The Grace Effect, Book review

'FINDING THEMSELVES IN SUCH A WORLD AT THE DAWN OF THEIR EXISTENCE, SO YOUNG, SO DEFENSELESS, WHAT MUST GO ON IN THESE SOULDS FRESH FROM GOD?'

(Les Miserables, Victor Hugo)

Book description:

"Simply defined, the 'grace effect' is an observable phenomenon-that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes."

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues?  Not much, according to the secular Left.  The world, they say, would be a better place without it. 

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired Ukrainian orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace. 

Through the narrative of Sasha's redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source of grace.  We see, in short, the kind of world the atheists would give us: a world without Christianity-cold, pitiless, and graceless.

And yet, as Sasha shows us, it is a world that is not beyond the healing power of "the grace effect."  Occasionally infuriating, often amusing, but always inspiring, The Grace Effect will have you cheering for the courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day.

"This highly readable book is a collection of powerful insights into the long-term consequences of spiritual indifference and, above all, a remarkable example of how to conquer it."

- Dr. Olivera Petrovich - 

"What would a world without Christianity look like? We don't have to guess because such a world does exist: it exists in the current and former Communist bloc. Through the inspiring story of a little girl born in Eastern Europe and now living in America, Larry Taunton draws a sharp contrast between the life-giving influence of Christianity and the worn out theories of atheism and radical secularism.  The effect--The Grace Effect--is nothing less than powerful and moving."

- Dinesh D'Souza -

And now my review:

A picture, a line or paragraph, even the cover of a book can compel us to reach out and find out more about its history and such was 'The Grace Effect' for me!

Larry Alex Taunton is the author of 'The Grace Effect' but also the founder and executive director of

Fixed Point Foundation, best described as a bridge between the sacred and the secular.

Debates with Christian scholars argues that society as a whole would be better off if Christianity and therefore Christian morality were all together abandoned and here is Larry Taunton's answer:

"That's been tried." "The 20th century was an expansion in secularism that left no less than 60 million dead. What is the result? Human beings are treated like commodities. That's the result of decades of an anti-Christian, godless mindset, where human beings are seen as less valuable than the state. It necessarily leads to a view of life that is devaluing. I'm trying to give a glimpse of where our own society will go." 

The Tauntons glimpsed all this and more whilst spending 36 days in Ukraine, to adopt daughter Sasha from an orphanage! Let me start by saying ANYONE who says they are Christian and loves children should read their story. It certainly opened my eyes to the evils of corrupted regimes!

The Grace Effect tells us Sasha's story but also of the many debates and discussions of Mr. Taunton with Atheists, some even personal friends.

Deftly weaving a heart gripping recount of his family adoption of a special needs ten year old girl from Ukraine, their trials and tribulations, the corrupted regime and the lack of Christian love displayed throughout it all, Taunton reaches out with an unforgettable explanation for the grace effect! 

An amazing book, beautifully written and worth every 5 stars I am giving it! 

Read, come and witness as a true Christian and never forget!

Meet the Author and his daughter:

Larry Taunton is founder and executive director of Fixed Point Foundation, an initiative dedicated to defending and promoting Christianity in the public square.  In that role, he has engaged some of the most vociferous critics of the Christian faith.

More (here)

I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.