Eden's Gate: An Eminent Archaeologist Makes a Startling Find

"Eden's Gate" opens with an archeologist on a solo expedition discovering an ancient skeleton which he knows will be an outstanding find. However, this archeologist doesn't live long enough to find out just how old this skeleton is. The mysterious circumstances surrounding his disappearance (for only the reader knows he's dead) lead the FBI to begin an investigation into his disappearance. Meanwhile, the American Archeological Society (AAS) has to find a replacement for him on the dig he was supposed to be working on. Enter Dr. Ben Lawrence, a Christian archaeologist, not to mention the man who lost the grant for the dig originally when the dead man decided he wanted it.Dr. Lawrence has been having some strange dreams recently - involving a mysterious mist and a lovely woman. While he's trying to figure out these dreams, he's also trying to figure out if it's God's will for him to take over on the dig. After determining that it is, he takes off for southern Turkey to take over the dig.What follows involves the PPT (Turkish version of the FBI), CIA, and US Special Forces. You'll just have to read it to find out how it all works out. There's a little bit of romance and a lot of action!If you have even a passing interest in archaeology, you will enjoy this book. The writing is not flowery - it's straightforward and to the point - all about plot advancement. Though the book is thick, it's a fast and exciting read."Eden's Gate" is a Christian fiction novel that reads like a Michael Crichton thriller. Crichton's novels are characterized by extensive research into his subjects and a thrilling plotline. Mr. Lane has definitely done his research on both archaeology and the Middle East. Much of this story takes place on the border between Turkey and Iraq and some of it even takes place in Iraq. With things the way they are in the world today, I found this book quite fascinating.

I found this book to be an impressive Christian title (some are definitely lacking in quality). In a sense, the story that Lane writes is reminiscent of a Michael Crichton style: excellent research into the topic at hand (here, archaeology), multi-tiered plot (personal/relational, terrorists, CIA, professional, historical, and Biblical), and suspense. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

I never read Lane before, but now I'll look up other books by him, since he sure knows something about archaeology and the Middle East and more. The idea of actually finding Eden's Gate is probably far-fetched, since the Flood probably wiped it all out, so there would be no need for angels to still be standing guard. That whole idea is probably something Rudy Balinger, the flambouyant showman in the story, would have dreamed up. Nevertheless, there was enough archaeologically and politically plausible material in the story to hold my interest. What was most exciting to me was to see the wonderful progress that Zondervan has made since the days when they published material that was seriously compromised scientifically because it did not follow Biblical standards (the Bible being the only totally accurate scientific book that will ever exist). It was heartwarming to realize that an author and a publisher recognize and are now willing to publicize the kind of real-life discrimination that exists for scientists and professionals who practice good science or good business with a creation viewpoint, rather than following the current "party line" of Evolution and all its ramifications.

If you like entertaining Christian fiction with a message this is the book for you. Good story line, characters are well developed and pace is good though a bit predictable. It gave me a good shot in the arm about what God will do when His people trust Him!