With an Everlasting Love

by Kay Arthur

With its all-new cover, Kay Arthur's captivating novel of love and trust is sure to attract readers. With an Everlasting Love (over 400,000 copies in print), a delightful, spellbinding love story with an intriguing twist, will forever change the way Christians feel when they read, "Behold, the bridegroom is coming..." Christianna simply couldn't believe it. Though she was a comely woman, she was an outcast, a despised half-breed. Yet before her was a letter from a passionate but unseen lover--the legendary Joshua of Jerusalem, a righteous Jewish man of great wealth whom everyone spoke of with reverence and awe. She had never seen him, yet he wanted her as his bride and promised to love her unconditionally...forever. He asked her to love him preeminently--above all other relationships, above her own desires, and above her own life. Yet they wouldn't meet in person until their wedding day more than a year later. Could she make such a commitment? Christianna thought so...until a surprise encounter with the mysterious but handsome Kosmos, who lavishes her with the personal attention she longs for. Now her mind is filled with doubt. Why was Joshua taking so long to come? Had she been a fool to believe that such a great man would want her?

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: "Any Jew who has not a wife is no man." It was written in the Talmud. That settled it. The time had come for his son Joshua to take a wife. There could be no more delay. Shaddai paced the floor saying these things aloud to himself, as he awaited Joshua's return.

Premise/plot: Shaddai and Joshua have agreed upon a bride, a young woman named Christianna. Half-Jew, half-Gentile, Christianna never expected such a match. To be honest, she never expected a match at all. Shunned by both Jews and Gentiles alike, Christianna had no expectations of being any man's wife. Joshua. Well, Joshua's goodness--his righteousness--is almost legendary. The idea that ANY woman at all was worthy being his wife was ridiculous. There couldn't be a more unlikely choice than Christianna. But his choice is a forever-and-ever choice. He just has to woo her and wait.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this allegory. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. As a story, a romance, it works. As a theology textbook perhaps not so much. I think the book does a good job in showing Christ's unconditional love for the church, and also in showing how the church faces temptation at the hands of the world, or in this case, Kosmos.

I would recommend this one.

[Maritza Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was about 14 years old, I read this book and thought that it was purely based on longing romance. Reading it 10 years later, I finally understand that this is an allegory on God's everlasting love in the presence of sin. On a personal note, I felt what Christianna was going through. Being in a long distance relationship has its setbacks such as non-physical contact, of which can lead one to think and activate on infidelity. No amount of lustful flesh can ever taste as sweet as when you are with the one you love. This beautiful story reminded me that. I'm glad to have picked it up after so many years.

[Darice Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story about love - truly rare, unconditional love. While it does not have a complex plot, it does have a powerful theme. This allegory provides a parable on Christ's love for us. Christians will recognize references to biblical verses. It is a story of God's love for us, as well as his design for covenant marriage on earth - to reflect His sacrificial, unconditional, service oriented love on earth.

Please take time to read it and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you personally.

[Christa Lewin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected. A good reminder of the overall story of the Bible concerning Jesus and his bride the church. Easy read.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an Everlasting Love by Kay Arthur, tells a true and capturing love story. The simplicity of this short novel has a rich meaning. I devoured this story, while I usually don't enjoy romance novels because they miss the struggles and complexity of a real relationship, this book exceeds that common romance novel.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story caught my attention from the beginning it featured a woman name Christianna who was considered an outcast, a despised half-breed into her life came an unseen lover. Joshua has written her a letter telling her that she is the one for him. Why would he want her for his bride but as time goes by her confident level increases and with it she stop thinking of herself as unloved. He had promised to love her unconditionally the only thing was they would not met in person until their wedding day. As she changed another young man came along and her head was turned but he wasn’t a keeper. Had she lost her chance with Joshua? This is a love story of how God loves us and he wants a convent with us and nothing we can do that will cause him to leave us. As with Christianna he waits for me and you. What a love story of how God wants us to be His Bride and is always willing to welcome us home. I couldn’t put it down.

[Ozarkladie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book several years ago and the lesson I learned from it has stayed with me over the years. It is a wonderful illustration of the love of God for His people....not just Israel...but all Christians. God is faithful to us, but we are the ones that take the first step away from the Lord. God keeps His promises, but we are the ones that get impatient and look elsewhere for comfort. God forgives....but can we forgive ourselves? Very thought provoking story. Highly recommended.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this novel better than Israel My Beloved. Both novels are about end times. This novel has a motivational theme, encouraging the reader to keep pure and undefiled until the Last Day and the coming of the Bridegroom. Like Israel My Beloved, this novel is highly symbolic, which if pushed too far falls apart. It's best to take the book at face value, enjoy the read, and heed the warning. Jesus, the Lover of your soul, is coming again. Be ready like it could be today.

[Jenaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing!! Every one should read this book, Christians and non Christians alike! I just started this book today 3/16 and will finish it today!! Such an easy read!! Truly a blessing from God. Kay Arthur has an amazing gift of writing with the holy spirit!! Amen

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. I loved all the lessons it taught and how it paralleled the coming of Christ. A fantastic book that I was able to read with mother <3

P.S. I was named after the main character in the book, which is why I read it in the first place (:

[Kim♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. One of my favorites. A bride, waiting for her Bridegroom, Joshua. "Oh Joshua, if you really knew all about me- would you still love me?"

[Elaine]

(book, novel)
a. An allegory with Joshua being symbolic of Jesus.

[Amy Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. I would put as my top ten.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazingly convicting and yet inspiring book dipicting our relationship with God on multiple levels.

[Torie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful allegory of Jesus' perfect faithfulness, and the importance of remaining faithful to Him. I would highly recommend this short/easy read to anyone and everyone.

[Ariel Pressey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. It shows how God love is true and no matter what we do God will always love us :)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, but touching, analogy of "Bride of Christ" relationship.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story of Christ's love for us.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful novella on God's everlasting love towards us! Beautiful.

[Linda Bamburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book.

[Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and beautifully sweet allegory

[Stephanie Hopps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff

[Sherie Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful love story!

[Erika Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraged me more than I had hoped

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet sweet message. A picture of God's pursuit and ever forgiving love for us.

[Trisha J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story of God's awesome love for His people!

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiritaul look at the love Joshua and his wife had (Christians from the Bible), comparing Christ's love for the sinners he died for.

[Laurie Verwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Arthur has a way of telling the greatest, true love story. Weaving an allegory of love of the most redeeming kind~ with the best happily ever after awaiting us!

[Barbara Swinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now listed under Barbara Swinney (alias Ozarkladie)..

Aug 26, 2011--Ozarkladie rated it...... it was amazing Very thought provoking. Highly recommended. Kay Arthur
I read this book several years ago and the lesson I learned from it has stayed with me over the years. It is a wonderful illustration of the love of God for His people....not just Israel...but all Christians. God is faithful to us, but we are the ones that take the first step away from the Lord. God keeps His promises, but we are the ones that get impatient and look elsewhere for comfort. God forgives....but can we forgive ourselves?

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating and romantic love story and a beautiful reminder of God’s everlasting love even through sin. By grace along through faith alone by Christ alone… I am in the middle of an bible study on the Genesis and I loved seeing the Holy Spirit work in my life through small things. Making connections and finding parts of the Bible that I had recently study brought this fiction to life for me and made me grateful for the time I spend in the Word.