BOOK REVIEW OF
‘DEAD JOURNEY
(Pre-Marital and Extra-Marital Sex)
AUTHOR:
Friday Eshioramhe John
PUBLISHER:
Shalom Publishing House, a subsidiary of Morakinyo Life Fulfilment Ventures, Abuja
(c)2020
ISBN: 978-978-911-310-1
FOREWORD by Pastor E.O.Matthew,
Senior Pastor,
The Choice Bible Church Int’l, Abuja, Nigeria
CHAPTERS :
Seven
NUMBER OF PAGES:
104
REVIEWER:
Ayo Oyoze Baje,
Journalist, Analyst.
Chairman/CEO, Oyoze Creative Concept,Lagos
The first attractive factor of the book, ‘ Dead Journey’ is the alluring cover design with the photograph of a sunset, capturing the silhouette of the Cross on top of a mountain. The sky adorns a typical sunset in orange colour while the mountain is in black. The fact that the word,’Dead’ is in red signifies danger obviously portraying the dangers inherent in illicit sexual intercourse! Ordinarily, the word ‘Journey’ painted in white would have been a sweet, peaceful and memorable one. But it has been cut short, due to the evil and sin which the book warns the reader about.
This introductory feature on the cover design is to break the generally accepted notion that a book cannot be judged by the cover. This one does. And going to the rich, revealing and the ever-relevant thematic focus on the dangers and dire consequences of illicit sexual intercourse, the book conveys the message.
That is especially so with regards to both the pre-marital and extra-marital sex which the author vividly captures with apt quotes, mostly taken from the Holy Bible.
While Chapter One is titled: ‘In the Beginning ‘, Chapters Two and Three are on ‘Purpose of Sex’ and ‘What is Illicit Sex?’. Furthermore, Chapters 4 and Five deal with ‘Causes of Illicit Sex’ and ‘ Why on Dead Journey’. On their own, Chapters Six and Seven shed brilliant light on the ‘Dangers of Illicit Sex’ and ‘How to Avoid Dead Journey’ before the Conclusion.
As highlighted in the Foreword by Pastor Matthew reading through the book should encourage the reader the insight into how to develop moral values. In the Christian’s pilgrim journey faithfulness to God will ensure victory over sudden death traceable to illicit sex. That calls for personal righteousness, purity, moral sanity and a life of ” no spiritual nonsense”.
It was such a personal decision on righteousness that gave Joseph,a ” true child of destiny” divine favour from God that opened the prison’s doors for him, as well as his elevation by Pharaoh that all happened in a foreign land. That is much unlike Samson that capitulated to the whims and caprices of Delilah and ended his life’s trajectory in a bitter manner.
Illicit sex is therefore, as described in Proverbs Chapter 14 verse 12 that:” There is a way which seemeth right into a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.. This is reflected in the Prologue by the author. That explains why he warns against people treading the paths of ignorance, carelessness, worldliness and the ways of sensuality and flesh-pleasing.
Copious quotes are taken from Proverbs chapter 5 verses 1-3, Romans chapter 12 verses 1 and 2 and John chapter 17 verses 1 -17 to bolster the warning that though “we are in the world but we are not of the world”. And giving example of the lasciviousness of King Solomon who loved many strange women, because of which God tore the kingdom from his hand and gave to his servant we all have to learn to stay away from all manner of temptations from different kinds of women. Righteousness is the best way forward.
The different features of what makes up Lust and that of Love are to be found in the table on page xvviii. That takes us to Chapter One that enlightens the reader on the history perspective of sex, from before the Mid 1900s through moral value, sacredness to what it has metamorphosed to from the Mid1900s till date. He warns against our appearances not to be seductive.Advertisements should keep to high moral standards. Warnings against incest and mating with animals are also given in the chapter.
Quoting from Hebrews Chapter 13 verse 4 it states that: ” Marriage is honourable, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge”. From Song 7 verses 1 -10 emphasizes that God’s people should keep to the tenets of sexual intercourse.
Further to this Chapter Three talks about kinds of sexual abuse to include homosexuality, polygamy ( in his own view), lesbianism, as well as widow inheritance and unmarried woman concubinage.
The causes of illicit sex are traced to bad friendship, quoting from Samuel Chapter 13 verse s 3-5 about Annob and Jonadab. Over familiarity is another listed factor.
Listed as the causes of Dead Journey are the harsh economic situation, quick money syndrome, social promotion and laziness all in Chapter Five.
The Dangers of illicit sex include premature death, HIV, curses,loss of love and affection barrenness and destruction of the soul. But how do we avoid the Dead Journey’? That is treated in Chapter Seven.
To do so we need God’s help, investment in God’s word, avoiding words that send wrong signals and staying away from over familiarity with others of opposite sex. We should also avoid sleeping alone in a hotel room, visiting pornographic sites, indecent dressing and one should be satisfied with one’s spouse.
As highlighted in the Conclusion, 2nd Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 17 states that: ” Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”. It means that we should do away with all forms of the factors that lead to illicit sex and avoid a ‘ Dead Journey’.
POSITIVES about the book
The message of abstaining from illicit sex is timely, more so now that the standard of morality has ebbed low; and with people in high places accused of one wrong or the other.
It was written with courage and deep research. The biblical quotes are relevant and insightful. Good enough, the dangers are highlighted in the chapters and the steps to take to avoid them are well discussed.
The presentation is commendable with the deployment of simple, easy – to – read and understand format.
THE MINUSES
Some typographical errors such as ‘Pharaoh hold’ ( instead of holds) the title ‘…on page vii and ‘ There are so many reason ( instead of reasons ) on page 56 should be corrected.
Also, the pages on ‘ ‘What people are saying about Dead Journey’ from page iv to vi should be placed after the Conclusion of the book
RECOMMENDATIONS
This one – of – a – kind book,:with a timeless message of high moral standards is well recommended to parents, educationists, pastors, preachers, worshippers and motivational speakers who interact with the younger generation of Nigerians. Based on the dire consequences of illicit sex which have become pervasive in our society, it is going to generate heated debate on its practicability under the harsh economic realities on ground in the country. But it is a must -read for each and everyone of us.
Price:
N3,000 for hard copy
N1.500 for soft copy
Big kudos to Friday John, the author