Steve Rabey (Author)

Book Description

The Columbine tragedy in April 1999 pierced the heart of our country. In December 1999, we learned that the teenage killers specifically targeted Rachel Scott and mocked her Christian faith on their chilling, homemade videotapes. Rachel Scott died for her faith. Now her parents talk about Rachel's life and how they have found meaning in their daughter's martyrdom in the aftermath of the school shooting. Rachel's Tears comes from a heartfelt need to celebrate this young girl's life, to work through the grief and the questions of a nation, and to comfort those who have been touched by violence in our schools today. Using excerpts and drawings from Rachel's own journals, her parents offer a spiritual perspective on the Columbine tragedy and provide a vision of hope for preventing youth violence across the nation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Beth Nimmo is the mother of Rachel Scott, the first victim killed at Columbine High School. Beth is the author of The Journals of Rachel Scott. Darrell Scott has become a crusader since his daughter's death in the Columbine High School tragedy. In hundreds of speaking engagements and media interviews, Darrell has challenged his listeners to follow Rachel's example of practical compassion. He is the cofounder of The Columbine Redemption, and he has testified before the U.S. Congress on the issue of school violence. He is the coauthor of the bestselling book Rachel's Tears. Steve Rabey is an award-winning author who has written nearly twenty books for both the ABA and CBA markets as well as more than 2,000 articles about religion, spirituality, and popular culture for magazines, websites, and newspapers. His articles have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The American Spectator, Christian Retailing, Charisma, and Publishers Weekly, among many others. He speaks on a regular basis to groups such as Christian Management Association, Evangelical Press Association, and Current Thoughts and trends. Rabey serves as a member of the adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Product Details

• File Size: 3429 KB
• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001FB6IEA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,885 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Rachel's Tears October 22, 2009

By A. Attaguile

Format:Paperback

I read this book several weeks ago but struggled to write a review after I did some internet research on the Columbine trajedy itself.

I would love to give this is a 5-star review. It's obvious that this young lady was a deeply devoted child of God and wasn't afraid to tell others what she lived and believed in. The parents did a remarkable job in bringing this book to life, especially by including excerpts of Rachel's diary...lends itself to crediblity. The parents also do a wonderful job of stressing that although their daughter was a devoted Christian, she was not above temptation and definitely not above most human tendancies of "falling." She was by no means perfect! Such a refreshing read -- to know that the parents did not try to put their martyred daughter on a pedastal.

Rachel's life is battle-cry for the Body of Christ -- she should defintely be seen as a role model for many of today's teens (and most adults). A true Christian, true to her beliefs, with very human struggles. Again, she was by no means perfect, but "real."

What bothered me was the entries in reference to Cassie Bernal. Maybe I read too much into the book but the first time Ms. Bernall is mentioned, the sentence that follows is "which was later discounted" -- in reference to whether or not she actually admitted to believing in God. Later on, there is an (almost) 2 page spread on whether or not "she said yes" -- with the obvious conclusion (although not implicity stated) that Ms. Bernall wasn't even asked if she believed in God but that the conversation took place with another student & one of the killers.

This prompted me (out of morbid curiousity, admittedly) to do some research on the trajedy itself......and I found that not only was Cassie Bernall's statement proven false, so was Rachel Scott's of "you know I do" when she was asked if she believed in God.

Maybe when the book was first released (in 2000), all of the facts weren't available as far as what was said and done that horrible day. But 10 years later, new information has definitely been released. Whether either one said yes or no, whether or not they would've admitted, is not really the issue (by the entries in her journal, I truly belive Ms. Scott would've admitted it). What I find troubling is that the parents updated their book, adding the doubt of Cassie Bernall's statement, but cast no doubt on their own daughter's statement.

I doubt anyone will ever know for sure whether either one "said yes" -- but SAY THAT -- discounting one statement as "possibly" and another statement as "for sure" (implicit or otherwise) just does not sit right (with me).

Had it not been for those few statements, I would've definitely given this a 5-star review. In my opinion, those entries referencing Cassie Bernall did not add to the story and somewhat marred the book for me.

Sorry if I rambled. Read more ›

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book of faith May 13, 2000

By "docallen21"

Format:Paperback

As a student who is a Biblical Studies and Theology major I can honestly say that reading Rachel's Tears has greatly enhanced my faith and walk with Jesus Christ as no other book has. The testimonies found in the writings of this profoundly spiritual young girl is breath taking to read and I would encourage anyone who is struggling with their Christian walk to read the writings of Rachel Joy Scott. I am thankful that Rachel's parents have helped this nation take a more spiritual look into the tragedy at Columbine. This book has helped me to see that the martyrdoms of Rachel Joy Scott and Cassie Bernall were not merely empty deaths, but rather, God's way of reaching out to a spiritually dying nation. There is an old Christian saying, that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church", and Rachel's parents have truly helped me understand the truth of this statement. I highly encourage everyone to read this book, as well as the books "She Said Yes" by Cassie Bernall's mother, "Columbine Courage" by Ron Luce, and the "Martyr's Torch" by Pastor Bruce Porter. I have been greatly blessed by reading these books and I hope that you will be blessed as well.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Always Faithful April 22, 2000

By David Myers

Format:Paperback

I just got finished reading this book and she is an incredible inspiration to teens today. Her story incredibly touched me and inspired me to become a better Christian. I believe that her life could be summed up in two words- compassion and love. That's all that she had for everyone. I know that God had a purpose for her death and so do her parents know it. However,seems as though it is unfair. Through this book I realized that all she wanted to do was change the world, she got to do that, by laying down her life. Definitely read this book!

45 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From a fellow author and friend... April 21, 2000

By Bruce Porter

Format:Paperback

I cannot too highly recommend this book! Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott have written a heartfelt, enthralling tribute to their daughter Rachel Joy, as only a loving parent could inscribe! The lesson of Columbine is really quite simple. Excellent children come forth from excellent parenting! It's no accident that Rachel was such a wonderful person. Her bravery, her determination to love and serve God no matter what the cost, will stand for all time as an inspiration to us all. Rachel's mom and dad gave her the most significant gift of all; an awareness of God's love and destiny for her life, which gave her the courage to face down a hate-filled killer with her integrity and faith intact. Read this book! It will change your life! As the author of another book about Columbine and Rachel Scott, The Martyrs' Torch, I can only humbly ennoble and pay homage to this monumental literary tour de force!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Girl Beyond Her Years May 11, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I was moved to tears many times by this book. This young lady was more grounded in her faith than some of us ever are our entire lives. We search for that kind of closeness with God, she had it, she was there. Her desire to not be afraid to be different and share her faith, to talk her walk as she called it, should be enough to make anyone want to make changes in their life after reading this. I have requested that my teenage daughters youth group at church read it, as well as her reading class at a Christian School she attends. Every person who has or does struggle with their faith should read this book. This young lady will inspire you. Her family has done a wonderful job with this, it is a beautiful book. I lived in the area very close to Columbine and attended the first years it was opened.This tragedy has been very difficult for me and my teenage daughter. This book has helped us both deal with the tragedy in a way that Rachel may have wanted us to learn from it, as I feel I have learned a great deal from her. One of those important messages being....Eternity is in you hands, change it!