Between Two Kingdoms is an adult fantasy written by pastor, author, and film producer Joe Boyd.
Between two Kingdoms is a story about a Kingdom ruled by the Great King and his Son, the Good Prince. The only thing is that this Kingdom has been separated from its lower Kingdom. Both used to be ruled by the Great King and His Son, but Sinkrad—a former servant of the King—had rebelled against the Great King, which caused a division among the children of the King, therefore a division between the upper and lower Kingdom. Sinkrad therefore becomes the “Prince” of the lower kingdom.
Since the division, the Good Prince sends out his messengers—the children—to create relationships with the people of the lower kingdom in hopes of inviting them into the upper Kingdom with the Great King and the Good Prince. Everyone whom the Good Prince welcomes into his kingdom—if they are willing to come—are transformed into being eternally seven. They become child again and live in the care and the joy of the Great King. By the time you get to chapter three, you may very well find yourself in tears as Bobby finds his right place in the Upper Kingdom. People of the lower kingdom lived in a in a “world [that] lacked the substance, the brightness, the solidness of life up on the mountain. It was just a shadow of the Upper Kingdom” (p.17). And when just one person comes to the Good Prince, the entire Kingdom rejoices.
I love how Boyd reveals the person of Jesus in the character of the Good Prince. He depicts the Great Prince as a loving, warm Prince who cares for the Children of the Upper Kingdom, but also as a fierce warrior and protector of his children and those who are being influenced by the Prince of Darkness. In one scene, the Good Prince rushes in and infiltrates the Kingdom of Darkness to rescue one of his own children with a sword and fierce passion.
It is a story about reuniting these two kingdoms where the one true King rules. Boyd illustrates the struggles between the upper and lower Kingdom in a way that captivates his readers and pulls them into the story itself. But before the lower kingdom can be reunited with the Upper Kingdom, there is work to do, which involves building tree-houses for people to learn about the Great King: “A genuine tree house is a little taste—an embassy of the Upper Kingdom here in the lower one” (p.63). Tommy, a child of the King, is chosen by the Good Prince to be a leader in this adventure. This task, however, comes not without a fight against the enemy and his servants.
One could learn a lot from this allegorical fantasy. Boyd does an excellent job at illustrating the struggles Christians face, temptation that befalls them, ministry in this world, and devotion to God. He shows in quite humorous as well as convicting ways the truth of real-life issues. One of these moments happens when Tommy has difficulty differentiating between the Upper Kingdom (Heaven) and the lower Kingdom (earth):
“Don’t be deceived, Tommy. This very much is the Lower Kingdom.
The farther away from the River you get, the dirtier and more
dangerous it becomes. Even the people who live here in these tree
houses are not necessarily followers of the King. Many spend their
time here fighting about the shape of their tree houses or the true
identity of the King or the purpose of the River. Don’t waste your
time in these discussions, even if you are sure you are right. We
haven’t time for pointless debates.” (p.54)
What a great way to illustrate the fact that we as Christians often times fight over non-essentials and completely neglect the duty we are entrusted with.
With writing that is likened unto C.S. Lewis and a story line that had me feeling like I was watching a movie, I give this book a hearty 4.5 out of 5. There is only one reason I don’t give it a total 5, and this is only a small theological preference with regard to the River. However, given the context of what the story illustrates, this is not that big of an issue. I still love the book and would read it again (which is unusual for me).
My vote still remains: 4.5 out of 5!
Be sure to purchase this book for yourself and get ready for an adventure of love, joy, battle, and victory!
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I watched an interview and he stated that his entire life he wanted to be pastor. He started a church and he stated he was always looking deeper into gospel. He read a book by G.H. Chesterton named Orthodoxy and he learned that truth can be best told in fairy tails and kingdoms. His hope is that people will be inspired after reading this book. I also found out that Joe Boyd is a teaching pastor at Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
What’s interesting is Joe Boyd is much more than a Pastor and now author he is an actor as well. He has played the role of Michael Just in Tony N Tina’s Wedding at the Rio Hotel Las Vegas. He has more recently taken on several dramatic roles for film and television. He also travels nationally as a Biblical and Mythological Storyteller.
I have read a number of reviews of this book and I appreciate your review here. I have added this book as a must read.
Thanks for the comment, Steve. Yes, Boyd is an interesting person. I appreciate his humor and insight to spiritual things.
Stop back by sometime!
I truly loved your insightful comments about Mr. Boyd’s Between Two Kingdoms. What a clever and creative way to communicate the Gospel. I truly enjoyed the idea about building tree houses in the “lower kingdom” to provide a glimpse to those in the valley of the “Upper Kingdom.”
I thought your comments wer insightful, and I appreciate that you included direct quotations to illustrate your points. Thank you and God bless.
Thank you, Meredith, for stopping by! I’m glad the review was helpful for you!