When the Wicked Seize a City

When many years ago (at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw) half the jury gave the Croatian pianist Ívo Pogorélich top marks while the other half instead gave the lowest, it turned out to be a signal that something had to be right albeit unusual for such a polarisation to happen. So it has come to pass with this Christian book (and as it also did with Jesus Himself!). Having tried to check its veracity (so far it rings true, contrary to others' claims of it being a novel!), I can understand why those who hate Christ and His Ways and/or insist on distorting them to THEIR wishes will hate it. Likewise, those who have truly given their lives over to Him without any reservations will treasure this book - it's a haunting though very sad autobiography! - and put it in an honoured place in their libraries. While some people could misuse it as a hate manual (anything can be used or misused for good and for evil!), that in itself is not the case. All in all, very warmly recommended as a very thought-provoking book (notably in its autobiographical aspect) that challenges us to see how much are we living by what we profess to be (e.g., relative to how other Christian people supported - or did not support - the McIlhennys in their tribulations).

A first-hand account by the authors (Chuck and Donna McIlhenny) of their experiences in San Francisco in 1978 when, acting on religious convictions, Chuck fired their church's organist upon finding out that the man was gay. Their church and home were firebombed, they received countless obscene phone calls and death threats, and the church was sued. The book also describes their loving ministry to gays and people with AIDS. It shows what can happen to a city (or a nation) when immorality is given legal santion. Originally published in 1993 by Huntington House.

Pastor McIlhenny and his family faced death threats, harassment, and attempted murder because of their stand for biblical moral values. Their love, courage, and steadfastness in the face of danger and hardship should be an inspiration to any Christian who is serious about his or her faith.