Friday, June 01, 2007

Book of the Month: THE DEBT

This month, by request, we'll discuss THE DEBT.


"A powerful story, captivating and superbly written. I couldn't put it down. Angela Hunt touched my heart. When I finished, I thanked Jesus for speaking to me. That's the highest compliment I can pay any book."

Randy Alcorn, author of Safely Home

"The Debt is a wonderful story that reminds us not to follow in the footsteps of men, but in the footsteps of Jesus."

Francine Rivers, author of When the Shofar Blew and Redeeming Love

*** THE DEBT

After fleeing a painful and compromising past, Emma Rose Howard settled eagerly into the role of a pastor's wife. She and her husband, Abel, dedicated themselves to parenting a mega-church and influenced thousands of lives through its related ministries.

But when Emma Rose receives a phone call from a living, breathing remnant of her troubled past, she finds herself wondering if something in her life is woefully out of balance. The presence of this unexpected intruder soon threatens everything Emma Rose has believed about her calling, her marriage, and her relationship with God.

The Debt not only invites readers to embrace the painful heartache and incomparable joy that accompany a soul's redemption, but it challenges us to follow Christ to new and unexpected places.

The Debt
features Emma Howard, wife of Abel, who's the head of a growing TV ministry. Because the PTL Club remains a vivid memory, the squeaky clean Abel is almost paranoid about scandal. So when Emma gets a call from "Christopher" and then makes a confession, Abel's thinking blackmail. Christopher is the son Emma gave up for adoption long ago in a series of unsavory events, and he does pose a threat. He's a minister himself, called to one-on-one witness in bars and homeless shelters, and a kind of living rebuke not only to Emma's youth but to the remoteness of Abel's TV show. The well-known Hunt's latest may not be of much interest beyond church circles, but she poses her issues--that is, the simple message of Christ versus slick technology--effectively. John Mort, for Booklist.

Tomorrow: how the idea originated.

~~Angie

5 comments:

Rachelle said...

Angie, just for the record, this is my favorite book of yours, and I've recommended it to countless people. For some reason it struck a powerful chord with me. Glad you're discussing it!

Christy Lockstein said...

If we could make a required reading list for all Christians, I would put this book on it. I've recommended it to so many people, it's another book I cried through much of.

Missy Eagen said...

This was the first book of your I read, in fact I think it was the first christian fiction book I read and I've been hooked ever since. I remember re-reading the end and really taking inventory of my own redemption in Christ.

Suzanne said...

Yay! Thanks for doing this one, like the others (up there) said I hold this book in high regard, probably my favorite book (in general) ever. LOVE the message of it and I agree, one that every Christian should read. I lend my copy out to everyone that will read it.

Anonymous said...

The Debt is in the Top Five of my favorite books. I've purchased several to give away to friends. Who also buy more to give away to their friends . . . and so on, and so on . . .