What do you think?
Rate this book
Vote of Intolerance
California has just divided into two separate states. Daniel Bellardi, a man of strong Christian values, would like the state of North California to take a hard stand against its seemingly uncontrollable social problems of drugs, crime, homosexuality, and pornography, so he decides to run for governor. His opponent is a staunch liberal who believes Bellardi's policies may threaten the individual freedoms of the people. The heated campaign turns dangerous as the lives of Bellardi and his family are threatened. Vote of Intolerance, Josh McDowell's first novel, is a suspenseful tale that points to ways Christians can impact society by upholding their morality.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 1997
49 people want to read
About the author
Josh McDowell
508 books636 followersJosh McDowell is a bestselling Christian apologist, evangelist, and author of over 150 books, including Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter. Once an agnostic, he converted to Christianity while investigating its historical claims. He went on to earn degrees from Wheaton College and Talbot Theological Seminary. For decades, McDowell has been a prominent speaker with Campus Crusade for Christ, addressing issues of faith, character, and youth culture worldwide. His work emphasizes historical and legal evidence for Christianity and tackles challenges posed by skepticism and non-Christian beliefs. He lives in California with his wife, Dottie, and is the father of four children, including fellow apologist Sean McDowell.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 6, 2024
A story with an important message about the spirit of our day (3 stars)
Stephanie Van Horne's family is in trouble. She's divorced, and concerned for the well-being of her children in the godless climate of LA. But the new state of North California holds the promise of a new future, especially if conservative Christian senator Dan Bellardi wins the race for governor there, as he is expected to do, and so Stephanie decides to move to the north, where there is the promise of a state that will outlaw abortion, euthanasia, drugs, and homosexual rights. She quickly finds herself involved in Bellardi's campaign against liberal activist Juanita Dunsmuir, who preaches tolerance.
The novel is populated by a circle of characters around Stephanie. There's her ex-husband Jon, who is still closely involved with her family. There's the senator's staffer Robert, who appears to take a liking to her. There's Bellardi's troubled son Wes, who reminds her of her own son that died of a drug overdose. There's the mysterious AntiCrist, who engages in terrorist activity in an effort to halt the Bellardi campaign. There's her daughter Shawna, who finds herself mixed up first with secular world-wise friends, and later with some occultist classmates.
I appreciate the themes that this novel deals with, particularly the way that it shows the bankruptcy of "toleration" as a philosophy, and exposes its inherent inconsistency and flaws. McDowell rightly shows the need to embrace God's truth as the standard for determining what is right and wrong, without detracting from our need to love others.
But unfortunately this important theme isn't backed up by a convincing story or a quality and engaging writing style. Not only is the main plot twist somewhat predictable, but as a narrative it didn't flow very well, and I also found that the main storyline was clouded by too many sub-plots, such as Shawna's occultic friends, and Stephanie's romance. The story does focus on Stephanie's family and personal life, but adding extra elements seemed to take away from the political thriller and issues that are really at the heart of the novel. Towards the end the novel also raises the question about how a responsible civil government should handle the relationship between justice and mercy, but it's too rushed and too late to be given a proper treatment.
Nonetheless, this book does raise important issues that Christians need to be thinking about, and does readers a service by giving them a story to read, while at the same time bringing forward a solid perspective of the need to maintain loving truth in a world of artificial tolerance.
Stephanie Van Horne's family is in trouble. She's divorced, and concerned for the well-being of her children in the godless climate of LA. But the new state of North California holds the promise of a new future, especially if conservative Christian senator Dan Bellardi wins the race for governor there, as he is expected to do, and so Stephanie decides to move to the north, where there is the promise of a state that will outlaw abortion, euthanasia, drugs, and homosexual rights. She quickly finds herself involved in Bellardi's campaign against liberal activist Juanita Dunsmuir, who preaches tolerance.
The novel is populated by a circle of characters around Stephanie. There's her ex-husband Jon, who is still closely involved with her family. There's the senator's staffer Robert, who appears to take a liking to her. There's Bellardi's troubled son Wes, who reminds her of her own son that died of a drug overdose. There's the mysterious AntiCrist, who engages in terrorist activity in an effort to halt the Bellardi campaign. There's her daughter Shawna, who finds herself mixed up first with secular world-wise friends, and later with some occultist classmates.
I appreciate the themes that this novel deals with, particularly the way that it shows the bankruptcy of "toleration" as a philosophy, and exposes its inherent inconsistency and flaws. McDowell rightly shows the need to embrace God's truth as the standard for determining what is right and wrong, without detracting from our need to love others.
But unfortunately this important theme isn't backed up by a convincing story or a quality and engaging writing style. Not only is the main plot twist somewhat predictable, but as a narrative it didn't flow very well, and I also found that the main storyline was clouded by too many sub-plots, such as Shawna's occultic friends, and Stephanie's romance. The story does focus on Stephanie's family and personal life, but adding extra elements seemed to take away from the political thriller and issues that are really at the heart of the novel. Towards the end the novel also raises the question about how a responsible civil government should handle the relationship between justice and mercy, but it's too rushed and too late to be given a proper treatment.
Nonetheless, this book does raise important issues that Christians need to be thinking about, and does readers a service by giving them a story to read, while at the same time bringing forward a solid perspective of the need to maintain loving truth in a world of artificial tolerance.
April 10, 2014
Took this on our driving trip. I've only read a few Christian fiction books and didn't realize Josh McDowell has done fiction. I like the "go deeper" attitude of the main characters - not just "love the sinner, hate the sin" but really understanding God's love for each person, even when they don't make the best choices.
January 25, 2008
A teenage girl gets caught up in bad influences, so her mother decides to move to a 'nicer' area. Lots of action, political speeches, and a more positive and realistic message than might be expected.
July 22, 2014
Powerful!
April 25, 2022
In this fictional story, California splits into two states, one conservative, and one liberal. That intrigued me. I enjoyed the mystery (although fairly predictable) and the trials the family goes through to discover truth and MERCY.
February 5, 2016
Good political novel.
May 23, 2016
Pure fluff.
Read
April 28, 2018excellent book...... compelling.......though-provoking
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews