A Great Silence in the Land is K.W. Swain's newly released,
self-published book, which according to the author herself, is
written in defense of the Scriptures, in order to answer the many
problems of today. It's mainly about the disavowing, shredding,
and silencing of God's Word in our modern culture, where people
view the Bible as outdated and wickedness runs rampant. The author
uses her book as a platform to share her personal beliefs on "where
we are today, how we got here, and where we are headed."
K.W. Swain's book can be purchased from www.authorhouse.com and
is available in three formats--softcover for $11.90, hardcover for
$18.60, or E-Book for $9.99.
As I read the preface and prologue, I thought this was going to
be a book to which I would easily relate. I sensed K.W. Swain's
passion for God's Word as the only truth, and agreed that "the
word of God is a record of literal events with spiritual applications
that are both divine and human." I also agreed that our modern
society is in a current state of moral decay, and as a whole doesn't
believe the Bible is relevant. I couldn't feel more passionate
about these same things!
Unfortunately, as I moved into the heart of the book, I began
to have some problems with some of the views presented. In chapter
one, Swain reveals her belief that the King James Bible is the
Bible of the Holy Spirit--the only true and faithful translation,
not a version. She says she prefers it "because all revisions add,
interpret, take away, and change."
In the appendix, she elaborates on her view that the King James
is the "final
amazing work" and the only truth. Here she also gives a brief history of The
Holy Bible, and how it came to be. Much of what she discusses is information
my children and I have studied in history--it is extremely valuable information,
but personally, I do not come to the her same conclusion, which is that some
of the other "versions" are not Holy Spirit inspired. In fact, my favorite
Bible--the one I have been reading for twenty years--claims to be the result
of "working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts." With
so many on-line resources available today, it is quite easy to look up words
from our Bibles in the original languages in order to be sure of the exact
meanings.
Chapters three through seven presented no problems for me. I felt the topics
were presented and supported very well. Swain uncovers myths and deceptions
of our present age. She uses Scripture to denounce myths such as The Big Bang
Theory, evolution, and global warming. She brings to light some of the very
real deceptions that are blinding the hearts and minds of people today, such
as the deception of sexual freedom, the deception of a woman's right to choose,
and more.
In the rest of the book, Swain deals with the weighty matter of
eschatology, and some of the views presented are views with which
I am not familiar. I am not saying the views are wrong, though,
because I don't think any one person can know exactly what every
single symbol and number means in the book of Revelation. Swain
believes we are already in the Great Tribulation, so her interpretations
of the two witnesses, the beast and false prophet, the seals, etc.,
reflect this view. This view on end times deserves further research,
but at this point, I personally do not share the same the same
opinion.
In good conscience, I just cannot recommend this book, mostly
due to Swain's stance on the King James Version being the only
truth. Because of this view, I will not be passing the book
on to my children or to anyone else.
Product Review by Brandi Tesreau, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine,
LLC, February, 2012
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