Finalleeeeeeee!  I feel like i was holding my breath for more than a month until I could allow myself to read the last book in Ted Dekker's "The Circle Trilogy."  I knew it would be a fast read because I would not be able to put the book down...I was right.

The new believers, the ones who chose to die to find new life in Elyon (God), are beginning to look a lot like the church as we know it.  The largest issue is how the believers should behave toward unbelievers.  Some advocate strict rules and adherance to those rules while others want to be all soft and inviting to lure people into church and there are those in between.  Again, there is a dichotomy where some want to seclude themselves and others want to fit back into the non-believer setting.  Dekker walks a fine line between the importance of the church remaining pure in doctrine but also not becoming legalists. 

This third book also deals with the way Christ is romancing his bride.  My own feelings of awe were renewed as I thought about how Christ saw me, chose me, loved me --even before I was a believer.  I was convicted, too, as I thought about how certain people who are unlovely to me.  I cannot love them myself but I can depend on Christ to help me love them.

What a wonderful series.  I have recommended this trilogy to everyone who will listen to me.