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The Shadow Gospel
What happens when truth is obscured and everything you believe is built on a lie?
One woman’s escape from a twisted gospel will lead her to a truth far more painful—and far more beautiful—than she ever could have imagined.
Verity Reed has spent her life devoted to a religious system she has never questioned—until cracks begin to form in the foundation of everything she thought was true. When long-buried secrets surface and the consequences of blind faith become impossible to ignore, Verity is thrust into a harrowing spiritual crisis. As the illusion she’s lived in unravels, the reality she has denied pushes her to the brink of insanity. She must will she cling to the only world she has ever known, or will she risk everything to escape a counterfeit gospel?
A suspense-filled allegory of faith, deception, and redemption, The Shadow Gospel weaves rich theology with a gripping psychological struggle—revealing the clarity of Scripture and the relentless power of the Gospel.
One woman’s escape from a twisted gospel will lead her to a truth far more painful—and far more beautiful—than she ever could have imagined.
Verity Reed has spent her life devoted to a religious system she has never questioned—until cracks begin to form in the foundation of everything she thought was true. When long-buried secrets surface and the consequences of blind faith become impossible to ignore, Verity is thrust into a harrowing spiritual crisis. As the illusion she’s lived in unravels, the reality she has denied pushes her to the brink of insanity. She must will she cling to the only world she has ever known, or will she risk everything to escape a counterfeit gospel?
A suspense-filled allegory of faith, deception, and redemption, The Shadow Gospel weaves rich theology with a gripping psychological struggle—revealing the clarity of Scripture and the relentless power of the Gospel.
- GenresChristian Fiction
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2025
30 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 15, 2025
This is a new release today! I was given a digital copy of this book to read and review ahead of time, but I will be definitely be buying a physical copy to add to my collection also.
This allegorical tale reveals so clearly the corruption of the gospel in many churches in our world today, and the false teachings so many are believing. Then after showing all the dangers of false Bible interpretations and teachings, it gives an equally clear description of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and the beauty of His grace.
I loved how biblically solid this book was, and the inclusion of verse references throughout the whole book to compare to Scripture. Because of this, it is not as quick of a "binge read" as other books (though the writing itself was very engaging and kept me reading), but it was so edifying to read the verses as I went along in the story. I highly recommend you take the time to do this, whether you're reading this as a skeptic or as a long time believer.
The author wove together the world in which this book takes place in a very creative way, and the storyline is perfect for those who love The Pilgrim's Progress. (I was reminded of A Christmas Carol in one scene as well).
Overall, I highly recommend reading this book...read it with friends, believers, non-believers...and let it encourage you to know the Word of God and share the Good News with the lost.
This allegorical tale reveals so clearly the corruption of the gospel in many churches in our world today, and the false teachings so many are believing. Then after showing all the dangers of false Bible interpretations and teachings, it gives an equally clear description of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and the beauty of His grace.
I loved how biblically solid this book was, and the inclusion of verse references throughout the whole book to compare to Scripture. Because of this, it is not as quick of a "binge read" as other books (though the writing itself was very engaging and kept me reading), but it was so edifying to read the verses as I went along in the story. I highly recommend you take the time to do this, whether you're reading this as a skeptic or as a long time believer.
The author wove together the world in which this book takes place in a very creative way, and the storyline is perfect for those who love The Pilgrim's Progress. (I was reminded of A Christmas Carol in one scene as well).
Overall, I highly recommend reading this book...read it with friends, believers, non-believers...and let it encourage you to know the Word of God and share the Good News with the lost.
March 15, 2025
I had the privilege of reading this book before it was released.
We get to see through the lens of allegorical story the depth of deception and darkness that invades so many modern churches of our day. Following along with Verity we journey through various forms of spiritual darkness, and our hearts break when we see the pervasive lies that Satan twists from scripture that keeps so many ensnared there.
This book was very thought provoking and rooted in scripture throughout! This is a book sure to be edifying to any who pick it up.
We get to see through the lens of allegorical story the depth of deception and darkness that invades so many modern churches of our day. Following along with Verity we journey through various forms of spiritual darkness, and our hearts break when we see the pervasive lies that Satan twists from scripture that keeps so many ensnared there.
This book was very thought provoking and rooted in scripture throughout! This is a book sure to be edifying to any who pick it up.
March 24, 2025
Firstly, I want to say that my spoiler is that the gospel is the good news of the redemptive love of Christ, that while we were still sinners, he died for the ungodly! If you don’t know that part going in, I’m sorry not sorry that you know it now.
Secondly, I began this book from a perspective of privilege in that I have been raised and pretty much always immersed in theologically sound churches, so while many of the experiences of our protagonist Verity in the Church of Piety and wanderings in Christian Deception were heartbreaking and unfamiliar to me, her self-doubt, self-condemnation, self-righteousness and pride were not at all unfamiliar.
This book is like a mashup of Pilgrim’s Progress, Divergent, and those clearly written and illustrated gospel tracts from the 90’s. I so appreciated the many scripture footnotes. The writing was allegorical without being vague and instructional without being stodgy. I will certainly be sharing with friends, family, acquaintances, Internet strangers, you name it.
I wrote down too many excerpts to share here, but this one should stand out to any of us - “We generally see ourselves how we want to see ourselves. We see ourselves in the best and most forgiving light. In God's great mercy, however, He sometimes reveals a fraction of how our heart appears before Him. No human being will naturally go eagerly to those places. If left to ourselves we would never look fully and honestly and truthfully about who and what we are. It is grace, and grace alone, that orchestrates this process and allows us to see this reality.”
All I can say is “praise the Lord.”
Secondly, I began this book from a perspective of privilege in that I have been raised and pretty much always immersed in theologically sound churches, so while many of the experiences of our protagonist Verity in the Church of Piety and wanderings in Christian Deception were heartbreaking and unfamiliar to me, her self-doubt, self-condemnation, self-righteousness and pride were not at all unfamiliar.
This book is like a mashup of Pilgrim’s Progress, Divergent, and those clearly written and illustrated gospel tracts from the 90’s. I so appreciated the many scripture footnotes. The writing was allegorical without being vague and instructional without being stodgy. I will certainly be sharing with friends, family, acquaintances, Internet strangers, you name it.
I wrote down too many excerpts to share here, but this one should stand out to any of us - “We generally see ourselves how we want to see ourselves. We see ourselves in the best and most forgiving light. In God's great mercy, however, He sometimes reveals a fraction of how our heart appears before Him. No human being will naturally go eagerly to those places. If left to ourselves we would never look fully and honestly and truthfully about who and what we are. It is grace, and grace alone, that orchestrates this process and allows us to see this reality.”
All I can say is “praise the Lord.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
Absolutely Riveting
This book captures your attention within the first few paragraphs. As you follow Verity you can't help but feel her anguish as she searches for answers. This book is a must read!
This book captures your attention within the first few paragraphs. As you follow Verity you can't help but feel her anguish as she searches for answers. This book is a must read!
March 8, 2025
I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one evening. I was given a copy of the book to read and review. What a blessing! If you like Pilgrim’s Progress, you’ll love this book. Verity’s journey struck chords with my own Christian walk. Although my background is different from the background described in this allegory, the thoughts and feelings were similar to those I had on my path to Christ — the author has captured them fantastically. I can’t wait for the official release so that I can share copies with my friends.
July 24, 2025
Rebecca Pruett proves herself a remarkably talented author in The Shadow Gospel, crafting an unforgettable and deeply unsettling allegory that confronts the dark underbelly of distorted Christianity. With masterful storytelling and rich symbolism, she paints a disturbing yet necessary picture of how much damage can be done to the image of Christ when false teaching, pride, and spiritual manipulation are masked as "holiness."
What makes this book so powerful is how thought-provoking it is. Rooted firmly in Scripture, it holds a mirror to the dangerous ways people can mishandle the Gospel while still claiming to represent God. Pruett doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths: too often, people use religion as a weapon, and the result is deep hurt and disillusionment. This book gives voice to many who have silently wrestled with the question, "How can something claiming to be of God feel so wrong?"
And yet, amid the darkness, The Shadow Gospel carries a thread of hope. It gently encourages seekers not to give up. The reminder that “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6) is a lifeline for those who feel lost in the fog of religious abuse or confusion.
Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or someone healing from spiritual trauma, this book invites you to reflect, to question, and to pursue the true heart of God. It’s no wonder some avoid churches—but Pruett reminds us that while many people fail, God remains faithful.
A sobering, necessary read.
What makes this book so powerful is how thought-provoking it is. Rooted firmly in Scripture, it holds a mirror to the dangerous ways people can mishandle the Gospel while still claiming to represent God. Pruett doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths: too often, people use religion as a weapon, and the result is deep hurt and disillusionment. This book gives voice to many who have silently wrestled with the question, "How can something claiming to be of God feel so wrong?"
And yet, amid the darkness, The Shadow Gospel carries a thread of hope. It gently encourages seekers not to give up. The reminder that “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6) is a lifeline for those who feel lost in the fog of religious abuse or confusion.
Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or someone healing from spiritual trauma, this book invites you to reflect, to question, and to pursue the true heart of God. It’s no wonder some avoid churches—but Pruett reminds us that while many people fail, God remains faithful.
A sobering, necessary read.
April 13, 2025
The Shadow Gospel is a present-day allegory showing the deception in many modern churches. It reminded me much of Pilgrim's Progress. It is such a great read! Rebecca has a way words... she uses vibrant imagery and drew me in right away! I was walking along the journey with Verity, and it was if I was watching it in Ultra High Definition. The book is packed with Scripture and references. It is a must-read!
March 22, 2025
As a “newer” Christian, I appreciated how the book brought biblical truth to life while also exposing the dangers of false teachings. It opened my eyes to how easily deception can creep in and why it’s so important to stay grounded in God’s Word. The story was thought-provoking and full of spiritual depth with using symbolism. It helped me see the reality of spiritual warfare in a way I hadn’t considered before. The writing was engaging, and I couldn’t put it down!
April 7, 2025
I was unsure at the outset but once I settled into the writing style it was very easy to read. Allegorical similar to Pilgrims Progress. It is a truly heartbreaking, and yet gloriously beautiful story of the goodness of our God.
March 15, 2025
When Rebecca Pruett first posted about this book, looking for beta readers, I knew it was a book I was going to love as well as one to which I could relate. I was not wrong. The Shadow Gospel is a book that had me in tears as it so clearly taught the beauty of Jesus and finding rest in Him as our salvation vs the subtle counterfeit gospel message taught in so many fundamental and legalistic circles.
Follow the story of Verity Reed as she begins to question her Holiness/Pentecostal upbringing. It all seems so good and so right to her, until she starts to see the cracks in the very foundation of everything she had been taught. At first, she is reassured over and over that what she sees are not reality. But as time goes on, what she sees becomes too big to ignore and she is faced with leaving everything she has known all her life--her beliefs, her community, everything she has known--and step into the unknown. Will she have that courage?
The Shadow Gospel is written in a beautiful allegorical style, similar to Pilgrim's Progress. It is easy to read and filled with Scripture all throughout the book. I believe anyone who has come out of a legalistic background would be encouraged by it. It is for those who were taught the way to holiness and godliness was through doing all the right outward things. It is for those who were taught Jesus is the way to salvation, but found He was largely ignored as the focus was more on doing all the right things and looking right. It is for those who were struggled with fear and anxiety trying to make sure they stayed in right standing with God at all times. This book gives refreshing hope for those who are weary or have been weary, not because of the story itself, but because of the clear message of the gospel of Jesus it contains.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Follow the story of Verity Reed as she begins to question her Holiness/Pentecostal upbringing. It all seems so good and so right to her, until she starts to see the cracks in the very foundation of everything she had been taught. At first, she is reassured over and over that what she sees are not reality. But as time goes on, what she sees becomes too big to ignore and she is faced with leaving everything she has known all her life--her beliefs, her community, everything she has known--and step into the unknown. Will she have that courage?
The Shadow Gospel is written in a beautiful allegorical style, similar to Pilgrim's Progress. It is easy to read and filled with Scripture all throughout the book. I believe anyone who has come out of a legalistic background would be encouraged by it. It is for those who were taught the way to holiness and godliness was through doing all the right outward things. It is for those who were taught Jesus is the way to salvation, but found He was largely ignored as the focus was more on doing all the right things and looking right. It is for those who were struggled with fear and anxiety trying to make sure they stayed in right standing with God at all times. This book gives refreshing hope for those who are weary or have been weary, not because of the story itself, but because of the clear message of the gospel of Jesus it contains.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
April 30, 2025
I enjoyed the way the author showed how the gospel is misused and abused by false Christians, legalism, etc. I found some parts a little repetitive, some parts a little too preachy, but overall an enjoyable story. I think this would be a great book for teenagers to read, as they begin to own their faith.
July 14, 2025
I think this is a great book for everyone to read. Those who know Jesus, those who think they do, and those who want nothing to do with Him. I think it would be especially helpful for those who grew up in churches that taught that people can get to heaven in their own strength.
May 29, 2025
An allegory
This is a very different allegory than Pilgrims Progress. It offers a current perspective on how we get trapped in untruths about Christ and how He is the only answer.
This is a very different allegory than Pilgrims Progress. It offers a current perspective on how we get trapped in untruths about Christ and how He is the only answer.
August 30, 2025
Had some interesting aspects, but allegories aren’t my favorite…
November 3, 2025
Absolutely incredible and gripping story of going from living in the darkness of a false gospel, and into the light of true saving faith.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews