Good Books

I just finished my newest book series "the Word and the Void", and I am now feeling a certain sense of loss. This particular series ended so beautifully, that I think it will be hard to find a book that will match it any time soon. This blog is a sort of "synthesize my thoughts" on the series.

The first thing I liked about this series was that it took place in modern day America. Terry Brooks is a fantasy author. The blending of the two worlds really worked in this series. The first really impactful aspect of these books was the presence of "demons" in the midst of normal, every day life. The demons would try to bend people to their will, manipulating and deceiving and even controlling them. I was struck by that fact that this really is real life. We are continually influenced by outside sources, most of which are trying to sway us to give in or give up. I was reminded of the Rob Bell video on "tomatoes" (I think). There is a guy in the video that hangs out with all the other people, encouraging them to get mad, get even, or give in. This is a very good visual of the demons in our midst. We cannot forget that.

The books also had the very distinct feel of "good vs. evil", always a plus in novels. One of the main characters, John Ross, is commissioned by the Word (the good side) to fight against the Void (the bad side). He is given special skills (magic) and special insight. From there, he has to go out and fight against all the demons in the world. In book two, he decides to give up his life of commitment to the Word and tries to have a normal life. It ends disastrously, with his true love turning out to be a demon in disguise. He is encouraged and saved by his friend Nest, who is a powerful ally for the Word. In the end, John Ross gives his life for the fight. The ending was so powerful because I had just been taken on a three book struggle to find purpose and to influence the world for good or evil. The characters were so conflicted at times, but they would always end up choosing to stand for what they new was needed and right. They were asked to give their whole lives, to risk it all, for the cause. I am reminded of Bonhoffer's book "the Cost of Discipleship", and how he says that we are asked to "come and die" by Christ. John Ross' life was not his own. He could not have a normal life, normal friends, or even normal relationships. He was one hundred percent sold out to the service of the Word. I may not be asked to give up my life, but I am asked to be sold out for the cause.

It is not our own strength that makes us strong. It is not our own conviction that causes us to act as we should. It is the power of Christ in us that will convict, guide and strenghten us. But that does not mean that we need to shy away from the battle. We are called to go into all the world. We cannot deny that call, or else we risk denying our God. Thank the Lord that we are not called to act on our own strength, for the strenght of men is weakness in God's eyes. I have to end with this, my favorite quote from Lord of the Rings:

Gandalf: "It is in the world of men that we must now trust."
Elrond: "Men? Men are weak"

So true. But God is strong.

j