"Skeleton Keys" Review

Many a people have given testimony as to how God has changed their lives for the better, talking about the unhealthy and broken lifestyles they used to live before submitting to Jesus, and subsequently turning their lie around.  Such a concept is not unfamiliar to anyone who knows the following Bible passage:

1 Corinthians 6:7-11:  "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?  Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.  Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men  nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

One such person is Julia Pilon, or JFJewelz, author of Skeleton Keys.  According to her own words, Pilon used to be a regular party animal, a girl whose priorities in life were going to parties, getting drunk, doing drugs, and at one point becoming a full-time stripper.  Having lived this lifestyle prior to her conversion to the Faith, Pilon spends the majority of the book giving her testimony on top of giving life advice to people to help them live lives that are filled with peace, joy, and happiness.

That being said, there are a few problems with this book.  First off, while I get that Pilon was trying to write a book to help people deal with different emotional and relationship issues, the advice itself has very worldly feel, meaning that the advice sounds like something that any non-believer could tell us.  There are very few mentions of God or Jesus, and only a handful of scripture verses are quoted.  Another problem is that on pages 39-40, we read the following:

"Always remember, if you want apple trees, you must plant apple seeds! This goes for everything. Money, love, forgiveness, respect, whatever it is you need or want. Give, give, give and then give some more because it is the skeleton key to financial gain, financial security and many of your deepest desires!"

In the context of the chapter, Pilon talked about how after years of cheerful giving and fervent prayer, God eventually gave her and her family the house that she had always wanted to live in.  She then concludes that if you give cheerfully and pray enough, God will give you financial gain, financial security, and your deepest desires.  This a form of the prosperity gospel, which is completely unbiblical and therefore false theology. 

Also, Pilon at the end of the book leads the reader into a prayer that asks Jesus to come into someone's heart.  Such a concept is not what scripture says about salvation; to know what scripture teaches about what man must do to be saved, watch my old video blog about the Gospel.

If you're looking for a book that relies on scripture to make its points, has solid theology, and constantly talks about what God and Jesus have done for them, then you might want to look somewhere else.  However, if you are looking for a motivational self-help book to help you through your daily life, then you might get some value out of Skeleton Keys.
 
Final Grade:  C+

"An Evil" Review

WARNING!!!!  SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

Recently, I was invited to review a relatively unknown book called An Evil, which was written by a relatively unknown author, Thomas Brittendahl.  I read and review a lot of books that most people probably have never heard of, and of all the books I have reviewed so far, this one seemed at first glance to be the least impressive one of the bunch.  However, after I finished the last page, I found myself singing a much different tune about An Evil.

The story centers around Paul Bellomy, an evangelical leader and the head pastor at Riverwood Church.  In the beginning of the story, we learn what Paul's life is like:  Everyone in the church loves him and his preaching, and his book sales netted him enough money to make him into a millionaire; he has a beautiful wife and eight children, and they all live in a house overlooking a lake.

Unfortunately, because Paul Bellomy is modeled after the typical postmodern, emergent church pastor, we can immediately spot his character flaws:  He takes Bible verses out of context to make his message of love seem attractive, and he takes verses out of context when he tries to get his children to do what he wants.  He pretends to be humble when his church attendees heap praise onto him, even though he secretly loves it, which causes him to be prideful. 

The next day, things start to go horribly wrong, and an evil spirit possesses Paul's body, causing Paul to give away all his family's money to charity.  Shortly after that, the evil spirit starts to torture and kill Paul's children in a manner similar to a slasher movie.  Eventually, Paul's wife renounces her faith, and commits suicide.  At the end, the evil spirit reveals that he was sent by God to test Paul's faith.  In other words, An Evil is a modern day version of what happened to Job in the Old Testament.  As someone who adheres to the Biblical worldview, we know that God tests people sometimes because of the conversation that God had with Satan in the book of Job:

Job 1:6-12:  "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.  The Lord said to Satan, 'Where have you come from?'

Satan answered the Lord, 'From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.'

Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.'

'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied.  'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.  But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.'

The Lord said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."

While it's a bit on the short side in terms of length, and the story feels a bit more on the "tell" side when it comes to the show-don't-tell methodology, An Evil is an incredibly dark and disturbing modern-day re-telling of the beginning of the book of Job, with a surprise twist that leaves you satisfied and marveling at Brittendahl's ability to make you want to turn the page to see what happens next.


Final Grade:  A


To buy the book, click here.