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Book Review Archives
Title:The Gateway to Eternal Life
Author: CJ Cahill
Publisher: CreateSpace
Copyright: 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1453882283
Genre: Christian Living
Book Size: 146 pages
Reviewer: Deborah Porter
Available Through:
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Eternal-Life-1/dp/1453882286/
Author CJ Cahill experienced an abusive childhood, which led her to embrace a somewhat self-abusive lifestyle as a teenager. Her first marriage was also one of abuse, and she is quick to acknowledge that, given all those turbulent years, it is a miracle she survived. Yet, she clearly sees God's hand of protection on her life, enabling her to live out His plans and purposes.
It is this passionate belief in the destiny God has for each person, and the fullness of life available to all who receive Christ as Lord, that she attempts to communicate to the reader in the pages of her first book, The Gateway to Eternal Life.
Ms. Cahill was raised in the Catholic Church, but turned away as a pre-teen when she discerned discrepancies between what was being taught and what was being lived out by the particular congregation her family attended. This distance from the church lasted many years; however, there were experiences during that time which showed her that God was very real, and her faith in Him began to grow. Even so, she remained unaware of the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in order to know salvation. This revelation and experience took place, along with a miraculous healing of her body, when she was 51 years old--about six years before the penning of this book.
Although the author indicates in her introduction that this book was written for both those who know the Lord and those who don't know the Lord, the reality is that it is really very much aimed at the spiritually sensitive seeker. There is very little fresh or new for the Christian reader, although a new Christian would probably still benefit from some of the very simple, Word-based teaching. The aim of the book, whether intentional or not, is very definitely to introduce the reader to faith in God, and the freedom and healing found in Christ. The ultimate goal is, of course, to lead the reader into a faith-based personal relationship with the Lord.
The author uses large amounts of Scripture in each chapter as a way of supporting her teaching, and covers all the basics of Christianity in the eighteen chapters. The chapters include such subjects as: The Old and New Blood Covenants; The Most Precious Holy Spirit; The Power of Words; Man's Need of Salvation; The End Times; and The Love of God.
Apart from the two personal chapters, My Story and The Magnificent Healer Jesus and How I Found Him, there is very little personal input from the author, and very few illustrations from her life, which is a bit disappointing for the reader. This lack may not be an issue for some; however, for others, it could make for somewhat dry reading.
Ms. Cahill is living and breathing her late-found relationship with Jesus, with all the passion and zeal that comes from new life in Him. She has delved deep into God's Word, and The Gateway to Eternal Life is the result of her experience and research, as well as from listening to the direction of God's Holy Spirit.
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