Warrior Monk

My church has a book club; it's called LitWits (I love the name). We meet every other month to discuss one of the books we have chosen to read. You don't even have to have read the book; you may want to come for the goodies or to find out if it is a book you would like to read. We recently read Warrior Monk by Ray Keating (I think it's his first novel, but don't quote me on that). The story revolves around a Lutheran pastor who was once a CIA operative, who gets caught up in an international tangle involving the pope in Rome. I was riveted from the opening lines to the very end - it went too fast! I may have to read it again because it was so amazing! Not only does the book talk about espionage, but it tackles faith issues; it's a deeper read than it seems on the surface. I especially like how Pastor Stephen Grant has to struggle between being the shepherd of a flock and his wide-open earlier life - and how not to get sucked back into that former employ.
Here is a passage that I think states well the difficulties facing Pastor Grant:
"In fact, Stephen himself was feeling a bit conflicted. His instincts as a pastor were to try to console, comfort, and provide hope - even speak of forgiveness. But given his recent experiences of having to kill Linda Serrano, the reacquaintance with Paige, being drafted by the government once more, and the terrorist roundup and attacks the previous week, Grant also sympathized with the impulse not to forgive. While usually preaching a good game on forgiveness, Grant had a very tough time living that particular message. He understood the desire to strike out in the name of justice, even if that justice was accompanied or even driven by a hearty dose of vengeance."
The story addresses issues of terrorist attacks (as seen in the quote above), the 9/11 attacks in the US, the concept of a just war, the place of faith in the face of evil, and so much more. The book is edgy, contemporary, fun, exciting. If you want more information on this book, go to PastorStephenGrant.com. It seems he has a new book out!