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Satan's Dare: A Novel
"Satan's Dare is different from any other Jim DeMint book, and it very well may be his most important." —Glenn Beck
"Satan's Dare is a powerful story that will confirm the faith of Christians and challenge skeptics to search for real truth." —Dr. M. G. "Pat" Robertson
The Bible is often presented as an antiquated document filled with mysterious prophesies, unbelievable fables, and arbitrary decisions by a God whose actions range from anger and vengeance to love and forgiveness. The Bible's creation story appears to be at complete odds with more credible scientific explanations of the origins and evolution of life. And believers in Biblical truth are further challenged by haunting questions about why a good God would create a world so full of evil, pain, suffering and death. Satan's Dare takes these issues and questions head on.
"Satan's Dare is a powerful story that will confirm the faith of Christians and challenge skeptics to search for real truth." —Dr. M. G. "Pat" Robertson
The Bible is often presented as an antiquated document filled with mysterious prophesies, unbelievable fables, and arbitrary decisions by a God whose actions range from anger and vengeance to love and forgiveness. The Bible's creation story appears to be at complete odds with more credible scientific explanations of the origins and evolution of life. And believers in Biblical truth are further challenged by haunting questions about why a good God would create a world so full of evil, pain, suffering and death. Satan's Dare takes these issues and questions head on.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2021
27 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Jim DeMint
21 books18 followersJames Warren "Jim" DeMint (born September 2, 1951) is an American politician who was a United States Senator from South Carolina from 2005 to 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leading member in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the United States Representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district from 1999 to 2005. DeMint resigned from the Senate on January 1, 2013, to become president of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
DeMint was born in Greenville, South Carolina, one of four children. His parents, Betty W. (née Rawlings) and Thomas Eugene DeMint,[5] divorced when he was five years old.[6] Following the divorce, Betty DeMint operated a dance studio out of the family's home.[7][8]
DeMint was educated at Christ Church Episcopal School and Wade Hampton High School in Greenville. DeMint played drums for a cover band called Salt & Pepper. He received a bachelor's degree in 1973 from the University of Tennessee, where he was a part of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and received an MBA in 1981 from Clemson University. DeMint's wife Debbie is one of three children of Greenville advertising entrepreneur James Marvin Henderson, Sr.
DeMint joined his father-in-law’s advertising firm in Greenville in 1981, working in the field of market research. In 1983, he founded The DeMint Group, a research firm with businesses, schools, colleges, and hospitals as clients. DeMint’s first involvement in politics began in 1992, when he was hired by Republican Representative Bob Inglis in his campaign for South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District. Inglis defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Liz J. Patterson, and DeMint performed message-testing and marketing for Inglis through two more successful elections. In 1998, Inglis ran for the U.S. Senate, and DeMint left his firm to run for Inglis’ old seat.
DeMint was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999 and served South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District until 2005, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. His peers elected him to be president of his GOP freshman class. DeMint pledged to serve only three terms in the House, and in 2003 he announced his run for the Senate seat of outgoing Democrat Ernest Hollings in the 2004 election cycle.
In November 2004, DeMint defeated Inez Tenenbaum, South Carolina's education superintendent, to fill Ernest Hollings' vacated seat in the 109th United States Congress. For his first term, he was appointed to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Special Committee on Aging. In 2006, DeMint began leading the Senate Steering Committee. DeMint also served as a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In 2008, DeMint formed the Senate Conservatives Fund, a political action committee with the intention of supporting conservative candidates that may have otherwise been overlooked by the national party.
As a member of the 111th United States Congress, DeMint joined the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. In 2009, DeMint was one of two Senators who voted against Hillary Clinton's appointment to Secretary of State, and the next year he introduced legislation to completely repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. Later in 2010, he introduced another piece of legislation titled the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, which aimed to require congressional approval of any major regulation change made by a federal agency. At the end of his first term, DeMint was appointed to the Senate Impeachment Trial Committee regarding the impeachment of federal judge Thomas Porteous.
DeMint was reelected in 2010, at which time he became the highest-ranking elected official associated with the Tea Party. During the first year of his
DeMint was born in Greenville, South Carolina, one of four children. His parents, Betty W. (née Rawlings) and Thomas Eugene DeMint,[5] divorced when he was five years old.[6] Following the divorce, Betty DeMint operated a dance studio out of the family's home.[7][8]
DeMint was educated at Christ Church Episcopal School and Wade Hampton High School in Greenville. DeMint played drums for a cover band called Salt & Pepper. He received a bachelor's degree in 1973 from the University of Tennessee, where he was a part of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and received an MBA in 1981 from Clemson University. DeMint's wife Debbie is one of three children of Greenville advertising entrepreneur James Marvin Henderson, Sr.
DeMint joined his father-in-law’s advertising firm in Greenville in 1981, working in the field of market research. In 1983, he founded The DeMint Group, a research firm with businesses, schools, colleges, and hospitals as clients. DeMint’s first involvement in politics began in 1992, when he was hired by Republican Representative Bob Inglis in his campaign for South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District. Inglis defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Liz J. Patterson, and DeMint performed message-testing and marketing for Inglis through two more successful elections. In 1998, Inglis ran for the U.S. Senate, and DeMint left his firm to run for Inglis’ old seat.
DeMint was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999 and served South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District until 2005, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. His peers elected him to be president of his GOP freshman class. DeMint pledged to serve only three terms in the House, and in 2003 he announced his run for the Senate seat of outgoing Democrat Ernest Hollings in the 2004 election cycle.
In November 2004, DeMint defeated Inez Tenenbaum, South Carolina's education superintendent, to fill Ernest Hollings' vacated seat in the 109th United States Congress. For his first term, he was appointed to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Special Committee on Aging. In 2006, DeMint began leading the Senate Steering Committee. DeMint also served as a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In 2008, DeMint formed the Senate Conservatives Fund, a political action committee with the intention of supporting conservative candidates that may have otherwise been overlooked by the national party.
As a member of the 111th United States Congress, DeMint joined the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. In 2009, DeMint was one of two Senators who voted against Hillary Clinton's appointment to Secretary of State, and the next year he introduced legislation to completely repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. Later in 2010, he introduced another piece of legislation titled the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, which aimed to require congressional approval of any major regulation change made by a federal agency. At the end of his first term, DeMint was appointed to the Senate Impeachment Trial Committee regarding the impeachment of federal judge Thomas Porteous.
DeMint was reelected in 2010, at which time he became the highest-ranking elected official associated with the Tea Party. During the first year of his
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 21, 2021
Long winded and repetitive. This was basically just a collection of monologues.
August 14, 2021
Very repetitive. Some strange beliefs that I don’t share with the author. But we agree on the main thing-Jesus’ blood
August 1, 2022
The book tries to answer too many good questions and ends up not addressing any of them well.
This book is fiction, but should not have been. The narrative/story is weak and serves no purpose other than to stage "debates" between the two main characters and brainstorming sessions about theology in between the debates. I think the author should have just tried to clearly communicate his theological ideas and provide support for them rather than try to make a story out of it. While there are many characters in the book, it is clear there is really only one character: the author. All the characters are just opportunities to channel his opinions and explain his insane theology. After all, the characters all end up independently and miraculously arriving at the same conclusions about life's most difficult questions, like the problem of evil and suffering, and reconciling faith and science. Imagine throwing in a handful of Hallmark-esque-gag-me moments and you have a decent idea of how this book goes.
After reading the entire book, I remain confused about how the author's theology fits together, or maybe I just can't come to accept several of his assumptions that would be needed to accept what is built on top of them. For instance, the author believes that we all pre-existed in a spiritual realm before we were born, and at that point, we decided whether we were one of God's children or not. So our salvation was decided by us... before we were born. I cannot accept that. It is a fun idea, but is not at all supported by scripture. The book is full of what I would call wild suppositions built in layers.
The "science" treatment in the book is atrocious. The author did not do his science homework. I can't figure out where his is going. He says the earth is maybe millions of years old (okay, why not the accepted approximately 4.5 billion?) and that the days of creation were not literal 24 hour periods, so I was prepared for the usual old earth creationist models. But then he takes a turn and affirms all the usual young earth creationist ideas about the flood catastrophically shaping the face of the globe over a year. Why say the earth is old and turn around and leave no reason for it to be old? Also, he attempts to refute "random evolution" with statistics and suggests an alternative that species were programmed to develop. I am begging to hear what the actual difference is. I guess in the author's view, evolution would be evil and somehow disprove God, so we should steer clear of the term and suggest the same damn thing under different terminology?
Look, I can rip on this book all day, and yet I somehow gave it two whole stars. The reality is that it made me think, which I think the author wanted me to do. I need to try to sort out what was being said, and in the process, I have to come to terms with how I think through these problems. Like, I know I disagree with the author on a lot of things, or maybe a few key things, but why? What do I actually believe? The book has caused me to think about this a lot, so credit must be given where it is due.
This book is fiction, but should not have been. The narrative/story is weak and serves no purpose other than to stage "debates" between the two main characters and brainstorming sessions about theology in between the debates. I think the author should have just tried to clearly communicate his theological ideas and provide support for them rather than try to make a story out of it. While there are many characters in the book, it is clear there is really only one character: the author. All the characters are just opportunities to channel his opinions and explain his insane theology. After all, the characters all end up independently and miraculously arriving at the same conclusions about life's most difficult questions, like the problem of evil and suffering, and reconciling faith and science. Imagine throwing in a handful of Hallmark-esque-gag-me moments and you have a decent idea of how this book goes.
After reading the entire book, I remain confused about how the author's theology fits together, or maybe I just can't come to accept several of his assumptions that would be needed to accept what is built on top of them. For instance, the author believes that we all pre-existed in a spiritual realm before we were born, and at that point, we decided whether we were one of God's children or not. So our salvation was decided by us... before we were born. I cannot accept that. It is a fun idea, but is not at all supported by scripture. The book is full of what I would call wild suppositions built in layers.
The "science" treatment in the book is atrocious. The author did not do his science homework. I can't figure out where his is going. He says the earth is maybe millions of years old (okay, why not the accepted approximately 4.5 billion?) and that the days of creation were not literal 24 hour periods, so I was prepared for the usual old earth creationist models. But then he takes a turn and affirms all the usual young earth creationist ideas about the flood catastrophically shaping the face of the globe over a year. Why say the earth is old and turn around and leave no reason for it to be old? Also, he attempts to refute "random evolution" with statistics and suggests an alternative that species were programmed to develop. I am begging to hear what the actual difference is. I guess in the author's view, evolution would be evil and somehow disprove God, so we should steer clear of the term and suggest the same damn thing under different terminology?
Look, I can rip on this book all day, and yet I somehow gave it two whole stars. The reality is that it made me think, which I think the author wanted me to do. I need to try to sort out what was being said, and in the process, I have to come to terms with how I think through these problems. Like, I know I disagree with the author on a lot of things, or maybe a few key things, but why? What do I actually believe? The book has caused me to think about this a lot, so credit must be given where it is due.
August 19, 2021
I listened to ~70% of this audiobook. Had I not listened at 2x to 2.5x speed, I would not have gotten that far. This book is extremely, unnecessarily, agonizingly long. I had been listening while sewing and saw that I was only 25% through and had another 9-10 hours (assuming normal speed) to go.
The title declares this book is a "novel", and there is a weak plot. However, the "plot" is a vehicle for a series of monologues and discussions of nontraditional biblical interpretations. These interpretations were interesting, at least they were at first. Then the whole format became tiresome. I decided I did not want to listen to any more of this book, which is unfortunate, because I did find some of the arguments interesting. I was just too put off by religious theory masquerading as a novel. The scant story line and characters were completely boring and contrived. I did not care about them or their ridiculous situations.
In my opinion, the author should have written a nonfictional account of his research and theories. I probably would have finished that book. He obviously knows the subject and has invested a great deal of thought and research into the topic. I think a nonfiction book would also appeal to a wider audience. I found the approach he chose to be almost dishonest, as though he is trying to hide his religious agenda in a work of fiction.
The theories were intriguing but the execution failed completely.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.
The title declares this book is a "novel", and there is a weak plot. However, the "plot" is a vehicle for a series of monologues and discussions of nontraditional biblical interpretations. These interpretations were interesting, at least they were at first. Then the whole format became tiresome. I decided I did not want to listen to any more of this book, which is unfortunate, because I did find some of the arguments interesting. I was just too put off by religious theory masquerading as a novel. The scant story line and characters were completely boring and contrived. I did not care about them or their ridiculous situations.
In my opinion, the author should have written a nonfictional account of his research and theories. I probably would have finished that book. He obviously knows the subject and has invested a great deal of thought and research into the topic. I think a nonfiction book would also appeal to a wider audience. I found the approach he chose to be almost dishonest, as though he is trying to hide his religious agenda in a work of fiction.
The theories were intriguing but the execution failed completely.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.
July 20, 2022
Actually, no stars, for the damage this book may do to those who are not confident in their faith. Please remember, this is FICTION. I don’t understand how so many prominent leaders in the Christian community can give this accolades.
It’s painfully long and boring, just one lecture after after another, trying to present alternate theories of Biblical creation and the book of Revelation. Interspersed are the story lines of two men who experience tragedy in their lives, yet all their heartache is erased as one perfect blessing after another is showered on them.
Everything in their lives is just perfect, from their homes, their babies, their careers, their students, their fame, their surroundings, even the hot dogs they barbecue. Any true Christian will tell you, that is not what Christianity promises. Jesus tells us, we live in a troubled world and will experience hardships. These people have estates and private jets.
It’s really heavy on the idea of predestination, something I don’t think even the wisest of Biblical scholars can agree on. I wonder if the author truly believes this stuff, and if this is what’s being taught in seminaries. That might explain why so many churches are struggling, God has removed His blessing for the distortion of Biblical truth. Might be a good idea to read those letters of warning to the seven churches in Revelation.
It’s painfully long and boring, just one lecture after after another, trying to present alternate theories of Biblical creation and the book of Revelation. Interspersed are the story lines of two men who experience tragedy in their lives, yet all their heartache is erased as one perfect blessing after another is showered on them.
Everything in their lives is just perfect, from their homes, their babies, their careers, their students, their fame, their surroundings, even the hot dogs they barbecue. Any true Christian will tell you, that is not what Christianity promises. Jesus tells us, we live in a troubled world and will experience hardships. These people have estates and private jets.
It’s really heavy on the idea of predestination, something I don’t think even the wisest of Biblical scholars can agree on. I wonder if the author truly believes this stuff, and if this is what’s being taught in seminaries. That might explain why so many churches are struggling, God has removed His blessing for the distortion of Biblical truth. Might be a good idea to read those letters of warning to the seven churches in Revelation.
June 4, 2021
Oh good grief!
This book had so much potential. Unfortunately the author gets so wacky with scripture it became unbearable. I made it to about 50% before I couldn't take it any longer. His view of Jesus having to be born, go through life in order to become a spirit. Has he not read the first chapter of John?
But when I got yo the "holding room" and he said that all spirits go to heaven including animals, that was the last straw. Has he not read that we were made in the image of the Tribune God? We are body souls and spirit. Animals do not share that.
Oh and the humans before Adam and Eve? His theory is a stretch. I won't denounce it but it's a stretch.
If you are not grounded in the Word... thoroughly grounded, avoid this book. It will confuse you. If you want to be able to defend your faith there are great books like Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands a Verdict. There's also zI Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. The author's name eludes me at the moment.
This book had so much potential. Unfortunately the author gets so wacky with scripture it became unbearable. I made it to about 50% before I couldn't take it any longer. His view of Jesus having to be born, go through life in order to become a spirit. Has he not read the first chapter of John?
But when I got yo the "holding room" and he said that all spirits go to heaven including animals, that was the last straw. Has he not read that we were made in the image of the Tribune God? We are body souls and spirit. Animals do not share that.
Oh and the humans before Adam and Eve? His theory is a stretch. I won't denounce it but it's a stretch.
If you are not grounded in the Word... thoroughly grounded, avoid this book. It will confuse you. If you want to be able to defend your faith there are great books like Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands a Verdict. There's also zI Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. The author's name eludes me at the moment.
May 23, 2021
I just finished reading "Satan's Dare", by former U.S. Senator Jim DeMint. Very interesting read on a tough moral issue (Why do bad things happen to good people?) Like "The Chosen", I'm sure some of its ideas expressed will seem heretical, but nonetheless are well worth a read.
One specific example of a debatable point: this book speculates that the U.S. may be Babylon in the end times, which I found interesting because the last book I read before this one (another good one, "The Last Hour", by Amir Tsarfati) pointed out with equal firmness that the U.S. barely rates a mention in the end times.
One specific example of a debatable point: this book speculates that the U.S. may be Babylon in the end times, which I found interesting because the last book I read before this one (another good one, "The Last Hour", by Amir Tsarfati) pointed out with equal firmness that the U.S. barely rates a mention in the end times.
December 14, 2024
Shallow and bizarre - definitely not biblical
This book consists of essentially two interspersed components: a lot of speeches and a plot to try to justify calling it a novel.
The plot is as shallow, unrealistic, predictable, and saccharine as every Hallmark film.
The long passages trying to be theology and reasoning are shallow, sloppy, self-contradictory, and full of holes for anyone familiar with the Bible or with science - ironic, since the novel's characters claim to be demonstrating the truth and rationality of the Bible.
The style throughout is very stiff, like a bad movie script with stage directions awkwardly forced into the dialogue.
This book consists of essentially two interspersed components: a lot of speeches and a plot to try to justify calling it a novel.
The plot is as shallow, unrealistic, predictable, and saccharine as every Hallmark film.
The long passages trying to be theology and reasoning are shallow, sloppy, self-contradictory, and full of holes for anyone familiar with the Bible or with science - ironic, since the novel's characters claim to be demonstrating the truth and rationality of the Bible.
The style throughout is very stiff, like a bad movie script with stage directions awkwardly forced into the dialogue.
July 22, 2021
This book was a very interesting read, very in depth study of the Bible, mixed in with a story of believers and non believers. I will re read this to catch some of the details, I think it is a great place to start if you are questioning the Bible and purpose of life, and Gods hand in all of it.
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June 2, 2021Well written, very explanatory! Enjoyed the book!
February 20, 2022
Thought provoking!
I've appreciated Jim DeMint as a politician, but I say 'well done, good and faithful servant!' as a follower of Christ our Savior! See you later brother!
I've appreciated Jim DeMint as a politician, but I say 'well done, good and faithful servant!' as a follower of Christ our Savior! See you later brother!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews