This story is spoiling, like milk that has gone bad but is left in the refrigerator. As each chapter passes, the evil gets more sour, more toxic. If there is anything that Stephen King knows how to do, it is tell a story that can turn your stomach. He tells them well, almost too well. That is NOT to say I dislike the story. I simply want to note that so far there is more depravity and sin than there is redemption and resolution. I prefer the latter since Jesus is my King and I long for the world to be made right. What makes this story unique is that the evil I am wanting to see stopped is emanating from people who claim to follow Him. I guess upon some reflection, this is not so much a surprise. Jesus had His most severe critiques for the Pharisees, the “spiritual leaders” of Israel. Religious people always seem to have the hardest time with grace and the true gospel. What saddens me is that people like Stephen King and most others in the culture today cannot tell the difference between those who claim to love Jesus and those who actually do. Maybe it is because even those of us to love Him deeply struggle with sinful desires. We are different, as I spoke about in our first post on this book, but we still have to fight against some of our impulses. Then again, it could be that people are looking for reasons not to believe in God. Whatever the case, it is sad that people do not see the truth of God.

In the book we are finally seeing the evil actions getting some confrontation, but that is squashed quickly. Characters we like are making some “minor” mistakes, but those mistakes are costing them right now. Barbie, probably the most likable character in the story, is in jail and seems to be at the mercy of all the evil characters. Rusty has stepped up in the story and presented himself as trustworthy too, but he does not have much pull right now. I think what is a struggle for me with the story right now and why the “religious” people frustrate me so is that King has purposely written it that way. Think about it. He could have made it a mystery what was really going on and how 4 people had been murdered. Since we know who has murdered these people and that it was not Barbie, we are outraged. He wants us to feel these things even as we are reading. It is a godly response for us to hate injustice. We should long for things to be made right. That pleases God even if the justice must strike those who claim His name.

I am fascinated to find out how the story ends. I want to see how King wraps it all up. What is his point? Usually you cannot know such things until after the whole story has been told. 600 pages in and I still don’t know what he is doing. Some people would be frustrated with that. For me, this means intrigue. I am used to knowing the storyline and being able to guess where things are going. King is keeping me on my toes. That is a good thing. I have been pulled in. I will go along with King on the ride. In some ways this is like LOST. I have stuck it out for the last 5 seasons because I was hooked at the beginning. There have been some rocky parts in both storylines, but I believe the overall story will be worth it.

What do you think at this point? Anything so far that is pulling out a response from you? I would love to hear how you are holding up. See you in a week with the next 200 pages under our belts.

Tags: depravity of man, evil, justice, Lost, religious people, Stephen King, Under the Dome