Posted on 04/30/2006 4:03:53 PM PDT by Teófilo
Friends, this book, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
We see a godly Pope, patterned closely after Pope John Paul the Great, in fact, at times the hints are too strong for the reader to ignore that the late Pope plays an active role in this novel's plot. We also see world politicians, priests and cardinals—even evil cardinals who have sworn allegiance to the ascendant Antichrist. He's not the Antichrist yet, he will only become it after he has made an educated decision between God and Satan. The Antichrist may yet be converted to the Gospel.
Enter the main character: Fr. Elijah, a successful Polish-born Israeli and Holocaust survivor who once prosecuted Nazi criminals, but then converted to Catholicism an abandoned the world for the Mother House of Carmelites in Israel. His background makes him the perfect emissary to the Antichrist to attempt the latter's conversion. But the path is fraught with great difficulties fed by a world which has turned decisively against God and his Church.
"Apocalypse" is a word derived from the Greek which means "unveiling" and which is often translated "revelation." Hence, the last book of the New Testament is the Book of the Apocalypse, also known as the Book of the Revelation of St. John, Apostle and Theologian. Because of the nature of the events narrated in the Apocalypse, you may expect the "end times" theme permeating the book and it does, too. But to get to the "final revelation" the reader must witness a series of "revelations" involving all main characters. The author "unveils" something deeply intimate of every character which always a direct impact upon the plot.
Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
This book is deeply Catholic and that's another revelation for those who are not familiar with the Church. Catholicism is an eminently reasonable religion. Nothing divine or human is foreign from her and the author captures the depth and breadth of the Catholic faith with perfect artistry.
Theologically, this book runs circles around the Left Behind series; Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
In terms of literary merit and ability to thread a plot involving mysterious, dark characters and complicated murder plots, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
This is why, perhaps, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
Nor it is a work for the masses of our Post-Modern, Post-Christian public for whom the Church is a quaint relic of the past at best, or a dangerous patriarchal oligarchy at worst, bent upon imposing its antiquated, oppressive moral code upon a world enlightened by science, technology, and a libertarian code of autonomous, hedonistic ethics. These masses are unable to tell good from evil even if riding on the train to Auschwitz. Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
If you want to read the standard fair, go ahead. Numb your mind. But if you want to read something refreshingly new, something that will challenge your entire worldview and then some, something that will set you aglow at the End, read Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
PING!
An interesting twist between Old and New.
Very INTERESTING book.Recommend highly!
Being curious, I'll look at it.
No reference to Enoch is also interesting.
Who, then, are the final witnesses?
Read it once but need to read it again. It is mind blowing.
F
Oh, man! I can answer this but that'll spoil the ending! There's an answer to your observation, but, ah, I can't tell you. :-D
-Theo
I have it on my shelf ... so many books, so little time!
(By the way, just to change briefly into annoying copy-editor mode, "fair" should be "fare" in the last paragraph.)
When I say "typos blunders mine" is for a reason...:-)
-Theo
"These masses are unable to tell good from evil even if riding on the train to Auschwitz."
Now THAT's a quote!
So, it's fiction and I already know the answer.
Thanks!
It's a favorite here too. Pax et Bonem.
Pax et bonum tibi!
-Theo
"Father Elijah" is indeed a great book, which I've read and enjoyed twice.
Thank you for your kind suggestion.
I was suspicious that O'Brian has written something like "DaVinci Code" or the "taken away" drivel. Instead I hear that this is a serious story about a most serious situation.
Excellent book, we enjoyed it very much. "Overtaken by events," unfortunately, and there's no sequel!
O'Brien is a wonderful author. I have loved everything I have read by him. I also recommend Bud MacFarlane's series of books. They are " House of Gold", Pierced By A Sword and Conceived Without Sin. The books can be ordered for free at St. Jude's Media
https://secure.catholicity.com/jude/
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