Description
Author: S.J. Knight, paper back, 570 pages. Published by The Christadelphian.
A novel based on the events surrounding the times of John the Baptist when some in Israel were on the tiptoe of expectation, awaiting the long-promised Messiah. This fictional account gives the flavour of life, viewed through the eyes and experiences of a young Galilean boy, and provides many unexpected insights into the scriptural record.
This book is the first book of a series of Bible-based novels. The other books, A Time to See and A Time to Speak, A Time to Act, A Time to Strive are also available.
Read an overview of all the books in the series
Book Review: A Time to Hear
A visit to any Christian bookshop will confirm that Christian fiction is a fast growing literary genre. American publishers in particular have printed hundreds of such books and it is clear that they are very popular. Some, like the Left Behind series, have been best-sellers, with sales running into the millions. These books cater to a demand from Christians for wholesome, values-based fictional works in a world where much modern fiction is debased and unedifying.
Many Christadelphians read Christian fiction for relaxation. Some of these works, such as the Left Behind series, promote erroneous teachings at odds with Scripture, while others promote Biblical values but place relatively little emphasis on doctrine. It is a pity, therefore, that there are not more fictional works written by Christadelphians which promote Biblical values while at the same time reinforcing true Scriptural understanding. In recent years a few such works have become available, including Anna Tikvah’s In Search of Life and the anonymous Cornelia’s Story (published by the Christadelphian Scripture Study Service) and Sis Debbie Wood’s books The Early Years, The New Century, A Precious Hope and Year by Year (published by The Christadelphian Advocate): To that list can now be added a new publication from The Christadelphian, A Time to Hear.
Sis SJ Knight’s book A Time to Hear is a substantial work of 570 pages. Set in the Holy Land in the days of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ its central character is a Galilean boy named Dan, the son of a widowed shepherd. Growing up in a humble, devout family Dan has an enquiring and spiritually alert mind. We join him and his family circle on a spiritual journey as they become increasingly aware that they live in momentous times. The book provides an insight into Jewish life in Galilee at the time of our Lord’s first advent, and these are valuable for any Bible reader. More importantly, however, it also has profound moral lessons for this generation which lives on the eve of his second advent.
The author’s incisive comments on these covenants provide valuable insights about their centrality to the gospel message. The book also refers incidentally to many aspects of the Law, the Psalms and the prophets and in the process offers much interesting instruction. As with the cultural aspects of the book, these expositional comments are evidence of the high standard of scholarship that underpins the work. In relation to the cultural matters, it would have been interesting to know about the source material from which Sis Knight has drawn to colour her picture of life in first century Galilee (this was done in Cornelia’s Story, also set in the first century, where information is included as end notes) but it is acknowledged that this would have added substantially to the size of the work and may prove a distraction to many readers.
Sis Knight has a colourful and expressive writing style which at times borders on the poetic. The plot is well paced and has several unexpected twists and turns which sustain the reader’s interest. It runs the gamut of emotions from mirth to pathos but never becomes cloyingly sentimental or stilted. The characters are real people, their strengths and weaknesses sketched eloquently. A Time to Hear will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds. In particular, however, the book is ideal both for interested friends and senior Sunday School scholars because it reinforces many fundamental first principles, including the importance of repentance and preparation for the Messiah. A Time to Hear is heartily recommended and it must be hoped that the book enjoys a wide circulation and readership.
Geoff Henstock
This review was first published in the Testimony magazine in August 2006