The Keys of the Kingdom Paperback – April 30, 1984

While the keys of the kingdom were given to Peter, not a humble missionary priest, like Peter, this priest has courage, faith, flaws and humility. Not always right, at times unreasonably stubborn, his love for others and his allowing their love for him to be received, are his way of living out his vocation. Perhaps his last great adventure in China is not well crafted. But overall, the story is well told. The movie by the same name is also well worth considering.

I have seldom read such a beautifully written book. The story is wonderful, not only because it is an extraordinary tale of a priest missionary in China at the turn of the 20th century, but also because it lays out the journey of a man's character and his yearning, to do whatever he can to help his fellow man. It is a religious book, but not in the sense of Catholic liturgy. It is filled with great love, sacrifice, courage and compassion. It is a story of despair and hope intermingled with determination and faith in God's promises.

A. J. Cronin wrote books well positioned in the Catholic tradition, but he does not present a sanitized view of the Christian faith and the challenges it presents to its followers. As a result, this excellent novel manages to delve into the depths of Christianity, show it sins, and still present the reader with hope. And this from a writer who does not fit into the traditional Christian framework.The novel is set in the late in the 19th and early 20th century and tells the story of Father Francis Chisholm, a Scottish priest who discovers that his plans and God's plans for him are not the same. He finds himself a curate who quietly does God's work when others do not seem to like it. So, while his childhood playmate (friend would be too strong of a term) finds himself heading off to a glorious priestly career, Chisholm finds himself being sent off to rural China.Even there he cannot follow the path set for him. While the Church prides itself of the number of converts, Chisholm loses his first converts when he finds out they are Christian because it provides them employment. He then turns down the conversion of a powerful village member who is converting because of medical help Chisholm offered to his family but Chisholm only accepts a conversion that is authentic.Instead of seeking converts Chisholm decides to serve the village. With the help of some nuns sent to support him, Chisholm builds a mission that offers children an education, takes in the orphans, and feeds the village in times of need. But when a new warlord comes into the area and battles with village forces, Chisholm finds himself in a quandary. He rescues the wounded from the village and the new warlord demands compensation that will destroy the mission and the children and people within it. As a Christian, he is faced with the idea of entering the battle to save his people or to offer no harm, as his faith teaches him, and allow others to be hurt, raped, and/or killed. Either decision means death for others -- not to decide is to decide.It is these types of dilemmas that add such depth to this book. Chisholm is friends with the Presbyterian mission in town, refusing to see them as competition. He also peppers his conversations with quotes from Confucius. His openness to other faiths and denominations raises concerns among the institutional church. Even his greatly simple way of living, although very Christian, is viewed with suspicion.In the midst of this Chisholm's childhood "friend" is now his supervisor. While Cronin takes some easy shots at the priest who follows the company line to gain more power, he avoids a weak caricature that is easy to knock over. His characters have depth and he does a great job of creating complex characters (in other words, realistic) such as Mother Maria-Veronica with whom he has a tempestuous relationship that develops into one of great friendship. No one is perfect in the book but Chisholm's humility is born out of true faith.The main story is held together between bookends of Chisholm's time in Scotland which opens with him as an old priest who shares his story. At the end it returns to Chisholm as an old priest, but now we see him with new eyes.A great book for Christians to read as it offers a realistic picture of the challenges and joys of faith, and a great book for non-Christians looking for an honest picture of the stumbling followers of Jesus.

This is a classic that all should read. The writing is breathtaking and the story is sweeping. It portrays the effects of English/Scottish/Irish struggles and the protestant vs. Catholic churches and their efforts to send missionaries to China. A sweeping drama with finely-wrought characters and a humble and abused boy who grows into a passionate priest. The story takes the reader on a great journey and adventure as this Scotsman builds a church in China and through his character leads the Chinese villagers, merchants and militants to follow or respect him. We follow the man throughout his life and his triumphs and tragedies. This book gives a view of the past and a changing world with lessons for today.

I ordered the book; The keys of the kingdom ", knew it was coming from Triftbook, and paperback (I'd thought), under 10 bucks. Instead the Spirit of Christmas came with this Christian story, through the version that I'd wished they had, for me to pick? It is hard copy, and upon my calling Amazon, I were sure I were charged for the same price. A very well preserved, good condition 2nd hand book that suits it's time were published, and time in the book. Thank you Amazon, and thank you Thrift books, seller.

this is one of the most wonderful stories ever told. years ago, a nun gave me a copy of this book--it forever changed my outlook on what it means to be a good person and the power of faith. it also changed how i thought about organized religion in general, and my own catholic faith in particular. over the years, i have returned to this wonderful novel many, many times....

I rarely go to a movie made from a book but in this case, I caught the movie with Gregory Peck on TCM and then got the book. Even knowing the story in advance, I was captivated by the book. One of those that I didn't want to reach the end. I read in such quantity that unless a book is really gripping, I frequently forget the plot almost as soon as I finish it. I'll remember passages from "The Keys of the Kingdom" for many years to come and probably revisit it in the future.

This is a classic book about religious tolerance, as well as heroic nonconforming faith, brought to life in a fictional story that examines the character and relationships of a Catholic priest at the beginning of the 20th century. The setting ranges from Scotland to Spain to China. My mother quotes this book 4 times in a notebook she kept during the years 1941 to 1943 when she met my father, who did not share her deep Christian faith. I wouldn't have been born if not for this book. They lived almost 60 years together, sharing a wonderful marriage.