This is a simple book designed through story and looking at Scripture to push those of us too comfortable in our religious bubbles to see God's bigger plan. Did I agree with all he said? No. But that is not the point. God's people are often so territorial that we explain away the reality of how God brought the early church together. Whatever your tradition, this book is worth a read.
As a member of a fellowship that traces its roots back to the Stone-Campbell Movement (or the Restoration Movement), I am one of those that has struggled with all the things that I have been taught to believe. Gene Shelburne traces his roots back through that same movement, but through a different stream. Still, I relate to so many things that he says, and have profited greatly for the reading of this book. Those of my fellowship that read this book, will react in several different ways. Some will say that it is absolute heresy, and ought to be avoided at all costs. Others will say, that what he says is mostly true; but they are not sure that they can go as far as he goes. Then, there, will be others that will enthusiastically endorse everything that he says. Personally, I probably fall in that second group; but I can understand why some might be in that third group. I would recommend this book to everyone, and I am sure that they would find something within its pages that we would be of benefit -- encouraging and/or teaching some important lesson. But, I really believe it would have the most benefit to those that have the same roots as Gene Shelburne, they will understand the language, the inferences, and the difficulty of what is implied.