THE SECRETS OF LEAVEN BY TODD WYNWARD

Seldom do you read a “Christian” novel that captures your imagination and keeps you turning the page. “Secrets of the leaven” does. In his first novel, Todd Wynward spins a story filled with suspense and intrigue. With each turn of the page something new happens. The story progresses and just keeps getting bigger and bigger. He spins a story of conspiracies and ideas that give “The Da Vinci Code” a run for its money.

The story revolves around Thomas Whidman a young seminarian who has lost his faith. His uncle and one time mentor is a famous revivalist and televangelist. He finds out about an ancestor whose very existence is a family secret and meets a mysterious Zen teacher who wishes to introduce him to a long forgotten brand of Christianity and an old secret society that follows Jesus in a way Thomas and much of mainstream Christianity has never experienced. The lives of these people come crashing together in a battle between orthodoxy and revolutionary thinking.

One thing I like about this book is that it explores difficult theological concepts without being too preachy. Tom Wynyard weaves his rather strong views in the story and the conversation seamlessly, without sounding forced, winding and boring to the reader. The central theme of the book, to my mind, is the age old debate amongst preachers and theologians; James versus Paul; faith versus works. While I have personally reconciled whatever contradictions might seem to exist on the surface, many people still believe there is a conflict in the two books. While Todd does not discredit Paul totally, he certainly leans more on the James side of the argument. Faith without works is dead and we who claim to be followers of Jesus need to get our faces out of our selfish little worlds. We need to get out of our comfort zones and reach out to the hurting, the homeless and the lost. We need to start loving these people without an agenda; preaching with our actions rather than with empty words.

But I believe this book falls into a ditch that Frank Viola always points out; boxing Jesus and his kingdom into a certain category; this time it’s to the realm of social justice. While the Kingdom of Heaven includes social justice and social welfare that is not all there is to it. The kingdom of heaven is Jesus himself, a man who is not just a man but God in the flesh. Yes, the modern institution that parades itself to be Christianity leaves much to be desired in the realm of true religion, the same can be said of a religion that focuses on ascetics and just being good. To my mind, they are two sides of the same coin. Now, I’m not saying Todd doesn’t believe in the other aspects of the Gospel. I just think this book leans more on the “doing” aspect. But I guess that’s what happens when we realize one of God’s desires in our hearts. We become so obsessed with that cause that we think that being a follower of Jesus is all about this cause or ministry God has given us. It’s a problem we all have. But Jesus is much bigger than any concept or ideas, he encompasses them and goes beyond them because He is I AM, a being that is the root and sustainer of all being. He is not just a “doing”.  He is not God because he did anything; he does what he does because he is God. That distinction is very important in shaping our Christian worldview.

This difference in opinion aside, “Secrets of the Leaven” is a great book. This book is good if you seek to be challenged in your walk with God or if you just like good stories with well rounded characters and a well thought out, suspense filled plot. However, be warned. This book raises some serious questions and makes some really strong assertions. He rejects some long-held sacred traditions of Christianity. So if you are one of those who is easily offended by anything that rocks your theological boat, this book is not for you. Or maybe it is exactly for you. Maybe you need to start asking questions. Maybe you need your faith-boat rocked to see whether or not that boat can stand stormy seas or it will be shipwrecked. We all need to be shaken sometimes. That way only the things that are real and true about God remain. Or you could read it and regard it as just a wonderful thriller.

I read the book and did not lose my faith. Rather my faith was strengthened and it brought some things to my mind that I hadn't considered before. Now go get the book, I'm off to read the Epistle of Saint James