Keating, Ray. The Traitor: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel. Long Island: Keating Reports, 2019. 143 Pages. Paper. Kindle Available. $12.99. (Also available in a bundle at author site) https://raykeatingonline.com/products
We now have the pleasure to present a new edition of the original novel with a new Epilogue and a new sleek and elegant cover, thanks to Tyrel Bramwell!
The tagline gives you insight into the novel's plot: "A Pastor, a Pope, An Assassin." It also helps new and returning readers understand the connection between the new Epilogue and the latest Pastor Stephen Grant Volume, The Traitor. No spoilers, but keep reading to learn more.
The Second Edition of the original novel is accompanied by a revision of A Discussion Guide for Ray Keating's Warrior Monk. This twenty-six page guide will help you better understand the Biblical worldview of Stephen Grant and how a pastor can also be a warrior. Learn on your own or discuss with others public life and the church, ecumenism, guns, war and terrorism, prayer, sex and marriage, the state of Christianity, going to church, and church architecture. Get more out of your reading or rereading of Warrior Monk with the official Discussion Guide.
Also returning in a Second Edition with a new snazzy Bramwell cover and a new Author Introduction is Root of All Evil? When Root of All Evil? first appeared, it cemented in my mind Ray Keating as the master of the theological thriller. Keating skillfully weaves together theology, politics, and economics in an exciting narrative.
The brand-new titles get their thorough Lutheran Book Review treatment here.
Deep Rough combines geopolitics, religious persecution, and golf.
In DEEP ROUGH, one man faces challenges as a pastor in China. His son has become a breakout phenom in the world of professional golf. The Chinese government is displeased with both, and their lives are in danger. Stephen Grant – a onetime Navy SEAL, former CIA operative and current pastor – has a history with the communist Chinese, while also claiming a pretty solid golf game. His unique experience and skills unexpectedly put him alongside old friends; at some of golf’s biggest tournaments as a caddy and bodyguard; and in the middle of an international struggle over Christian persecution, a mission of revenge, and a battle between good and evil.
Stephen Grant has an extensive background of expertise, yet it never comes off as forced, inauthentic, or retroactive continuity. Pastor Stephen Grant makes the most of the opportunities presented to him and lives and acts within his vocations in Christ. Wine. Baseball. Golf. All of these avocations have had their time in an individual novel's spotlight.
Keating does his research, builds a multi-novel narrative, develops his characters, and Grant (and friends) live it out. Unlike old sitcoms, there is no "re-set" at the end of each novel like there is after a 30 or 60 minute TV episode.
Deep Rough is a well-paced novel, prescient in its inclusion of China (before COVID-19), with a plot borrowed from tomorrow's headlines, and real-world encouragement to speak up and act for the persecuted Church.
Stephen Grant – former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative and current pastor – looks forward to a time of prayer and reflection during a retreat at a monastery in Europe. But when he stumbles upon an infamous CIA traitor in a small village, Grant’s plans change dramatically. While a debate rages over government secrets and the intelligence community, a deadly race for survival is underway.
From a pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong to the CIA’s headquarters in Langley to a monastery in France, the action and intrigue never let up.
Ray Keating said, “I’m excited about this novel. It’s jam-packed with action, and serves up fascinating places, unique characters, and some interesting discussions. I hope readers enjoy it!”
The new Epilogue to the first novel gets some payoff in The Traitor, which I think of as a short novel or long short story. The Traitor is a game-changer for the Warrior Monk series starring Pastor Stephen Grant. It is in many ways a return to the worldbuilding Ray Keating did with Warrior Monk, and is an excellent jumping on point for new readers. (Read the Second Edition of Warrior Monk first!)
The novel is a morality tale. Consider the Fifth Commandment, "You shall not murder." (Martin Luther used the Roman Catholic numbering.) You may have learned this in King James language: "Thou shalt not kill." Unfortunately, this English translation does not carry on the nuances of the original Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 Hebrew. Even Luther's catechism German agrees with the Hebrew, against the Authorized Version. "Murder" is the more correct translation of what is being proscribed by the Lord. (Please note the difference between proscribed and prescribed!)
While visiting Europe, Stephen Grant has hard choices to make in seconds when he runs across a CIA traitor. His theological background complements his Navy, SEAL, and CIA training. He knows the rules for self-defense. He knows that Just War theory is self-defense writ large. He agonizes over unnecessary loss of life. Yet, he is willing to put his life on the line in defense of others, including his country.
Lives hang in the balance. After the events of The Traitor, Pastor Stephen Grant is on his way to Rome. What does the Pope need with a Lutheran pastor? Ah! Stephen Grant is no ordinary clergyman.
Yes, Ray Keating has been busy.
He's not done yet.
Rev. Paul J Cain is Senior Pastor of Immanuel, Sheridan, Wyoming,
Headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar
School and Immanuel Academy, a member of the Board of Directors of
the Consortium for Classical Lutheran
Education, Secretary of the Wyoming
District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a member of its
Board of Directors, Wyoming District
Education Chairman/NLSA Commissioner, and Editor of Lutheran Book Review. He has served as
an LCMS Circuit Visitor, District Worship Chairman and District Evangelism
Chairman. A graduate of the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln and Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, Rev. Cain is a contributor to Lutheran Service Book, Lutheranism
101, the Hymnal Companion hymn
and liturgy volumes, and is the author of 5
Things You Can Do to Make Our Congregation a Caring Church. He is an
occasional guest on KFUO radio. He has
previously served Emmanuel, Green River, WY and Trinity, Morrill, NE. Rev. Cain
is married to Ann and loves reading and listening to, composing, and making
music.
