94 of 97 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I've Been There...I Know!, September 29, 2003
I love quality fiction, and I love the church...But I've also seen tame, watered-down versions of both. As a former PK (preacher's kid), I've seen just about everything that happens in this book. I wasn't sure, though, if Francine Rivers would get honest and get to the heart of the issues plaguing ministers and the modern church.
Wow! She nails issue after issue on the head. And she does so in the midst of a captivating story with believable characters. We follow the tale of a small church that, in its dying hours, brings in a new pastor and his family. Soon, the congregation is growing and things are looking great--from the outside. From the inside, however, from the eyes of the pastor's wife and son and his elders, the problems are growing in proportion to the church's "success." The tale, spanning 15+ years, shows many of sacrifices and deceits expounded in the name of "serving God." None of the characters go unscathed.
A previous reviewer asked who this book was written for. First, it is a challenge to those who cater to such shallow faith. Second, it is an encouragement to those who have struggled through this and thought they were alone. Third, it is for those who enjoy a well-told tale. Yes, it is full of christian lingo and platitudes, but Rivers draws a line between the genuine and the counterfeit. Believe me, most non-churchgoers can tell the difference quickly.
While heartbreaking at times, this is stuff that needs to be brought to light. Rivers has won my respect with a story full of wisdom, grace, and God's honest truth.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent story, great moral issues ; I ripped through it!!, July 9, 2003
I've posted before that I am not a huge reader of novels. Sure, I read a lot, but I've never really gotten into fiction much. I may have to reconsider this policy, though, having just finished Francine River's very engrossing book And the Shofar Blew. I picked this book out for myself; I had never heard of it until I saw it, decided it looked cool, and bought it.
I started the book Thursday, and finished it last night after a marathon 100-page session. Mrs. Rivers, best known for romance novels, has broken new ground in this fast-paced story of Paul Hudson, son of a well-known television minister who comes to California to take over a dying church in a small town. The congregation of Centerville Christian Center had been declining for years, with no youth and a tiny, elderly group in the pews each week.
Paul, who brings his wife and young son with him, decides that he wants to bring new people into the church. He asks around and finds out what is needed: people don't want to feel guilty, they don't want stale old hymns, and they don't want hard-hitting messages. So, Paul waters down scriptures, brings in new songs, and enlivens the youth group. His fast changes alienate many elders, most of whom resign. Yet Centerville Christian Center thrives, and soon a new building is needed. Paul enlists the help of Steven Decker, a divorced father and recovering alcoholic, to design the new church building. Samuel Mason, former pastor of the church, and his wife Abby can only watch helplessly as they see the old, Godly church fall away, and a false "Christian in name only" church take its place.
Of course, there are various subplots: Paul and his father never have gotten along, nor have Paul and his son. Paul has ticked off many old members of the church. He also has falling-outs with a few other important people (I don't want to give anything away) and, eventually, does something that can potentially shatter his ministry--and his family. The story of a man's redemption--with himself, with his family, with his friends, and with God--is fascinating. The lessons that Paul, Stephen, and others learn can also teach us something. Pay attention to their mistakes, and see if you can find yourself in the book somewhere. I know I sure did!
I also like the fact that the novel takes place in Northern California, with the cities of Sacramento, R**eville, and Granite Bay playing a prominent role. Two other local communities are also in the book, with their names disguised: I am fairly sure that "Centerville" is Galt, and "Rockville" is Lincoln, based on descriptions of the towns, highways, and roads in these ficticious communities. I have no idea why Rivers would use some real names and change the names of other towns, but it doesn't matter. I feel as though I'm right there in the car with the characters as the author describes such local places as "The Grapevine," "Highway 99," "Sacramento Airport," and "Arco Arena." I'd have enjoyed the book even if the setting were elsewhere, but it's always nice to romp around in the same places as the people in the story.
And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers. Highly recommended. Go out and buy it now!!!
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving . . . yet practical, February 6, 2005
What I loved the most about this book was that it deals with subject matter sensitive to our day and age. Have you ever found yourself reading a novel that paints a pretty picture, and tells a good story, but you just wonder "what does this have to do with me?" You won't be asking yourself that question when you read And the Shofar Blew. Shofar is real, moving, and applicable. It is the story of a minster and his wife, their church, his ambition, and a crumbling marriage. All may seem well on the surface: he is dutiful and hard working, she is faithful and supportive, but this couple is only going through the motions and both denying the truth.
I think Shofar would be an excellent book for any couple to read together, young or old, new or worn, it has a lesson to teach that everyone needs to hear. Reading Shofar will teach the reader the dangers of selfish ambition, how working for onesself, and not the Lord, can destroy. And a relationship must focus on both people, each one caring for the others' needs; it's not enough to do all the taking or all the giving. But most importantly, Shofar reminds us that when we feel alone, rejected, and abandoned, God is our best friend, guiding us by the hand all the way through. Shofar will hold you captive, and you won't be free until you've read the last page!
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