The Kingdom by Brian M. Litfin - Reviewed

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Kingdom Crossway Books (June 30, 2012) by Brian M. Litfin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bryan earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of Tennessee as well as a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. He is currently professor of theology at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he has been since 2002. He teaches courses in theology, church history, and Western civilization from the ancient and medieval periods. He is the author of Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Brazos, 2007), as well as several scholarly articles and essays. Bryan has always enjoyed epic adventure stories as well as historical fiction, but most of his reading these days is taken up by academia.

Today Bryan lives in downtown Wheaton in a Victorian house built in 1887. He and his wife Carolyn are parents to two children. For recreation Bryan enjoys basketball, traveling, and hiking anywhere there are mountains. The Litfins attend College Church in Wheaton, where Bryan has served on the Board of Missions and as a deacon. He also helped start Clapham School, a Christian primary school in Wheaton using the classical model of education.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book Three in the Chiveis Trilogy

War and disease have destroyed the modern world. Centuries later, feudal societies have arisen across Europe. No one can remember the ancient religion of Christianity—until an army captain and a farmer’s daughter discover the Sacred Writing of the one true God.
As Teo and Ana encounter the forgotten words of the holy book, they realize its message is just what their kingdom needs. Though exiled from their homeland, they join their hearts in a quest to return. But now an ancient pact has united the enemies of the Christian faith into a dark alliance that threatens to consume the known world. Racing to stay one step ahead of their enemies, Teo and Ana must battle heinous villains, stormy seas, and the powers of the underworld itself. As armies begin to mass for a final battle, the odds favor the forces of evil. Can Teo and Ana bring divine truth to Chiveis—or will the Word of God fade from the earth forever?

My Thoughts:

“I believe the Word of Dieu cannot die.”  (p 444)

Brian Litfin has woven this truth throughout this brilliant trilogy.  The final installment, The Kingdom, brings this saga to a dramatic, and satisfying ending.  The writing rings of classic literature, the scenes of the story are painted in sharp clarity that sweep you into the world of Cheveis and the epic struggle to bring the truth to its people.  Who will survive? Who will believe the truth? What price will be required of those who do believe?

All of these questions find answers in The Kingdom.  As a reader, you will be thrilled, entertained and totally enthralled by the final installment of this trilogy.  Seriously.  I know I sound “heavy” on the adjectives, but this is classic.  It rings with the clarity of truth, with realistic characters that spring to life from its pages.  The struggles faced by the characters embody universal struggles all people face – physical, emotional, spiritual…each character faces their personal struggle head-on in this book.  Some choices have steep consequences.   Sometimes you will have to grieve.  Sometimes you will rejoice.  Sometimes you will hold your breath and turn away because the scenes grow so intense.

Brian Litfin is a gifted writer, and I applaud him for this trilogy.  He is a voice of truth – of challenge – of consequence.  I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Kingdom, go HERE.