The Stranger's Message

Adventures in Odyssey #11

by Paul McCusker

A homeless man's arrival in Odyssey challenges Whit and the young people of the community to consider what it means to live as Christians in difficult situations

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction

145 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 1997

About the author

Paul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really solid. A great retelling of What Would Jesus Do? (or In His Steps). I've only read In His Steps, but I think Odyssey was better. In His Steps was all about the Temperance movement. Badly needed, and I totally understand the reasoning, but it could not have hit you over the head harder about the evils of drinking. No form of subtlety no metaphor no grace. Just evils of drinking rammed down your throat. At the cost of all other sin and all other worldly issues. Drinking was the only thing that mattered.

In fact, what bothered me the most about In His Steps is that the people never consult their Bibles to know what Jesus would have done. The base all of their actions on feelings, and really the only action is fighting drinking.

McCusker had the kids talk with a group of believers (a church) and consult their Bibles several times. He dealt with a few different issues, and as a writer for Odyssey he actually captured their voices and personalities. The kids failed a test, and relied on God.

This was a solid retelling. I was very impressed and wanted to read it for myself, not just as a read-aloud with the kids.

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle: great! Return to library.

[Barry McCarty-Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that the stranger stood up front and answered the question Mr. Whittaker asked. I do not like that the stranger died.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Adventures in Odyseey radio show and since I don't have time to listen to it anymore know I can read books like this and still feel like I am still in touch with my inner childhood.