The Atonement Child

First off, I’m not going to spoil the delight of delving into a new story by providing a detailed description of the book’s storyline.

Francine Rivers’ protagonist in The Atonement Child is Dynah, who, for the majority of her life, has lived a seemingly ‘perfect Christian life’ - only child, previously homeschooled, currently studying at a Christian university, engaged to a Christian guy who aims to be a pastor although…

Three words describe this book: Devastating, challenging and encouraging. Initially it is devastating as it deals with a heavy topic. As I continued to read I was challenged – we can ramble on about some issue we are passionate about or a value we hold to but when faced with having to respond or put this belief into action how do we act?  (Habakkuk 3:17-19). I also found the story to be encouraging as it showed "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" Romans 8:28.

I find the authors choice in the main character’s name to be interesting because of its meaning. Dynah means vindicated – freed from any question of guilt - “is absolved from all blame”, “was now clear of the charge of fear”, “his official honour is vindicated”. In the story Dynah’s honour or reputation is threatened and people treat her as though she is to blame for wrongdoing done to her which puts her in a place of fear. Dynah had to remove herself from people she knew and loved in order to do what God wanted and not feel pressured by what others thought, said or did. She realised that she had to seek to please the Lord because “fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety” Prov 29:25. When she took this step she was secure in her identity in Christ, God’s love and comfort.

·         Identity in Christ: God sees us as whole, not broken or tainted by anything that has happened to us (Col 1:21-22)

·         God’s love is unchanging regardless of our change in circumstances. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-38

·         He is always there, ready to comfort us. “Jesus said: Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

The overarching theme would have to be atonement – at first I wasn’t fully certain as to the book’s title as a character is mentioned to be atonement for someone’s past sin, but we all know Who the true Atonement Child is. (1 John 2:1-2 & Romans 3:25). The dictionary defines atonement as reconciliation.

As you (or if you) read this literary work of fiction there are many themes real to us which are worthy of contemplation.  We can be thankful to God for the identity we have in Christ that Jesus gained for us when He died on the cross.

Love,

Talitha Lydia

P.S. this post was also written for Authentic Woman which  "exists to encourage young - and young-at-heart women! - in embracing themselves for who God created them to be"   You can also keep updated via social media here.