Campbell has used a contemporary voice for gomer that brings this biblical harlot to life. Some are books ive read since my early adult years, others are books ive discovered in marriage and motherhood, while others are newer books that quickly found themselves on my favorites list. Non fiction books 20 our published books 57 published plays 3. Seeking a resolution, their leader stuart sean astin shares the story of the prophet hosea. Eventually, she learns not only to love michael but to love god as well. The word of the lord that came to hosea son of beeri during the reigns of uzziah, jotham, ahaz and hezekiah, kings of judah, and during the reign of jeroboam son of jehoash king of israel. A retelling of the biblical love story of gomer and hosea, set against the romantic backdrop of the california gold rush. Hosea showers us with hope hints and portents pointing to the coming of the promised messiah. A prostitute is brought off the streets by a godly man who makes her his wife. Its a love story based on the story of hosea set in the gold mining times of 1850. There is not one false note in this wonderful novel. The book motivated the reader to read the books of hosea,amos, micah and isaiah one more time. Hosea, a prophet from the northern kingdom, preached in his homeland, which he addresses as israel, jacob or, frequently, ephraim. This was the book i read that made me want to read the rest of her stuff.
First published by bantam books, and then rereleased by multnomah publishers in the mid 1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of gomer and hosea set during the time of the california gold rush is now considered a classic work of christian fiction and continues to be one of the christian booksellers association s topselling titles. Horrible christian fiction, kidnapping and sex trafficking edition. The book of hosea may feel complex, but interpretative help is found when we realize that it is intended to be approached as a living parable. Each blessing or curse is based upon a corresponding type in the mosaic law. Its fourteen chapters contain both a warning concerning future events and an interpretation of these events meanings. Lewis wrote his space trilogy and the narnia series. In this twelvesession lifeguide bible study, dale and sandy larsen lead you through the fascinating old testament story of hosea, youll see how a godly mans unfailing love for his wayward wife illustrates gods unconditional, noholdsbarred love for you, too.
The book of hosea is a deeply personal and passionate love story, yet its a difficult story. I know the term christian romance can seem like an oxymoron. Our theme read in the unapologetic romance readers group for the month of may was christian romance, and redeeming love was actually my nomination. Aug 07, 2018 christian romance novels are love stories that have either overt or subtle christian beliefs throughout.
Jul 28, 20 a love story inspired by the book of hosea in the bible. This work of fiction was well researched and written. Everyone is welcome to join you dont have to have a blog. To make the old testament accounts relevant even to readers with no biblical knowledge, mesus books include charts and notes to open up the. The incredible scandal of gods perfect love found in hosea.
I was very choosy about which authors made my list of favorite christian authors because i am careful about what i fill my mind and spirit with. Popular christian fiction books goodreads share book. Christian romance novels to introduce you to the genre. Redeeming love, by francine rivers is a historical romance novel set in the 1850s gold rush in california. In the book of hosea, in the old testament, god tells the prophet hosea to marry a prostitute, gomer. Hosea, an oldtestament prophet, preached his own life message using his. Hosea his name meaning to save, salvation is the first of the socalled minor prophets. Hosea with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. But of course the real story of this book isnt the story of hosea and gomer, its the story of god and israel. These twelve prophets are comprised in one single book in the hebrew bible and are called the twelve. Christian fiction books top christian authors lifeway.
She continues to struggle with her worth and battles the evil voices in her head. The first book in the series, heart of a lion, featured a young noah struggling with a frightening word from god. Nov 01, 20 hoseas book is the first of the minor prophetsthe last 12 books of the old testament. Unfailing love changes everythingmember book 9781430040200 by jennifer rothschild. It is a record of the prophecies of the prophet hosea to the northern kingdom of israel also called ephraim after its largest tribe in the 8th century bc. Hosea began his mission in a period of prosperity, the last years of jeroboam ii 783743 b.
Im reading through the bible in a year, and every month i write about what ive read. Unfailing love changes everything video rent by jennifer rothschild includes 7 individual, rent sessions from the womens bible study. Thus stuart rightly points out, understanding the message of the book of hosea depends upon understanding the sinai covenant. Gomer is a prostitute and hosea is a godly man told to marry her. Abstract the book of hosea portrays the dangers of the observance of religious ceremony without genuine devotion and commitment to the lord. This book helped me understand and relate to them as not books written for another audience. According to the superscription, hosea began his prophetic activity during the reign of jeroboam ii c. As an account full of harsh judgment unfolds, we find in its midst a rare and pure gem. These messages came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like.
Set in california during the goldmining rush of the 1850s, it tells the story of angel, a young girl sold into prostitution. The story of hosea and gomer comes alive in this intense, emotionally. This book is based off the love story from the bible of hosea and gomer. Moreover, israel has repeatedly violated the terms of the law. A novel and millions of other books are available for instant. The book contains a series of blessings and curses announced for israel by god through hosea.
What links them all is that they are all christian adult fiction, and they are. Apr 12, 2012 this is one of the best books i have ever read, both christian and non christian. Christian fiction african american, christian fiction. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. But when a confrontation occurs between carrie and ashleya newcomer with a bad attitudethe spirit of fellowship is broken. Free shipping on vbs, books, bibles, and church supplies on. The book is clearly written by hosea during the days jeroboam ii king of israel. Steve, carrie, cooper, and gameboy are looking forward to their youth group trip. In her new collection of essays, when i was a child i read books, marilynne robinson writes about how easy it is for an author to slip into what will sell. Hosea 1 hcsb the word of the lord that came to hosea. Love in a broken vessel a new retelling of hosea eden. The book of hosea is one of the minor prophet books of the old testament.
And his name is related to the name joshua, which means salvation. Christina schmidtkimberly rae jordan christian fiction writer. Apart from inferences in the book itself, nothing else is known about him or his family. The evangelical christian publishers association awarded redeeming love the ecpa gold book award, an award that recognizes books that have sold. Those are the questions that demand to be answered when you read what hosea was asked to do. Like the book of amos, the book of hosea is addressed to the people of the northern kingdom israel. Before i give you my list of favorite christian fiction authors, i want to say a few words about christian fiction. Hoping to heal the rift, stuart shares the story of the old testament prophet hosea. The best christian books of all time tck publishing. A love story inspired by the book of hosea in the bible. Ben hur a tale of christ by lew wallace is widely considered one of the most influental works of christian fiction.
Even when you rebel, disobey or make a mistake, god continues to pursue you with a relentless love. According to the traditional order of most hebrew bibles, it is the first of the twelve minor prophets. The prophet hosea ministered in the northern kingdom of israel at the same time isaiah was active in judah see hosea. Biblical fiction makes up only a small slice of the category of christian fiction, but vicki. You cant help but study the book of hosea after reading this novel. Here are my 5 favorite christian fiction authors that i read over and over. Book of hosea, also spelled osee, the first of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, considered as one book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. Other posts this month are on 2 kings, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, 2 timothy, titus and philemon. The satirical style of the book effectively addresses many issues in christian theology, particularly the. Hosea s love for gomer is only a picture of gods love for israel, because all the while that israel was unfaithful to god, he was providing for them. This group is a place for christian bloggers to share their blogs, giveaways, etc. This is a quite accurate fictionalized account of the book of hosea. Hosea, whose name means salvation as presented by the old testament and mrs.
When an outsider, ashley, unexpectedly joins steve, carrie, cooper, and gameboy, the materialistic and selfinvolved young womans bad attitude leads to a confrontation with carrie. Hoseas wife and children when the lord began to speak through hosea, the lord said to him, go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty. Redeeming love by francine rivers goodreads share book. Find christian fiction books that you dont want to miss. The book of hosea owes its origins to one hosea, the son of beeri, and his anonymous supportersdisciples. Family fiction is the most comprehensive christian fiction resource providing news, interviews, and information about books, movies, and authors. The prophets name means salvation, likely a reference to hoseas position in israel as a beacon of hope to those who would repent and turn to god because of his message.
Will the powerful tale of love help heal the girls resentment. I did a summer book club and this was one of the books we read and discussed. This retelling of the biblical story of gomer and hosea set during the time of the. The book contains 31 letters, and although it falls under fiction, lewis reportedly wrote it as an apologetic novel and dedicated it to his good friend, lord of the rings author j. Its their struggle she finds it hard to turn away from the life she has always known and basically born into. Hosea appears to have had the temperament of a poet. Hosea revealed little about his background, though his book of prophecy offers a few glimpses into his life. It tells the story of a very respected pastor who marries a prostitute, and suffers the consequences in both his private and professional life.
Often, we do not recognize the derivation of these bible names, but this prophets name would be joseph in english. Shop lifeway to find your next great christian novel from some of the top christian authors. Redeeming love is a beautiful love story based on the book of hosea. After being badly beaten, angel decides to take michael up on his offer of marriage. The story is inspired by the book of hosea from the bible. Book of hosea overview insight for living ministries. The story really draws you in and the author has a way of making her characters real. Its a beautiful love story with themes running through it from the book of hosea in the bible.
Francine rivers is one of the leading authors of womens christian fiction. The story of jesus crucifixion is weaved in and, ultimately, benhur becomes a christian. Redeeming love continues to be one of the christian booksellers associations topselling titles, and it has held a spot on the christian bestsellers list for nearly a decade. Francine rivers is a name that gets bandied around a lot, not just in the christian fiction groups, but also in the historical romance groups in general.
Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Campbell, remains the man of god who steadfastly obeys his lord and marries gomer. Hoseas love for gomer is only a picture of gods love for israel, because all the while that israel was unfaithful to god, he was providing for them, and they took his blessings and used them for their idol worship. Romance novels are known for steamy sex scenes and strong feminist themes, which are traditionally thought of as at odds with traditional christian beliefs. When this is true it all too easily leads to compromise, selfish ambition, and lack of integrity in ones personal activities and dealings.
The book tells the story of a jewish prince judah benhur who was made a slave by roman captors. The heart of a christian playwright contemporary christian, easter. Throughout the book, the prophet speaks to the people of israel about the critical situation that developed during the. When god had a message for the people, he gave his message through the prophets. Soon afterwards, while studying the book of hosea, the author heard god say. Find an entertaining historical christian fiction book for your next read. The remainder of the book of hosea consists of a collection of miscellaneous statements expressing hosea s convictions concerning the character of yahweh and yahwehs relation to the people of israel. Sweet first love and second chance romance solid gold summerville ranch billionaire romances book 1 taylor hart 4.
Be amazed by the unfailing love of god for his wayward people, and for all people. Hosea was a young preacher in the nation of israel, the northern kingdom, and he was a. This retelling of the biblical story of gomer and hosea set during the time of the california gold rush is now considered by many to be a classic work of christian fiction. Hosea is part of that strange section of our bibles known as the minor prophets.
Then she meets michael hosea, a devout christian who tells her it is his mission to save her. Francine has continued to publish numerous christian novels. The book of hoseaits a deeply personal and passionate love story, yet its a difficult story. These little gems can be difficult to interpret, but once unlocked, you find treasure. The story of the unfailing redemptive love of god sam a. Good reads christian fiction blogs by christian women.
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