Five Sacred Crossings: A Novel

Story has been used for a long time to communicate deep truths in an entertaining yet engaging manner. Dr Hazen does a wonderful job here to draw his readers to consider important, eternal issues. Its easy to read and fits in a briefcase. Its an airplane book with food for the soul.

The Five Sacred Crossings helped me to understand my own faith, as well as others in the world, in a down-to earth informative way. Set on a college campus, with believable characters who are facing a very real terrorism crises in their community, it's a real page turner. I never saw the ending coming. It's an innovative novel that makes you think about what being a Christian means.

Wow! I wasn't expecting this. A friend gave me the Five Sacred Crossings. I hadn't heard a thing about it and was blown away. Craig Hazen's first foray into fiction is a huge winner. Forget the Da Vinci Code with its "make it up as you go" approach to religion. Hazen weaves some of the most insightful ideas in religion and philosophy right into a sizzling page turning story. Whether you are a Christian believer or not, you will be captured by the grace, kindness, and brilliance of the main character, Prof. Michael Jernigan. The characters come alive. I could swear I've met all these people. The only question I had when I finished (in tears I might add) was "when is Hazen's next book coming out?" Quick, somebody tell Oprah!

Vietnam veteran Michael Jernigan heard the blast from his apartment. The next day the headlines screamed, "Accidental blast Uncovers Local Islamic Terror Cell." Jernigan was filling in for a faculty member on maternity leave. The college students began asking questions concerning the terrorist. One student asked the profound question, "Why do they want to kill us?" Dr. Jernigan is a follower of Jesus Christ but does not call himself a Christian. He determines to spend the next few weeks discussing religions stickiest questions. The students felt comfortable with him and readily discussed their beliefs. He shared his story with them. During his stint in Vietnam, he was given the opportunity to live with the Cardamom and study with Master Map Nuth. Nuth shared "The Five Crossings" with him. What he learned reshaped his life. I try to be open-minded when I review a book, but I struggled with skepticism as I opened the cover of Five Sacred Crossings. My skepticism soon turned to eagerness. I swiftly turned the pages eager to learn more. Jesus Christ taught in the form of parables. Hazen has cleverly incorporated the same strategy. Through the dialogue between Jerigan and class members, all becomes clear. I can picture Jesus' disciples discussing his teachings in quite the same manner. The discussion of the Prodigal Son particularly touched me and was paramount to this story. This book contains so many truths; "There is a God and that he is deeply personal" is just one. This is not a preachy text; it is a story of compassion, emotion, and passion. I was reminded of the scripture, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13. The plot is well developed and built to a crescendo. I became engrossed in the story as well as the subtle teachings. I will never look at the story of the prodigal son again without remembering this book. The characters were real; and seemed to play out the drama on the pages. While I read this book from a Christian background and perspective, other religions will also enjoy it and find it informative and touching. I recommend this book to all people regardless of faith.

"Five Sacred Crossings" could easily be to apologetics what CS Lewis' "Screwtape Letters" is to spiritual warfare. This book lays out the case for Christianity in the most engaging and entertaining story - a real page turner that will have you on the edge of your seat. The book deals with the exploration of spirituality by a group of college kids - and very accurately depicts their points of view - all within espionage & action. Highly recommend for parents of college kids; it allowed me to hear the conversation my college age daughter is exposed to and will help me to help her respond to them.