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The Hush
Hollywood has robbed our generation of the wonder and awe that should be found in the final moments of the savior’s life. From the older images of a sad, blue-eyed Jesus to the more recent, more violently graphic portrayals of his suffering, we have been trained to see the author of creation as another victim. To be sure, Jesus Christ endured terrible physical abuse and a barbaric death, but this wasn’t what caused his dread the night before as he prayed, alone in the garden. The prospect of a much darker agony, something much harder for us to grasp, not only made the Son of God sweat drops of blood in
anticipation, but according to Luke’s Gospel also caused the sun’s light to fail.
The Hush presents a unique blend of images, combining glimpses of supernatural forces behind the familiar scenes with historically and biblically sound drama. Beginning with an introduction that sweeps from the manger to Christ’s final trip into Jerusalem, a tone of tension and warfare is set: after
a long absence, the Master has returned to set his feet once more on his dear, own creation, territory long held by his enemy. Under the watching eyes of angels and demons alike, the infant becomes a boy, the boy a young man, and suddenly, this God in flesh and his adversary find themselves face to face, eye
to eye, one of them with a plan, the other with a different plan.
There is passion and humor and friendship exchanged between Jesus and his disciples, while all around them danger and conflict and unseen posturing mounts. The week wears away, the two plans converge, and the Master is separated from his disciples. The hours tick down, the trials commence, and
the abuse escalates. Evil is unleashed like never before.
And then comes the moment when the sun refuses to shine; as the Lord of the universe is nailed to a tree and lifted from the earth, the Hush descends.
anticipation, but according to Luke’s Gospel also caused the sun’s light to fail.
The Hush presents a unique blend of images, combining glimpses of supernatural forces behind the familiar scenes with historically and biblically sound drama. Beginning with an introduction that sweeps from the manger to Christ’s final trip into Jerusalem, a tone of tension and warfare is set: after
a long absence, the Master has returned to set his feet once more on his dear, own creation, territory long held by his enemy. Under the watching eyes of angels and demons alike, the infant becomes a boy, the boy a young man, and suddenly, this God in flesh and his adversary find themselves face to face, eye
to eye, one of them with a plan, the other with a different plan.
There is passion and humor and friendship exchanged between Jesus and his disciples, while all around them danger and conflict and unseen posturing mounts. The week wears away, the two plans converge, and the Master is separated from his disciples. The hours tick down, the trials commence, and
the abuse escalates. Evil is unleashed like never before.
And then comes the moment when the sun refuses to shine; as the Lord of the universe is nailed to a tree and lifted from the earth, the Hush descends.
266 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 5, 2012
I downloaded this on my Kindle in the hope that I might read an interesting religious interpretation of Christ's life without having to work very hard, in essence for some extracurricular pleasure reading. As a whole, I am not in the least disappointed; the writer has a good stye and the story is very engaging to me.
With that said, I thought the opening pages of the book were overly wrought with drama, certainly something for which the reader is not prepared. It was as though he were attempting to accommodate the great drama about which we learn later. In my opinion, these pages simply do not work and it would have been better,(again, in my opinion,) to begin with a very simple idea and have it swell in importance and majesty.
While I suspect that the writer's efforts at research were adequate to the subject matter, there is a considerable amount of theology with which I can not agree. I cannot tell, for example, whether the author is supporting replacement theology, essentially suggesting that the Jews are no longer God's chosen and that mentions which contain mention of Israel and Jerusalem are now to be read as "Christianity" and "The Church." I also believe that he has Christ's chronology of His last week incorrect. In my opinion, there were two Sabbaths in that week and Christ, as the sacrificial lamb, was killed (slaughtered) on the day preceding Passover. The Catholic church, for example, has long been opposed to associating Easter with Passover, but I believe that they do so in error. Even when I was 12, I knew that "3 days and 3 nights" don't work when you start on Friday and end on Sunday.
What is especially positive about this book is the love and beauty it portrays. It is especially wonderful to see the characters deeply humanized in ways in which we do not normally think. The Apostles, for example, do their best to understand and carry out Christ's commands because they WANT to understand. Still we sense their confusion, doubt and weariness at times. Last of all, it is gratifying to read of the spirit world, though unseen, as not of some sort of imagination, but intensely real and effective. Perhaps they do not work exactly like this, but it remains an inspired interpretation, on par with that of John Milton's representations.
Having completed the book, I have to admit that I was in error of the author not associating Passover and Easter. In my opinion, he has the days wrong, but he understands the significance of them occurring together. The story becomes the anticipated victory of evil over good by the devil and his minions, but discovering that Christ is resurrected instead of dying as they expected. The author provides an interesting interpretation of evil which requires some considerable pondering: how is it that evil cannot determine the truth of things and thus anticipate its demise? The answer is that evil is self-delusional, mostly through its concept of self-importance. It brings to mind the words of Romans 1: 21-22 and, consequently, the understanding that the devil has a great deal of company in our present age.
The opening pages still bother me, only because the author was attempting to achieve some sense of majesty and awe for which the reader is not prepared. However, they do not significantly damage the book as a whole. There is some very good writing in this book and it is well researched. I would rate it three stars plus a bit, but I am giving it 4 stars simply because of the author's deep understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.
With that said, I thought the opening pages of the book were overly wrought with drama, certainly something for which the reader is not prepared. It was as though he were attempting to accommodate the great drama about which we learn later. In my opinion, these pages simply do not work and it would have been better,(again, in my opinion,) to begin with a very simple idea and have it swell in importance and majesty.
While I suspect that the writer's efforts at research were adequate to the subject matter, there is a considerable amount of theology with which I can not agree. I cannot tell, for example, whether the author is supporting replacement theology, essentially suggesting that the Jews are no longer God's chosen and that mentions which contain mention of Israel and Jerusalem are now to be read as "Christianity" and "The Church." I also believe that he has Christ's chronology of His last week incorrect. In my opinion, there were two Sabbaths in that week and Christ, as the sacrificial lamb, was killed (slaughtered) on the day preceding Passover. The Catholic church, for example, has long been opposed to associating Easter with Passover, but I believe that they do so in error. Even when I was 12, I knew that "3 days and 3 nights" don't work when you start on Friday and end on Sunday.
What is especially positive about this book is the love and beauty it portrays. It is especially wonderful to see the characters deeply humanized in ways in which we do not normally think. The Apostles, for example, do their best to understand and carry out Christ's commands because they WANT to understand. Still we sense their confusion, doubt and weariness at times. Last of all, it is gratifying to read of the spirit world, though unseen, as not of some sort of imagination, but intensely real and effective. Perhaps they do not work exactly like this, but it remains an inspired interpretation, on par with that of John Milton's representations.
Having completed the book, I have to admit that I was in error of the author not associating Passover and Easter. In my opinion, he has the days wrong, but he understands the significance of them occurring together. The story becomes the anticipated victory of evil over good by the devil and his minions, but discovering that Christ is resurrected instead of dying as they expected. The author provides an interesting interpretation of evil which requires some considerable pondering: how is it that evil cannot determine the truth of things and thus anticipate its demise? The answer is that evil is self-delusional, mostly through its concept of self-importance. It brings to mind the words of Romans 1: 21-22 and, consequently, the understanding that the devil has a great deal of company in our present age.
The opening pages still bother me, only because the author was attempting to achieve some sense of majesty and awe for which the reader is not prepared. However, they do not significantly damage the book as a whole. There is some very good writing in this book and it is well researched. I would rate it three stars plus a bit, but I am giving it 4 stars simply because of the author's deep understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2012
This has got to be one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring, thought-provoking books written about the life of Jesus I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. I want to address some things specifically but wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone. Leave it to say that Mr. Flowers interpretation of Jesus becoming sin in our place while on the cross is spectacular. I sat and cried while I read, it all became so real. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to step into that point in history and our salvation.
September 5, 2012
What the Passion was in film, The Hush is in a novel. While the bones of the story come straight from our Bible the rest is fleshed out into a breath taking story of what "could" have happened during the last week of Jesus' life, blended with fact and history. Envisioning the actions of not only Jesus, but the Apostles, Pilate, Herod, and the Pharisees. It is an incredibly moving book that I highly recommend.
April 5, 2012
I am currently reading this, and it is one of the most amazing and beautiful books I've ever read. The emotion and imagery of all of creation in relation to it's Creator leaves me breathless. This is definitely not a book to rush through, instead you want to savor each and every line.
March 31, 2019
This is a great book!
I reread this book every Easter. It makes everything so real and I can feel my Lord's suffering. I have given away many copies of the book. I recommend you read it.
I reread this book every Easter. It makes everything so real and I can feel my Lord's suffering. I have given away many copies of the book. I recommend you read it.
December 14, 2023
I couldn't get into the author's style and gave up after a few dozen pages. As much as I'd hoped to like this book, the beginning was flat and unexciting. Maybe it gets better, but I wasn't willing to invest more time on a familiar story.
August 30, 2015
Thought provoking book on live of Christ
The author Trevor tries to tell the story from his point of view, he did well, not 100% biblical but it gives the reader another perspective.
The author Trevor tries to tell the story from his point of view, he did well, not 100% biblical but it gives the reader another perspective.
February 28, 2020
Amazing book--perfect to read during the Lenten season!
May 23, 2013
Enjoyed it, would like to see a second one
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews