Safely home: narrative and themes

Safely Home

The book "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn tells the story of two very different men. One lives a life of God and persecution in China, while the other lives an empty life in corporate America. The book tells of their reuniting after 20 years, and its effect on both men.

"In three minutes,' Scarbrow said matter-of-factly, 'we will shoot every man and woman -- and child -- who does not declare himself loyal to the people rather than the gweilos, foreign devils'" (Alcorn 27). This is an extremely important passage in the book, as it indicates the depth of Christian persecution in China, and what believers face in the country. They literally face death for their beliefs. We take religious freedom for granted in this country, and often do not recognize what believers face in other countries, so this is important to bring this practice to light so that people can fight it and fight for religious freedom around the world. It is difficult to believe that practices like this still exist, and this passage is important to make more people aware of that fact.

"Do you not know Chinese history? The church in China goes back at least thirteen hundred years. We had Christian monasteries in the eighth century. Beijing had a bishop eight hundred years ago'" (Alcorn 87). This is an important passage because it shows how ignorant Americans are about other cultures and their beliefs. People assume that the Chinese are not Christian, and they do not bother to learn the truth. The truth is that the government has made the Chinese people anti-Christian, and has banned any faith but in that of the government. It is a tyrannical rule that is frightening and extremely controlling, and this passage indicates just how fearful the government is of anything that might influence or control the people other than themselves. It is a fearful passage to read.

"You're the King, not me. I'm tired of trying to run my life. I'm not qualified. I've messed up everything. I do believe now that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. I ask for the life you promised. I ask for your Holy Spirit inside me'" (Alcorn 309). This passage is extremely significant because it marks Ben's transformation from a non-believing businessperson who does not take many other people or things into consideration, into a Christian, devoted to God and to transforming the lives of others. He becomes an advocate for social change and the end of persecution, and he becomes a better, more grounded and happy person because of it, even though he can never keep Li Quan from meeting his fate, and he can never get him released from prison.

The tone of this book is profoundly spiritual and somehow comforting, even though it ends tragically (or profoundly), for Li Quan. The story is simple, and the dialogue is often simple, but its' meaning is extremely important, especially for the characters themselves and their understanding of the world around them. The style is a bit difficult to read at times. The author adds many details, such as "The next day, Saturday," or dates, that really do not need to be included, and some of the writing style is very plodding and hard to read. The writing style is also a bit simple at times, as if it is just describing things in order, instead of being extremely creative and challenging.

Ben Fielding starts out as a one-dimensional character. He is a typical American businessperson who lives for his work, has lost his family to divorce, and he really does not care about anyone else but himself. He spends most of his time working, and he has shallow friendships with the people he works with. It is really kind of amazing that he remembers his old roommate with such fondness, because he does not seem to be that emotional or caring an individual. For example, Alcorn writes, "Ben got the usual adrenaline rush. But he couldn't just jump in the Jaguar and head to the office. He was stuck in the comfort of first class, wondering if accomplishing these goals would ever make him happy" (Alcorn 45). Ben is unhappy, and it is clear his life is unfulfilling and unhappy, no matter how much of a "rush" he gets from his business and achieving goals. It is clear he needs something else in his life, and that he will find it in China.

Li Quan, on the other hand, is a happy man, even though he lives a very hard and finally tragic life. He is happy because his faith makes him happy and content, and that is why the ending is so important. Li Quan dies, but he is really "going home," which relates to the title. He had to put up with so much on Earth so he could appreciate Heaven even more, and recognize that his faith finally brought him "safely home," where he belonged. There is a great difference between the two men, not because of their circumstances, but because of their faith, and this is the important and central theme of the book. Clearly, the author wrote it to bring attention to the persecution going on around the world, and to urge people to do something about it, but he wrote it as an explanation of faith and how important that can be to people. Li Quan is an example of one who has true faith, and will not let anything, even death, keep him from it, and he is an inspiring character because of his strength and peaceful spirit even in the very worst conditions.

Why does God allow treatment like this to exist in the world?

God allows this treatment of people, and persecution to exist because it helps show Him who are the faithful, and who are not. When he destroys Earth at the end of the book, the faithful are spared and healed, just as they are promised in the Bible. That allows God to start over on Earth and create the Eden he created for Adam and Eve, with loyal followers who will repopulate the Earth with the good and faithful, and create a kind of Heaven on Earth, what he had intended in the first place.

Why are the Communists so afraid of Christianity?

It seems the Chinese government is afraid of Christianity because they believe it comes from the "western devils," and that westernization is not wanted in Chinese religion. However, it really seems like it is about power and control. The Chinese do not want their people to be loyal to anything but the government, because it gives them more control, and when people are loyal to God, they lose their powerful grip of control.