The Grace Effect--Taunton

The Grace Effect: How the Power of One Life Can Reverse the Corruption of Unbelief

 by Larry Alex Taunton

(Thomas Nelson, 2011, 254pp. including Discussion Guide)

Larry Taunton, a seasoned Christian apologist, uses the story of his 10-yr. old daughter’s adoption from the Ukraine to underline his conviction that Christianity not only creates a different and better society but is essential to the maintenance of such a society.  Drawing on specific encounters with heartless officials and corruption in the adoption process he draws a contrast to ‘the grace effect’, the tangible benefits granted to a society that is shaped by Christian beliefs.  Personal narrative alternates with didactic sections on the religious history of Ukraine and the Soviet policies underlying its orphanages.  The objective throughout is to challenge the premise of New Atheism that society would be better off without Christianity.

The book is a unique intermingling of Christian apologetics with corroborating personal experience.  I enjoyed the storyline and Taunton makes many valid conclusions about a grace-based vs. a godless society.  However, I found his own impatience and disgust with corrupt bureaucracy to be lacking in ‘the grace effect’.  How would he expect the pawns of such a harsh and corrupt society to act otherwise?  His chapter titled: “Atheists don’t do Benevolence” is a needlessly offensive generalization, as is his ‘write-off’ of Greek Orthodoxy as ‘not very Christian’. 

While his story serves to expose the plight of orphans in the Ukraine, his accusation of exploitation and ‘selling children’ may reflect an oversimplification of the complex problem the Ukranian government faces.  If it was easy and cheap to acquire a child from such an orphanage, these children would most certainly be exploited for evil gain.

One of my favorite aspects of the book are the author’s conversations with one of new atheism’s leading proponents, Christopher Hitchens.  Their amiable relationship is an impressive expression of the grace effect, and makes me willing to overlook some of my other objections to the book.  I would recommend it to those interested in apologetics, foreign adoption, or just a good solid case of Christianity in action.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes via their Booksneeze program.

 --LS