Book Review: For One Moment

Art by James Archer.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Partial spoiler alert. This summary of the plot does not spoil the whole story by any means, but it may remove some of the surprises for you.

For One Moment

By Christmas Carol Kauffman

Rated: Hard to put down. Highly recommended

This book is based upon the true life story of Herbe Englehardt, a German who grew up in the Weimer Republic and cast his lot with the Nazis when they came to power. Through the confusion of his father's divorce (when it was still a great shame), rejection by his stepmother, unhappiness, the deep sorrow of death and separation from those he loved, he arrived at the beginning of the Nazi era with a great need for something to hold on to. A patriotic zeal for Hitler and Nazism answered this deep longing. Hitler virtually became his god. When the Nazis fell Herbe's life was shattered.

This story clearly shows the tender leading by God of a soul from darkness to the glorious light of Jesus Christ. This eventually brings joy, triumph over old hurts, and healing to other hearts as well.

One of the amazing aspects of this story is how the Lord protected Herbe through his life till he was able to hear, understand, and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It argues a good case for predestination and free will at the same time.

Another thing that encouraged me in this story was one of the couples who witnessed to Herbe. They were Christians, Lutherans, who survived the dangerous Nazi regime while still quietly sharing their faith, belief of the Bible, and love for God. This book is an encouragement in a time when so much uncertainty about the future faces many believers. God is able to keep His children. We must trust His wisdom to determine how to best use us in these perilous times. Many Christians died at the hands of the Nazis and others. Many did not. This book gives a small glimpse of how life was for the Christian survivors.

The verse for this book might be: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

This book may be purchased here.
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Comments on the author:

Mrs. Kauffman was a Mennonite writer. She chronicled several true life stories of people who eventually became Mennonites and also wrote some fiction along those lines. However, for the most part I have not found her strongly promoting Mennonite doctrines in general, which makes her books much more useful to the church in general.

She is a good writer and we have had more than one person tell us, "I couldn't put the book down."

Note: Though the stories are gripping, there are no overly gruesome scenes that I recall. She had a good sense of what was appropriate.