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Randy Alcorn is
one of the most versatile writers in the Christian world today. He has produced
six fictional works and numerous nonfiction on a range of subject from inner-city
race relations to a theological review of Heaven. One notable aspect of Alcorn’s
work is that you can often see the root of the formula in the works of masters.
So, his Lord Foulgrin’s Letters is very much like C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape
Letters. The Edge of Eternity will remind you of Pilgrim’s Progress.
This is in no way intended to denigrate what Alcorn has accomplished, for in
this work, he has created a first rate allegory.
The book opens very quickly into a surreal place that will
leave you confused and sometimes frustrated through the first 40 pages. I put
the book down, and almost forgot about it for several weeks. I am very thankful
that I picked it up again and stayed with it during this very strange opening.
Like Pilgrim’s Progress, the protagonist is on a journey
in a strange land. Unlike the classic, however, the character’s names and the
places they visit or not quite so obvious in what they are analogous to. But
when clarity comes, it is like a spiritual awakening, and often includes having
to deal with feelings that we’d rather leave in a closet somewhere. Skewered
is a word that comes to mind.
This book easily makes my top 10 list, and I have consumed
1000’s of books. I don’t think you can read it to the end without having it
change your life...at least for a season. - R. K.
I have this flaw:
I love fiction and can't get into non-fiction. For that reason I was drawn in,
awed, and overwhelmed by Edge of Eternity. You explained some very simple
truths so clearly that people always seem to get confused by, and you kept the
action going. I think I learned more in that one book than any other fiction
book I've ever read. - D. B.
I just finished reading my copy of Edge of Eternity. To say that this book has had an influence on my views of my walk with Christ, and my prayer life, would be putting it mildly. Thank you so very much for writing that book. I look forward to reading your other works. - D. M.
I just finished Edge of Eternity. I loved it! I thought it was thought-provoking and was right in step with my walk with the Lord since I came to Him a year ago. This book was recommended to me by a friend and now I have been telling everyone about it. - T. F.
I want to thank you for Edge of Eternity. I keep reading it over and over, and finding something new every time! - J. B.
I just finished the last page of Edge of Eternity, which I found for
25 cents in a public library in the used book sale room. Though 55 years old
and a Christian for almost 30 years, I am touched and challenged and healed
by your book. Areas of unsettledness and failure, I hope and believe, are potentially
past. The small opportunities to pray for someone, or give or reach out, will
be stones I can stop and pick up, as gifts to my King, without distraction and
self-doubt.
And my struggle to serve the Lord in significant ways feels
like its over, with a new contentment to just walk the red road, doing each
day's deeds in contentment and freedom and joy. And the goal—not my spiritual
development, not maximum effectiveness and pursuit of my potential in Christ—is
faithfully walking the path He lays out for me, with love and gratitude and
joy. - R. C.
I was born and raised in the Buddhist religion but when I was eight I did pick
up a Bible and converted to Christianity. Four years later I converted my mother.
I received a copy of your book, Edge of Eternity,
when I was a sophomore in high school. I read it at a leisurely pace, not really
getting into much detail.I am rounding 20 now, and have read the book over
9 times, only just now taking a highlighter and a fine tooth comb to the
book. I would like to compliment you on the excellent piece of work that you
have put forth. It truly is a work of art, and more importantly of God. - Anonymous
I recently read the book Edge of Eternity and there's no way I can explain or describe what happened to me. It was like a window in my heart was opened and I somehow began to understand scripture a lot better. I visited this site just to discover the author has other books. I was really thrilled. May the Lord bless you as you help in opening blind eyes. - I. O., Nigeria
I am now in the middle of Edge of Eternity. My thanks to you for constantly reminding me of seeing things in light of eternity. It has literally changed my perspective on life—how I see my family, my church, my role in this short life. Just last night I read a quote from your book Edge where Shad says, "The darkness doesn't need a little less darkness; what it needs is light." Thank you for shining the Light. - M. S.
A brief note to say "well done" on Edge of Eternity. It reaches close to the heart and inspires me to consider whom we serve, what the conflict is about and the consequences of our choices for better or worse. I believe every person who serves Him—Our Lord and Savior—would be encouraged and blessed by this fine book. Thank you and may Jesus richly bless you in your ministry. - J. R.—a "fellow traveler"
When I finished Deadline, I was so overwhelmed because having a special needs child, I could relate to little Finn, along with many other aspects of the story. Being a kidney donor for my brother, the entire theme of the book was impressive. But, now that I have finished Edge of Eternity, I have been so renewed in my faith that I just had to respond with an email. Other writings have served my spirit well in building my faith, but this one in particular has allowed me to view Christ's suffering at Calvary in a whole new respect as if it was possible. It is remarkable that I have had your book for over a month and have not chosen to read it until now. What a glorious God we serve, that he even designates the time and material of our reading with good Friday and Easter quickly approaching. Thank you for Edge and the spiritual renewing it has brought me. I am now sending it to a friend. - A. B.
It's four o'clock in the morning and I have just finished reading your novel,
Edge of Eternity. I must confess to you that when I started reading the
book, I thought it was going to be just another strange book loosely written
about the end time, or something. Little did I know that your book would take
me on a journey through my own life and show me myself in so many different
ways. I found myself in many, many of the characters in your book. Unfortunately,
some of them were not the type of person I want to think of myself as.
Your book has given me a wonderful picture of the walk we
each must take on our journey to the King. It has helped me put many of my wrong
ideas into proper perspective. It has helped me see my journey more clearly
than I ever have before. I am 45 years old, the father of five children and
the grandfather of one. I have known all along that my walk with the Lord is
a living example to my family. But now I can see more clearly the consequences
of not staying on the road the Lord has given us to travel. Thank you again
for writing this book. - D. F.
It's hard for me to know where to begin to tell you how much Edge of Eternity has meant to me! I have read it twice and wish everyone I know would read it. I long for Jesus' return and now I have a better vision of what I'm yearning for! This present-day world is very difficult to live in, but your book helps me to understand that a very lost and dying world needs to hear the incredibly wonderful news we can't sit on”but I still can't wait for that trumpet to sound! Again, thank you for your work and God bless you! - M. D.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: by Randy
Alcorn, Eternal Perspective Ministries, 39085 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 200, Sandy,
OR 97055, 503-668-5200, www.epm.org
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