The Poisonwood Bible

So I just finished reading The Poisonwood Bible and I have mixed feelings. It made me think so I guess that's a good thing. I liked the book but it wasn't a page turner for me. I enjoyed reading about a place and culture that are so different from my own. The story is about a Baptist minister and his wife and four daughters that go to the Congo with the desire to baptize and save all of the Congolese people. Of course, things don't go according to plan. The Congolese don't want to be "saved" and the father is a zealot that rules his family with unrighteous dominion.

One of the things that made me sad about the book was that one of the daughters had great faith in her father and in God. And then when she lost faith in her father she also lost faith in God. I felt that the author had a great opportunity to show that even if her father had betrayed her that God never would but Africa seemed to become her replacement for God.

Another thing that bothered me was reading about how horrible America is over and over again. And this is where I must admit my own ignorance. I know nothing of America's foreign policy. I know very little about politics in general. I am complacent. I believe that our government is good. I know we've made mistakes and that not all of our actions have been virtuous, but I don't want to think that our nation is filled with selfish, money-hungry men that will stop at nothing to gain power. I can't believe that.

So there has been some good that has come out of this book for me. I am resolved to remove my head from the ground and become a little more knowledgeable about the world around me. I'm also going to try and do a little good beyond my regular sphere of influence. I'm used to thinking that my house is too small, my furniture is too shabby, and my cars are too old. And then I read about people who have dirt floors and no food, let alone clothing. It makes me very thankful for all of the things I've been taking for granted.