Monday, July 9, 2012

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

Is this the day I die? Li Quan asks himself this question daily, knowing that he might be killed for practicing his faith. American businessman Ben Fielding has no idea what his brilliant former college roommate is facing in China. He expects his old friend has fulfilled his dream of becoming a university professor. But when they are reunited in China after twenty years, both men are shocked at what they discover about each other. Thrown together in an hour of encroaching darkness, both must make choices that will determine not only the destinies of two men, but two families, two nations, and two worlds.

My review:

Although this is a fictional novel, Randy Alcorn has done a great job of portraying the persecution that Christians face in China. I read the book when it first came out in 2001, and I loved it. It was one of those books that pulled me in and I became completely engrossed in the story. Even though it has been eleven years since I read the book, I still remember how much I enjoyed it, and how it helped open my eyes to the persecution Christians are going through around the world.

Some say Randy Alcorn can be "too preachy" in his books. I disagree. He writes some good stuff, and this is one of his best. And besides, it IS Christian fiction, and we are to preach Christ everywhere. I don't think God would exclude Christian fiction from that.

A side note: The original book was hardcover and featured one of Ron DiCianni's great paintings on the cover of the book, a painting by the same name as the book, if I remember correctly.

About the author:

Randy Alcorn is an author and the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching principles of God's Word and assisting the church in ministering to the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled, and unsupported people around the world. His ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions, and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity. He accomplishes this by analyzing, teaching, and applying the biblical truth.
Before starting EPM in 1990, Randy served as a pastor for fourteen years. He holds degrees in theology and biblical studies and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah University and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
A New York Times bestselling author, Randy has written more than forty books, including Courageous, Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His books in print exceed seven million and have been translated into more than thirty languages. Randy has written for many magazines, including EPM's quarterly issues-oriented magazine, Eternal Perspectives. He is active daily on Facebook and Twitter, and has been a guest on more than seven hundred radio, television, and online programs, including Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, The Bible Answer Man, and The Resurgence.
Randy resides in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife, Nanci. They have two married daughters and are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, playing tennis, doing research, and reading.
Contact Eternal Perspective Ministries:
39085 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 206
Sandy, OR 97055
503-668-5200
www.epm.org
Follow Randy on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/randyalcorn
Twitter:www.twitter.com/randyalcorn
Blog: www.epm.prg/blog

Safely Home is available from Tyndale Publishing.

1 comments:

Trinity Rose said...

This is my favorite book of all times. I have the hardcover with the picture you mentioned. Thanks for the review. Every person should read this book. I will never forget it or how much we don't understand about how many Christians suffer. Really love this book.