Book Review: The Grace Effect by Larry Taunton

The Grace Effect is a more than just an adoption story. It is a glimpse into the world of the Ukraine and the results of a culture's elimination of God.



The story of Taunton's family adopting Sasha is sandwiched between the story of his debates with famous atheist, Christopher Hitchens (one of the self-proclaimed "Four Horsemen of the Counter-Apocalypse"). He uses these debates as a way to introduce "the grace effect" in the prologue and then shows us in the epilogue how through Sasha's life, even someone who doesn't believe in the grace effect is touched by it.

He says, "Common grace is that grace which may be enjoyed by believers as well as unbelievers, though the former understand its source." (p. 20) Taunton goes on to define the "grace effect" as "an observable phenomenon -- that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes." (p. 22) But rather than showing us a culture that is benefiting from the grace effect (what most of his readers live with and experience on a daily basis) he uses the completely broken, worldly culture of the Ukraine and specifically the adoption system to demonstrate a country bereft of God and the effects of His grace.

At times, the book seems to become more of a scholarly work and leaves behind the story element. But in the end, the author does a good job of giving the reader a snapshot of the Ukrainian adoption process and its corruption (and the chapter on a brief history of religion in Ukraine is well-written and engaging) and then getting right back into the adoption story.

I believe the author does fulfill his purpose as stated in the prologue: "to make a case for society's need of Christianity's gentling, inspiring, and culturally transforming power."

As you read you will find yourself infuriated at times and inspired at others -- infuriated at the corruption of the Ukrainian adoption process and how it seems to be about everything but the children and inspired at seeing God at work on Sasha and her adoptive family's behalf.

In the end, I can't say its one of my favorite books I've ever read, but I enjoyed it. I expected it to make me want to adopt a child from the Ukraine, it did not. But I guess that was not the author's purpose. So I can't quite put my finger on why I wouldn't "highly" recommend the book, but it's a good read, especially if you have an interest in adoption stories or in Christian apologetics.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”