Robert Hardy's Seven Days

by Charles Monroe Sheldon

Robert Hardy is a successful businessman who is so consumed by his own ambitions that he neglects his wife and children. A wishy-washy believer at best, Hardy finds his faith tested to the ultimate limit when he becomes convinced that he's going to die in seven days.

Can he repair broken relationships, make amends with those he's hurt, and undergo a spiritual transformation in just seven days?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

Charles Monroe Sheldon was an American minister in the Congregational churches and leader of the Social Gospel movement.

His novel, In His Steps, introduced the principle of "What Would Jesus Do?" which articulated an approach to Christian theology that became popular at the turn of the 20th Century and had a revival almost one hundred years later.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good one
"Time is short. Eternity is long. Death is nothing. Life is everything."

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read many of Charles Sheldon’s books in the past, and I was excited to see Lamplighter had published this one – and I loved every second I was reading it. The thought of knowing you were going to die in a week is a sobering one, and I was continually asking myself, “What would I do if I were in Mr. Hardy’s shoes?”

This was a reminder for me to live every day to my fullest, redeeming the time as I go through each second of the time the Lord has given to me on this earth, so that, in the end, I have very few regrets of how I have stewarded my time. I can’t even begin to imagine being told I only have a week left to live, and only having a week to make up for a life of selfish living. And Robert Hardy did admirably as he strived to live the last of his life for His Saviour.

I appreciated this reminder of living in such a way that my time is not my own, but God’s. I loved the lessons Mr. Hardy learned, and I learned right along with him – sometimes I need to get down in the dirt with those who are struggling, and get dirty right along with them. Sometimes I need to forget about myself, and think about the Christ I serve. This is definitely a book I want to pass out to others on the street – the message is so poignant, especially as I see others scurrying by, afraid of catching some dreaded virus. Instead of fearing the virus, I want to remind them to fear God, and to live as though they were going to die from this virus in a week. How would it change our society if we Christians stopped living for ourselves and started living for God’s glory? Especially in the uncertain times we are now living in. If each one of us who are Christians would live a life of service for each other, the world wouldn’t know what to think!

Once again, Mr. Charles Sheldon has given me much to think about, and I am grateful for his writings!

[Sarah Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with the kids at lunchtime. We all were stunned by the ending!!!

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Όπως αναφέρεται και στον επίλογο, το μικρό αυτό βιβλίο δε γράφτηκε για να προσφέρει ένα ευχάριστο ανάγνωσμα. Εκ πρώτης όψεως δείχνει να πρόκειται για τη χριστιανική έκδοση της ιστορίας του Φάουστ του Γκαίτε. Κι όμως δεν πρόκειται για μυθιστόρημα αλλά για την αληθινή ιστορία του κ. Γκαρντύ ο οποίος έχει μόνο 7 μέρες στη διάθεσή του να ζήσει τη χριστιανική ζωή απορρίπτοντας την πρότερη φιλαυτία και τον εγωισμό του. Τη δύναμη θα την αντλίσει ύστερα από την επαφή του με το θείο μια μέρα πριν από την πρώτη από τις τελευταίες 7 μέρες του.

"Ο Θεός έθεσε μέσα στον άνθρωπο την αιωνιότητα" -Εκκλησιαστής 3:11
Βάση αυτής της αλήθειας, η ανθρωπότητα έχει θέσει τα ερωτήματά της για τη ζωή και το θάνατο. Η φιλοσοφία προσπάθησε να τα απαντήσει προσπαθώντας να συμφιλιώσει τον άνθρωπο με το θάνατο. Στάθηκε όμως αδύνατο το ανθρώπινο γένος να βρει παρηγοριά σε οποιαδήποτε θεωρία. Ο άνθρωπος είναι φτιαγμένος για να ζήσει αιώνια και αυτή τη ζωή επιποθεί. Ο θάνατος όμως είναι δεδομένος και μπροστά σε αυτό το τρόμο προσπαθούμε να κλείσουμε τα αφτιά μας αγοράζοντας όση ηδονή μπορούμε να βρούμε ( σπίτια, αμάξια, στερεοφωνικά, τηλεοράσεις, ταξίδια και ό,τι άλλο φαντάζεστε και γνωρίζετε ). Η ψυχή όμως δε γεμίζει ποτέ και στο τέλος έρχεται αντιμέτωπη με το μεγάλο γεγονός. Τότε όλα όσα έχτισε στη ζωή του είναι μάταια...

Εάν ο Θεός είναι ο δημιουργός του κόσμου τότε μόνο εκείνος όχι μόνο μπορεί να προσφέρει τις απαντήσεις που χρειαζόμαστε αλλά και να προσφέρει και τη λύση. Κάτι που έκανε πριν 2000 χρόνια. Αναζητήστε Τον.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who professes to be a Christian should read this book. This story is about a man who has a revelation that he only has seven days to live and how he changes to make up for the way he has conducted his life up to that point. At times I thought the book was a bit simplistic and just a little bit corny, but as I pondered the message that the author was putting across, I realized that I was being too harsh. This book was written by Charles Sheldon in 1900. He was a preacher who instead of preaching to his congregation, wrote them a story each week and then read it to them. It is interesting reading because it shows how society has digressed in living the teaching of the Savior. If the book seems to be a bit preachy it is because that is exactly what it is, a sermon. It gave me alot to think about and made me wonder if my actions are consistent with what I profess to believe. I started the book at eleven pm and finished at one in the morning. Although it was an easy read, the message is still with me. I highly recommend this book.

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the we all should look at our lives. We don't know when our last day on earth will arrive. Today? Tomorrow? Next week? Every day should be lived as if it were our last.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, originally a series of sermons given in the 1800s. It somewhat reminds me of A Christmas Carol. A man dreams he only has seven days left to live. How will he spend them? Each chapter represents a day spent reminiscing over the past and ways to change his life for that day.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poignant, thought-provoking. Some admittedly slow parts and an ending that left me slightly confused. But the message of the story came through clearly and convictingly.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were very intrigued by this book. We truly enjoy these older books by Lamplighter Theatre.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW heartbreaking and makes you think! Sooo convicting. This is a really touching and applicable story.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspend your disbelief for the circumstances.
Excellent writing! A little too heavy on the preaching side.

The ending? Wowzers.