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Knowledge Base .: Archives Fiction and Non-Fiction Reviews .: Religion and Spirituality .: In Lieu of Heaven

In Lieu of Heaven

Author: Kevin Archer

 ISBN 1413421865

Genre: Fiction/Religion

The following review was contributed by: Paul Lappen & CLICK TO VIEW Paul Lappen's Reviews

 
A man is walking along a path, not totally sure of
where he is going. In the middle of a desolate
landscape, he suddenly encounters a lush, green
forest. Exploring the forest, he comes across a man
cooking a meal by a fire, a small cabin nearby. The
traveler is invited to sit and realx for a while, as
if he was expected. The forest resident (for lack of a
better name) tells his story.

One day, he woke up in a beautiful garden, with no
memories before that day. Physically, he was an adult,
but mentally and emotionally, he was like a newborn
child. His father gave him no guidance, no idea what
to expect. Adam (that is what he calls himself) had to
find out for himself what happened when he pricked his
finger on a thorn or ate the wrong berries. His father
told him not to eat from the tree in the center of the
garden. Sound familiar? Adam had no concept of "Do
Not..." His life became complete when Eve, his mate,
arrived (yes, that Adam and Eve). After they ate from
the forbidden tree, because Eve was never told not to
do it, they are thrown out of the garden by Adam's
father (Jehovah) and forbidden to return.

They eventually found a place to live, and Eve gave
birth to two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain killed Abel (if
there was only the four of them, where did the concept
of murder come from?) and disappeared. This seems to
suck the life out of Eve. She got sicker and sicker,
until she just stopped breathing. Holding her in his
arms, Adam swore vengeance on his father.

Adam has little good to say about many of the major
figures of the Bible, like Abraham and David. He talks
about this tribe and that tribe that are not just
defeated by the Israelites, but totally wiped out.
After many years of wandering, Adam met a freelance
prophet in the south, and realized that this was
Jehovah in the flesh (his vow has not been forgotten).
His teachings are either vague, bloodthirsty or taken
from other groups. Adam became one of the Disciples,
using the name Judas, and waited for the chance to
carry out his vow.

As someone who was born and raised a Catholic, my
initial reaction to this is: Holy Cow! The author also
includes over 270 references to specific Bible verses,
so the reader can see for themselves. For a very
different, and very uncomplimentary, view of
Christianity, this book is very much recommended.