Posted by
stevo on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:19:56 AM
Striking out into the realm of fiction, Hank Hanegraaff has joined author Sigmund Brouwer in writing a high-action thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. In Fuse of Armageddon, political intrigue is interwoven with theological critique in such a way as to give substance to this stylish thriller.
The story centers around an American hostage negotiator, Mulvaney Quinn, who attempts to win the release of a group of American Evangelicals who have been captured by the notorious terrorist, Khaled Safady. Among their number stands one of Pat Robertson's stature--Jonathan Silver. Before Quinn can win the release of these Evangelicals and their leader, he must meet Safady's demand: a payment to the Palestinian people of a number equal to the amount that American Evangelicals have given to the nation of Israel over the years.
Within this unique plot, there is room for both high-octane action and theology. Dispensationalism--a theology that holds end times prophecies to be woodenly literal--lies at the center of Hanegraaff's crosshairs. This theology appears in the novel to be ignorant, racist, and illogical.
In this critique, Hanegraaff does quite well. He reveals inconsistencies in the Dispensational argument and garners sympathy for Palestinian civilians. Yet, he is not overly partisan--the ravages of terrorism on the Israeli people is shown in its full brutality. The political dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is shown to be complex, and also adversely affected by misguided Dispensational theology and the ensuing millions that ignorant adherents of this theology pour into Israel.
I heartily endorse the book for both its entertainment value and for its thoughtful political and theological discussions. The storyline becomes a bit too extravagant toward the end of the book, and lacks the precision and cohesion of those books written by more experienced authors. It will be a useful entry point for a discussion on end-times theology for the millions of Christians unacquainted with such discussions.