Comments on: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult: What about Systemic Sin?

By: Ashlyn

Ashlyn — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:01:32 +0000

this was a great eye opener to what this book is really about. i never really thought about the biblical side to it so in depth as you had explained. i read this book for a school presentation. i really enjoy reading picoults books. she does write things that i stongly disagree with, but she brings up the point of view of the world. When i was reading it, i kept thinking how we dont ever do exactly what the Lord wants us to do things, but he is a forgiving and merciful God. Amen to that!

By: John

John — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:15:33 +0000

Melinda,
On your recommendation I will read *Change of Heart.* A few of my good reader friends have been after me to read Jodi Picoult.
See you Thursday.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:25:42 +0000

John – this post makes me want to read this book. I recently read my first book by this same author, and I hope you read it someday for I would love your thoughts on it. It’s called Change of Heart, and it really opened up some areas of faith I need(ed) to wrestle through.

By: John

John — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:25:08 +0000

daryl underwood,
the thinking is the weaving of individual acts and community judgment…how much do we stress systemic sin?

By: daryl underwood

daryl underwood — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:30:39 +0000

setting these two illustrations side by side seems a stretch to me…what are you thinking?

By: John Frye

John Frye — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:51:18 +0000

Post Blackbird Song,
Yeah, I admit there is not a clear correspondence between the two episodes–Achan and Peter Houghton–other than the idea of both individual and collective guilt. Though, in Joshua 7 it is hard to establish the guilt of the sons and daughters, whereas in *19 Minutes* you can see the culpability of Peter’s high school peers. I like your observation that “we get the downside of both systems.”

By: John Frye

John Frye — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:47:24 +0000

justin,
This is the kind of book to jolt your thinking. We all need books like this once in a while.

By: After the Blackbird Sings

After the Blackbird Sings — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:58:26 +0000

The comparison between the Achan story and Peter’s story is interesting, but I’m sitting here thinking about the contrasts. Peter lived in a society that isolates people as individuals at a very young age, and no one steps in to protect him from the bullying and to help him cope. In Ai, Achan’s family is treated as a single unit, and they live and die by his actions. Most of his family died unjustly from our individualist view. You kinda get the downsides of both systems in this post.

By: justin

justin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:43:50 +0000

wow. heavy stuff. i am very interested to read this book at any rate.

By: John

John — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:57:41 +0000

Way of the Pilgrim,
Thanks for the link, my friend.
John