Book Review: “Persecuted” by Robin Parrish (Giveaway)

Bit by bloody bit, our religious freedom is being encroached upon. If the scene in America plays out like it has in so many countries around the world, we could one day be forced into an underground, behind-closed-doors-only kind of faith, where the penalty for expressing that faith could mean imprisonment and/or death.

That is the basic premise behind the book Persecuted by Robin Parrish. This book is a departure from Mr. Parrish’s other books in that it is based on a movie. (The movie by the same name releases July 18, 2014. On a side note, I rarely like a movie better than a book. It will be interesting to see if this stays true in this particular instance since the book is based on the movie and not the other way around.)

What I Liked About “Persecuted”

I could actually see the scenes in the book playing out like a movie. I also believe that the scenario is very plausible in our current political climate, where immorality is encouraged and faith in God is not. In my opinion, the characters were very well drawn out and realistic, though I did find the antagonist a little stereotypical. The action scenes were fast-paced and intense. Overall, the story was well-written, and I empathized with the characters.

What I Disliked About “Persecuted”

The characterization of John Luther as a glitzy television evangelist near the beginning of the book left a sour taste in my mouth. That image doesn’t match up with the back-cover book description of a man who simply “wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family.” To me it reeked of selfish ambition and someone who sought the spotlight rather than God.

I also wish the book had gone into more detail about the Faith and Fairness Act, which is really the ticking time bomb behind the whole story. All the book says is that it would require Christians “… to publicly declare your religious beliefs in a way that permits equal time and respect to other faiths.”

But that leaves tons of questions in my head that went unanswered. Is this act a move toward a one world religion? Would this mean that Satanists would get equal footing as Christians in religious freedoms? And I had more questions along these lines. I just felt like the act was a little shadowy and ambiguous, which only served to weaken its potential impact and the story in general.

Book Description:

“The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.” –Reverend Billy Graham

The Question Is Not If Attempts Will Be Made

to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When.

And When That Day Comes, Will You Stay Silent?

A storm is coming.



The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther’s endorsement as critical.

But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option–putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation’s freedoms.

In Conclusion

Overall, I would recommend this book, and I intend on seeing the movie, mainly because I believe in the underlying message of the book. If Christians don’t take a stand at some point, the religious liberties we enjoy today will be unavailable to our children and grandchildren.

As I read the book, this quote kept coming to my head: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ~Edmund Burke

I pray that I will have the courage to stand in the face of persecution and say: “I will not be silent.”

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me for review, but no other compensation was provided. The opinion of the book as stated above is my own.

Giveaway

The giveaway of a copy of the book “Persecuted” by Robin Parrish is via the Rafflecopter below. US and Canada only. Ends July 31.

“Disclosure (in accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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