This is one of the more interesting premises for a series I
have run across in some time. Set in a
post-apocalyptic time it follows the story of a young girl who never knew she
was anything but ordinary… come to find out she’s the savior of them all.
So, why did I say interesting premises when the previous
sentence could have easily been about Katniss Everdeen? (read my thoughts on
the Hunger Games {HERE} & {HERE}) Because this
story poses a completely different question:
what if angels were jealous of humans because we have free will and they
don’t? What if they had just enough free
will to do something about it? And what
if it caused the end of the world as we know it?
See this apocalypse was caused by 2 things: stupid humans
and jealous angels. So the story goes
that humans had become so materialistic and greedy that they started the apocalyptic
war. (This is preached again and again…
materialism is bad. I agree with the sentiment,
but I don’t like being preached at by a fictional book.) As the war raged on apparently some of the
angels got fed up and decided to just step in and end it for the humans. These angels had been sent down to protect
the humans but at some point changed their minds and decided to follow Luc in
his desire to rid the earth of humans and return it to a paradise. After all, it was originally intended for the
angels to inhabit. His plan failed
ultimately because humans are more tenacious and resilient than he gave them
credit for. (BTW- Luc is what this angel
is called throughout the book but at one point it is explained that his name
has been shortened… from Lucifer which is another name for Satan – begin to
make sense?)
SO… as always, what can we learn (besides the fact that
materialism is evil)? It’s pretty
obvious to those with even a small amount of Biblical knowledge that this is
fantasy. There are many things that
contradict the Bible… like the fact that Lucifer was originally punished by
being forced to protect and care for humans – I don’t think there are many
people who would look at Satan (with or without Biblical understanding) and
claim him as their protector. I suppose
there might be someone from a particular sect of the occult, who perhaps thinks
that way, but let’s assume that’s not who we’re discussing. Anyhow, despite all this there are things in
this book that are Biblically accurate.
At one point an angel explains to Dylan (the young girl who
has discovered she is more than ordinary) that there was a time in history when
God sent His Son to earth to try and show people His will for their lives. Of course, this is followed by the assumption
that Dylan is the “second coming.” While
it might be assumed that as a Christian I would applaud the fact that Harper
included a version of the salvation story (albeit watery) I would have to argue
that the best way to confuse someone not solid in their beliefs is to present
the truth and mix in lies. Because of
this, I can’t claim that I’m really happy about her adding this… especially when
the concept of God, in general, has been previously introduced as a myth that
people believed long ago.
Of course, there are many people who also claim that as a
Christian, I shouldn’t even read things that give unrealistic views of God and
angels. My beliefs on this are simply
that I am solid in my beliefs and therefore I am not likely to be swayed by the
fantasy that I read. And, more
importantly, by reading these books and exposing the lies in them I can perhaps
stir someone else to either a) choose another book, b) do their own study on the issues addressed
or c) discuss these things with someone wiser than themselves to gain more
insight. I don’t see how something that excites
a want of true understanding and spurs someone to study the Bible can ever be a
bad thing.
In conclusion, are the books worth reading? Yes and no.
If you know you are firm in what you believe and want some fantasy, sure…
they’re an ok read. If you are interested
in learning more about angels and are willing to do some study to compare these
books to the Biblical accounts of angels… sure.
BUT if you are looking for something to help you understand angels and
intend to take what you read as truth… look elsewhere.
STUDY NOTES: If you
intend to compare this book to the Bible, look to these facts about angels.
1. To see how Lucifer was cast out of heaven see
Isaiah 14:12-22 (in
the old King James Version of the Bible it uses the name “Lucifer”
but more recent translations use the meaning of his name
“Star of the
Morning”)
2. When it uses the term “…said in your heart…”
this denotes at least
some form of free will in Satan. He was at one time something
beautiful but he
CHOSE to make himself an enemy of God.
3. Satan disguises himself as an angel of
light: 2 Corinthians 11:14
(this doesn’t
make him one)
4. The book supposes many times that the angels
here on earth are
outside of God’s control and for God to judge them they must
be
“dispatched” back to heaven… however, if you read Job 1:6-12
and 2:1-6 you
can see that even Satan himself has to go before
God to ask permission to harm a
human. There is no being
anywhere in the
universe outside of God’s control.
I’m sure there are many more, but these are what came to
mind.
Bible study over :-)
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