The Hammer of God (2005)

The Hammer of God by Bo Giertz is a work of Christian fiction translated from Swedish, composed of three small novellas superficially connected by location, but deeply related by theme. Each is set in the same small town, just at different times in about a 150 year period, and each features a young pastor new to the work as he struggles with his inexperience as well as trying to square his idealistic teachings with the reality of sin and the demands of the congregation. While not the focus, it does come from a Lutheran viewpoint, so expect those doctrinal beliefs to be seen here and there. For me this book is comparable to my favourite works by CS Lewis, seeing God working in peoples lives in powerful ways, in a manner that drives home to my own life the greatness of God, and His love and grace. Highly recommended.

I first read The Hammer of God when my son loaned me his copy. It is a story of one church in Sweden told over 3 generations of pastors. Although fictional I believe it is based on the ministry of the author Bishop Bo Giertz. I was transfixed by the power of the narrative and how much I was learning about both theology and """"how then we should live"""". I have since bought my own copy which I loan cautiously and re read annually.