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Book Review - "Harm’s Spiritual Struggle Embodies the Christian Life"
The following review was written by Gavin H. on the 2-volume set of books Through Many Dangers by P.M. Kuiper (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2021). The version below has been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
In a book that takes place in the Civil War, you would imagine that the primary dangers would be injury or death. However, Kuiper reveals to us in his well-written book that spiritual dangers can hurt far worse than any bullet. He uses the thoughts and internal struggles of his protagonist, Harm van Wyke, to guide us to this conclusion.
This story starts in Holland, Michigan, in the late summer of 1862. Volunteers to fight for the Union are being called for, and Harm’s friends, Kees, Ted, and Gerrit, seem eager to join the Union army. Even their minister, Rev. van Raalte, wants them to join. Still, Harm is hesitant. His father thinks it foolish for young boys to voluntarily fight in war, but Harm joins the army against his father’s wishes.
The boys from Holland make up the 25th Michigan regiment. Harm accustoms himself to camp life and drills every day. He marches further and further south with his regiment, and they make their way through Indiana and Kentucky throughout 1862 and into the summer of 1863. Soon, Harm and his friends join the fighting in Kentucky.
However, more important battles occur along the way, inside of Harm and his friends’ souls. The Union army is full of sinfulness and immorality, and that begins to influence even Harm’s regiment. Harm and his friends face temptations of gambling and foraging at times, and are forced to make the choice between assimilation and purity. All the while the threats of injury and death loom over their heads, even when they are not fighting.
This book is compelling in character, plot development and length, technique, and spiritual accuracy. I found it enjoyable to read, as it reads quite seamlessly and the characters are easy to follow.
The characters, at about 18 years old, are relatable for young adults, despite the difference between the 19th and 21st centuries. Since Harm and his friends are Dutch, from Holland in West Michigan, this book has a sort of appeal to those who live in West Michigan or in Dutch Reformed circles. Harm and his friends are all quite dynamic characters, as their personalities and spiritual lives are shaped by the trials they endure throughout the story.
The author, P. M. Kuiper, develops the plot of the book well, focusing primarily on how Harm’s faith and spiritual purity are tested by the events that take place. Every main event in the book [complements] this theme in some shape or form.
Kuiper focuses on the emotions and experiences of the characters rather than their surroundings or the overall Civil War. He presents his characters well, giving them unique personalities to make them seem real to the reader. The protagonist, Harm van Wyke, is also developed well, [being] given the qualities of any Christian fighting the Old Man within; he gives a little and takes a little, and sometimes temptation overtakes him. Harm’s spiritual struggle certainly embodies the Christian life.
One important topic this book addresses is whether or not Christians should voluntarily join the army if they are needed. Is serving your country important enough where you can put your life on the line, even killing other people? What if your parents disapprove? Such questions are answered (with the events in the novel) from a well-rounded, Reformed perspective.
This Civil War novel is an excellent book for both young people and adults to read. Its Christian perspective from a first-person point-of-view reminds us again how the Christian life is not always easy. Spiritual dangers attack the elect on every side, no matter what time period they live in. Yet God continually gives us strength by His Holy Spirit to persevere until the end.
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The content of the article above is the sole responsibility of the article author. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Reformed Free Publishing staff or Association, and the article author does not speak for the RFPA.
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