By Leonard Sweet, Lori Wagner
Published by Thomas Nelson
I have to admit, I had a hard time putting this one down. The Seraph Seal takes Biblical end-times prophecy and portrays the author’s idea of what that could look like in a fictional story format. Many of the ideas presented are wonderful examples of how God reveals himself, and His Son Jesus, throughout elements in His creation. There are many references to ancient spiritual, as well as mystical, ideas. Though the Biblical Truths of the Gospel (i.e., Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the only Way to salvation of man) are presented as the Truths they are, however, too much is left unsaid – and deceptively implied.
Many places throughout reading The Seraph Seal I picked up a smacking of ideas similar to “Universalism”. The idea that since God does not wish for anyone to perish (which is in itself a Biblical truth), God will give man-kind enough chances to realize the Truth until no-one ends up separated from God for eternity (i.e., in Hell) – which is not a Biblical truth. It is a tempting belief, but universalism is still a lie as old as Satan himself. Isn’t this the same lie Satan used to deceive Eve in the Garden of Eden? To Eve, Satan first presented a partial truth – “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1b). A partial truth because he takes it out of context to begin his twisting of the truth, i.e, deception. Satan then continues his deception by refuting the remainder of that truth with “You will not surely die. (Gen 3:4b). The same lie of universalism. This is the reason I cannot bring myself to give The Seraph Seal a higher recommendation. To me, it is dangerously deceptive in spreading Satan’s lies.
Recommend? Yes, but only for a Christian reader who possesses sound, rock-solid Biblical knowledge. With this in mind, to me, The Seraph Seal presents an example of the deceptive combination of truth and lies that remind this reader (me) of the Apostle Paul’s reference in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
See a preview of this book here.
3 Comments
Faye Rhys
I’m glad that you are so discerning.
I have signed up to review this book and it’s so good to be warned of such things before I read it. I’m so glad to know this going into it.
A million thanks!
Lori Behrens
Thanks for your comments Faye! I am afraid I can sometimes be too critical when it comes to books expressing Biblical viewpoints. Waiting to see what you think after you read The Seraph Seal. Send me url of your blog & I will link to it from mine!