the thin space

About the Book

Book: The Thin Space

Author: Dann Stouten

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Release date: May 28, 2021

RGB300TheThinSpace When Psychologist Rocky Devos lost his wife to cancer, he also lost his faith in the fairness of God. For over a year, he lived in the thin space between his love for God and his hatred for what he believed God did. Each night, he banged on heaven’s gate demanding an explanation.

“Why Rachel, Lord? Why would you let her suffer like that? Why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you give us a miracle?”

The longer his prayers went unanswered the more frustrated he became. Eventually, he meets God’s silence with a silence of his own. But then, a year and four months later, the answer arrives disguised as a homeless vagabond who claims to be the apostle Paul. Clearly, Rocky believes he was delusional. But in their court-appointed sessions, he finds a kindred spirit. As Paul unpacks the pain of losing his wife in childbirth the two men connect. Rocky believes he’s there to help Paul. Paul believes the opposite.

The book explores the thin space between faith and doubt. Rocky’s questions are our questions. At some point we will all lose someone we love. When we do, we will find comfort in the company of those who have walked the path of suffering before us. Rocky invites us to join him on his journey of redemption. His conversations with Paul will not only change the way he thinks about God, they may do the same for you as well.

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About the Author

Dann_Web DANN STOUTEN (DMin, Western Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Leadership and Teaching at Christ Memorial Church in Holland, Michigan. Dann has always been a lover of stories. He believes if we write about hope, it’s because we have found hope. If we write about tragedy, it’s because we have experienced tragedy. If we write about love, it’s because we have been loved well or want to be. If we write about faith, it’s because we have wrestled with our doubts and come out on the other side. Doubt is the enemy of faith and nothing stirs up doubt like death.

When we lose someone we love, our faith is either strengthened or strangled. That death will drive us closer to God or drive us farther away. We find ourselves in The Thin Space between wanting to believe and wondering if we do. For a time, faith and doubt play tug-o-war with our souls. In the end, whether we chose to believe or not is often decided by the stories we’re told. My prayer is that my words might bring people comfort and bring them closer to God.

More from Dann

There is a thin space between faith and doubt, and when we lose someone we love, the lines can sometimes get blurred. Unanswered prayers hang heavy on our hearts, and grief can even cause us to question God. In those moments of uncertainty, we often find comfort in the company of those who’ve walked the path of suffering before us. Their story and our stories intertwine. The Thin Space invites us to walk alongside of Rocky DeVos as he tries to navigate life’s most challenging moments. It is honest, comforting, and dares ask the questions we so often are afraid to explore. It will challenge the way you think about God and is a must read for anyone who’s lost someone they love.

MY REVIEW

This is a book that intrigued me and made me want to dig deeper in the Bible. Rocky has a devastating loss that causes him to question God. Anyone that has lost someone has probably asked these questions? Why didn’t you save them God? Why did they have to die? I remember when my brother died I was in shock. I believed that he would be healed and was angry when he passed away.

I’m not sure what I would do if someone told me that they were the Apostle Paul, but I liked the way Rocky handled the situation. Hearing the story of Paul from the beginning was like traveling back in time and walking beside him as he told his story. There are many emotional moments as Rocky listens to Paul. I began to wonder if this was a divine appointment for Rocky. Did God send this person to Rocky to help him grieve the loss of his wife?

The book is filled with insights into the grief process and reminds us that God has not abandoned us. “Don’t mistake God’s silence for His absence.” I loved that sentence so much. He does know what we need but sometimes it is hard for us when we feel hurt and alone. The story is beautifully written as Rocky shares his love for his wife. It was hard for Rocky to accept her death, but maybe in the midst of everything he found his way back to God.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.