And the Shofar Blew: A Novel (The Contemporary Christian Fiction Story of a Young Minister and His Wife Set in Central California) by Francine Rivers

And the Shofar Blew: A Novel (The Contemporary Christian Fiction Story of a Young Minister and His Wife Set in Central California) Reviews

• 
  Natalie Vellacott

  I don't read a lot of Christian fiction but I loved this book as it speaks of a reality that few people talk about.
  
  A young, enthusiastic and dynamic pastor is given too much power and has too little accountability in a growing church. He justifies this on the basis that if it is growing it must be a sign of God's blessing and so he continues to move forward gradually using more and more of his own strength and less and less of God's. The change happens over a long period so is less obvious to acquaintances but very obvious to those close to him. He begins to treat family and friends with contempt thinking that they don't understand him or aren't "gifted" in the same way. There is only one way the story can end...
  
  Pride and ambition can creep into any Christian's life and ministry and this book is a timely warning especially for those in leadership who might lead others astray. In this book the pastor has many superficial admirers that continue to praise him and his works even when his sin is hurting others and should be obvious to him. He is blinded to his sin and ignores those that care for him and try to warn him for his own sake, preferring the praise and admiration of those who will soon get bored and move on to someone else. Those who praise him are in reality a stumbling block to him as they allow him to continue in pride.
  
  Recommended for all Christian readers ....as a reminder to stay humble, listen to God and to those that really care about their spiritual walk.
  
  
  Check out my Francine Rivers shelf!
• 
  Kathryn

  This book was one of those ones which I just couldn’t put down, and I was speechless when I finished it. There were several concepts happening in the book, one of which was the breakdown of a marriage which was like watching a train wreck - I didn’t want to look, but I couldn’t look away!
  
  But I loved getting an insight into the different characters’ relationships with God and how they developed over time. It was tragic to watch how the main male character, Paul, rationalised things as his relationship with God diminished. It was encouraging to see how the main female character, Eunice, lifted up her friends and family and her entire way of life (the good and the bad parts) in prayer and how this deepened her relationship with God. I loved Samuel, and how he exuded God’s grace (as did Eunice).
  
  This book has certainly helped me to think further about the grace God extends and how I show this to others, God’s attitude to sin, my attitude to sin and the importance of prayer.
• 
  Jerry

  A Quickie Review
  
  A heart-wrenching account of well-intentioned Christians whose actions nonetheless lead them into a downward spiral. Francine Rivers has always been among the edgier Christian fiction writers, and this is definitely a good one; however, it's very emotionally charged as well.
  
  Score: 4/5
• 
  Heather

  WOW! I REALLY enjoyed this book. It is rather thick with very small print so it took me awhile. It really made me think. As you all know the church I attend as had declining attendance for several years. I have been thinking and praying for more people to come. This book made me see its not really the numbers but seeing that you are right with GOD. Living the way, walking the walk, and talking the talk. I think I will try some other books by this author! I don't know if this "review" makes much sense.
• 
  Oceana GottaReadEmAll

  Absolutely amazing. A great narrative on the struggles of Christian life. I always learn so much from Francine Rivers' writing about the heart and character of the Lord.
• 
  Mandi

  I am really having trouble putting to words my feelings about this book...it was an emotionally heavy and depressing read for me through much of the first three quarters or so and I can't pinpoint exactly what affected me the most...I don't know if it was grief for Eunice and Timothy because of the ugliness of Paul and what he turned into or if it was the aspects of Paul that I could identify with; the same false motives and selfish attitudes that I know I have operated under before in my own life. Oh how ugly pride is!
  This is a powerful message for the church today...like Paul, many have been building their own 'Tower of Babel' empires rather than building relationships.
• 
  Madison

  My 2nd Francine Rivers book is done, and she did not disappoint. I felt this way with Redeeming Love, but she has such a way in her writing to make you feel such visceral reactions to the events happening in the book. I felt for every single character and was so invested in the story.
  
  There was such complex character development for so many different people which gave way to different subplots. I also enjoyed the time jumps that occurred to speed things up. The redemption in the end was great too. The book did feel long, but not in a way where I didn’t want to read, I was just surprised that I was only 30% in when some bigger events happened.
  
  Highly recommend!
  
• 
  Jill Kemerer

  This is the first book I've read by Ms. Rivers, but it won't be the last. She gets to the heart of being a Christian--with all the temptations, blessings, struggles, and decisions we make. I enjoyed the story, and found the plot to be compelling. I sympathized and understood the characters and their actions. I wanted this book to be a 5 star, indeed, the excellent writing and spiritual theme deserved it, but in the end Paul and Eunice bothered me too much to give it higher than a four.
  
  Paul was a villain who I never could quite believe changed so drastically, and in such a short amount of time, from a faith-filled husband, father, and Christian to a vain, ambitious jerk, completely oblivious to his family's needs and his own short-comings.
  
  Eunice was presented as nearly perfect, but her inaction was just as deplorable as Paul's misdeeds. Yet, I never felt she had any true remorse for just sitting there and never calling him out about his lack of faith or his emotional abuse to her and their son. She went along with everything he said--even when in her heart she knew it was wrong--out of a misplaced interpretation of "wives submit to your husbands."
  
  I'm all for wives submitting to our husbands, but I'm also all for being firm in our Christian faith to stand up for what is right. She was presented as a victim, and it's hard for me to love someone who spends 400 pages of a book as a victim.
  
  While I found Paul's repentance and Eunice's forgiveness admirable, I would have liked to have seen more consequences for Paul. Eunice endured trial after trial from this man and the congregation--couldn't we see some of the worldly payback that surely came Paul's way? Sins ARE forgiven, but in the real world, consequences always come fast and hard for those who stray.
  
  In the end, I felt that every character in the book was punished over and over--except Paul--the one person we would have liked to have seen punished!
• 
  Catherine

  I lived 33 years in the same community as Francine Rivers and saw this story happen "in real life." It must have been her inspiration. I wondered how she fictionalized and treated the story. So I listened to the audio book on CD and found it insightful, sympathetic, and ringing true to experience and scripture. Stylistically I was impressed with how she developed a big story scene by scene, moving the conflict and themes forward succinctly, smoothly, and engagingly. The story is layered, as life is, and shows the inter-connectedness of people, the results in many people's lives of each person's sin, and the grace and change that comes when we choose to live in true Christian community.
  
  The wrap-up of the story was moving, idealistic, and pretty believable. I especially appreciated the honest way she portrayed the anguish and faith of the pastor's wife. (I grew up in a pastor's home and understand the grace and sacrifices required). The conclusion of the story worked for a tidy Christian novel. But it wasn't completely satisfying. Conflicts were hinted at in the development of the story that were left as loose ends. For instance, the questionable financial schemes the pastor was condoning in his hugely successful and influential church. And the local fame and notoriety he had received would cause local news media to dig up lurid details and extensively cover the "fall" of both the iconic pastor and his church, fueling negative attitudes of the local population toward all Christian churches. (I saw this happen in real life.) We tend to love charismatic leaders, but we need to pray for them. If they fall, die, leave ... then the church that was built around their personality will not stay the same. Many people will leave, and the church as it was known may die. Many people and whole communities will be wounded. Of course God forgives, heals, rebuilds. I'm saying there is more to the story. Perhaps Francine can write a sequel to And the Shofar Blew.
  
• 
  Theresa

  Trapped between the huge success of his father’s ministry and his unending search for the acceptance and self-esteem missing from his childhood, Paul Hudson is on a mission... but is the road to success as straightforward as he thinks?
  
  Wounding both new and old members of his congregation, ignoring his son Paul's needs and placing his marriage in jeopardy are only a few of the many mistakes Paul makes in this contemporary Christian novel about the seeker-sensitive movement so popular with many church congregations today. Will Paul find his way back to a healthy marriage, be able to admit to others his errors, and realize what truly matters in ‘serving the Lord’?
  
  The author explains that the motivation behind her writing comes from her travel experiences:
  
  "During my travels around the country and speaking at various churches, I saw many struggling through building projects and massive programs to draw more parishioners. Size of building and number of people in the pews seemed to define success or failure. Like a government out of control, the “church” (in many cases) has forgotten its foundation and purpose.’"
  
  As always, Francine Rivers' writing carried me away and I found this engrossing novel hard to put down. Bringing to life her characters, I grieved for them, hoped for them, aspired to be them (Abby!!) and identified with their flaws and weaknesses. Even when reading about the characters' lives and their real-life struggles, one cannot help but realize that the author is coming from a true standpoint of love and mercy.
  
  
• 
  Andreea

  Șofarul este un instrument de suflat folosit în vechime pentru a anunța, a alerta sau a avertiza de pericol, pentru a chema la luptă sau pentru a chema la acțiune.
  
  "Chemarea șofarului" spune povestea unei biserici pe punctul de a se destrăma care primește o nouă șansă când un tânăr plin de pasiune acceptă să vină în comunitate cu familia și să preia responsabilitatea. Țelul lui este să "zidească biserica", dar trecutul cu un tată absent în umbra căruia a crescut, ambiția și dorința de a demonstra în permanență tatălui că merită îl duc departe de țelul inițial, îi îndepărtează familia și îl compromit până acolo unde pare că nu există întoarcere.
  
  În punctul acesta descoperim harul lui Dumnezeu, acolo unde iertarea pare o palmă pe cugetul celui rănit, iar recunoașterea greșelii o condamnare publică fără drum de întoarcere. Descoperim ce este esențial, ce este important și ce este aparent important. Descoperim că Dumnezeu nu disprețuiește nici pe cel mai căzut om. Descoperim că primești putere să te ridici, și ca victimă și ca opresor deconspirat.
  
  La Dumnezeu există o a doua șansă, o a treia, până la ultima șansă.
• 
  Ed

  I almost gave up reading this book when about half-way through. But, I am glad that I read the whole thing. It really picks up in the end. It starts out from an almost dead church to a fast-growing church because of the efforts of the new pastor. I did not agree with a lot of his doctrine which was anti-biblical. But then things began to pick up when he was caught in sin, and his doctrines began a nose dive. I recommend this book to be given to all Theological students in Bible colleges because they can learn a lot about the dangers of church growth.
• 
  Jamie

  Francine Rivers is such an amazing storyteller...but this one was not my favorite. Kind of too far fetched. I think I like her historical books waaaaaay more. The wife in this story was not believable to me--no one could put with that much from her husband and remain so stoic. The husband was just such a jerk that I spent the whole book being annoyed with him.
• 
  Katrece

  So ready for this book to be over! How much more can she drag this out?! I'm about to die from near boredom with this drug-out storyline...
  
  I finally finished I didn't know if I could bear it anymore. :/ The Scarlet Thread by Rivers is far better.
  
  I think I might of liked this book if it wasn't as long! Also, the book was full of cliche's. There's only so much of that I can handle.
  
  Okay, the characters' names were creative (although I think a little cheesy)
  
  Samuel- is one of the elders in the fledgling congregation. Through God's prompting he tells Paul he thinks Paul is the person for the pastorate. God used the OT prophet Samuel to annoint David king. In the book, Samuel acts like an Old Testament prophet in that people go to him for insight. Samuel provides wisdom throughout the book and teaches bible study.
  
  Paul- new seminary graduate who moves to California, with his wife, to be the pastor. In the bible, Paul was called to the ministry. Also, in scripture he calls Timothy his "son in the faith" yet they weren't physically related. In the book, Paul's son is named "Timothy".
  
  Eunice- Paul's wife and mother of Timothy. She has strong faith. In the bible, Eunice is Timothy's mother. However, in the bible, she nor Paul are ever married/have a relationship.
  
  Timothy- Paul & Eunice's son. That's about as far of a scriptural correlation there is. Timothy's a PK rebel, never goes into ministry, comes around at the end, etc. Paul's mother's name is Lois (unlike in the bible where Lois is Eunice's mother) making her Timothy's grandmother.
  
  Lois- Paul's mother. Eunice says Lois has always felt like a mother to her. Again, Lois is Timothy's grandmother as she is in the bible.
  
  Stephen- First, Eunice and Stephen fight off an affair from the beginning. Others see it, they keep it from going anywhere. Stephen says to Paul (who'd been blind to it because of all the other stuff he was doing), "I have been in love with [Eunice] for 10 years".
  
  I'm not sure why she called him Stephen. (Oh, just came to me.) Rivers would be waayy...off base if this was actually her reasoning. (shaking my head right now) In the book, Paul kind of tries to give Stephen a bad name but it doesn't work. Stephen doesn't really have his name tarnished, die, face any financial losses, or become physically harmed. BUT in the bible Paul (then Saul) leads the stoning to death of Stephen-the first Christian martyr in scripture.
  
  ***Tiny half-spoiler below****
  
  Sheila- can't believe Rivers didn't name her Jezebel considering the other names she gave her characters.
• 
  Mandy J. Hoffman

  MY REVIEW:
  
  This is the story of a young Pastor and his wife who accept the call to a small dying church. They begin this new chapter of life with zeal, passion, and love for one another. Then just as you fall in love with them and the other sweet characters of this story, the tale twists and the reality of sin becomes all too visible to the reader. This story - while fictional - is sadly all too true of many churches across America. Francine once again expertly captures your imagination and your heart as she threads together a story of faithfulness, unfaithfulness, grace, brokenness, and redemption.
  
  I enjoyed this story for the depth and a story line that is, sadly, so real. My heart was refreshed by the honesty of life in ministry as well as the picture of how God WILL work all things for His good...even when they do not feel good to us. The reminder of God's faithfulness to us even when we are not faithful to Him, and how the gospel is needed every day is uplifting. I found this story a sobering reminder of how the slow fade of sin can take you places you would never dream you would ever go.
  
  This is a book I recommend to anyone - man or woman - as both a refreshing fictional read and heart challenging lesson. Once you read the first few chapters you will find yourself engulfed in this modern day story that could be taking place right now.
• 
  Kathryn Bashaar

  After I read Redeeming Love I got kind of obsessed with Francine Rivers. This is the third book in a row I've read of hers (and I just started a fourth). They are all very readable with very sympathetic characters, and she deals with serious questions. Her books are very much a cut above the average Christian fiction genre. I liked this one a little less than her others, and almost gave it 3 stars but decided on 4 because I think she gets points for dealing with a really difficult subject of how Christians - and pastors in particular - can really know whether we're serving Christ or our own egos. She did succumb to the Christian-fiction pitfall of having a too-perfect Christian character. I liked and sympathized with Eunice but she was unrealistically perfect. Her husband's church went to pieces way too fast, too. We should have gotten hints earlier that it was in trouble.
• 
  Wendy Davis

  I have been a fan of Francine Rivers - but I really didn't like this book much. Sure, it sucks you in and makes you want to read it. But it was also depressing, a little un-realistic, and very much shoving Christianity (and her opinions about what Christianity should look like)in your face.
  
• 
  Deb Todd

  Another excellent book from Francine Rivers, rich in thought provoking truth. This book should be a must read for all pastors.
• 
  Angela R. Watts

  Phenomenal book.
• 
  Nicole Rodriguez

  Que historia más desoladora desde el principio, Francine tiene la habilidad para poner tus emociones en carne viva, la moraleja de este libro aprender a no poner la mirada en las personas, entre más alto el ego más fuerte será el golpe al caer
• 
  Daniel Duane

  My pastor's daughter actually recommended this book to me.
  
  The first few chapters were kind of boring, but I guess it was necessary for Rivers to write that way to establish the following plots.
  
  The character development was just splendid. Paul started off being a godly and righteous man, always placing God first, being the perfect husband and son. But personal ambition and pride really changed his character and his way of life. and turned him into a rather horrible person. I really felt like slapping him so many times, seeing the way he sidelined Samuel, Stephen and even his beloved wife Eunice and son Timothy. It just goes to show that nothing good can come out when men put other priorities above God. Worst more, in the name of God just for personal ambition and selfish pride. I was really irritated when Paul always said that this and that were signs from God, and that he should continue with whatever projects he had in mind, when it was so clear that it was just to fulfill his vanity. Again, this comes to show that we can be so blind by ourselves and the devil that we bend every event and happening to suit our pride and ego, eventhough that they may not be from the Lord. Those two themes were really evident throughout the 2nd half of the book. Anyways, only God could have changed his heart, and it did happen. As I look back, Rivers really did a fantastic job on the character of Paul - how he changed so subtly throughout the book until I couldn't believe at one stage that he was a direct opposite of who he was now, compared to the beginning of the book. Kudos to Rivers.
  
  As for Eunice, gosh, she went through fire and ice with so much pain, so much emotional suffering. That stage was vividly portrayed by Rivers - her pitiful thoughts, her raging undercurrents, her lonesome self-pity, her virtuous prayers, and her heart for God. Similar to Hadassah and Rizpah in the Mark of the Lion series, I believe that Rivers wanted her readers to follow after Eunice. What I was so 'afraid' about was innocent Eunice getting into an affair with Stephen Denver. Those parts were so 'frightening' for me, especially when they were both in Stephen's house. But both Eunice and Stephen were godly people, very godly people, and Satan didn't manage to make them forsake their Christian values though the circumstances permitted them to do so. Was holding my breath as I read through those parts thinking, "Please don't Eunice, not you. Maybe Paul would, but not you.". Eunice really really really relied on God to pull through her difficulty, something that we(I) must learn - to eat and drink of God's Word, and to live on it. If not for her faith, I wonder what would have happened at the end of the book.
  
  As for the themes in this book, I cannot agree more about. It touches the very core of the corruption and hypocrisy there is in the Christian Body today. Affairs, projects, money, tweaking the Gospel here and there to in the congregation numbers, Prosperity Gospel and Grace Teachings, lust, marital and familial problems, praise and worship, traditionalists and modernists, activities, etc...the theme of love that Rivers brought out was really interesting - Should we love someone so much as to look past his/her sins, or break them to make them realize their sins and stop sinning because we love them?...a really great book to read as it brought the many sins Christians today commit to the surface.
• 
  Louise

  Very nice story that doesn't throw religion down your throat. Francine Rivers has a way of conveying right from wrong without the overly, push it in your face, preachy sermon type novels. I really enjoyed this book!
  
  From back cover:
  
  "He seemed like the perfect pastor to lead Centerville Christian Church. She was the perfect pastor's wife.
  
  When Paul Hudson accepted the call to pastor the struggling church, he had no idea what to expect. But it didn't take long for Paul to turn Centerville Christian Church around. Attendance was up, way up. Everything was going so well. If only his wife could see it his way. Still, he tried not to let her quiet presence disturb him.
  
  She knew something wasn't right, and it hadn't been for a long time...
  
  Eunice closed the bedroom door quietly and knelt beside her bed. "I'm drowning, God. I've never felt so alone. Who can I turn to but you, Lord? Where else does a pastor's wife go for help when her marriage is failing and her life is out of control? Who can I trust with my anguish, Lord? Who but you?" Grasping her pillow, she pressed it tightly to her mouth so that her sobs would not be heard."
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Kellie Coatney

  I read this book in 7 hours. I had just spent exactly 5 hours on computer homework, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I sat on my couch, made some tea, put on my fire, and started reading. This book was incredible. I was speechless when I finished. The beauty and pain in each character were just incredibly relatable and well written (I aspire to be Abby!!). Francine once again captures your heart in a grace-filled, love-giving, heartbreaking, faith-building, and redemption-filled story.
  
  And the Shofar Blew is a reminder of God's faithfulness to us even when we are not faithful to Him. I found it an essential reminder of how quickly sin can sneak into our hearts and take us places we would never dream we would go.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone-male or female- for a heart-changing story. I believe it will refresh and realign your walk with the Lord.
  
  P.S. One other thing I loved about this book is how often the Lord called him/her, BELOVED. The word Beloved has captured my heart in so many ways, and it challenges me to accept the unconditional love of God even when I feel like I don't deserve it.
• 
  Carolyn

  The storyline held my attention, but I grew very tired of disliking the main male character. I was eager to get to the part where he would have a change of heart... seemed like it took forever to get there! The book was a good reminder of what it means to build a church and follow God's leading (and what it looks like when you get it all wrong!) Lord, let me never stop hearing your still, small voice. I don't want to ever get to the point that it would take the loud blast of a shofar to get my attention!
• 
  Kendra Brooks

  This. Book. I will try my best to coherently write my thoughts out and give a review because I cannot quit thinking about this book. It has left me shaken.
  
  This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. The beginning was light and easy (although I knew something was looming), then it had me upset, shocked, angry, and teary-eyed. I was thankful for the ending but there were times (around the middle to early ending) I didn’t even recognize the main character, due to his moral decay.
  
  The whole book was like watching a slow-moving train wreck. I didn’t want to watch yet I couldn’t look away. The rise and hard fall of someone suppose to be serving in ministry, yet completely consumed by pride. The deterioration of a marriage, the relationship between father and son up in flames, the lack of reverence for God. The all consuming pride and arrogance. I felt as though I was transported into their world watching helplessly from the sidelines.
  
  This was the first Francine Rivers book I’ve read and I did enjoy her writing style.
  
  “And the Shofar blew” is a great read for anyone in ministry. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the slow progression of how someone, who is suppose to be serving the Lord, can fall so far. Anytime someone falls in ministry, we often find ourselves asking, “How did they get there”? How did this happen”? “How did they make that choice”? Well…this book covers all that. I think we often see a fall as something sudden when it’s just the opposite. We don’t go from faithfully serving the Lord one day to going into complete moral failure the next. Rather, it’s a slow fade. One day, one choice at a time, we let go of this and that thinking we will be alright. Until one day we look around at the mess we’ve made of our lives realizing the relationship with God was abandoned a long time ago and with it, all convictions.
  
  This book was great insight to how easy it can be for anyone to fall (and fail) in ministry, marriage, and life. The pressures of ministry are tough sometimes but that’s why we must stay humble, submitted (to God and our spiritual coverings), and in true relationship with our Creator. We MUST guard our hearts, minds, and marriages. We must remember Who we serve and why we are in ministry in the first place. It’s never about us. It’s all about Him and His Kingdom.
  
  One last thing, I don’t want to leave this out because I loved the main protagonists character and wouldn’t feel right not mentioning this. This book is also an incredible testament of having a true heart for the Lord. It pulls no punches and shows how difficult, “Thy will, not Mine be done”, can be sometimes. I greatly admired Eunice for her genuine love for God and her willingness to please Him above all else. She was ridiculed and abused, yet her faith proved that God is always faithful.
• 
  Stacey Edwards

  This was my first Francine Rivers book and it definitely won't be my last. God had been calling me to more Christian reading and I enjoyed this book so much! Francine has such a way with character development and I found myself falling in love with each person, (well most of them) and want to know them in real life. I will think about this book for many days to come and will recommend it to friends for sure