A review of Original Sin by Allison Brennan
So excited were the publishers about Allison Brennan's new book series, that they signed her up for seven novels, and rushed out the first a couple of months early.
Brennan is on the wave of what is predicted to be the new fiction phenomenon: suspense/romance novels involving angels. While the concept is familiar with Bible readers, human-angel liaisons apparently occurred during the time of Noah (Genesis 6:4), this has been celebrated as a new genre in secular publishing.
The first book is titled Original Sin which hints at what the series is about: "What if the Seven Deadly Sins were seven fallen angels - and they were about to wreak havoc on the earth?"
In what smacks of a Frank Peretti novel, occultists have opened the doors to hell and released seven demons. Now it is up to converted witch Moira O'Donnell and the mysterious ex-priest Rafe Cooper to both thwart the coven and capture the demons.
Let's be clear on one thing… this is pulp fiction not literature, but it is fairly entertaining, and the plot certainly races along.
Positively, there are some strong messages about the dangers of fooling around with witchcraft; that any attempt to unleash spiritual power to increase human power opens up yourself and others to evil attack. Moira fights her own temptation to use magic, knowing that this only has negative consequences.
There are also links between new age beliefs and coven activities, which de-masks the innocent nature of crystals and readings.
There is also a great role for the church here, working to overcome the power of the devil on earth.
Negatively, all the demon-fighting occurs without calling upon the name of Christ, who the Bible is clear has already defeated Satan (1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14-15).
In the book, it appears that God acts on the whim of humans, and through such superstitious symbols as holy water and blessed crucifixes. Paul was clear that God has equipped us with weapons that we need to fight spiritual forces, and that they are all gifts from God, through Jesus, empowered by the Spirit: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit, the Word of God and prayer (Ephesians 6:10-20).
This book falls into the trap of separating spiritual forces and evil, from sin and its effects. So, Moira, Rafe and the other demon-fighters are decidedly ensnared by other aspects of human sin. Holiness does not appear to extend to sexual purity. Also, Moira does an awful lot of swearing. I'm not sure what I would say when faced by a demon, but Moira's language is pretty colourful whatever activity she is involved in.
The book ends up falling into the trap that CS Lewis described in The Screwtape Letters: giving Satan too much power. Perhaps though it is a corrective to the other extreme Lewis warned about, and one we might be party to: ignoring Satan.
In the end, the presence of demons in the book fills everyone with fear. What they needed was the confidence that Christ gives, that nothing can separate us - neither angels nor demons - from the love of God made possible through Jesus (Romans 8:38-9).
The Bible is clear that Christians do not need to fear Satan when they draw near to God (James 4:7-8).
If the publishers are right, and angels - fallen or shining human defenders - are going to replace Vampires as the new theme du jour, then it does open up the possibility of conversations about the spirit world; and especially the triumphant position of Jesus.
