Customer Reviews

And the Shofar Blew

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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!!!

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!

When people say they couldn't put a book down, I always wonder... It seems to be an overused cliche, but in the case of this book, it was true for me! This book is the story of a pastor and his family and what happens when he seeks glory for himself rather than drawing people to Christ.

His wife seems almost too perfect, however, putting up with SO much for SO long. As the pastor gets rid of the godly Christian people in the church and brings in his yes-men, the church drifts farther and farther from the Lord. The pastor falls deeper into sin and eventually does repent and turns his life around.

The one major failing of this book, in my opinion, is that Rivers should've spent more time on what happens after the pastor repents and tries to reconnect with his family. It seems that this part is condensed in the interest of space, perhaps. I would've liked to see more detail to this part of the book and wouldn't mind if the book were 100 pages longer to accomplish this. I'd love to see a sequel, but I doubt there will be one.

Despite this criticism, I give this book 5 stars - it is a must-read! Please check out my other reviews and God bless you!

This was my first Francine Rivers' book and I found it riveting, but also troubling. I found myself wondering about how many pastors today find themselves in the same predicament as Paul Hudson. They get so wrapped up in buildings, numbers of people attending and financial matters, that they lose the focus of their ministry. I also wondered how many pastors' wives and families are suffering this same torture as Eunice and Timmy at the hands of a dictatorial husband/father who is too busy trying to grow the church that he forgets to nurture his own family. The characters of Samuel and Abby set such a wonderful example of what a true christian should be . I think this should be required reading for all people entering the ministry. Though it is fiction, there is sadly, a lot of truth contained in it.

I always enjoy Francine Rivers. She is an excellent writer and she always gets to the heart of the matter-who is the Lord of your life-you or God? I read a review that said that the plot is unbelievable because of a turning point involving a jack rabbit. However, if God can change a man who was killing and persecuting Christians on his way into town (Paul) I think he could do it to Francine's Paul Hudson with a jack rabbit if He chose to. I never underestimate the power of God to radically change lives and He often does it in an unexpected way. I always enjoy how Francine Rivers uses her characters in her novels to illustrate Biblical principles, bring to life Bible stories, and to bring us face to face with our own sin and our desperate need for Jesus.
I recommend this book and any other book by Francine Rivers. You won't be able to put it down until you have read it from cover to cover.

Francine Rivers delivers the goods on this engrossing story of love, ambition, and the compromises evangelicals are willing to make for their monster-sized churches. I found the characters to be well done, especially Eunice, whose inner struggles and rationalizations were painful and all too real. I only wish the book at been longer.

Francine Rivers' latest work lives up to her reputation as a truly gifted Christian writer. I have found that most Christian authors, while meaning well, have stilted language and plotlines that that seem rushed or unbelievable. Not Francine! Her prose and style are poetic. The storylines vary dramatically from novel to novel but they all carry the same message about God's love. I have read all of her Christian novels - several times over. Her characters are flawed, imperfect and sometimes unloveable - like all of us are. I have anxiously awaited for this book since I found out in February that it was due in May and I was not disappointed. I have thanked God in my prayers for Francine because her stories are blessings to us all. Read this book and, if you haven't yet, all of her books! You will be glad you did.

AS THE SHOFAR BLEW takes a look into the life of a small church who is under new leadership. It focuses on the life of a Pastor both personally and professionally. As a Christian, all decisions and the way you live your life are to be made by the leading of God's voice. You will be enlightened by how easy it is for a Pastor to lose sight of God's will when his eyes and heart are far from God. What I enjoyed most about this book was the realism in which it was written. It was easy to understand without being preachy. The characters are very well developed and I could see people I knew in several of them. Some people put Pastors on a pedestal as though they can do no wrong. But they are human and fleshly creatures just as we are. Take a look inside this book and see what happens when a Pastor is lead by his flesh and not by his spirit.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

This book hit very close to home and despite the negative comments made by some reviewers, its message wasn't to condemn the church or secular activities/practices like aromatherapy. It showed the path of moral decay we walk on a daily basis. It clarified and emphasized how sometimes the people we think are so 'Godly' and 'good' are the very ones that need the most prayer. Satan will search for the tiniest crack in our character and use it for his purposes. We need to remember to look to Christ for our example and seal those cracks. Having experienced a similar situation (dealing with money and pride instead of sex and pride) at church, I cried many tears reading this book. Thank you Ms. Rivers for reminding us to look to Christ and His will for our lives instead of rushing in to do what we want.