Why Does Evil Exist?
What had initially seemed to be just a great thriller quickly turned into much more. Dekker guides his readers to think about some of life’s deepest issues, not only where we came from, but why we do the things we do. What is truly guiding and motivating our actions? What lies at the depth of the worst acts of mankind? Are murderers and rapists just an aberration of evolution? Or is there something much more intelligent and malevolent at work?
“There is no greater crisis facing humanity than atheism. One hour in the dead of the night with a man who is possessed will shatter the defiance of the staunchest atheist.”
Adam
“Adam” initially kicks off with a group of forensic investigators on the trail of a shadowy killer. Already more than a dozen victims have been taken by an enigmatic serial killer calling himself, ‘Eve’. Eve doesn’t act like most serial murderers, instead his victims have some sort of religious connection. As victims are claimed, the main characters are forced to grapple with their deepest doubts and fears, especially in regards to faith.
When Theology Becomes Thrilling
As much as it a suspense thriller, I would say “Adam” is equally a theological thriller as well. From the first several pages Dekker makes it very clear to his readers that this will not be your average suspense thriller. This is about understanding the drives and motivations of mankind. In my opinion, Ted Dekker is very comparable to Dean Koontz, but with one major difference, Dekker isn’t afraid to make his faith more explicit.
“You will learn that evil tends to target those who are least suspicious of its power.” – Adam
As I read through this novel, I thought about my own struggles with faith over the years. I went through my own ‘there is no God’ phase in my life. Had I read this novel much earlier, I may not have ever gone into such depths. I grew disillusioned with Christianity over a perceived lack of answers to deep questions. At one point, I even rejected any idea of there being a spiritual dimension. The ironic thing is that I’ve always enjoyed horror novels. Go figure, right?
Truth Is Not Easy or Comfortable
‘Adam’ is a visceral novel that forced readers to deal with the world around them. You cannot read this novel and come away without thinking very hard about the way you see the world and humanity in general. You cannot read this and come away thinking, ‘oh that was nice’. Depending on where your spiritual views are, this novel will probably tear apart your pretensions and intellectual arguments. As I reached the end of this novel, reflected on how we are far too easily pleased with easy answers to life. We are content to accept trite arguments and cute phrases instead of dealing with things that make us uncomfortable.
“Destroying all forms of light is evil’s primary occupation. Its secondary purpose is to do so without being detected. I would say that every human brushes up against the most abject form of evil at least once a day. But they might notice only once every ten years.” – Adam
“In most cases possession is a gradual process, hardly understood by the victim. Contrary to what many assume, most victims are intelligent. But their possession usually revolves around a single fixation. Denial of morality. Obsession with gender. Profound disbelief. Any one of a number of ideas that start in the mind and work their way into the heart.” – Adam
To that end I say Dekker has written a masterpiece. A novel that takes Christian theology and makes it more relevant than any apologetics seminar. Thrilling, terrifying, and ultimately a life changing experience. An absolute 10/10, a highly recommended book.
