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The Caleb Books #2
A Man Called Blessed
One man holds the key to finding the ark of the covenant.
In this explosive sequel to Blessed Child, Rebecca Soloman leads a team deep into the Ethiopian desert to hunt the one man who may know the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. But Islamic fundamentalists fear that the Ark's discovery will compel Israel to rebuild Soloman's temple on the very site of their own holy mosque in Jerusalem.
They immediately dispatch Ismael, their most accomplished assassin, to pursue the same man, but the one in their sights is no ordinary man. His name is Caleb, and he is also on a quest--to find again the love he once embraced as a child.
The fate of a million souls rests in the hands of these three.
In this explosive sequel to Blessed Child, Rebecca Soloman leads a team deep into the Ethiopian desert to hunt the one man who may know the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. But Islamic fundamentalists fear that the Ark's discovery will compel Israel to rebuild Soloman's temple on the very site of their own holy mosque in Jerusalem.
They immediately dispatch Ismael, their most accomplished assassin, to pursue the same man, but the one in their sights is no ordinary man. His name is Caleb, and he is also on a quest--to find again the love he once embraced as a child.
The fate of a million souls rests in the hands of these three.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2002
85 people are currently reading
2976 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
191 books9,946 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
October 5, 2018
The conclusion was just as amazing as the beginning!
August 17, 2013
Ted Dekker is a big name in Christian fiction for a good reason. He has a captivating way of writing, with a carefully thought-out plot. Some books have too much fluff and move too slowly. Ted Dekker's talented story moves at an easy, although exciting pace. He used enough military and political jargon to give it depth and reality. There was a good amount of "spiritual talk" but he (and Bill Bright) says it with a new twist, showing God's presence in our hearts instead of in an artifact, such as the Ark of the Convenant.
What can draw a beautiful assassin and a peaceful man of God together? What one thing can first make a person confused and sorrowful, and next, bring relief and joy? How can a newly discovered relic such as the Ark of the Covenant NOT bring a major war? Read this novel to find out!
While the ending moves too fast for my taste, I did like how there was closure with the Ark. I kept wondering how it could possibly end. But I thought the ending was true to the story and the characters.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read Christian fiction. And I would expand that audience to those interested in archaeology. It's a modern story with a historical twist.
What can draw a beautiful assassin and a peaceful man of God together? What one thing can first make a person confused and sorrowful, and next, bring relief and joy? How can a newly discovered relic such as the Ark of the Covenant NOT bring a major war? Read this novel to find out!
While the ending moves too fast for my taste, I did like how there was closure with the Ark. I kept wondering how it could possibly end. But I thought the ending was true to the story and the characters.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read Christian fiction. And I would expand that audience to those interested in archaeology. It's a modern story with a historical twist.
January 29, 2022
As tension mounts between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations, David ben Solomon is convinced the only way for it to dissipate is to take it to the boiling point. Muslims have been in control of the Temple Mount for far too long and it is time for Israel to take back what is theirs. But the only way this will ever happen is if Israel decides to rebuild the Temple. And this will only happen if Israel has the Ark of the Covenant. Following some enigmatic leads, he sends his daughter, archaeologist-turned-assassin Rebecca ben Solomon, deep into the heart of Ethiopia to find the one man who may know the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Caleb.
Hot on her trail is an Islamic assassin named Ishmael, intent on killing Rebecca and her crew not just to satisfy a personal revenge but also to ensure that the Ark is never found. Chaos and cacophony surround the formerly peaceful monastery called Debra Demarro. Caleb flees into the desert, both to escape and to find himself. And that is only the beginning.
A Man Called Blessed picks up several years after Blessed Child. Caleb has grown but his faith has diminished. Life has become humdrum rather than a miracle. That childlike faith he once had seems to have disappeared. He now lives in the rebuilt remains of the monastery he grew up in, but the spiritual power it held seems to have vanished. The novel is one of searching: Caleb for his lost faith, Rebecca for the artifact she believes will save her people, Ishmael for the revenge he believes will save his people. Unfortunately, the political storyline of obtaining the artifact—it’s the Ark of the Covenant, of course—dominates the book, reducing what could have been a contemplative character study to a generic Indiana Jones knockoff.
The action is fine. The dialogue is a bit clunky. The pacing lags except for when there’s action, in which case it moves too quickly. The heart of the book should be the motivations of all the major players, but the focus is instead placed on the political and religious machinations behind it all. The idea that the Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia isn’t a fictional one. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, having safeguarded it since it was stolen from Jerusalem during the reign of Solomon. All of that is quite unlikely, but the legends of the Ark have persisted.
A Man Called Blessed is a story about the location of God’s presence, not one that sits upon a religious relic but one who lives in the heart of his people. That’s the theme of the book. While others seek the artifact or the revenge they believe will save them, Caleb rediscovers the true presence of God, not in any Ark but in his heart. If that theme had been developed in any substantial way, or if the plot had been anything but a generic quest action/adventure novel, A Man Called Blessed might have lived up to the expectations set by Blessed Child. It’s hardly the worst of Ted’s novels, but it might be the least original and the most stock Christian Fiction.
Hot on her trail is an Islamic assassin named Ishmael, intent on killing Rebecca and her crew not just to satisfy a personal revenge but also to ensure that the Ark is never found. Chaos and cacophony surround the formerly peaceful monastery called Debra Demarro. Caleb flees into the desert, both to escape and to find himself. And that is only the beginning.
A Man Called Blessed picks up several years after Blessed Child. Caleb has grown but his faith has diminished. Life has become humdrum rather than a miracle. That childlike faith he once had seems to have disappeared. He now lives in the rebuilt remains of the monastery he grew up in, but the spiritual power it held seems to have vanished. The novel is one of searching: Caleb for his lost faith, Rebecca for the artifact she believes will save her people, Ishmael for the revenge he believes will save his people. Unfortunately, the political storyline of obtaining the artifact—it’s the Ark of the Covenant, of course—dominates the book, reducing what could have been a contemplative character study to a generic Indiana Jones knockoff.
The action is fine. The dialogue is a bit clunky. The pacing lags except for when there’s action, in which case it moves too quickly. The heart of the book should be the motivations of all the major players, but the focus is instead placed on the political and religious machinations behind it all. The idea that the Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia isn’t a fictional one. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, having safeguarded it since it was stolen from Jerusalem during the reign of Solomon. All of that is quite unlikely, but the legends of the Ark have persisted.
A Man Called Blessed is a story about the location of God’s presence, not one that sits upon a religious relic but one who lives in the heart of his people. That’s the theme of the book. While others seek the artifact or the revenge they believe will save them, Caleb rediscovers the true presence of God, not in any Ark but in his heart. If that theme had been developed in any substantial way, or if the plot had been anything but a generic quest action/adventure novel, A Man Called Blessed might have lived up to the expectations set by Blessed Child. It’s hardly the worst of Ted’s novels, but it might be the least original and the most stock Christian Fiction.
August 29, 2025
Intriguing, inspiring, thrilling, enriching and spiritually enlightening. It was a great way to end the first in the series-“Blessed Child”. Caleb is all grown up, living with his parents in the restored monastery in Ethiopia. However, the Jews feel that the Ark of the Covenant is hidden in that monastery. The reader learns much about the Mount in Jerusalem and the many sects that want the people killed who want to put it on the Mount, and the Ark destroyed.
November 19, 2013
David Ben Solomon has dedicated his life to searching for the Ark of the Covenant in order to restore it to Jerusalem and welcome the Messiah. He has been joined in his quest by his daughter, Rebecca, an archaeologist and assassin. They Raphael Hadane, a Falasha Jew from Ethiopia, who tells them the information they seek is hidden in the Debra Damarro monastery in Ethiopia.
Caleb is twenty-five and has lived almost his whole life in the Debra Damarro monastery, first in the care of Father Matthew, now with his adoptive parents. He, apparently, holds the key to the location of the Ark. But not everyone wants the Ark found, and one man in particular is determined to stop Rebecca and Caleb …
A Man Called Blessed is the second in the Caleb Books series by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright. Dekker is famous for his suspense, and that came through in the novel. Bill Bright is famous for his non-fiction books on spiritual maturity, and that came through as well, with quotes such as these:
“You say that you may not be living up to your beliefs, but by definition, this is impossible. We always live up or down to our beliefs. Beliefs are the rails which govern our lives.”
“In reality, most people who call themselves Christians do not believe in Christ at all. Their train is not on his rails. They do not live what they say they believe, because in reality they don’t believe it.”
Thought-provoking.
What didn’t come through so well, for me, were likeable characters I could believe in and relate to. We didn’t see much of Caleb in the beginning, and it seemed as though he had a personality transplant when he arrived in the desert. It didn’t quite ring true. Equally, Rebecca seemed to morph from a military assassin into a stereotypical brash American tourist when she left the monastery. Neither transformation rang true to the characters as they had been established in this book (although the character of Caleb might have been consistent with the previous book, which I haven’t read).
And I had issues with the plot. Some aspects were incomprehensible (how to you build a crate around an object without ever touching said object?). Others felt contrived. Fiction uses a story to demonstrate truth. But one of the issues with fiction, especially Christian fiction, is that we don’t accept miracles in our novels, even though we know we serve a God of miracles. If you must have a miracle as a key plot point, that miracle must be foreshadowed—it must be signalled from the very beginning. It can’t just come out of nowhere. Otherwise it breaks one of the biggest ‘rules’ of fiction: the injunction against using deus ex machina to solve plot problems.
I also had issues with the writing, particularly the overuse of adverbs and exclamation marks, and the developing relationship between Rebecca and Caleb. I continually felt I was being told how they felt about each other—I never saw it.
On a more practical level, it was interesting to gain insight into the minds of the modern Jew and Muslim, especially Palestinian Muslims. There are serious problems in the Middle East, and A Man Called Blessed illustrated them well.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze® for providing a free ebook for review.
Caleb is twenty-five and has lived almost his whole life in the Debra Damarro monastery, first in the care of Father Matthew, now with his adoptive parents. He, apparently, holds the key to the location of the Ark. But not everyone wants the Ark found, and one man in particular is determined to stop Rebecca and Caleb …
A Man Called Blessed is the second in the Caleb Books series by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright. Dekker is famous for his suspense, and that came through in the novel. Bill Bright is famous for his non-fiction books on spiritual maturity, and that came through as well, with quotes such as these:
“You say that you may not be living up to your beliefs, but by definition, this is impossible. We always live up or down to our beliefs. Beliefs are the rails which govern our lives.”
“In reality, most people who call themselves Christians do not believe in Christ at all. Their train is not on his rails. They do not live what they say they believe, because in reality they don’t believe it.”
Thought-provoking.
What didn’t come through so well, for me, were likeable characters I could believe in and relate to. We didn’t see much of Caleb in the beginning, and it seemed as though he had a personality transplant when he arrived in the desert. It didn’t quite ring true. Equally, Rebecca seemed to morph from a military assassin into a stereotypical brash American tourist when she left the monastery. Neither transformation rang true to the characters as they had been established in this book (although the character of Caleb might have been consistent with the previous book, which I haven’t read).
And I had issues with the plot. Some aspects were incomprehensible (how to you build a crate around an object without ever touching said object?). Others felt contrived. Fiction uses a story to demonstrate truth. But one of the issues with fiction, especially Christian fiction, is that we don’t accept miracles in our novels, even though we know we serve a God of miracles. If you must have a miracle as a key plot point, that miracle must be foreshadowed—it must be signalled from the very beginning. It can’t just come out of nowhere. Otherwise it breaks one of the biggest ‘rules’ of fiction: the injunction against using deus ex machina to solve plot problems.
I also had issues with the writing, particularly the overuse of adverbs and exclamation marks, and the developing relationship between Rebecca and Caleb. I continually felt I was being told how they felt about each other—I never saw it.
On a more practical level, it was interesting to gain insight into the minds of the modern Jew and Muslim, especially Palestinian Muslims. There are serious problems in the Middle East, and A Man Called Blessed illustrated them well.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze® for providing a free ebook for review.
March 16, 2015
I didn't like this book as much as Blessed Child, which was great! Although the plot was interesting, it was hard to keep track of all the side stories and characters. A Man Called Blessed was too sappy and contained too much proselytizing.I honestly couldn't wait to finish it. Sorry Ted.
July 5, 2015
A great mystery
March 17, 2025
I liked "A Child Called Blessed" better.
The book had a couple of good moments, but for the most part struggled to get going.
I also disliked that main characters from the first book were very minor characters in the second. Then after a midway point were never mentioned again. We never found out what happened with Jason and Leah.
Some of the mystical elements were also a bit... weird.
I also had hopes even though small, that after the encounter with Caleb in the desert Ishmael would have a different story arc. That Ishmael and Rebecca would face off and that both would turn to the "Nazerene". When she killed him fairly unceremoniously itwas disappointing.
All in all, glad I read it. One thing that is bugging me, will we get another book about Caleb?
The book had a couple of good moments, but for the most part struggled to get going.
I also disliked that main characters from the first book were very minor characters in the second. Then after a midway point were never mentioned again. We never found out what happened with Jason and Leah.
Some of the mystical elements were also a bit... weird.
I also had hopes even though small, that after the encounter with Caleb in the desert Ishmael would have a different story arc. That Ishmael and Rebecca would face off and that both would turn to the "Nazerene". When she killed him fairly unceremoniously itwas disappointing.
All in all, glad I read it. One thing that is bugging me, will we get another book about Caleb?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2024
A Stunning Novel of Hope
Having read Blessed Child, I had high expectations of book 2 in the series.
A Man Called Blessed is a muscular thriller set in the powder keg of the Middle East. With gripping suspenseful, action packed scenes, politics, spirituality, and romance it's a terrifically entertaining novel. It's fast paced and full of friction, great drama, and supernatural wonder.
Caleb may be the central character but for me Rebecca stole the show. Her life is a shining testimony to one of my all time favourite themes: redemption.
A Man Called Blessed is quite simply, great.
Having read Blessed Child, I had high expectations of book 2 in the series.
A Man Called Blessed is a muscular thriller set in the powder keg of the Middle East. With gripping suspenseful, action packed scenes, politics, spirituality, and romance it's a terrifically entertaining novel. It's fast paced and full of friction, great drama, and supernatural wonder.
Caleb may be the central character but for me Rebecca stole the show. Her life is a shining testimony to one of my all time favourite themes: redemption.
A Man Called Blessed is quite simply, great.
December 30, 2020
3.5. A good ending to Caleb from the Book Blessed Child
August 31, 2008
15 years after the events in Blessed Child, Rebecca is sent to Ethiopia on a mission to fins and recover The Ark of the Covenant. Palestinian forces follow and try to stop her. As the Jews focus on the need to rebuild the Temple on the Mount, Arabs are mobilizing to make war.
Caleb is at the monastery and is forced to flee into the desert with Rebecca following him - he is the key to ark's location. Ismael following her to kill her. In the desert they find truth and love. And Caleb finds his beleif again.
There are betrayals and violence as the Ark makes it way to Jerusalum. Caleb and Rebecca following. Caleb forces all - Jews, Christians and Muslims to face the reality of God and true faith.
Really enjoyable story
Caleb is at the monastery and is forced to flee into the desert with Rebecca following him - he is the key to ark's location. Ismael following her to kill her. In the desert they find truth and love. And Caleb finds his beleif again.
There are betrayals and violence as the Ark makes it way to Jerusalum. Caleb and Rebecca following. Caleb forces all - Jews, Christians and Muslims to face the reality of God and true faith.
Really enjoyable story
February 14, 2016
The reader is in for a thrilling ride joining a group of Israeli soldiers into the Ethiopian desert looking for the lost Ark of the Covenant. The Arabs are determined to stop them and the war to end all wars is inevitable. Into the turmoil comes Caleb who grew up in the monastery where the ark was hidden. He disappeared into the desert to seek Christ whom he ardently loved as a child. The power of the Nazarene is made manifest in this intense book.
November 8, 2012
Ted Dekker's writing is always amazing, but A Man Called Blessed isn't as hard-hitting or edgy as most of his later works. Still, fans of Mr. Dekker's writings will find plenty to love about this one, though it helps to read Blessed Child first.
April 5, 2018
I liked book one better. There was a lot of action and it kept my attention but I thought there was too much of the side stories that fed into the main story. I also felt there was not enough about Caleb in this one.
February 15, 2024
A Man Called Blessed is the sequel to Blessed Child, which revolved around the beloved Caleb's journey. This novel, however, develops its plot around the Israel-Palestine conflict with a current focus on the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant. The story follows Rebecca and her Israeli squadron's search for the Ark in a certain remote monastery (wonder where the connection to the prequel is?) as well as Ismael in his attempt to thwart the Ark's discovery but more decidedly to kill Rebecca. Eventually, Caleb is unassumingly absorbed into the journey, and a stirring adventure between three parties unfold with the Ark at the centerpiece--its existence, and even its significance, in laced with uncertainty.
I was initially jarred by the initial disjointedness of this book from its prequel with Caleb hardly in sight in the first third of the story. When he finally appears, the only continuity from the first book was Leiah and Jason's marriage, Caleb's miraculous demonstrations, and his pure faithfulness to God in his childhood days. Once I stopped wondering what the developments of this book had to do with the events of the first, I was able to appreciate the intensity of the rising external and internal conflicts, in which the search for truth was thematic concurrently both outward and in.
In the midst of an action-packed fictive adventure, I appreciated the highlights of different elements surrounding the real-world history of the Israel-Palestine conflict; historical events and landmarks were deftly woven, prompting the reader with starting points to learn more about yet not taking away from the flow of the events in the story. Dekker once again did not fail to deliver enthralling battles with many dramatic stages in conjunction with battles of the heart within his characters.
While this book is by no means a citation for the objective analysis of world religions, I found it to be a fair take on the core motivations of and ensuing friction between the Islamic, Judaic, and Christian worldviews. I was ambivalent towards this book's ending; I found it abrupt, but I applaud Dekker for its inconspicuousness until the very end. I also recognize Dekker's attention to the sensitive nature of the plot's setting by avoiding a reckless conclusion that could send inadvertently charged messages toward the present real-world conflict.
I was initially jarred by the initial disjointedness of this book from its prequel with Caleb hardly in sight in the first third of the story. When he finally appears, the only continuity from the first book was Leiah and Jason's marriage, Caleb's miraculous demonstrations, and his pure faithfulness to God in his childhood days. Once I stopped wondering what the developments of this book had to do with the events of the first, I was able to appreciate the intensity of the rising external and internal conflicts, in which the search for truth was thematic concurrently both outward and in.
In the midst of an action-packed fictive adventure, I appreciated the highlights of different elements surrounding the real-world history of the Israel-Palestine conflict; historical events and landmarks were deftly woven, prompting the reader with starting points to learn more about yet not taking away from the flow of the events in the story. Dekker once again did not fail to deliver enthralling battles with many dramatic stages in conjunction with battles of the heart within his characters.
While this book is by no means a citation for the objective analysis of world religions, I found it to be a fair take on the core motivations of and ensuing friction between the Islamic, Judaic, and Christian worldviews. I was ambivalent towards this book's ending; I found it abrupt, but I applaud Dekker for its inconspicuousness until the very end. I also recognize Dekker's attention to the sensitive nature of the plot's setting by avoiding a reckless conclusion that could send inadvertently charged messages toward the present real-world conflict.
August 28, 2017
Amazing story. I liked A Man Called Blessed even more than Bright and Dekker's Blessed Child. This story related the young adult years of Caleb, the orphan boy who was adopted by Jason and Leiah in the first book. Caleb is back at the rebuilt monastery in Ethiopia with his parents, struggling to find his way as he has lost his ability to connect with God. In the meantime, Israel and her Arab neighbors are embroiled in the ongoing hatred of each other that consumes them. Enter Rebecca Solomon, trained Israeli soldier, who is on a mission to find the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. In a race against time, neighbor hostility, and bloodshed, Rebecca and Caleb find themselves on exhilarating and surprising journeys that draw each of them into the arms of God.
I was blown away by this story. Although the violence and killing in this book was probably the worst that I had read in any Christian book, they all seemed to serve the purpose of the story by not sanitizing the Middle Eastern conflict for our American "sensibilities."
My only complaint about this story is that Jason and Leiah's fate is never resolved, with the exception of a brief reference at the end to their continued existence. They drop out of the story halfway through. Other than that, I highly recommend this book (and its predecessor) to anyone who wants a glimpse of God's power and purpose in His children's lives as well as in the direction of the world. As Caleb says, "Do you want to walk off a cliff?"
I was blown away by this story. Although the violence and killing in this book was probably the worst that I had read in any Christian book, they all seemed to serve the purpose of the story by not sanitizing the Middle Eastern conflict for our American "sensibilities."
My only complaint about this story is that Jason and Leiah's fate is never resolved, with the exception of a brief reference at the end to their continued existence. They drop out of the story halfway through. Other than that, I highly recommend this book (and its predecessor) to anyone who wants a glimpse of God's power and purpose in His children's lives as well as in the direction of the world. As Caleb says, "Do you want to walk off a cliff?"
May 24, 2018
I put off reading this book because I didn't see how it could possibly be as great as "Blessed Child." Surprisingly, it's just as good.
When Rebecca Solomon and her father discover the Ark of the Covenant is hidden in Ethiopia, Rebecca and her team are dispatched immediately. Unbeknownst to her, an assassin with a grudge sets out after her with his own team. Not only are they supposed to stop Rebecca from bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, Ismael wants to make certain she doesn't return at all. Then there is Caleb, the Blessed Child who has grown into a man. He doesn't carry a gun like the people heading his way. How can he possibly stop them from tearing down his home in their pursuit of the Ark?
This magnificent novel is action-packed, with scenes that leave you breathless. I cared so much about Caleb and his parents, and I hated to think what was going to happen when these people reached their home. Amazingly, I cared about Rebecca as well. Her team was strictly forbidden to take lives. They were supposed to complete their mission without leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Too bad someone on her team had his own agenda...
I highly recommend this novel. It's as good as books get.
When Rebecca Solomon and her father discover the Ark of the Covenant is hidden in Ethiopia, Rebecca and her team are dispatched immediately. Unbeknownst to her, an assassin with a grudge sets out after her with his own team. Not only are they supposed to stop Rebecca from bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, Ismael wants to make certain she doesn't return at all. Then there is Caleb, the Blessed Child who has grown into a man. He doesn't carry a gun like the people heading his way. How can he possibly stop them from tearing down his home in their pursuit of the Ark?
This magnificent novel is action-packed, with scenes that leave you breathless. I cared so much about Caleb and his parents, and I hated to think what was going to happen when these people reached their home. Amazingly, I cared about Rebecca as well. Her team was strictly forbidden to take lives. They were supposed to complete their mission without leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Too bad someone on her team had his own agenda...
I highly recommend this novel. It's as good as books get.
October 25, 2017
"A Man Called Blessed" is a sequel to "Blessed Child", which was a story about a child named Caleb who grew up in a monastery in Ethiopia after being left there as an infant. He had special powers from Heaven and he tries to use them to make the world a better place. "A Man Called Blessed" is this child as a grown man and he's lost his faith and power, but due to a band of Jewish people looking for the Ark of the Covenant thought to be in his monastery, he finds his faith and power again, and also finds love in one of the Jewish people looking for the Ark, a woman named Rebecca. Caleb once again uses his powers to try to save the world once again. It's a very beautiful story with plenty of romance and action to keep everyone who reads it entertained. I recommend reading "Blessed Child' before "A Man Called Blessed", although each story can stand on it's own.
March 19, 2018
This book was written by bill bright and Decker. I loved Bright’s theology (until the end), disliked Decker’s love story. The premise that stuck with me was taking God at his word and jump off our cliff of unbelief. God wants to do as he said to those that came before us. I loved the Jewish factor except for the main female character. She was a drag that was obsessed with having a husband and babies. The love story SUCKED! Without it this would be maybe in the top up till the end. Caleb ends up melting the ark and what’s inside, the point being we are the ark of the covenant now, which I love. I want to be the ark, but I disliked the way they came about it. I feel like Israel was kind of kicked out in this book. I would recommend with a warning.
July 4, 2018
Wow! I just finished this book after reading the first in the series many years ago. ( it was first published in 2001). If you desire a closer walk with Jesus or want of glimpse of what it looks like to walk with God I highly recommend both this book and the first one called “Blessed Child”. There is just so much wisdom and life in these books!
Ted Dekker co-wrote this book with Bill Bright, who was the man who God used to start Campus Crusade for Christ ( now call CRU) so you have the exceptional writing of Ted Dekker commingled with the wisdom that Bill Bright gained from walking by faith with God for many years. A rare combination.
Ted Dekker co-wrote this book with Bill Bright, who was the man who God used to start Campus Crusade for Christ ( now call CRU) so you have the exceptional writing of Ted Dekker commingled with the wisdom that Bill Bright gained from walking by faith with God for many years. A rare combination.
July 22, 2019
I didn't finish the book. I found myself forcing myself to read it for your sake to finish it.
Overall the sorry is good. Finding the Ark of the Covenant gives an Indiana Jones feel to the story. What prevented me from continuing was the lack of realism.
The military tactics and jargon seemed fake. I do not believe that Isralie militants would take the way the characters talked or thought, along with the Muslim antagonist.
I like Ted Dekker as an author. However, I would have liked to have seen more research on the part of the military.
Overall the sorry is good. Finding the Ark of the Covenant gives an Indiana Jones feel to the story. What prevented me from continuing was the lack of realism.
The military tactics and jargon seemed fake. I do not believe that Isralie militants would take the way the characters talked or thought, along with the Muslim antagonist.
I like Ted Dekker as an author. However, I would have liked to have seen more research on the part of the military.
November 18, 2019
I read Blessed Child years ago, and I think it probably had more impact on me than this book. First of all, I did appreciate the setting. I also enjoyed the challenge to how I think about faith and God’s power. There were some good, thought-provoking questions to chew on and a reminder that faith is supposed to be living and evident. On the other hand, it just fell a little flat for me — a bit cheesy and the characters felt off. It’s just not my typical genre, and I appreciate more character development.
June 19, 2020
A Israeli women, soldier in search of the Lost Ark of the Covenant. If she finds the Ark Israel0
can rebuild the Temple. She is pursed by Islamic fundamentalists set on stopping her. They all want to find Caleb who as a boy possed great faith in God but as a man lost that faith. He is in search of his lost faith. They all think he knows where the Ark is located. It is a story of suspence & betrayal. But the center of the story is Caleb and his finding his faith. This a story of the power & action of faith in God and God working through Caleb's faith. The book is also a deep love story.
can rebuild the Temple. She is pursed by Islamic fundamentalists set on stopping her. They all want to find Caleb who as a boy possed great faith in God but as a man lost that faith. He is in search of his lost faith. They all think he knows where the Ark is located. It is a story of suspence & betrayal. But the center of the story is Caleb and his finding his faith. This a story of the power & action of faith in God and God working through Caleb's faith. The book is also a deep love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2025
Another Great Read!
Oh wow! It was a bit slower getting into the story than in the first book, but then it got going! I didn’t care for all the political back and forth between the Jewish leaders and then the Arabs. But all in all it was a great story about the Ark of the Covenant. I loved that Caleb kept stressing that the true Ark is in our heart. I also loved the many God interventions described in the book. Great read again! I’ve purchased two more sets for my grandkids to read.
Oh wow! It was a bit slower getting into the story than in the first book, but then it got going! I didn’t care for all the political back and forth between the Jewish leaders and then the Arabs. But all in all it was a great story about the Ark of the Covenant. I loved that Caleb kept stressing that the true Ark is in our heart. I also loved the many God interventions described in the book. Great read again! I’ve purchased two more sets for my grandkids to read.
April 18, 2019
Good sequel
A Man Called Blessed is a pretty good sequel to A Child Called Blessed but I think I’m partial to former. I enjoyed the story as I always do with Ted’s books and was moved by the message of reclaiming your faith. It’s a beautiful reminder of the new covenant. I didn’t love the ending though. A bit anticlimactic for me. Plus I am still unclear about what happened to Ismael. Is he dead? Did Rebecca just knock him out? Not my favorite but still a good read.
A Man Called Blessed is a pretty good sequel to A Child Called Blessed but I think I’m partial to former. I enjoyed the story as I always do with Ted’s books and was moved by the message of reclaiming your faith. It’s a beautiful reminder of the new covenant. I didn’t love the ending though. A bit anticlimactic for me. Plus I am still unclear about what happened to Ismael. Is he dead? Did Rebecca just knock him out? Not my favorite but still a good read.
January 2, 2025
This story was good, and the message of the book is good, but I feel like there were some holes in the plot I would have liked to seen filled. I loved Rebecca, she is an amazing character! The twist at the end just left me a bit confused and I didn’t quite know what exactly had happened. Also, to me the military and history chapters were pretty boring. But if you’re into that kind of stuff, you will like this book very much!
August 3, 2018
This book continues the story of Caleb, the boy who the Holy Spirit moved through, from the book Blessed Child. It asks the question where does our faith come from and how do we find it once we’ve lost sight of it? Rebecca Soloman is seeking the Ark of the Covenant and Caleb is seeking God. How will they both find what they are after?
August 25, 2020
This was the first Ted Dekker novel I read, back in 2004. I was attracted by the plot surrounding the Ark of the Covenant and the geopolitical implications, but I was also moved by its portrayal of what faith in God is like.
With mysterious but interesting characters and a resounding message, A Man Called Blessed holds a dear place in my heart.
With mysterious but interesting characters and a resounding message, A Man Called Blessed holds a dear place in my heart.
April 14, 2021
Awesome closure
One of Dekker's better books and series. It had everything, and more. Two stronger biblical names for the main characters could not have been found. Thoroughly recommend this to anyone who likes Biblical mysteries, or historical fiction - with flare for supernatural.
One of Dekker's better books and series. It had everything, and more. Two stronger biblical names for the main characters could not have been found. Thoroughly recommend this to anyone who likes Biblical mysteries, or historical fiction - with flare for supernatural.
January 16, 2022
Terrific! Kept getting better and better, especially that last third. Super solid story, good characters (even though Caleb was at times all over the place), and I appreciated particular covenantal theology woven into the fabric of the 'why' of everybody's actions. Good stuff, Mr Dekker! This is why you're one of my favorites! :)
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