Deadline by Randy Alcorn
As an avid reader I have several books in my library. Some I only read one time but others have been so good I have read them two, three, and even four times over the course of the years.
One of the books that I own that I have just read for at third time is Deadline by Randy Alcorn. Randy Alcorn happens to be one of my favorite authors because of his weighty and thought provoking novels. Deadline was one of those superb novels of his.
Deadline starts out giving the context of a life-long friendship among three friends and is written so vividly you almost feel as if you are a part of the football watching afternoon activity yourself. Then you are taken on a surprising twist as they head out for pizza and are in a horrific car accident.
At first glance, the book seems to be one that is your classic Christian fiction written in today's present world. However, by Chapter 4 it becomes apparent that Randy is purposefully writing aspects of the spiritual realm into the novel. It is this unique gift that he has, to do such a thing that makes him one of my favorite writers!
Spoiler warning: As Randy begins to describe the entrance into heaven of one of the characters who dies in the car crash, I find myself with tears in my eyes. This has happened every time I have read the book because it is so descriptive and beautiful! It makes me long for heaven and I even feel an emotion akin to homesickness as I read his account of this homegoing.
That is how the rest of the book progresses. A back and forth relationship between the physical and spiritual realm. Written with poingant vividness, the book is one that steals you away and causes you to think of heaven and the eternal perspective in your own life. Many of the pages in my own copy of the book are highligted because they are such vivid portrayals of the spiritual realm and my spirit responds to then deeply when I read them.
Randy also introduces several sticky poliltical issues into this book, including abortion, the gay rights agenda, organ transplants, and sex education in public schools. What is refreshing is that he does not just present the Christian point of view but writes dialogues throughout the book the presents both sides of the arguments so that the reader can form strong opinions with both perspectives in mind.
I have been reading for years and I can honestly say that it is rare for an author to be able to combine both good fiction, spiritual realm perspectives, and political issues in one novel and do it well. Randly Alcorn is an author who has been blessed with this talent. This is a book that is not only enjoyable reading but will also stir your heart, mind, and spirit as you read. I cannot reccommend it highly enough!
See also Randy's non-fiction, theological (yet very interesting) book on heaven!