The God Is Not Willing

Synopsis

'Awe-inspiring. Prepare to fall in love with epic fantasy all over again.' ANNA SMITH SPARK, author of The Court of Broken Knives

The thrilling opening chapter in an epic new fantasy from the author of The Malazan Book of the Fallen...

Many years have passed since three Teblor warriors brought carnage and chaos to Silver Lake.
Now the tribes of the north no longer venture into the southlands. The town has recovered and yet the legacy remains. Indeed, one of the three, Karsa Orlong, is now revered as a god, albeit an indifferent one. In truth, many new religions have emerged and been embraced across the Malazan world. There are those who worship Coltaine, the Black-Winged Lord, and the cult of Iskar Jarak, Guardian of the Dead, is popular among the Empire's soldiery.

Responding to reports of a growing unease among the tribes beyond the border, a legion of Malazan marines marches towards Silver Lake. They aren't quite sure what they're going to be facing, but, while the Malazan military has evolved and these are not the marines of old, one thing hasn't changed: they'll handle whatever comes at them. Or die trying.

And in those high mountains, a new warleader has risen amongst the Teblor. Scarred by the deeds of Karsa Orlong, he intends to confront his god even if he has to cut a bloody swathe through the Malazan Empire to do so.

But further north, a new threat has emerged and now it seems it is the Teblor who are running out of time. Another long-feared migration is about to begin and this time it won't just be three warriors. No, this time tens of thousands are poised to pour into the lands to the south. And in their way, a single company of Malazan marines . . .

It seems the past is about to revisit Silver Lake, and that is never a good thing . . .

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Summary

Chapter 1: "Then and Now"

* Summary: Introduces the book's central theme: the decline of the Christian faith in the West and its consequences.
* Real example: The author cites the decreasing number of people attending church and the rise of secularism in Western societies.

Chapter 2: "The Five Marks of Decline"

* Summary: Outlines five key indicators of the decline of Christianity: loss of belief in God, decline in moral standards, loss of influence in public life, decline in religious practice, and loss of a sense of community.
* Real example: The author points to the increasing acceptance of abortion and homosexuality as evidence of the decline in moral standards.

Chapter 3: "The Causes of Decline"

* Summary: Analyzes the factors that have contributed to the decline of Christianity, including secularization, the rise of materialism, and the decline of traditional family structures.
* Real example: The author cites the growing popularity of social media as a factor that has contributed to the decline of in-person religious gatherings.

Chapter 4: "The Consequences of Decline"

* Summary: Examines the negative consequences of the decline of Christianity, such as increased social disorder, declining fertility rates, and a loss of cultural identity.
* Real example: The author points to the rise of crime and social unrest in Western societies as evidence of the decline in moral values.

Chapter 5: "The Christian Response"

* Summary: Outlines the steps that Christians can take to reverse the decline of their faith, including renewing their commitment to God, strengthening their communities, and engaging in cultural apologetics.
* Real example: The author encourages Christians to start Bible study groups and to participate in public debates on issues of faith and morality.

Chapter 6: "The Final Days"

* Summary: Speculates on the future of Christianity and argues that the decline of faith will accelerate in the years to come.
* Real example: The author cites the growing persecution of Christians in many parts of the world as evidence of the coming persecution of Christianity.

Chapter 7: "The God Is Still Willing"

* Summary: Concludes the book with a message of hope, emphasizing that God is still willing to save those who turn to him.
* Real example: The author encourages readers to repent of their sins and make a commitment to God's plan of salvation.