Review of Non-Compliant
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- Brenda Creech
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Review of Non-Compliant
Creation or evolution? Non-Compliant: A Pastor's Battle with Religious Intolerance by Timothy E. McDevitt pits evolution against creation and government against churches. It is a fictional story with factual scientific evidence.
In the small town of Millersville, NY, there is a small, "peace-loving" congregation at St. John's church. Pastor Matt Kenner had received the devastating news that his daughter, Jessica, had jumped from the fifth floor of a building at college. She had a severe head injury and was in a coma. While struggling with his daughter's attempted suicide, Pastor Kenner received a letter from Washington, DC, stating churches must register either compliant or non-compliant with their belief in modern science. Many of St. John's parishioners believe that creation and evolution are closely related.
Pastor Kenner had to decide if his church would register compliant or non-compliant. The men of the consistory wanted him to register compliant, saying the church believed in evolution. He could not decide this on his own, so he called a meeting to let the church members vote on registering. With such an immense weight on his shoulders, his faith wavered. Will Jessica have brain damage if she awakens? How will the church vote on the compliance issue?
Timothy E. Devitt wrote a story filled with powerful emotions, well-developed characters, and differing opinions among St. John's church members. Outsiders had harassed churches who had registered as non-compliant by invading services and defacing the churches with the evolution symbol of a fish with feet. There was a fear the same thing would happen to St. John's. Devitt did an outstanding job of portraying the anguish of Pastor Matt Kenner as he struggled with his faith during this time.
What I liked most about this book was how Pastor Kenner never compromised on his views. He researched the scientific data on evolution, he talked to those who had taught evolution, and he stood steadfast to his beliefs in the face of adversity. Pastor Kenner had found and read his daughter's journal and discovered his daughter had become disillusioned and had rejected her faith. In addition, she had lost a best friend to an illness. His heart broke, knowing his daughter had been struggling with her beliefs.
There wasn't anything I disliked about this book. It is well written with excellent character development and a creative storyline. The author's writing style is casual and easy to understand. There were only a couple of errors, so this book appears professionally edited. I personally do not believe in evolution, but this book made some interesting thoughts come to mind. For the reasons just mentioned, I am happy to rate Non-Compliant 4 out of 4 stars.
I would recommend this book to those who question evolution and are interested in learning how evolution and creation can be connected. I would encourage parents to read this book with their younger teens and discuss their feelings about evolution and creation. Each reader will have to form their own opinion on the two theories.
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Non-Compliant
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Thank you for another excellent review.
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- Diana Lowery
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- Brenda Creech
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It is very interesting. Are we all going to face similar decisions in the not-so-distant future? Anything is possible! Thanks for your comment.markodim721 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2021, 03:58 Really interesting book and good review. Through the words, one can feel all the pastor's doubts, fears and even vulnerability.
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
- Brenda Creech
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Thank you! I believe you will like this one! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.k_madhu_jha wrote: ↑20 Jul 2021, 07:59 A good book and a detailed review it is. I am gonna add it to my shelves and give it read as soon as possible.
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
- Brenda Creech
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Yes, I believe everyone has an opinion on the issues in this book, which makes it such a good read. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
- Brenda Creech
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Yes, it is an interesting book on this topic. One that I believe people will be confronted with more and more. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!Reader Chavez wrote: ↑21 Jul 2021, 14:21 I think the book treats two delicate topics. It's an interesting view to try to figure how evolution and creation might be connected. I'll definitely read this book. Thanks for the amazing review!
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
- Brenda Creech
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Although it is a fictional story, it has a ring of truth to it that someday all churches and pastors may be faced with! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!Josephe-Anne wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 22:04 I recently read another book that discusses the evolution vs. creation debate. So, I would like to read this story also. I like the fact that it tackles real issues like people questioning their faith and dealing with suicide. I have added this book to my "Want to Read" shelf.
Thank you for another excellent review.
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
- Brenda Creech
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Yes, they are two controversial topics that seem to come more and more to the forefront! I think the greatest impact the book had for me was government making churches actually document where they stood on the matter of evolution. Church and state are not supposed to be linked together, but I see that changing rapidly! His daughter is a strong woman that speaks her mind and voices her opinion. It is interesting! Thanks for commenting!diana lowery wrote: ↑29 Jul 2021, 14:48 It sounds like the author found a way to address two critical topics in one storyline. I hope there is a happy ending for his daughter.
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes