Green - Ted Dekker

This book, which can either be read as the beginning or the end of the Circle Series, brings together the Books of History Chronicles in an amazing way.

According to these books, after all things were destroyed in 2010, all things actually started in the year 4036, when Elyon (God) set on earth a new Adam, Tanis. In this future, all things, good and evil, principalities and powers, are much more clearly seen, and much more clearly followed. Elyon gave all a second chance.

This book begins in the future with Thomas of Hunter, the leader of the Circle, trying to unite the Circle under Elyon’s true will. Elyon has provided a new way of being saved from the scabbing disease of the Horde, which are red pools in which Justin shed His blood and drowned for all the Circle to be saved through Him. So now, all who drown in these pools will be eternally free from the scabbing disease of the Horde. But many did not accept this gift from Elyon. They wanted to follow the traditional Forest Guard ways, and so they separated themselves from the Circle and lived in the desert, still following the traditional customs. These half-breeds were lead by Eram, which earned them their name, the Eramites. They may still follow the old ways of Elyon, but they really are just as much Scabs as the Horde. Now Samuel, Thomas’ son, has begun to question the new ways of Elyon. In the days of old, the Forest Guard would fight against the Horde. But since Elyon has given this new gift through Justin, He has commanded the Circle to love the Horde, just as He loved the Circle. The Circle no longer fights against the Horde, but instead invites them to come and drown. Samuel does not understand that, so He betrays the Circle and joins the Eramites.

In this book, drowning in the red pools can be compared to Salvation. It is God’s gift to us through His son. Now I do like how in order for the drowning to cleanse the person, they must do it voluntarily. Just like salvation, drowning can’t be forced. You must go all in. I also like the fact that the children must drown too. They don’t inherit their parents cleansed body. They must accept Elyon’s gift as well. At one point it is mentioned that the parents drowned their children, which seems like it would not be voluntary. Also, when Samuel does reject Elyon, he starts to become Scab. I know eternal security can be a big issue among many Christians, and I’m not sure I agree with the fact that Samuel could truly have drowned, and then rejected Elyon and become Scab later.

The ancient religion of the Circle is called the Great Romance, because Elyon “romanced and wooed us”. Obviously, loving others should be a part of every Christian’s life, but Dekker sometimes portrays this love as wordly, seductive, and all of ourselves. We should be showing Christ’s love, and that doesn’t usually include our worldly desires. There are, however, great examples of believers and their relationships with unsaved family members. For example, Chelise, the wife of Thomas, and the daughter of the leader of the Horde, Qurong, shows great love toward her family, and never stops trying to convince them that Drowning is the true way. And Thomas, when Samuel betrays them, is always trying to find a way to bring Samuel back. But when it comes down to it, they sometimes seem to put that love, and their love for their spouses, etc, before the will of Elyon.

Shataiki are black bats that can be compared to demons, and the leader of these, the great beast, is Teeleh, who can be compared to Satan. Now Billy, the one who first wrote in the Books of History, and Janae, the daughter of the creator of the Raison Strain, Monique, have joined together in the histories to quench their evil desires and to search for the fulfillment of their destinies. When they enter into the future they are dark priests who are the servants of Teeleh. Now, Janae is part Shataiki, which makes her a vampire. I believe Dekker expresses his belief in vampires when he mentions the Nephilim which are mentioned in the Bible. Now when I looked up the Nephilim it said that they were born of “the sons of angels and the daughters of men”. Yes, in Dekker’s parallel, the “sons of angels”, may be bats. But in reality, they were demons, and the offspring of these were “great in stature”, which leads many to believe that they were giants. So in short, Nephilim were giants born from demons, not vampires. Many of the ways Dekker portrays evil are very vampire-like and quite horrific. I suppose that is the way that evil is, but it is still pretty disgusting.

I do like the parallel concerning the fact that Justin (Jesus) shed his blood so that all could be saved. The only thing I do not like is that in this book Thomas’ blood can breach the time between the Histories, and can save people from the Raison Strain, a horrible disease that would wipe out mankind. It makes Thomas seem like the “real” Savior in our time. Instead of actually pointing out the parallels, it makes Thomas and His saving of the world from the Raison Strain as the parallel. Only a few times does Dekker even mention Christ, His sacrifice, or the Bible. While it may be easy to see the parallels for Christians, this book still doesn’t mention them plainly, which concerns me.

I also believe that the end times theory in this book is slightly warped. While there is mention of the Mark of the Beast, it is used before Elyon’s return, when it should be after His return, in the Tribulation. And when Elyon came back, He immediately destroyed evil, which in truth, would not be destroyed completely until after the Tribulation. And even after Elyon destroyed evil, one accepted His Salvation, which would be acceptable in the Tribulation period, but like I said, that period is not mentioned.

All in all, this book is a great example of the battle between good and evil, and of our duties as Christians to remain faithful to God and to defend all that is good. If you do read this book, just be careful to compare the parallels and themes with the Bible. I pray that this review has helped you!