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The Messenger
A Delightful Parable of Unexpected Encounters
In the Tradition of The Quilt & The Gift
Ariel had dreamed about this chance, but she never thought it would come so soon. Only halfway through her training came the surprise assignment: She was to be sent as an undercover messenger with a mission of hope to the city of Philadelphia. Expecting the City of Brother Love, what she discovers is a harsh urban landscape where crime, poverty, and the extent of human indifference is overwhelming.
When a street thief pilfers her secret pass card, Ariel loses the access she needs to get back home. To make matters worse, she fears that the thief might use her card to gain unauthorized entry. However, the tables are turned when he finds that his brief encounter with Ariel throws a disturbing light into the depths of his heart.
When the two finally meet again, both are in for a big surprise.
In the Tradition of The Quilt & The Gift
Ariel had dreamed about this chance, but she never thought it would come so soon. Only halfway through her training came the surprise assignment: She was to be sent as an undercover messenger with a mission of hope to the city of Philadelphia. Expecting the City of Brother Love, what she discovers is a harsh urban landscape where crime, poverty, and the extent of human indifference is overwhelming.
When a street thief pilfers her secret pass card, Ariel loses the access she needs to get back home. To make matters worse, she fears that the thief might use her card to gain unauthorized entry. However, the tables are turned when he finds that his brief encounter with Ariel throws a disturbing light into the depths of his heart.
When the two finally meet again, both are in for a big surprise.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1995
38 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
T. Davis Bunn
81 books154 followersAlso writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 29, 2012
I had a few problems with this book, so here we go. 1) The angel is a female. Not very Biblical, and I always have a beef with that. Based on that, I shouldn't have read the book, but I didn't realize when I grabbed it off the shelf at my library that it was about an angel. 2) The whole thing about an angel being "trapped" on earth and unable to return to heaven? Um, no. 3) I'm not too comfortable with the concept of an angel "praying." Essentially, yes, praying is just talking to God, but I don't think angels pray exactly. Worship, yes. Adore, yes. Obey, yes. Pray, I'm not convinced that's accurate from a Biblical standpoint. 4) I think the other half of the story was better; it dealt with Manny, a streetwise thief who encounters the angel and then finds his life taking off on a journey he did not foresee.
There were a few good points in this book, but overall I wasn't that impressed. But then, like I said, when it comes to the topic of angels I tend to be overly critical. I've seen them treated so unlike how the Bible portrays them, that anything similar is an immediate turn-off.
There were a few good points in this book, but overall I wasn't that impressed. But then, like I said, when it comes to the topic of angels I tend to be overly critical. I've seen them treated so unlike how the Bible portrays them, that anything similar is an immediate turn-off.
March 7, 2026
This was a sweet story, but it did not make a lot of sense if you look at it doctrinally, and I can understand why some folks are frustrated by that element of the story. I agree that God and angels probably do not work quite this way. I did appreciate the message that the author was attempting to convey, and so, while I do not feel the need to keep this small volume in my personal library, I am glad that I read it.
February 1, 2008
I suppose this is worth reading, though when I first began to read it I wasn't sure. It seemed like something too weird, with women angels (probably not Biblical), silver cards as the angel's pass to heaven, and other such unrealistic things. However, it was hard not to keep reading because I wanted to know how Ariel, the unlearned angel, would react to the wickedness on earth and how Manny, the street thief who has a brush with Ariel, would turn out. Manny's character is both amusing and thought-provoking. It's a short book that only took a few hours to read. While it's not something I'd put in my collection or recommend highly, it was an interesting book with a few good thoughts.
February 3, 2024
Cute, but not convincing. (2 stars)
The plot of this novella revolves around the premise of an angel, Ariel, who is sent to earth on a mission of mercy. Ariel’s heavenly pass-card is stolen, and she is unable to return to heaven.
The naivete of this heavenly messenger about the ways of earth is at first entertaining, but soon wears thin because it reflects badly on angels, and ultimately on their sender, God Himself. Although the notion of earthly strangers being angels is certainly Scriptural (Heb. 13:2), the whole notion of an angel being stranded on earth is entirely unsupported by Scripture. Further, Scripture’s angels can be entertained “unawares” (Heb. 13:2) – but with Bunn’s angels it’s quite the opposite: their earthly ignorance does little to hide their heavenly identity!
Even when I tried to overlook these weaknesses, and suspend reality by entering the fictional world of Bunn’s imagination, I did not find the story-line very compelling. The plot is at best cute, although I felt that there was an unwarranted focus on the work of the Spirit outside the Word. Ultimately, however, this book never quite overcomes the weakness of its premise: Christian readers expect a fictional story-line, not fictional theology.
The plot of this novella revolves around the premise of an angel, Ariel, who is sent to earth on a mission of mercy. Ariel’s heavenly pass-card is stolen, and she is unable to return to heaven.
The naivete of this heavenly messenger about the ways of earth is at first entertaining, but soon wears thin because it reflects badly on angels, and ultimately on their sender, God Himself. Although the notion of earthly strangers being angels is certainly Scriptural (Heb. 13:2), the whole notion of an angel being stranded on earth is entirely unsupported by Scripture. Further, Scripture’s angels can be entertained “unawares” (Heb. 13:2) – but with Bunn’s angels it’s quite the opposite: their earthly ignorance does little to hide their heavenly identity!
Even when I tried to overlook these weaknesses, and suspend reality by entering the fictional world of Bunn’s imagination, I did not find the story-line very compelling. The plot is at best cute, although I felt that there was an unwarranted focus on the work of the Spirit outside the Word. Ultimately, however, this book never quite overcomes the weakness of its premise: Christian readers expect a fictional story-line, not fictional theology.
February 12, 2023
Having always appreciated this ChristFic author's command of language and versatility of genres, I jumped into this novella from the '90s with about 2% knowledge of what I was really in for.
The aspects that felt somewhat contrived or like pretty clichéd evangelistic writing weren't my favorites. But I liked the more supernatural aspects, reading this tale about people and angels as I would a fantasy story, not a strictly theological one.
I also enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book.
The aspects that felt somewhat contrived or like pretty clichéd evangelistic writing weren't my favorites. But I liked the more supernatural aspects, reading this tale about people and angels as I would a fantasy story, not a strictly theological one.
I also enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book.
July 27, 2021
Fiction? Maybe not...
As the darkness around us grows, desires to blind and possess us each, there is always the mercy of God to reach with an obvious, even observable LOVE...T.Davis Bunn has captured in this novella an excellent representation of this present stuggle/warfare. Though it appears as fiction, too much is similar in the mercies i have experienced to take it as an idle tale...May it feed another hungering soul.
As the darkness around us grows, desires to blind and possess us each, there is always the mercy of God to reach with an obvious, even observable LOVE...T.Davis Bunn has captured in this novella an excellent representation of this present stuggle/warfare. Though it appears as fiction, too much is similar in the mercies i have experienced to take it as an idle tale...May it feed another hungering soul.
July 24, 2017
Seems like many reviews here are complaining about the theology. I'm going to ignore that entirely and just comment that it was a fun read, but the story had me thinking "yeah right" at almost every turn.
June 2, 2021
Never Disappoints
What an encouraging book for believers and nonbelievers. I love the way he writes to draw you in. My favorite books of his are the ones with the spiritual emphasis.
What an encouraging book for believers and nonbelievers. I love the way he writes to draw you in. My favorite books of his are the ones with the spiritual emphasis.
June 14, 2018
A look at the Holy
A sweet, short story of a look at the mechanics of prayer and a peek into the holy realm of God.
A sweet, short story of a look at the mechanics of prayer and a peek into the holy realm of God.
May 9, 2023
So sweet
It's tough to review book like this as one wants to embrace its beauty, love and grace, forever. Thanks, Davis!
It's tough to review book like this as one wants to embrace its beauty, love and grace, forever. Thanks, Davis!
September 3, 2023
A lovely short story
It is a story of an embittered man and an angel of a girl. With the miracle of prayer, his life is changed.
It is a story of an embittered man and an angel of a girl. With the miracle of prayer, his life is changed.
September 7, 2023
Enjoyable story, and a challenge to everyone who hears God’s message of salvation… recommended read…
March 8, 2025
This was fine. I didn't connect much with any of the characters and just felt quite blah about the storyline.
June 26, 2016
This is an interestng little book. I read it once as child, and remember loving it.
Ariel is an angel in training. On her first mission to earth she looses her pass back to heaven.
Manny, a pick pocket, gets the shockof his life the first time tries the pure silver bank card in an ATM. Now everyone from the crimminal underground and the underworld are after him for it.
Reading it as an adult gives me a different perspective. I still love the action and the mystery but I now have problems with Bunn's portrayal of angels. Angels should not have doubts, or be confused or need to learn lessons. On the other hand without an active character arc for Ariel, the story would not have been nearly as good. So I accept that there is a trade off between storytelling and theology.
As for Manny's arc I loved it. In fact I would love to have seen it fleshed out more. I felt his arc was wrapped up too quickly.
And to anyone concerned that there is an ATM card to heaven, this is a gospel affirming book and in no way implies that you can get to heaven by any means other than Jesus Christ. So read the book with a clear conscience.
Ariel is an angel in training. On her first mission to earth she looses her pass back to heaven.
Manny, a pick pocket, gets the shockof his life the first time tries the pure silver bank card in an ATM. Now everyone from the crimminal underground and the underworld are after him for it.
Reading it as an adult gives me a different perspective. I still love the action and the mystery but I now have problems with Bunn's portrayal of angels. Angels should not have doubts, or be confused or need to learn lessons. On the other hand without an active character arc for Ariel, the story would not have been nearly as good. So I accept that there is a trade off between storytelling and theology.
As for Manny's arc I loved it. In fact I would love to have seen it fleshed out more. I felt his arc was wrapped up too quickly.
And to anyone concerned that there is an ATM card to heaven, this is a gospel affirming book and in no way implies that you can get to heaven by any means other than Jesus Christ. So read the book with a clear conscience.
January 6, 2013
Very sweet, tiny in size book. I could've read very quickly, but kept putting it down. An angel is sent down from heaven to save/touch souls. Her only way home (back to heaven)is a shiny card issued by God. In the nasty streets of Philadelphia where she was sent, she gets pick-pocketed by a long-time thief. The thief (Manny) thinking he had something of value (which is really does), tries to use the card in an ATM. He experiences seeing his life flash before his eyes & all the evil things he has done. He spends the rest of the book trying to find the angel (Ariel)to undo all his wrongs as his demons are now chasing him. He ends up getting saved, Ariel gets her "pass" back and goes back home.
A good story in seeing a sin-sick fallen world through the eyes of an angel.
A good story in seeing a sin-sick fallen world through the eyes of an angel.
June 6, 2020
Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.
A story of one of God's rookie Messenger's visit to earth and what happens when she appears to be stranded here. It was a short read, but we thought a good one.
A story of one of God's rookie Messenger's visit to earth and what happens when she appears to be stranded here. It was a short read, but we thought a good one.
April 2, 2015
Small book - 4 1/2 by 7 with only 140 pages. Kind of creepy reading about the dark shadows that follow Manny around while he is searching for Ariel. Good reminder of how we are either on God's side or the dark side. Can't have it both ways.
May 25, 2016
I thought this book was amazing! It had a lot of strong character development. The only thing I didn't like was the lack of detail in most of the places throughout the book. But, the book was very enjoyable.
August 7, 2009
What breadth this author has!!! This one has such a picturesque way of depicting the UNSEEN battle we are all engaged in, whether we know it, or acknowledge it or not.
October 31, 2009
This book has two scenarios. One of an angel sent to earth and one of a lost person who's fate falls into a place they never thought exhisted.
July 1, 2011
Good message within.........
June 24, 2012
This is a book that you don't want to put down, you will want to get to the end to see what happens.
I like the book and I will read it again.
I like the book and I will read it again.
September 10, 2012
A sweet story about redemption and angels and ordinary humans.
June 27, 2013
Uplifting and fun easy read
September 28, 2010
Good, short read!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews