Fallen by Matthew Raley
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Matthew Raley is senior pastor of the Orland Evangelical Free Church in northern California, where he lives with his wife and two young children. For fun, he enjoys playing chamber music with friends, giving occasional solo recitals, and playing first violin in the North State Symphony. This is his first book. ABOUT THE BOOK
Jim was at work when his eyes drifted to the coffee shop visible from his office window. An attractive woman driving a Mercedes pulled up to the curb . . . and Jim’s married pastor emerged from the car. When Jim delves deeper into his pastor’s world, will he be able to handle what he discovers? Is he right to suspect that Dave is having an affair? In the behind-the-scenes church battle that ensues, Jim is torn between duty to his church and a desire to show grace. A ripped-from-the-headlines drama of suspense that keeps you engaged to the last page. Fallen is the story about Jim’s relationship with Dave—how Jim tries to do the right thing to keep Dave accountable, but finds the situation getting worse and worse. It’s also about Jim’s other relationships. Just as he discovers hypocrisy in Dave, Jim discovers his own sins against his wife and daughter.
My Review:
I was mesmerized by this book. It is one of those books that makes you think and look at yourself in a different way. I enjoyed the insights into Jim's thoughts and his efforts to try to handle a difficult situation regarding his pastor's fall. The stirking part is when he realizes that his attempts to "handle" it have not been completely blameless as well and have stemmed from pride in not looking bad himself. I was struck by the "spin" that the pastor put on his actions by framing them as a "disease" and not evil or sinful. He didn't see the actions as wrong as long as he admitted he was "sick." And the board almost goes along with it.
I also was struck by Jim's insights into his own life and relationships with his daughter and wife. Is it wrong to wish that all husbands were as observant of their wives' reactions as he is to his wife's facial expressions? I was moved by his recognition of his own hypocrisy and appreciated the hope that I was left with at the end of the book. Instead of feeling only pained by the pastor's actions, I was hopeful for Jim and his family. What I'm trying to say is, Raley could have easily finished the book in a way that left the reader burdened and almost frightened by how easily a pastor or anyone can fall and jaded by the pastor's lack of remorse or admission of guilt, but instead he shows the flip side--the reaction of a man who seems what he has done and makes a sincere plea for forgiveness and hope for change, while recognizing how difficult it will be.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was fascinating. I give it my sunny day rating.
