How Firm a Foundations

Found the book engrossing from cover to cover. Interesting mix of theology and thriller. Fascinating look into difficulties of being a pastor, responsible for souls of his flock, and the issues of pleasing God and man. Highly recommended.

Okay. Let's be quite clear here. Marcus Grodi is a noted ex-Evangelical currently-Catholic master apologist. Needless to say, this novel contains some of his concerns in explaining the Catholic faith (and for that matter clarifying some points of Evangelical Protestant belief for us cradle Catholics!) to the world. That doesn't stop Mr. Grodi from writing a very good novel. Be patient, though; Mr. Grodi takes over one quarter of the book setting up his characters and situations, and one begins to wonder, "That's all very nice, but when are things going to start happening?" The dominoes start dropping with lightning speed, and I was only able to accurately predict one outcome. (Well, two, but I'd taken the second one back and guessed wrong.) I read this in approximately 24 clock hours (probably about six or seven hours real-time). Once the dominoes hit the table I didn't want to put the book down.As impressed as I am with Marcus Grodi's talents as an apologist (one whose profession is explaining the Faith), I can't wait to read his next novel!

Marcus Grodi gives us a compelling novel -- one that draws us in, like the novels of Grisham and Turow. But there's much more here, an element of faith and struggle that is honestly and vividly drawn from life.Mr. Grodi is himself a former Protestant minister who converted to the Catholic faith. Presumably, he knows the anguish and the turmoil of one who must choose between his livelihood on the one hand, and his intellectual and spiritual integrity on the other.Those pressures are depicted in the characters of his novel -- in the main character, of course, but also in his friends, his family and his flock.I recommend this book highly. It is more than merely diverting; it is highly instructive.

I started reading this tale and found I couldn't put it down. I am a mental health professional and was particularly intrigued by how skillfully Grodi depicts the many factors at play with someone making such basic changes as a conversion. I count among my friends a number of Protestant clergy. Now I have a much better understanding of hints they have given me! As a cradle Catholic I found I have taken entirely too much for granted.

Marcus Grodi's novel is a very well written story about the internal struggles of a minister in his quest to find out what is the truth in regards to the MANY Christian teachings from sacred scripture. The main character, Stephen, realizes that there are as many (in fact more!) interpretations of scripture as there are denominations that call themselves christians. Through this realization, Stephen discerns that there can only be one truth. In order to arrive at the true teaching, Stephen embarks on a diligent study of theologians from the beginnings of chistianity as well as present day writings. Although this novel is "fiction" in its characters and story line, the dilemma of Stephen is a common one of real life ministers and their families as well as many other christians. I challenge anybody who is looking for truth to consider reading "How Firm a Foundation" by Marcus Grodi. You won't be dissapointed!