And the Shofar Blew discussion

It probably goes against what most other Christians who have read this book will most likely think, but I wanted Euny to leave Paul and be with Stephen. Paul reminded me too much of people I know and I just found his sudden turn around implausible. His almost hitting a rabbit would not ever be enough to shake someone out of themselves the way Paul was, it just doesn't happen. Instead, there were absolutley no consequences for his years of abuse towards people. If he was truly to face the consequences of what he did to Euny, than she should have walked away and not looked back, that's what he deserved. But I guess at the same time, I would have loved to have seen Kathryn become a Christian and her and Stephen reunite.
I also am always moved when Stephen welcomes Brittany home and how he stands over her crying and then he washes her feet. Such love for his daughter.

I read this book quite a while ago, and found that it represented the church today almost too well. A very scary thought, personally. But I just would like to point out to you that, the Apostle Paul had a turn around that was just as sudden and miraculous as the character in this book. I'll admit that I had a bad taste in my mouth where his character was concerned, but I loved that he got a second chance. Euny reminded me so much of the love of Jesus and how forgiving our Savior can be. She didn't want to forgive him, but I'm so glad she did! Just as I am so glad that my God can love me even though I continually fail and sin against Him.

Thanks for your thoughts on the book and know that I respect your opinion wholeheartedly!

Christian or not, Paul should have been dumped. He was committing spiritual adultery. This book was really good, but depressing to me. I cried a lot through it and that is hard on me at this period of my life.

I agree Karen. he should have been dumped. Sure there's forgiveness, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be consequences. By taking him back, Euny basically let Paul get away with everything he did, and she shouldn't have.

Rache wrote: "I agree Karen. he should have been dumped. Sure there's forgiveness, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be consequences. By taking him back, Euny basically let Paul get away with everything he d..."

Yep.

You don't think he had consequences? What about the guilt? Or the fact that it was going to take a long time for his family to look at him the same? This world's view on marriage is that it's not worth the time and effort to fix what was broken. We can't buy into what they're selling us! By Euny taking him back, she showed him the exact love that God shows us time and time again. Look at all the things Israel did against Him. Did he turn His back on them for good because they didn't deserve His forgiveness? No. They had consequences for what they did, but God's love overshadowed it. Did Paul deserve to have her walk away? Of course! But that doesn't mean it's the right thing.

Divorce is against the Word of God and as far as I'm concerned, it would've been wrong for Euny to deny him her forgiveness. He was willing to make it work and he had a repentant heart. These are two things that tell me Euny did the right thing.

If Christians are going to treat the bonds of marriage as casually as the world does, then the hope for future generations is going downhill. Instead of being disappointed that Francine Rivers brought these two characters back together, we should see the beauty in a couple that can look past the hurts of yesterday. A story where there is a victory, even in the middle of all that pain. Yes, it would take time for them to have a normal marriage again, but I applaud Francine Rivers for keeping them together. Maybe there are some Christians in this world who aren't willing to back down and believe the lies we're being told. Amen to that!

God got divorced from his wife for her actions. You certainly do not know the whole bible. I guess you are more right than God is. He divorced Israel. What word of God you reading there? Jeremiah_3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. He gave his wife a bill of divorcement. God you are so wrong to do this. Israel was committing spiritual adultery against God and he finally had it with her. Look up God and his wife in the bible for more proof. He did not flippantly divorce her, but he warned her and she kept on. A lot like Paul here.

Oh and btw please copy and paste where either of us talking used the word divorce in our posts. I was thinking more in the line of separation which Paul says is a means to get someone to wake up. You just are not to marry another. God did not marry another. copy and paste where I stated divorce in my post.

Oh, I’m sorry, when I hear the word dumped I don’t think separation (( I looked up the word dump-- Verb: Deposit or dispose of (garbage, waste, or unwanted material), typically in a careless or hurried way. Synonyms: unload.)) Anyway, since the very thought of Euny taking Paul back was so appalling to you and I did not see any talk of reconciliation, my mind thought divorce. I don’t think that a life of separation is the answer when God is a God of VICTORY and we can be changed in the blink of an eye if we live by the Spirit.

And, I do know the Scripture you are speaking about, God does divorce the northern tribes of Israel for harlotry, but if you read verse eleven in Jeremiah 3 you will see that God gives them a chance to repent, admit their mistake and come back to Him. Isn’t that God’s way. Yes there are consequences for the things we fall short on, as I have already pointed out, but if God can forgive sinners, then who are we not to forgive someone who has asked for forgiveness. That would be thinking we know better than God.

I’m sorry I wrought such an angry response, I can see that this book had a real effect on you. I guess we all tried to put ourselves in Euny’s place and it seems some of us were surprised at her response.

Emma wrote: "Oh, I’m sorry, when I hear the word dumped I don’t think separation (( I looked up the word dump-- Verb: Deposit or dispose of (garbage, waste, or unwanted material), typically in a careless or hur..."

It's okay. I do agree with a lot of what you said.

I normally love Francine Rivers, but I got to admit I was not a fan of this book.

I read this book a while ago and really enjoyed it. I think it is eerily similar to much of the Western church today.

I recommend it to all Christians, leaders or not, because it demonstrates how our spiritual lives must be constantly tended to with prayer and dependency on God. We can never say that could never turn out like Paul. Francine Rivers did a great job demonstrating how our pride gets us in trouble and that we never backslide overnight. It definitely left a strong impression on me.

Emma, by consequences I meant that Eunice just took him back, and seemed to just let life continue as though Paul hadn't done anything much wrong. This would have said to Paul that he could do anything and she would just continue to let him live with her and treat her like rubbish. Perhaps I'm too hard in my views but, Christian or not, I would have made sure Paul knew that his actions were not ok and that he could not do them again. What she should have done was make him prove that he had changed. I don't know, but its a great book, I enjoyed it!

Did anyone catch the biblical connection between Lois, Eunice, and Timothy? (2 Timothy 1:5)This book isn't necessarily a "fun" read. It is so true to real life, and Eunice's decision isn't a popular one in today's society. I hope I'm never in that situation. It would be extremely hard. I have to admire Eunice. Even while I may not totally understand her choices, I wonder what Jesus would do in those circumstances.

Emma wrote: "You don't think he had consequences? What about the guilt? Or the fact that it was going to take a long time for his family to look at him the same? This world's view on marriage is that it's not w..."

Karen wrote: "God got divorced from his wife for her actions. You certainly do not know the whole bible. I guess you are more right than God is. He divorced Israel. What word of God you reading there? Jeremiah_3..."

Karen wrote: "Rache wrote: "I agree Karen. he should have been dumped. Sure there's forgiveness, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be consequences. By taking him back, Euny basically let Paul get away with e..."

well said I agree...Paul came back, but the guilt & his past sins, though forgiven still had consequences...in his marriage there would be hurtles to cross to repair the damage done by his failings. God asks us to forgive, but not be trodden. Paul would still have to deal with his sins...but God would give both he and his wife the strength to deal with these issues. To "dump & run" every time someone hurts us is the worlds way of dealing with things.

I loved the book for it's redemptive message, for it's truth in the failings of some churches...for the power that devours some Men of God ( and women ) and the need for forgiveness. So often we are like wolves...ready to jump and tear apart fallen Christians...and cast them aside. What does this say for the true Christian message? Does this mean there are not ramifications? Now, it does not....but it means accountability & forgiveness.