Fallen: A Novel (Paperback)

by Matthew Raley (Author)
Key Phrases: Professional Jim, Pastor Dave, Hank Wagner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this compelling novel that mirrors church scandals in the news today, Jim, a middle-aged bank manager, is torn between a desire to believe the best and suspicion resulting from an apparent indiscretion by his popular young pastor Dave.

From the Back Cover

It could have been nothing. Jim was finishing the day’s work when his eyes drifted over to the coffee shop visible from his office window. An attractive woman driving an expensive car pulled up to the curb . . . and out stepped Dave, Jim’s young, married pastor. It could have been nothing. Still . . .

“For a while I tried to convince myself that a pastor sometimes rides in a Mercedes with a woman who’s not his wife. But the more I tried to imagine the scenarios, the less I could believe it.”

As chairman of his church board, Jim feels duty-bound to confront Dave. But as he begins to explore his pastor’s private life he uncovers secrets that could destroy his church and ruin reputations. In his desperate attempts to find the truth, Jim is forced to confront a dark place in his own past—but will he have the courage to face what he finds?

Matthew Raley is senior pastor of the Orland Evangelical Free Church in northern California, where he lives with his wife and two young children. For fun, he enjoys playing chamber music with friends, giving occasional solo recitals, and playing first violin in the North State Symphony.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (December 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825435757
• ISBN-13: 978-0825435751
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,200 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, January 23, 2008

By	Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

What a tangled web I read. ..Wow.

Fallen grabbed me immediately and did not let go until the final silken strand. Matthew Raley has written a book that may need to become part of seminary curriculum. Maybe Fallen should be required reading for elder or deacon boards. Without heavy discussions regarding theological ideology, or overwhelming use of scripture, Raley manages to wind the reality of truth around cheap grace, religiousity, legalism, licentiousness, grace, forgiveness and accountability. And pride gets the life sucked out of it.

Two male characters from different circumstances and generations interact with affection, wariness, concern and pain. I found myself agonizing with Raley's main character ,Jim while he got more entangled with his own thoughts as well as the series of facts and perceived realities. I have been Jim, and I dare say I've been a Dave.

I know many will think this is a story about dangerous pastors, but don't miss the point that wound its way around my heart. Our lives are woven and God doesn't miss a stitch. He'll use whatever means to make sure my life is one that glorifies Him. No matter how painful or costly, God will shape the ones He loves and died for.

This story is overtly Christian. But with an honest look at religion vs. relationship and enough mind games to entice readers who don't claim Christianity but love cat and mouse games. I'd suggest it to anyone who has ever been burned in church politics, too.

Raley is a new author to watch. I'm looking forward going to get my hands on his next novel. I hope it will be soon.

Note: Do a Google search for this book because it went through a blog tour. Some didn't like it quite as much as I did and a few didn't even finish it. My opinion is subjective, of course, and I happen to love very introspective reads, especially if they are well-written. Chances are if you have enjoyed other books I've loved, then you will likely eat Fallen up. But if you are drawn toward breathtaking action or bodice ripping romance...maybe not so much.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and insightful reading!, January 11, 2008

By	Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews

Fallen is a thought-provoking, page-turning novel that will cause you to see things differently by book's end. As with peeling an onion, layer after layer of deception is removed as the cover is stripped away and the truth is exposed. The insight this author has is impressive.

The process of uncovering the truth will make you question things. Sticking with your convictions may be unpopular, but what is more important, stating the truth or allowing sin to continue? It's hard to say much more about this story because I don't want my review to be a spoiler for the reader, but I can say that Fallen truly exposes the darkest places in a man's heart. It also helps you to see that sometimes Christians have ulterior motives based more on pride than Christ.

You'll never see accountability in the same light after reading this book. It's truly sad how warped things can get and how easily deceived people can be. But in the end, if you allow God to expose the sin in your heart, and you are willing to follow his lead, change is possible. But humility is a key ingredient, because if you don't think you've sinned then you have nothing to confess, right? This book will blow your mind and stretch your thinking, trust me. I especially appreciated how the author used the situation to make Jim see how he'd hurt his own family and how he used that knowledge for the benefit of the people he loved.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Startling, brutal look at the consequences of sin, January 23, 2008

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Fallen by Matthew Raley is a surprisingly good read. Jim, a banker and chairman of his church, sees his pastor, Dave, getting out of a strange woman's Mercedes. First, Jim weighs the pros and cons of talking to Dave about appearances and propriety, then when the bombs start dropping, he has to decide not only what to do about Dave and the church, but also has to re-evaluate his own life and faith. This book started out a little slow for me, Jim does an inordinate amount of internalizing. But as he started making choices, the plot moved forward rapidly, and when I finished reading, I was stunned by the depth and honesty of Raley's writing. The story is told in an almost steady stream of consciousness from Jim's point of view, and as he remembers lessons he's learned, he educates the reader (gently) as well. The themes Fallen addresses: the superficiality of churches, fallen leaders, the fake self we show to the world have been addressed in other books, but rarely with this amount of punch-you-in-the-gut frankness. Jim realizes through seeing Dave's sins that he is equally as guilty of living a lie. He presents a face for the world to see that isn't who he is on the inside. When the mask slips, especially in front of his family, he feels threatened and attacks. The kind of Christianity that Jim (and Raley) embraces at the end is frightening in its authenticity. No masks, no pretenses, just true compassionate, loving Christianity that isn't afraid to talk about sin and death. Raley took my breath away as he took the verse Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one. This book is a wake up call to reject the false Christianity that's easy to embrace and turn to genuine faith that lives each and every day knowing that we are fallen and are only saved by the grace of God.