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Kingdom Come
Central North Carolina hasn't seen much change in over 50 years…but suddenly people who have been there for generations are leaving the small farming settlements-lock, stock, and barrel. When massive warehouses surrounded by metal fencing seem to go up overnight, local businesses are bought out, and more than 6,000 families establish residence in a community named Kingdom Come, the FBI begins to suspect cult activity. Agent Ben Atkins is sent to investigate, and though he does sense something major happening, he is not convinced it is sinister. In fact, as he moves in for a closer look, he begins to wonder if those on the inside of Kingdom Come are working to keep evil out. But time is running short for him to discover the truth, as unexpected enemies-law enforcement agencies, media groups, and even the church hierarchy-threaten the community's existence.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2001
22 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Larry Burkett
304 books56 followersLarry Burkett was an American radio personality whose work focused on financial counseling from a Christian point of view.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 25, 2017
Build a town in the middle of nowhere with a high population of Christians and prison regulation fencing around the perimeter, and sorry, but that just looks bad. The government thinks it a cult, the media thinks it a story, and the Christian leaders are suspicious. Since I didn’t remember the story that well, I was interested to discover just what it all meant.
The authors did an amazing job of showing me just how complicated people are! The plot was built off conflicting desires, prejudices, and beliefs. Many characters were either trying to do what was right or climb the ladder. (Sometimes both.) Everyone wanted something, and those wants rubbed against each other in a such a human, realistic way. Even the respected leader of the community wasn’t shown as sinless and unable to err. Something I noticed (after my mom pointed it out) was that that “choppy writing style” I had disliked was actually a very subtle form of characterization. Whenever the main character, who happens to be an FBI agent, sizes someone up it gives approximate age, height, and even some minute details just like he would gather in his mind. (It was also fun to note that when it was from the journalist’s point of view, the descriptions were more general and poetic.) The main characters were neat, but my favorites actually ended up being some side pastors who were very fun and vibrant for the Lord. :D
One of the first things I was impressed with was This is a huge deal to me, because I feel like when Christians talk about building this kind of community, it goes hand in hand with being politically radical and antinomian.
But what about being “in the world and not of it”? I love the ideal of a community where our children are safe, morals decreed by the Gospel rule, and everything’s just peachy. But--evangelism. It was neat to see Kingdom Come thought of more as a (Take that, establishment money-mongering churchianity!)
The one thing that still stuck me though was that fence. It was amazing to see that They wondered about things and doubted their calling to build the community at several points but took it as a matter of faith.
Some of the theology (especially when it got slightly Pentecostal in the revival meetings or used the term that God “raised up a prophet”) made me wonder at times. I always want people to be really careful in those situations to test the spirits. That said, I believe the Holy Spirit can move however He wants to! That’s really not mine to judge unless I am called to test the spirits in my own life.
Not recommended for younger readers because of complicated themes, children in slight danger, and one use of a very mild expletive.
Best quote:
Altogether, I found this to be a great example of humanity and Christianity with a complicated and exciting story to boot!
The authors did an amazing job of showing me just how complicated people are! The plot was built off conflicting desires, prejudices, and beliefs. Many characters were either trying to do what was right or climb the ladder. (Sometimes both.) Everyone wanted something, and those wants rubbed against each other in a such a human, realistic way. Even the respected leader of the community wasn’t shown as sinless and unable to err. Something I noticed (after my mom pointed it out) was that that “choppy writing style” I had disliked was actually a very subtle form of characterization. Whenever the main character, who happens to be an FBI agent, sizes someone up it gives approximate age, height, and even some minute details just like he would gather in his mind. (It was also fun to note that when it was from the journalist’s point of view, the descriptions were more general and poetic.) The main characters were neat, but my favorites actually ended up being some side pastors who were very fun and vibrant for the Lord. :D
One of the first things I was impressed with was This is a huge deal to me, because I feel like when Christians talk about building this kind of community, it goes hand in hand with being politically radical and antinomian.
But what about being “in the world and not of it”? I love the ideal of a community where our children are safe, morals decreed by the Gospel rule, and everything’s just peachy. But--evangelism. It was neat to see Kingdom Come thought of more as a (Take that, establishment money-mongering churchianity!)
The one thing that still stuck me though was that fence. It was amazing to see that They wondered about things and doubted their calling to build the community at several points but took it as a matter of faith.
Some of the theology (especially when it got slightly Pentecostal in the revival meetings or used the term that God “raised up a prophet”) made me wonder at times. I always want people to be really careful in those situations to test the spirits. That said, I believe the Holy Spirit can move however He wants to! That’s really not mine to judge unless I am called to test the spirits in my own life.
Not recommended for younger readers because of complicated themes, children in slight danger, and one use of a very mild expletive.
Best quote:
Altogether, I found this to be a great example of humanity and Christianity with a complicated and exciting story to boot!
October 21, 2017
I admit I got distracted and read it in few parts. I was not familiar with the authors, which likely aided in keeping me on the edge as to what was the true nature of this community. The characters were somewhat flat and predictable for the most part and the end... Kind of left hanging...
January 1, 2019
Nice surprise
I really appreciated the unpredictability of this novel. It demolishes cultural stereotypes and promotes the triumph of good over evil. The characters are people you can feel good about.
I really appreciated the unpredictability of this novel. It demolishes cultural stereotypes and promotes the triumph of good over evil. The characters are people you can feel good about.
June 17, 2019
Exciting read! It was scary to contemplate the lengths the government would go to assert its power.
August 18, 2019
On my, awesome book!
This book is so spell binding. I didn't want to put it down. Story keeps you on your toes. Worth the read and may God bless the work of the authors.
This book is so spell binding. I didn't want to put it down. Story keeps you on your toes. Worth the read and may God bless the work of the authors.
June 14, 2020
This was a very good story, but the only disappointing bit for me, was the ending.... it seems to just stop, but a part from that... very good.
May 22, 2011
This is my new favorite book! I'm not much of a reader, unless the book captures me in the first chapter I have difficulty finishing it and staying focused. This is one of those books that "had me" you know type you bring it with you everywhere just to get a chapter in when ever you can. It was a book about Faith. I read a review that said it was too "jesusy" I disagree and would definitely recommend it.
Read
April 24, 2010A very interesting book. I think they needed another on the side plot line, because there were lull's that should of been avoided. However, it had a interesting idea. What would it be like if true Christians (and I don't mean those hypocrites who claim to be Christian and then lead a immoral lifestyle), made a community that helped strengthen one another in a Godly manner.
August 16, 2012
The character development in the first half of the book is almost nonexistent, so I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. The authors seemed in a rush to move the story along, setting very little context for the plot or the characters. Thankfully, in the second half of the book, the characters are fleshed out a little bit and the plot picks up.
October 20, 2016
i read half of this book and it sucks....too Jesusy for me! I returned it to the library
October 11, 2010
needs a sequel - come on guys!
November 10, 2013
A bit to radical and unbelievable to me, too much thrown in - FBI, cult, religion, mystery, revival, conversion, love story, sabotage...
February 5, 2016
Scary! Sort of like The Lottery I read in high school.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews