Redeeming Love

On recommendation from two girls at CSU, I read Francine Rivers's novel, Redeeming Love. The book basically re-tells the story of Hosea from the perspective of a godly farmer named Michael Hosea whom God commands to marry a prostitute, who then leaves him and hurts him over and over again, as they both learn and experience redeeming love.

If you're a Christian girl who is infatuated with Mr. Darcy, you will probably love this book.

What I appreciated about this book is that for the first time, I considered the perspective of Gomer, the prostitute Hosea is commanded to marry. It's pretty explicitly stated in the book of Hosea that God wants Hosea to experience and struggle with the infidelity of his wife, as an allegory for God's tempestuous relationship with Israel, a nation that has betrayed Him for other idols. And I always thought, man, it really speaks something amazing about God, that He chooses to love and forgive and pursue Israel (and us!) after they spurn and reject Him again and again. Seventy times seven, right? Here was a story where I identified a lot with Hosea, and the seemingly impossible challenge of forgiving and loving and giving people second chances and making yourself vulnerable again and again. I learned a lot from Hosea this way.

But I never thought of Gomer's experience. How she would feel born without purpose, trapped in her sin, obligated by her guilt, and unworthy of God's unconditional love. Accepting grace is no easy thing for a lot of people, especially if we keep screwing up over and over again. And the experience of redemption is an awesome one that we can't overestimate. So Redeeming Love was a good read for me because it helped me realize that perspective. A lot of people feel trapped by their past and their sin, and for a lot of people, accepting the depth of God's love and the completeness of His redemption and restoration for them is a long and rocky process.

What I didn't enjoy about the book: it reads like a trashy romance novel.

"His hand rested comfortingly on her thigh. Even that light touch made her melt inside. 'What do you feel now that I'm soft clay in your hands, Michael?' 'Joy,' he said. 'Pure joy.' He saw how the pulse raced in her throat and pressed a kiss to it. He heard her soft intake of breath and felt the answering warmth spread swiftly through him. He wanted her. He would always want her."

The whole book is like that. Seriously. I felt like I needed to eat some red meat and grunt and break some concrete with my forearms after reading 464 pages of that maudlin writing. And I think in a lot of ways, especially in the presentation of the character Michael Hosea, it is almost emotionally pornographic for women. I honestly consider that a serious concern in some social circles.

So if you are a man, and you want to understand better the heart of a woman and the story of Hosea, then you can read Redeeming Love. Just make sure you have your woman fetch you a beer and a steak after you're done to replenish your Y-chromosomes.