tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147222275433536467.post4284140369433885533..comments2023-08-26T05:27:08.731-07:00Comments on A Peek At My Bookshelf: Fallen by Matthew RaleyDeena Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267100019443842145noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147222275433536467.post-91277764207702885482008-02-16T15:37:00.000-08:002008-02-16T15:37:00.000-08:00Matthew Raley has written a courageous, timely nov...Matthew Raley has written a courageous, timely novel about a church chairman who discovers his popular pastor may be involved in an adulterous relationship, only to find the truth is that and worse.<BR/><BR/>At once a compelling read, a lesson on husbandry, a study of church leadership, and a gospel primer, this novel will be valuable for pastors, church leaders, and laypersons. Anyone involved with biblical counseling in these matters should add it to their homework assignment list.<BR/><BR/>This is not a perfect novel, as Jim's introspections are a little overdone at points. But Raley is an excellent writer, and his gift with language even make these passages easy to read.<BR/><BR/>As for the matter of "closure" that some reviewers see as missing: this work is excellent fodder for discussions among church leadership and in adult fellowship groups. For this novel to be most useful, the closure issues need to be raised and addressed by its readers. I recommend that group leaders assign this book, then develop a list of questions and observations that can help guide their study and application.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com