Finding Mr Goldman

by David Rhodes

Overview

Had he known the hour of his death, the wealthy Harry Goldman might have arranged his day differently. Instead, he finds himself plunged into a nightmare in which his life of violence and ruthless greed is laid bare before him. Accompanied by a disreputable-looking but likeable tramp, who bears a striking resemblance to Jesus, Goldman sets out on a quest to save his soul. But, confronted by the shattering reality of hell, he becomes convinced all is lost . . . A gripping adventure story with an eternal meaning, Finding Mr Goldman powerfully conveys the astonishing message of the gospel - that no one is beyond the redeeming love of God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281073320
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	02/19/2015
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Rhodes began life as a journalist, working in the hard-bitten world of national newspapers. Despite his unease with the institutional Church, he was ordained in 1972. But he has never quite stopped being a journalist and his passion to investigate the 'big story' of God has led him into some strange encounters, as his books reveal.

Editorial Reviews

David Rhodes pulls no punches in offering a vivid parable of false riches and ultimate redemption. This sparklingly well -written fiction entertains unerringly at the front door while the truth slips in through a side window.’

Rachel Harden

David Rhodes is a freelance writer, former journalist and recently retired parish priest. Extensive work among homeless people led to the innovative Retreats on the
Streets. His latest books are designed to help us discover
God’s love in an unjust world, linking faith and action.
David gives a voice (and respect) to those we label the poor and raises some huge questions for us all: What meaning does my life have? How can we make our planet a better place. Where is God in all this?

Finding Mr Goldman tells of the epic battle of good and evil played out in the life and sudden death of a wicked man. Had he known the hour of his death, the wealthy Harry Goldman might have arranged his day differently. Instead he finds himself plunged into a nightmare in which his life of violence and ruthless greed is laid bare before him. Accompanied by a disreputable looking but likeable tramp, who bears a striking resemblance to Jesus, Goldman sets out on a quest to save his soul. But confronted by the shattering reality of hell, he realises all is lost. It is only then that he discovers the redeeming love of God. Janet Morley writes: Fresh, witty, fabulously economic,
and with some acute and wise observations, I just wanted to read on and on …
And Adrian Plass: David Rhodes pulls no punches in offering a vivid parable of false riches and ultimate redemption. This sparklingly well-written fiction entertains unerringly at the front door while the truth slips in through a side window.

The importance of a story can never be underestimated in the context of the way that we live, the novel is often an escape from reality that helps us to relax and get out of ourselves. It may be an intellectual challenge or a gentle form of relaxation. It may also challenge pre-conceived ideas and open up new ways of thinking.
The parables of Jesus can be seen in many ways to reflect all of these aspects of the way we understand a story. The parable is of course used to share a message and Jesus used them very effectively to help his listeners understand some profound truths that still speak to us 2,000 years after they were first heard.
The parable of the rich man and the beggar at his gates is one that speaks of the misuse of wealth and the importance of recognising that even the poor beggar has a place in the Kingdom. In the case of the parable it is the beggar who goes to heaven whilst the rich man goes to Hades.
In our society the message needs to be reiterated and the rich man or woman needs to be reminded that wealth brings responsibility. It is also a truism that wealth does not purchase happiness and all the money we possess is little use at the end of our life.
In this very readable rereading of the parable of the rich man and the beggar the reader shares a story that is about a journey through the world that we so easily take for granted. It is especially true for Mr Goldman a very wealthy man who exploits both people qand material resources for his own gain only to discover that in deather there is a whole set of new values to be learned.
The beggar who is the companion to Mr Goldman after his death may be Jesus but this hardly matters, it is more important to recognise that he is a guide and more importantly a friend, though accepting someone perceived to be a lesser person is a part of the learning process for Mr Goldman.
The story is in an update of the parable of Jesus and may well also be seen to be a reinterpretation of both Dante’s Divine Comedy and Bunyan’s The Pilgrim Progress. It is a parable and a story about greed transformed into love and the realisation that relationships are more important than wealth.
It is a parable for the 21st century and like all good stories captures the imagination. I found myself unable to put it down once started. It is also a reminder that even those individuals who seem beyond redemption are also children of God and because this is the case they are forgiven through the death of Jesus in the crucifixion.
Unlike the parable of the beggar and the rich man, Mr Goldman does gain his place in the heaven that is the gift of God, it is the process that leads to the gift of redemption that makes the story so eminently readable.

a lively challenging book a thought-provoking study

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