Flood

Review of FLOOD by Brennan McPherson

Mesu AndrewsBook Reviews Leave a Comment

Book Description:

Nearly two thousand years after Adam and Eve eat death into existence, the flavor still echoes on their descendants’ tongues. War is sweeping the world from the iron throne of a man who calls himself the God-King. Caught in the crucible is a young family broken by loss and carried along by the prophecies spoken over the infant boy who fits in their hands.  

Will little Noah grow to be the savior the world needs? Or will bending his bow come easier than bending his knee to the God who holds his destiny? 

My Review:

😃😃😃😃  4 ½ Smiles

Any biblical fiction author who values God’s Word is diligent in research before writing a single word—no matter which scriptural story they’re telling. The courageous few authors who dare to write characters who lived before Abraham are a rare breed. Those who do it well are rarer still. 

Kacy Barnett-Gramckow wrote The Genesis Trilogy in the early 2000’s, one of my favorite biblical fiction series to date, that leads us from Noah to the days beyond the Tower of Babel. It contains, by necessity, a measure of speculative fiction—some call it fantasy. Why did I say, “by necessity?” I don’t have space in this post to list Scripture’s proofs that post-Flood earth was vastly different after the destroying waters receded. Suffice it to say, if you’re interested, do some research on your own, or ask a pastor about the antediluvian changes. 

A major difference of the pre-Flood earth was the existence of strange beings, called Nephilim. These controversial creatures leave the door wide open for speculative fiction lovers—both readers and writers.  

For those of us who don’t normally enjoy fantasy-type fiction (me included), we should make the extra effort to open our hearts and minds to “odd” pre-Flood possibilities—under one condition. An author who has done thorough biblical and historical research and is handling God’s Word with care and respect deserves our attention and respect. How do I know which authors do good research? Look for an Author’s Note or Note to Reader in the book that explains the author’s heart and/or research process. You should be able to discern their attitude toward God’s Word from that section. 

Brennan McPherson, is one of those diligent researchers—and he has an imagination that just won’t quit! Flood, the newest release in his Fall of Man Series, is the story of Noah and his family. Brennan’s style reaches the twenty-somethings age group and extends beyond my church-going crowd. His stories are disturbingly realistic to describe a time when the condition of men’s hearts was, “only evil all the time.”  

Violent? Sometimes. Weird? A little. But ask me about Noah’s relationship with the Almighty. Flood walked me through an intriguing spiritual journey that I’d never considered. Of course, Noah had doubts, dealt with forgiveness issues, sinned. He was human.  

Now, ask me how the Flood could have actually been an act of mercy on God’s part as well as His judgment. And have you ever wondered how Noah could be the only righteous person on earth—and built an escape ark without all the evil people killing him for it? Do you see how a speculative (fantasy) imagination is necessary to make sense of some of those age-old questions and conundrums? 

Flood is not a book for the faint-of-heart, but it is a fantastic read for those with inquisitive minds. Be sure to read Brennan’s comments at the end of the book to see the heart with which he researches and studies before he writes. I believe then you’ll understand, as I did after reading Flood, that we’ll only know in eternity what the pre-Flood earth was like, but that God gives us imaginations today to ponder the ways things might have been. Flood is a gritty but great read. 

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