Product Description
In the Rich Tradition of The Shepherd of the Hills and The Least of These My BrothersRecognized as one of America's early twentieth-century beloved fiction writers, Harold Bell Wright possessed the remarkable ability of crafting timeless, dramatic stories charged with spiritual significance. A Higher Call, a compelling drama involving a young minister, promises to challenge the perspective of the twentieth-century church.
A new and rather naive pastor, Dan Matthews accepts his church call with great anticipation. But he quickly runs into deeply rooted problems: judgments, party spirit, church politics and hidden agendas. Some problems come from well-intentioned people who don't know better; others stem from selfishness and evil motives. In both situations, as Dan obeys the life and teachings of Jesus, the consequences are severe.
Dan Matthews believed he had a calling from God. Faced with the loathsome hypocrisy in his church, what will become of him and those he befriends?
How does a beautiful young nurse who seems to have no heart for the church fit into a pastor's life?
Average Customer Review:
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Harold Bell Wright Does It Again, 2000-06-21
A Higher Call is another dulcet gem from the pen of Harold Bell Wright. Technically a sequel to his most famous work, "Shepherd of the Hills," this latter story can easily stand on its own. Except for a few references to "Shepherd" characters and the brief appearance of Dan Matthews's parents who figured prominently in the prequel, "A Higher Call" is an independent tale.While never critical of organized religion, the novel does point out how hypocrisy can too often be found in churches' inner organizations. Unlike Hollywood's commonplace Christian-bashing which always fingers the clergy, this novel celebrates an idealistic young minister up against some self-important lay people who wield too much power and militate too many church policies. It is the embrace of true Christianity that Wright's works often subtly embrace, done here in a more overt fashion.
Readers should beware that "A Higher Call" is the exact same book as "The Calling of Dan Matthews." A new title is the sole difference. To paraphrase the Bard, a book this uplifting by any name is still a good read.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
a critique of churches but not of christianity, 1999-08-10
note that this is the same book as "The Calling of Dan Matthews". It is the sequel to "Shepherd of the Hills." It is a good story. One grows fond of the characters. The author paints a rather grim picture of the church run as a social and business club rather than as an organization which should be caring for the needs of people around it. Dan figures things out and there is a happy ending.