Prophet

Really really good book.

A very interesting read that is fiction yet surrounds demons, angels and prayer. The power of prayer in life.

Demonic forces and battles with angels make up this modern novel.

TV newscaster John Barrett finds himself exposing a botched abortion cover-up, and together with his colleague Leslie Albright and his estranged son Carl, he comes to discover how dirty politics affect what is considered news.

This is not Peretti's best novel, with the writing at times getting bogged down at times with some repetition, and lacking the urgency of some of his other page-turners. Theologically, there's also a charismatic influence, in that John Barrett has prophetic visions, although these don't play a huge role in the plot. But there are some valuable insights about how the media distorts the truth in how they cover stories, particularly as they relate to politics and abortion. This is a worthwhile read, which entertains as well as educates. - GODLY GADFLY (November 2016)

John Barrett in Frank E. Peretti’s “Prophet” is the star anchor man on NewsSix, but his father has developed a reputation among the masses as a religious pro-life nut. Even Governor Hiram Slater wishes the elder John Barrett would just leave him and his campaign alone. What seems to be a case of religion against politics soon turns into a possible murder case and medical malpractice.

This story dares to delve into a controversial topic, but does so from the anchor desk of a top notch media center. It’s a fly on the wall view of what counts as news and what doesn’t. How these every day decisions affect the personal lives of the characters gradually become apparent as the story winds its way through the media maze.

After reading my way through the initial development, the characters placed a hold on me and didn’t let go until I read the last word. Although the third book in the series, the story stands alone as a masterful telling of a heart wrenching story.

History has often been changed by people who stood alone for truth against power: Solzhenitsyn hiding his writings from the Soviet secret police, Benigno Aquino stepping onto the tarmac at Manila International Airport, a lone Chinese man facing down tanks. Frank Peretti shows, in this prophetic novel, how such courage might affect a news anchor who meets God. Like the prophets in the Bible, "John" is in for a rocky road. Peretti does an excellent job of telling the story from a Biblical point of view (in particular, the writings of John the apostle), while presenting the skepticism and cynicism of worldly observers through the eyes of other characters.

Peretti also describes a family in conflict well: godly (but very domestic) parents with a worldly but loving son, and a grandson (Carl, product of a broken family), trying to sort things out. Sometimes a few people act out of character (and did Carl really need a haircut once he was saved?), but generally the characters are good. By toning the supernatural elements down, I think Peretti only makes his story stronger. He depicts conflicts in the newsroom well too. (A couple days after I finished, I found myself interviewed by a reporter from the station I think Peretti modeled Channel 6 on. I found it easier to feel for him as a human being.) Perhaps Peretti exagerated the dangers of abortion to the mother. After reading this story, I wonder if we would ever know.

Ultimately, this story is about truth, and how dangerous and unwelcome it is. "Men (and women) love darkness, because their deeds are evil." Peretti describes how love of darkness leads to sin, self-deception, cover-up, and hatred of those who call darkness by its right name. I find his description not only biblical, but true. I just finished writing a book on "Why the Jesus Seminar can't find Jesus," and found a baffling miopia about elementary and obvious facts among many skeptical scholars. For a lucid and informed description of how sin and self-deception can lead to judicial and political injustice, I recommend the work of political philospher Jay Budzicewski.

Peretti challenges us greatly. He does not promise that everything will work out if we do what God calls us to do. But he shows the effect our choices have on forming who we become.

It was fun to see "The City" modeled on my hometown, Seattle. Some of the place names were changed, some not. We do have very left-wing, "pro-choice" politics, and slanted news. One change was a bit unbelievable, though: it is hard to imagine anyone here putting up with such a blow-hard governor. Importing California actors to toot his horn wouldn't help, either.

Being fairly new to the works of Frank Peretti, I picked this book at a bargain book sale. This, in fact was the first of Peretti's works which I had read.... (I have since read The Oath, as well.)

I was initiated into the ranks of Christian fiction by the likes of Ted Dekker and seeing that he was teaming up with Peretti for the forthcoming novel, "House" I was intrigued.

Prophet is a story about relationships. I was pleased to see how deftly Peretti balanced many complex characters and each individual's relationships to weave a rich narrative-tapestry.

Peretti tackles a difficult/ emotional issue in abortion and does not short change his readers. He approaches it with much care and sensitivity.

The dramatic thread of the story takes us into news anchor John Barrett's investigation and reporting of a medical malpractice cover-up at an abortion clinic. In the face of a politically correct media market and heavy pressure from the governor himself ,Barrett must test the depth of his resolve and integrity to see if he is up to telling the truth-the whole truth- and nothing but the truth.

I enjoyed Peretti's development of a reborn father/son relationship between John and Carl. It was interesting to see how a man can regain the lost opportunities he had with a his own father, in the choices he makes in the here and now. Having suffered the loss of his Dad, John discovers who he is... finds faith... and recovers a son he thought he had lost.

There is enough here to keep any lover of drama and political suspense turning page after page.

I recommend this book for it's well developed characters and straight forward plot.

Frank Peretti had opened the doors to Christian fiction with "This Present Darkness" and its follow-up, "Piercing The Darkness." Peretti here leaves his two part series, with a different emphasis.

One thing to keep in mind is that Peretti is writing from a Pentecostal/Charismatic theology. Not all Christians would believe God works as he does in the book. One critic (a Christian) pointed out that the "prophecies" of protagonist John Barrett are nothing compared to the Biblical examples.

This book deals with a newscaster, and thus looks at the world of the local newsstation and some of the conflicts. It also deals with corrupt politics, and the relationship between the media and politics. The central theme of this book, though, is abortion. It involves a pair of deaths that happened due to abortions. It has one character who would consider herself to be pro-choice, yet realize there is a problem with those who cover up unrestricted abortion on demand.

One thing I've noticed about Peretti, which becomes clearer in his first four novels, is some pessimism. This is not the most uplifting book. I will also say that the climax is a little weak; he did better in the other novels I read (the two mentioned above and "The Oath").

Prophet by Frank E. Peretti is a fictional novel that in many ways can administer to our lives today. It is the story of one `John Barret' a news anchor for channel 6. He is (like most media of these days) caught up in the liberal, secular views of the world. Soon, after many hard roads, he will be awakened to the truth. Being a modern day prophet he will try to share this truth with other people, while many evil forces of the world are fighting against him.
It starts off as an ordinary day for John, until his father (also a prophet) is seen by the world on television condemning a pro abortion Governor. John does not applaud this from his father, until the next day he finds out that his father is killed. Was it really an accident? This it the first truth that John has to find. John's son (whom he had been separated from for many years) has also wandered far from the Truth. They were reunited for a while during his father's funeral. Was there still a love between this father and son? This is the second truth that John is searching for.
It turns out that John's father had been going after this abortion issue for many years. When John found this out this issue went from being his father's passion to John himself, even to John's son. Through the next hard weeks John, his mother, his son, and even a few close friends will go through great tribulations for one reason, to find the truth.
By the end of this saga John will have gone from being a worldly, follow the crowd person, to a man who will speak up and take a stand. Yes, John did take a stand, at the expense of his career, but in his heart he knew he did what was right. He may have also saved many families from going through the terrible sin of abortion.
Frank Peretti has once again brought his readers through a fictitious, but true to life story that shows how corrupt and dark this world is. He illustrates what it is like to be the one to stand up for what is right. He worded the entire story to be a mirrored image of this present immoral world. This book will be a challenge to anyone who is far from the truth today.

Prophet was different from Peretti's first two books. This one deals with one's struggles with the Truth and overcoming political correctness, the world's views, as well as your own selfish ambitions to tell the truth. John Barrett, anchorman for Channel 6 news has a great career going. His father is religious and eventually is killed for doing what is right. The governor is corrupt and the governor's daughter dies from a botched abortion as does another family's daughter. John tries to get to the bottom of this and in the process makes enemies at the news station. John struggles through the book with his relationship with family, co-workers and God. Good book, 4 stars due to a lot of filler the author throws in that do not add to the story, such as the opening of the news cast. He mentions this a dozen times throughout the book. Besides that, it is worth reading, especially in light of today's political issues.

I do believe I have found another great author to read. This book takes you "behind the scenes" for TV reporting of the news. If I ever watch the news again on TV I will be looking with new eyes. As for the story line of this book, it keeps you engaged to the very end. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending. Most everything was resolved, just not the way I would have liked to have seen it. I highly recommend the book and will be reading more from this author.

I have read Peretti's work before (Piercing the Darkness and This Present Darkness), however I really enjoyed this book. This book has so much going on in it, that it really captivates you and keeps you hooked. The relationships and the themes are current and they make you look and think about subjects like a abortion with a whole new view. I think this book would make an excellent study book, I was hoping there were discussion questions, but alas I could find no It has some thought provoking passages in it, such as when the title character John is in the shopping mall. I thought the way the author blends the subject of mindless shoppers and their need to fill something that is missing in their lives was so right to the heart of today's society. I think this book would be an excellent choice for a book club, to study as a group. I highly recommend picking this book up and read it slowly and absorb the food for thought contained in its riveting pages.

This is a departure from Peretti's usual sinister underworld dramas. The theme concerned how our media culture largely controls what we know, if we do nothing more than allow ourselves to be sucked into its enchantment. Secondarily, there was a theme that contended abortion is not the simple and safe convenience it is portrayed to be. In the first section of the book there was a lot of development of the technical aspects of TV news production. Once that was established, I was free to ride along with the characters as they bumped and twisted their way to a very satisfying conclusion. Peretti's characterizations are sometimes melodramatic, e.g. villians red in the face, screaming and trembling with rage, losing all professionalism against the story's heroes. Actually, I love melodrama, so I found it just made the tale more enjoyable. Abortion advocates will likely despise and dismiss this book. A fine read.

I've read This Present Darkness, Piercing the Darkness, The Visitation and all of Peretti's "younger" works (the Cooper family and the Veritas Project series). I say without hesitation that this is his best. Realistic and believable, it takes the most important social and political issue of out time and gives new perspective. While the overt supernatualism of his other novels is mostly consistent with my beliefs and literary tastes, the more subtle approach in Prophet takes us further in and makes us see and feel how close the supernatural world is to our own. While some people dismiss the dramatic displays in his other novels as artistic license or conjecture, the unexplainable in Prophet is of the type that is not only possible and likely, but hardly denyable. The reader feels that any of this can, and probably does, happen. I believe that impression is true, and that is why this novel works so well. The character is engaging and the issue is one of real controvery - none of us can afford to deny the importance of the abortion issue to the future of our nation, no matter which point of view you take. Balancing an engaging and important issue along with an compelling view of the news media world, the plot is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. The treatment of the supernatural brings in extra dimensions that make the characterization even better and provide new food for thought themselves. In short, I recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller, a good character novel, a fictional treatment of the abortion controversy, or a fictional treatment of television news. It ranks as one of my favorites in all those categories.

Frank Peretti has established himself as an excellent writer of fiction (see This Present Darkness), as well as non-fiction (with the Wounded Spirit). In this book he tackles some hot social issues through the story of a man's journey of awakening to who he is and what he stands for. The social comments regarding the media, and the way news is spun to meet the agenda's of the (usually liberal) owners of the media outlet, is right on the money and reflective of what we have seen recently in the 2000 Presidential race. In this story, the topic is abortion rights, and the plot involves a news reporter's choice between doing what he believes is right, and keeping his job and status as an anchor. The story is well written, and once you get a chapter or two into the book, it is hard to put down. I gave this book three stars in comparison to his other works, but it is an excellent read and well worth the time and effort to do so.

This book has heart-thumping action, detailed character and plot development, intense dialogue and deep and explosive spiritual impact. These ingredients aid in making this book deliciously engaging and a must read.
The book begins in the world of John Barrett, a successful news anchorman for channel 6 and his father, a successful businessman. Their two worlds collide when John's father makes the news by challenging a prominent political figure. John's disdain for his father's public proselytizing is brought to a sudden halt when his father is mysteriously killed. This event forces John to understand his father, go head to head with a powerful politician, reconcile with his son, question his own integrity and keep the newscrew of channel 6 from putting an erroneous spin on a story!
This book addresses the cultural and moral battles that are prevalent in our society today. The spiritual warfare in the book is extremely intriguing and the suspenseful plot will keep the reader hanging on every word. This book challenges us to be a modern day prophet in a world that seems to have a decreasing sense of morality.

Incredible - A whole different facet of Peretti

After reading Frank Peretti's "Darkness books" as a young person, I was absolutely enthralled with this author; I could not wait for the next installment in that captivating series. I bought Prophet months before it was even released, and when I finally got my copy, I did not sleep for two days reading the thing. My first reaction was confused surprise - the idea that Peretti would shift gears away from a formula that had books flying off the shelves had never crossed my mind. When I finally got my brain around the fact that he was not going to trudge down a familiar path, no matter how successful it had been, I began to comprehend the brilliance of the novel I was reading. A compelling work dealing with professions that impact our lives and world, an inside look at the media and the political hotbeds others avoid, combined with a deeply personal story of family and individual character.

Frank Peretti has one of the most fascinating writing styles of our day, exceedingly entertaining, but more than that, powerfully meaningful. His work seems to operate on two levels, a compelling story that captivates the reader like nothing I have ever seen, drawing the audience on with pure enjoyment! But for the discerning reader, he weaves a theme of potent significance expanding the narrative beyond mere diversion into a masterful apologue that simply demands to be read.

Prophet may quite honestly be Frank E. Peretti's best work in a repertoire of dazzling masterpieces. Open your mind, open this book, and experience creative genius, intellectual dexterity, and moral salubrity.

The Prophet was a powerful and thought provoking book that tackles a controversial issue. I was hooked from page one! The book is about an anchorman who does a little digging after his father's death and discovers a truth about the corrupt abortion business that the government and media go to great lengths to keep hidden. One of the major themes of this book is that despite a person's flaws, God can still use him in amazing ways.

Through the investigation of the death of his father, John Barrett discovers his true calling. He seeks the truth with greater vengeance as he uncovers the plot behind his fathers death and the politcal corruption that is brought to light as he begins to understand who his father is. This book is one of mystery and intrigue and I found myself enjoying this book more than This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness simply because the characters were narrowed down to a few instead of the many incorporated in the other two. And I must agree with other reviewers that this was brilliantly executed although I would have liked to see more of the relationship between the main character and his son Carl. Though John Barrett knows his future and begins in his own way to prepare his son, the question is raised will son Carl pick up where dad and granddad left off? Only God knows.
I heartily recommend this book. It kept my interest in a way most other novels I've read didn't. Aren't we all searching for the truth?

There are many good reviews here telling you about the plot and the Christian message of this book, so I think I'll just concentrate on something that impressed me personnally.
I loved the character of Carl, John Barrett's son - Peretti did a great job showing you that someone who has an unusual haircut and wears facial jewelry is not necessarily an alien you cannot relate to. Carl's got a good heart searching for truth.
Another thing that I really liked was the description of how God speaks to the prophet. I have been struggling with the idea before - how do you know it's God's voice?... How can you be so sure that you dare to say, "Thus says the Lord"? Well, now I have an idea. I understand that it is just fiction, of course, but it still helps.

Mr. Peretti, I really enjoyed this book. You opened the doors to the media for me. You showed me how the media could cover things up and make things appear real that truly are not. I like the way that you showed how the Holy Spirit can truly open our eyes and see truth in a world that does not know nothing about it. I truely would recommend this book to anyone.

I read this book after "Piercing the Darkness<", so I was a little disappointed. I
suppose I was hoping for more angelic warfare, but this seemed to concentrate on mortals.
The book, in and of itself, was good, however. The concept of the back-slidden Christian
was used to great affect as we watched him, through his trials, come back to his faith.
I also enjoyed seeing the treatment that the media received, as I tend to agree that the
media has a liberal bias.

I first stumbled upon Frank Peretti's work when my brother started reading them, and I must confess that he was instantly one of my favorite authors. Prophet might not be his best, but I would recommend it to anybody. It had my hooked until the end. All I can say is: Peretti, you've done it again!

This thought provoking novel addresses the abortion industry and it's power. Learn how John Barrett's faith is tested and renewed as he fights for the truth. As author Randy Alcorn discovered, it may cost much more than expected.

Ray Ruppert, Author of "The Sovereign Reigns, or Does He?" "The Sovereign's Last Battle" and "Revelation: A Layperson's Reflections"

This was only my second Peretti book (This Present Darkness being the first) and I found it to be a lot more interesting and a fast page turner. It may not qualify as a real "thriller" to some but I personally found it very compelling and it really kept me hanging on from page to page. It has mystery, murder and scandal wrapped up in political cover-ups and reveals how ones personal biases can have an impact on an entire state. I recommend this book to anyone who found This Present Darkness to be difficult to follow due to it's strong supernatural imagery.

As I started into the book, the fast-paced writing style caught my attention, and kept me interested. The character development was good, and I found myself wanting to know more about who had killed the "Prophet", (his father), and how they would circumvent the ring of deception at Channel 6 News. I have read Peretti several times before, and enjoy his writing style, and this book kept me interested until the end!

This was only my second Peretti book (This Present Darkness being the first) and I found it to be a lot more interesting and a fast page turner. It may not qualify as a real "thriller" to some but I personally found it very compelling and it really kept me hanging on from page to page. It has mystery, murder and scandal wrapped up in political cover-ups and reveals how ones personal biases can have an impact on an entire state. I recommend this book to anyone who found This Present Darkness to be difficult to follow due to it's strong supernatural imagery.

As I started into the book, the fast-paced writing style caught my attention, and kept me interested. The character development was good, and I found myself wanting to know more about who had killed the "Prophet", (his father), and how they would circumvent the ring of deception at Channel 6 News. I have read Peretti several times before, and enjoy his writing style, and this book kept me interested until the end!

Frank Peretti, probably, the best fiction witer in his field, has scored another hit with Prophet. You won't want to miss reading this book! It keeps your attention till the last page is turned. It utilizes the theology of pentecostalism belief, and the gifts and workings of God in a world that has lost it's way. It exhorts me to be the kind of Christian God wants me to be.

I really enjoyed this book. The author, which is my favorite, has once again fabricated a spellbinding tale that will keep the reader guessing and wanting more. The ending was one of the best parts of the book and, to me, brought all the pieces together. If you liked this book, you may want to try The Oath, Peircing the Darkness and This Present Darkness, all by Frank Peretti.

This is an excellent book!! Its fast pace keeps you on the edge of your seat! I could scarcely put it down. Peretti's three-dimensional characters are well thought out. The overall message is a good one. Peretti is not afraid to take a stand on controversial issues, yet he makes it exciting! And the end of the book leaves you feeling really good. I would recommend this book to fans of Peretti or Christian novels.