Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur

Wisdom Hunter Book Reviewby DaisyC

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

November 06, 2009: "Wisdom Hunter" by Randall Arthur was quite an interesting book. If you have had any dealings with legalism in your faith or have wondered what legalism is, this is a fiction book that opens the factual truth of legalism.

I really enjoyed reading the front "From the Author" page. Randall Arthur states:

"When 'Wisdom Hunter' became a bestseller upon its release in 1991, I thought the success of the book was a fluke. To my further surprise, the book was nominated shortly thereafter for the CBA 'Book of the Year' award. I learned quickly that the subjects of legalism and spiritual dictatorship were provocative topics worldwide, transcending all denominational and cultural borders.

Almost two decades ago, 'Wisdom Hunter' was born, not out of a long-held ambition to write a best-selling novel, but from a personal need to write the things I learned and experienced as a young, legalistic missionary in Europe. The story was developed out of great anguish and written with an unquenchable passion. I am not an authority on the local church or the Christian life. I am simply a wisdom hunter - one who was hungry enough to rip the mask off my 'American Christianity' and delve into truth.

After the first release of the book, I eventually worked up the courage to present a copy of 'Wisdom Hunter' to the president of the mission agency under whose administration I had served for seventeen years. He read it that day, and he fired me that evening. Over the following three months, eighty-five percent of the churches that supported my missionary efforts severed their relationship with me. I knew the book would be controversial. Still, its message was worth the pain of losing my job and most of my income.

Would I do it over again? Yes, without hesitation.

Through the years, I have received thousands of letters form readers around the world who have been touched by the book's timeless message and unconventional ability to transform hearts and minds. The book lives on primarily because people read it and then vigorously promote it from pulpits and stages: in magazines, newsletter, Websites, conferences, camps, classrooms, discussion groups, and Internet forums; on television and radio; and especially one-on-one. Today, many people are aware of the problems caused by legalism in the church, and some changes have occurred. However, there remains a need to address these issues that render us ineffective as Christians. It is my desire that this edition of 'Wisdom Hunter' will do just that.

To those who have read the book and are fans, I say thank you. I am humbled and honored. May we always be students that dare to question. And may we never lose our heart for God.

If you are reading 'Wisdom Hunter' for the first time, I hope it will be a refreshing and thought-provoking experience. May it stir an unquenchable thirst for truth in your soul.

From my heart to yours,

Randall Arthur"

Now don't you really want to read this book?!

Novel exposing the truth of legalism needs a bit more polishby ChristysBookBlog

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

October 27, 2009: Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur is a thought provoking look at legalism within the Christian church and having a true relationship with God. Pastor Jason Faircloth has been praying with absolute surety for 516 days that God will return his runaway daughter, Hannah, to him, she will repent of her rebellion, and he will forgive her. When he instead receives a phone call on Christmas that she has been killed in a car accident, leaving behind a granddaughter, Renee, he will never know because the father wants nothing to do with him. In the wake of her death, Jason's wife accuses him of Hannah's murder and wills herself to die as well. With both of them gone, he questions his faith in God and the faith that he's been teaching the congregants at his church for the last fifteen years. He abandons the church and his old faith, heading off into a new world to discover what it really means to love the Lord and with the everpresent hope of finding Renee. Initially published in 1993, this book ruffled some feathers with its presentation of legalism within the American church, and it's still relevant today. I had a difficult time truly relating to Jason; he went from hardline Pharisee to accidental drug smuggler and escapee from jail. Some of the story seemed a bit far-fetched, but once it settled down in Norway, I enjoyed Jason and his faith, although his almost stalker-esque pursuit of Corinna seemed unusual. There are some rough spots in the writing. The dialogue and descriptions could use a little polish, but the story still has a powerful message that needs to be heard in today's climate of moral relativism on one side and us vs them mentality on the other.