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The Chasm: A Journey to the Edge of Life
A Journey He Couldn’t Miss… and a Step He Couldn’t Take
He found himself a traveler in the strangest of lands. Where invisible secrets come starkly into sight. Where the fairest of companions leads the way into unsuspected danger and darkness. Where hidden battles burst into the open. Where so much is grasped…and so much more seems unattainable.
Driven by a yearning he doesn’t understand, compelled toward a destination he can’t quite see, the traveler navigates the inhospitable landscape with determination and a flicker of something like hope—despite the obstacles that seem to unerringly block his path.
Best-selling novelist Randy Alcorn weaves a supernatural interplay of wills and motives, lusts and longings, love and sacrifice. It’s a potent mix that leaves every reader Do I really understand this world I live in? Do I really understand myself? Is there more to all this than I’ve ever dared hope?
INCLUDES 12 ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS
He found himself a traveler in the strangest of lands. Where invisible secrets come starkly into sight. Where the fairest of companions leads the way into unsuspected danger and darkness. Where hidden battles burst into the open. Where so much is grasped…and so much more seems unattainable.
Driven by a yearning he doesn’t understand, compelled toward a destination he can’t quite see, the traveler navigates the inhospitable landscape with determination and a flicker of something like hope—despite the obstacles that seem to unerringly block his path.
Best-selling novelist Randy Alcorn weaves a supernatural interplay of wills and motives, lusts and longings, love and sacrifice. It’s a potent mix that leaves every reader Do I really understand this world I live in? Do I really understand myself? Is there more to all this than I’ve ever dared hope?
INCLUDES 12 ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2011
59 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Randy Alcorn
223 books1,583 followersRandy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
February 13, 2011
(I'm reviewing this because I received it for free through Goodreads' First Reads program.)
The one thing worse for me than reading a bad book is writing a bad review of it. But I had such a hard time finding anything to like about this book! As a Christian, it's not as if I even had (many) theological objections to the story, and I'm not even opposed to Christian fiction - I like almost everything by CS Lewis, and in my younger years I read and enjoyed Beverly Lewis' books and Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy. What I didn't like was the forced allegory. The story seemed to make no sense at all apart from its theological implications - like what motivation did Nick have to participate in nailing the feet of the Woodsman? Really good Christian fiction - or even allegories in general - usually read as good stories in themselves. This one, not so much. One unfortunate effect of the transparency of Alcorn's allegory is that people encounter it like a Bible study, not like a work of fiction - people can't be open-minded about something when the message is constantly being forced on them.
Moreover, even as allegory, what does this book do to make the basic Christian story of salvation seem more real? It seemed to do nothing but provide illustration of some basic Christian concepts, no imagination necessary.
The characterization, too, was rudimentary at best - but I suppose that's what happens when you write an "everyman" character? Speaking of which, I also had some problems with the main character being, in fact, a man. The section on lust was too, too much for me - if the goal was NOT to see women as objects, then don't portray the only women in the book as objects of sexual lust. All we learned is that lust is harmful to the spiritual life of men, and women don't really enjoy it. I understand that the book was written from the perspective of a male character, and I normally wouldn't mind, except that this book is supposed to be a highly generalizable Christian allegory, and assuming the male perspective in this case is just another way of participating in the mistaken idea that men's spirituality is all that matters.
In sum, I really wanted to like this book, and I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but there was just nothing there to redeem it. :/
The one thing worse for me than reading a bad book is writing a bad review of it. But I had such a hard time finding anything to like about this book! As a Christian, it's not as if I even had (many) theological objections to the story, and I'm not even opposed to Christian fiction - I like almost everything by CS Lewis, and in my younger years I read and enjoyed Beverly Lewis' books and Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy. What I didn't like was the forced allegory. The story seemed to make no sense at all apart from its theological implications - like what motivation did Nick have to participate in nailing the feet of the Woodsman? Really good Christian fiction - or even allegories in general - usually read as good stories in themselves. This one, not so much. One unfortunate effect of the transparency of Alcorn's allegory is that people encounter it like a Bible study, not like a work of fiction - people can't be open-minded about something when the message is constantly being forced on them.
Moreover, even as allegory, what does this book do to make the basic Christian story of salvation seem more real? It seemed to do nothing but provide illustration of some basic Christian concepts, no imagination necessary.
The characterization, too, was rudimentary at best - but I suppose that's what happens when you write an "everyman" character? Speaking of which, I also had some problems with the main character being, in fact, a man. The section on lust was too, too much for me - if the goal was NOT to see women as objects, then don't portray the only women in the book as objects of sexual lust. All we learned is that lust is harmful to the spiritual life of men, and women don't really enjoy it. I understand that the book was written from the perspective of a male character, and I normally wouldn't mind, except that this book is supposed to be a highly generalizable Christian allegory, and assuming the male perspective in this case is just another way of participating in the mistaken idea that men's spirituality is all that matters.
In sum, I really wanted to like this book, and I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but there was just nothing there to redeem it. :/
February 24, 2011
The Chasm, A Journey to the Edge of Life, by Randy Alcorn, Multnomah Books, 2011, Hardcover, 128 pages, ISBN-13: 9781601423399, $14.99
"...not all is as it appears. Are you ready to walk the red road to the chasm?" Shadrach spoke of the road to "Charis, the City of Light," the road before death, not after.
After a foolhardy detour when he left the cave, Nick Seagrave returned to the red road Shadrach first directed him to, which brought him to the chasm and the "bottomless pit." Where multitudes of terror-filled voices filled with "...sorrow...regrets and bitterness..." rose into the air. They sounded like "voices of the damned" to him.
Eyes burning with unshed tears, fear and a familiar longing within, Nick entered a "dark night of the soul," and questioning despair. Would he reach the "City of Light" across the chasm or the "City of Darkness" below?
Then he saw the Woodman dressed in a white robe striding toward him in the distance seeming to float above the chasm. His melodious song rang out and he grasped a great sword in rough hewn hands, adorned with ancient inscriptions in an unknown language.
He told Nick about things he'd never heard or thought of, eternal truths—"about himself...life" and about Nick. Then the Woodman said, "I offer a joy that will cost you everything...but gain you everything that matters" with a simple choice. Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/4qxemhl
"...not all is as it appears. Are you ready to walk the red road to the chasm?" Shadrach spoke of the road to "Charis, the City of Light," the road before death, not after.
After a foolhardy detour when he left the cave, Nick Seagrave returned to the red road Shadrach first directed him to, which brought him to the chasm and the "bottomless pit." Where multitudes of terror-filled voices filled with "...sorrow...regrets and bitterness..." rose into the air. They sounded like "voices of the damned" to him.
Eyes burning with unshed tears, fear and a familiar longing within, Nick entered a "dark night of the soul," and questioning despair. Would he reach the "City of Light" across the chasm or the "City of Darkness" below?
Then he saw the Woodman dressed in a white robe striding toward him in the distance seeming to float above the chasm. His melodious song rang out and he grasped a great sword in rough hewn hands, adorned with ancient inscriptions in an unknown language.
He told Nick about things he'd never heard or thought of, eternal truths—"about himself...life" and about Nick. Then the Woodman said, "I offer a joy that will cost you everything...but gain you everything that matters" with a simple choice. Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/4qxemhl
July 18, 2014
The Chasm is adapted from Randy Alcorn's book Edge of Eternity.
Nick Seagrave has been brought from our world into another, where spiritual battles can be seen, where a red road holds the secret to eternal life, and a chasm awaits those who try to find Charis, the City of Light.
I read Edge of Eternity several yeas ago and loved it. The Chasm is quite short, about 110 pages, and it took me a couple of hours to read. It nicely condenses Nick Seagraves' allegorical journey to Charis into something maybe a Bible study group would enjoy reading together and discussing. Enough is told of the backstory that readers new to the story won't feel lost, and those who have enjoyed Edge of Eternity will appreciate the book's focus on the chasm and the way the Woodsman finally makes it crossable. The only thing I misses from Edge of Eternity was how Alcorn fleshed out the other characters besides Nick.
Altogether, The Chasm makes a short, enjoyable read that will introduce readers nicely to Edge of Eternity.
*I received this book for free via Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group's Blogging For Books program*
Nick Seagrave has been brought from our world into another, where spiritual battles can be seen, where a red road holds the secret to eternal life, and a chasm awaits those who try to find Charis, the City of Light.
I read Edge of Eternity several yeas ago and loved it. The Chasm is quite short, about 110 pages, and it took me a couple of hours to read. It nicely condenses Nick Seagraves' allegorical journey to Charis into something maybe a Bible study group would enjoy reading together and discussing. Enough is told of the backstory that readers new to the story won't feel lost, and those who have enjoyed Edge of Eternity will appreciate the book's focus on the chasm and the way the Woodsman finally makes it crossable. The only thing I misses from Edge of Eternity was how Alcorn fleshed out the other characters besides Nick.
Altogether, The Chasm makes a short, enjoyable read that will introduce readers nicely to Edge of Eternity.
*I received this book for free via Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group's Blogging For Books program*
March 15, 2025
I don't get it.
I feel like it's trying too hard to be pilgrims progress
I feel like it's trying too hard to be pilgrims progress
February 9, 2011
Eeep! Of course this happens... the first book giveaway the atheist wins is overtly religious.
Okay. Trying new things, trying new things, trying new things, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN, trying new things...
I will get through it, and the review will be interesting indeed.
Oh, and it'll probably offend some people.
So here goes...
One star, according to Goodreads, means 'didn't like it'. I guess you could say that's my general reaction to the book. By way of explanation, though, I should mention that I didn't expect to like it- that I went into it knowing there would be little likeable in it, and that after the first chapter there would be pretty much nothing.
Let me elaborate: I'm an atheist. Fact. Getting that one out of the way ASAP. Randy Alcorn is a minister. Fact. There was potential for conflict from the beginning.
But.
It didn't become inevitable until I flipped through my crisp new free book and found the 'reading guide' in the back.
And then I lost hope.
You see, my conflict is not specifically with religion in fantasy. I adore C.S. Lewis, and I can enjoy some L.B. Graham. My conflict is with religion in fantasy that is so incredibly anvilicious that there is NO. QUESTION. if it can be interpreted any other way. It can't. Narnia is a Christian allegory and a kick-ass adventure series with great characters and some nice sparkly magic. The Binding Of The Blade isn't as good, but it wraps the religion into a bundle of awesome- dragons, giants, tigers, cities built into rock outcroppings- and makes it part of the whole, not the entirety. It's possible to read both of these as straight-out fantasy series. (I didn't find the Christian symbolism in Narnia for years and years.)
That could have been the case with The Chasm. If so, it might have gotten two or even three stars. I mean, the writing wasn't very good (more on this later) and the plot meandered, but if the reading guide hadn't been there it still would have gotten at least one more star from me.
Message to all authors out there: I HATE BEING TOLD HOW TO INTERPRET THINGS, HOW TO THINK, AND MOST OF ALL, WHAT TO THINK.
So I think maybe you can imagine- or at least concieve of a modicum of- the outrage I felt when I read this last note in the reader's guide:
"To help you understand what the true 'Woodsman' has done for you and how you can respond, find a Bible , and use the table of contents to help you locate the following passages. These are just a few of the passages in the Bible that can help you explore the truth about Jesus Christ: if you have questions as you read them, be sure to talk to a believer in Jesus to help you discover the answers."
Insert nine seconds of Colin Firth swearing very Britishly here.
NO.
JUST NO.
Ironically, I felt like this.
Look, write your allegories. Go for it. But since you've already hit me over the head with something defined as "a short moral story", don't feel the need to drop a grand piano on me to compound the lesson.
Here I must digress and talk about why I was completely hopeless after the first chapter.
The writing in this book?
It is TERRIBLE.
It's loose, lacks flow, has far too little variation and too much 'telling'; word choice is at times questionable and at others downright idiotic; the plot wouldn't make sense if it wasn't being read as an allegory. There are people who are passionate about their religion and they can write so that said passion shows through in every word. Randy Alcorn is not one of those people. After the first chapter I knew that he wasn't, that he wouldn't turn into such a person, and that the only luck I'd had was that this book was so short.
And then a few chapters later I realized that this wasn't luck at all.
Lewis and Graham spread their Christian epics out over multiple books- seven for Lewis, five for Graham- and so they take their time with both the Christian imagery and the non-religious half of the story. But such is not for Alcorn. True, supposedly this book was an excerpt from a larger volume, but that doesn't excuse it unless this is in fact a summary of the excerpt.
Religion is a huge subject, and a complex and important one. If you're going to treat with it, please take time and care to do so. Otherwise it feels rushed and- that word I keep coming back to- anvilicious.
I get the impression that this book was intended as a... well, a conversion tool, to pick the best word. I am not converted, needless to say.
And here's the part where I use internet anonymity to really piss people off. Because not only am I not converted...
I'm over here laughing at these guys.
Okay. Trying new things, trying new things, trying new things, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN, trying new things...
I will get through it, and the review will be interesting indeed.
Oh, and it'll probably offend some people.
So here goes...
One star, according to Goodreads, means 'didn't like it'. I guess you could say that's my general reaction to the book. By way of explanation, though, I should mention that I didn't expect to like it- that I went into it knowing there would be little likeable in it, and that after the first chapter there would be pretty much nothing.
Let me elaborate: I'm an atheist. Fact. Getting that one out of the way ASAP. Randy Alcorn is a minister. Fact. There was potential for conflict from the beginning.
But.
It didn't become inevitable until I flipped through my crisp new free book and found the 'reading guide' in the back.
And then I lost hope.
You see, my conflict is not specifically with religion in fantasy. I adore C.S. Lewis, and I can enjoy some L.B. Graham. My conflict is with religion in fantasy that is so incredibly anvilicious that there is NO. QUESTION. if it can be interpreted any other way. It can't. Narnia is a Christian allegory and a kick-ass adventure series with great characters and some nice sparkly magic. The Binding Of The Blade isn't as good, but it wraps the religion into a bundle of awesome- dragons, giants, tigers, cities built into rock outcroppings- and makes it part of the whole, not the entirety. It's possible to read both of these as straight-out fantasy series. (I didn't find the Christian symbolism in Narnia for years and years.)
That could have been the case with The Chasm. If so, it might have gotten two or even three stars. I mean, the writing wasn't very good (more on this later) and the plot meandered, but if the reading guide hadn't been there it still would have gotten at least one more star from me.
Message to all authors out there: I HATE BEING TOLD HOW TO INTERPRET THINGS, HOW TO THINK, AND MOST OF ALL, WHAT TO THINK.
So I think maybe you can imagine- or at least concieve of a modicum of- the outrage I felt when I read this last note in the reader's guide:
"To help you understand what the true 'Woodsman' has done for you and how you can respond, find a Bible , and use the table of contents to help you locate the following passages. These are just a few of the passages in the Bible that can help you explore the truth about Jesus Christ: if you have questions as you read them, be sure to talk to a believer in Jesus to help you discover the answers."
Insert nine seconds of Colin Firth swearing very Britishly here.
NO.
JUST NO.
Ironically, I felt like this.
Look, write your allegories. Go for it. But since you've already hit me over the head with something defined as "a short moral story", don't feel the need to drop a grand piano on me to compound the lesson.
Here I must digress and talk about why I was completely hopeless after the first chapter.
The writing in this book?
It is TERRIBLE.
It's loose, lacks flow, has far too little variation and too much 'telling'; word choice is at times questionable and at others downright idiotic; the plot wouldn't make sense if it wasn't being read as an allegory. There are people who are passionate about their religion and they can write so that said passion shows through in every word. Randy Alcorn is not one of those people. After the first chapter I knew that he wasn't, that he wouldn't turn into such a person, and that the only luck I'd had was that this book was so short.
And then a few chapters later I realized that this wasn't luck at all.
Lewis and Graham spread their Christian epics out over multiple books- seven for Lewis, five for Graham- and so they take their time with both the Christian imagery and the non-religious half of the story. But such is not for Alcorn. True, supposedly this book was an excerpt from a larger volume, but that doesn't excuse it unless this is in fact a summary of the excerpt.
Religion is a huge subject, and a complex and important one. If you're going to treat with it, please take time and care to do so. Otherwise it feels rushed and- that word I keep coming back to- anvilicious.
I get the impression that this book was intended as a... well, a conversion tool, to pick the best word. I am not converted, needless to say.
And here's the part where I use internet anonymity to really piss people off. Because not only am I not converted...
I'm over here laughing at these guys.
August 13, 2021
Excellent short allegory written in captivating form relaying what true life is all about. And about the life after this life. And about the One who sacrificed Himself to make the way possible to "Charis" for those of us who are "Chasm" bound.
I really enjoyed this short work and would love to give copies away to others. One of my favorite parts of the book is as follows when "Nick" meets the Woodsman and has a discussion:
"You cannot cross the chasm without dying. But if you stay here, you will also die. If you walk the tree, you will die in a different way. But the tree is the only way to life. In one way, you're already dead, though you've continued to exist. You may choose to die and stay dead, or you may die and embrace life-but in either case you must die. Nothing that has not died can be raised from the dead."
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand. But in order to cross the chasm, you have to trust me."
"I'll do what I can, but...I'm not sure it will be enough."
"I am sure what you can do will never be enough." He said it with kindness in his eyes, yet it hit me like an insult. "You cannot earn your way, Nick. You must give up on that idea. You may receive the gift of passage I freely offer, the gift I purchased. Admit your responsibility for the abyss. Acknowledge that you pierced my skin with nails. Affirm that I am the World your Shaper who crossed the chasm for you. Ask me to deliver you from all that torments you. And invite me to walk you across the chasm."
--------------------------------------------------
What a classic conversation that encapsulates the thinking of many today in the 21st century regarding eternity! I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this short work and would love to give copies away to others. One of my favorite parts of the book is as follows when "Nick" meets the Woodsman and has a discussion:
"You cannot cross the chasm without dying. But if you stay here, you will also die. If you walk the tree, you will die in a different way. But the tree is the only way to life. In one way, you're already dead, though you've continued to exist. You may choose to die and stay dead, or you may die and embrace life-but in either case you must die. Nothing that has not died can be raised from the dead."
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand. But in order to cross the chasm, you have to trust me."
"I'll do what I can, but...I'm not sure it will be enough."
"I am sure what you can do will never be enough." He said it with kindness in his eyes, yet it hit me like an insult. "You cannot earn your way, Nick. You must give up on that idea. You may receive the gift of passage I freely offer, the gift I purchased. Admit your responsibility for the abyss. Acknowledge that you pierced my skin with nails. Affirm that I am the World your Shaper who crossed the chasm for you. Ask me to deliver you from all that torments you. And invite me to walk you across the chasm."
--------------------------------------------------
What a classic conversation that encapsulates the thinking of many today in the 21st century regarding eternity! I highly recommend this book.
February 12, 2018
It is very much in the vein of Pilgrim’s Progress, which resonated well. The particular reason this jumped from 3 stars to 4 stars was the imagery of the crucifixion. I didn’t give it 5 because much of the writing was executed in a rather mediocre manner, but that’s not the point of this book. The illustrations were too cartoonish to me. Once I got to the final moments of the crucifixion it was no longer about the bad writing. The Woodsman’s (Christ’s) dialogue following His resurrection hit me soundly. Especially: “I would have done it for you alone.”
Like the slaying of Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the depiction of Jesus in this book shook me spiritually in such a profound way that reminded me yet again that salvation is ENTIRELY a gift of holy, untainted love that only God is capable of. It truly floors me. It is vital that we be reminded of this often. This is a powerful, symbolic telling of salvation.
Like the slaying of Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the depiction of Jesus in this book shook me spiritually in such a profound way that reminded me yet again that salvation is ENTIRELY a gift of holy, untainted love that only God is capable of. It truly floors me. It is vital that we be reminded of this often. This is a powerful, symbolic telling of salvation.
March 17, 2024
This reminded me of the short allegory My Heart, Christ's Home by Robert Munger and of the writings of C.S. Lewis, but not in a favorable way. It was much too long to be a poignant and helpful allegory like Munger's work, and he "borrowed" (copied?) ideas directly from Lewis (Christ as an untamable lion and Shadowlands). While I appreciate both Munger and Lewis' work and ideas, Alcorn just seemed to be repeating work that has already been done, without even a new spin. The allegory was too obvious for anyone familiar with the Bible and it lacked character development and plot (when you write over 100 pages, there should be more to it, even in an allegory). I DID like his portrayal of angels as warriors submissive to Christ rather than as guardians of humans, which reminds me of the work of Frank Peretti. Nothing new here.
March 9, 2020
I recently read another allegory, Hinds Feet In High Places, so I couldn't help comparing this story to that classic. Hinds Feet is an allegory that sticks to an alternate universe and is more internally consistent. In contrast The Chasm switches between our world and an alternate reality, like the main character is having a dream- some parts startlingly realistic, then others fantasy-like and illogical, like Alice in Wonderland. I really appreciated the truths the author is pointing to, but for a very left- brain reader, the story's inconsistencies are very distracting. On the other hand, there are some very compelling verbal illustrations of sin, grace, temptation, sacrifice. I found the messages that it conveys to be very biblical.
December 2, 2018
This is a great book to give to a person who is lost and not knowing how to come to God. It is a story of one person who wants to come to know Christ, but has many questions that he develops in his own mind to keep from doing that. This book covers those questions and the answers to them. There is a teacher's guide at the end of the book to help a teacher to deal with people that have all kinds of obstacles in keeping them from being saved.
May 8, 2018
Pilgrims Progress this is NOT. I have a bit of difficulty with some of his theology.
WAY TOO WORDY!
Decent story, but is very difficult to find a connection with any of the characters. One would expect that an allegory should stir up emotion. This fell flat for me. Got bored with him repeating himself over & over in endless different ways.
WAY TOO WORDY!
Decent story, but is very difficult to find a connection with any of the characters. One would expect that an allegory should stir up emotion. This fell flat for me. Got bored with him repeating himself over & over in endless different ways.
April 27, 2022
I read Alcorn’s “Edge of Eternity”, several years ago and I really enjoyed it. This book is based on a few chapters from that book. I listened to the audiobook of Chasm read by the author. I think I probably enjoyed the complete story of Edge of Eternity more. It’s similar to Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress or Lewis’ The Great Divorce, and I loved both of those books.
June 4, 2022
I didn’t want a Christian book, I wasn’t expecting one, but it was one and that was fine. But it was poorly written, even by an allegorical standpoint the events were confusing and didn’t even portray Christian ideas well? The art was cool, the only good thing about this book is that it was short and I could finish it quickly :(
October 1, 2022
I struggle with books like this but I also really like it. It doesn't make sense I know. It is a lot like the Screwtape letters by C.S. Lewis in how it takes you on a wild ride. I just sometimes struggle with the fantastical parts (which is all) of a book like this. I can see the symbolism. It is great, but by the end I am thinking what did I just read??
January 22, 2024
This is a short story based on Randy Alcorns book, The Edge of Darkness. I think I might like the book better as this seemed choppy and hard to get into. While I love the biblical truths he is bringing out I had a hard time following the story. I listened to the audio version so that might be another reason it didn’t click with me.
July 18, 2017
A story- more allegory until the end- that speaks to the human condition and humanity's relationship with (a Christian) god. The author reads the book (audio book) and is sometimes too energetic in his reading. Good imagery. A sometimes heavy-handed allegory, but still thought-provoking.
January 22, 2020
Listened to audio book
Great book!! Really enjoyed it and liked that the author read it. This was very well done and highly recommended. It fills in nicely a gap in stories like Pilgrim’s Progress, by using an oft used illustration of the distance between us and Christ.
Very well done
Great book!! Really enjoyed it and liked that the author read it. This was very well done and highly recommended. It fills in nicely a gap in stories like Pilgrim’s Progress, by using an oft used illustration of the distance between us and Christ.
Very well done
February 4, 2021
A short analogy of the sinful nature of man and his need for a Savior. This reminded me a lot of Pilgrim’s Progress in some ways. I was glad to see that this story is expounded upon in a different novel as this one did feel like it was lacking certain detail and depth.
October 7, 2021
Excellent, in the line of Pilgrim's Progress. The rest of (and apparently the beginning of) Nick's story is in the novel Edge of Eternity. I haven't read that yet, and I was able to read this and keep up with what was going on.
May 14, 2022
This book almost didn't get finished. You pretty much have a good idea where it's going and some of the info is almost graphic but in the same turn, it's very real as in the lives we live today. You need to give this book some time as it's well worth the investment of it.
September 4, 2019
Another good Randy Alcorn book
I also read “Edge of Eternity. This little book is excerpted from the larger book. Very good read. I enjoyed them both
I also read “Edge of Eternity. This little book is excerpted from the larger book. Very good read. I enjoyed them both
November 9, 2019
An extended parable
Read
April 16, 2020Awesome book!
January 20, 2021
I’m glad this was short, because it was terrible.
February 5, 2021
Short read. Good allegory of Jesus' love and the sacrifice he made for me. The whole book is a good reminder about who I am in Him and what he did for me.
July 1, 2022
that was just weird
November 28, 2022
Riveting, and a refreshingly different portrayal of Jesus' boundless love and sacrifice for humanity.
Thank you Randy Alcorn.
Thank you Randy Alcorn.
January 2, 2023
Good; allegory of reality
February 23, 2023
It was ok. A unique look at salvation but not my favorite.
September 26, 2024
Rough. As an allegory it's much too confusing. Alcorn's nonfiction work is terrific, but this was rather painful to finish.
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