Review By: Regina Reynolds
Title: “Rachel’s Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott”
Author: Darrell Scott and Beth Nimmo (parents of Rachel Scott)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2000
Genre: Historical & Theological
Page Count: 181
Title: “Rachel’s Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott”
Author: Darrell Scott and Beth Nimmo (parents of Rachel Scott)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2000
Genre: Historical & Theological
Page Count: 181
Overview:
On April 20, 1999, Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado had one of the worst school shooting in U.S. history. Two teenagers came to the school with several rounds of ammunition and around 100 bombs. The students set the bombs in and around the school, with plans for them to explode. However, when the bombs didn’t work, they began their shooting spree. One of the first of these 12 students who were killed was Rachel Scott, a 17 year old junior. According to the book, she was asked by one of the gunmen if she was a Christian, when she answered in the affirmative, he killed her. In just a few short minutes, these two young men had killed 12 students and a teacher. Then they killed themselves. As bad as this mass murder was, had the bombs worked, numerous students and faculty could have lost their lives at this school of 1900 students.
Although, her life on earth ended that day, Rachel became nationally recognized for her convictions and for being nice to everyone. She wasn’t the typical Christian who will only talk and make friends with certain people, she was a friend to any and everyone she met. However, as a Christian, this sometimes led her to do things she later felt convicted about, such as smoking.
Positives:
In many ways, Rachel was a good example of what every person who calls themselves a Christian should be. She was a friend to the friendless. Even in the face of persecution, she continued doing what she felt the Lord would want her to do. She walked her talk – she didn’t just die a dramatic death, she lived what she believed on a daily basis.
Negatives:
According to the authors, Rachel had always been a good person, but the summer she was 12 years old, she got saved at a revival meeting. After that, she didn’t want to just be good anymore, she wanted to be the Christian she felt God wanted her to be. I was surprised after reading what her mom said regarding Rachel’s salvation experience that the authors had been a pastor and pastor’s wife before they got divorced. Her mom didn’t seem to understand that with salvation comes a changed heart and life. Some Christians don’t have the life change that they should have, but if they are truly saved, there will be a difference in them.
Other Books by the authors:
Darrell Scott – “Chain Reaction” and “Rachel Smiles”
Beth Nimmo – “The Journals of Rachel Scott”
Final Words:
Although, I didn’t agree with everything in this book, there are many good things about this book, about the life Rachel lived. The one thing that I believe we should all remember is that we should never miss the chance to share Christ with others. We should be bold enough to live a godly life, even if that boldness costs us our life. At least one time during Rachel’s life, she was ridiculed by her church friends when she began to walk her talk. Our strength should come from God. When we go through bad times, we rely on him, but we should rely on him all the time. He is the only place where we can get true strength from.
On April 20, 1999, Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado had one of the worst school shooting in U.S. history. Two teenagers came to the school with several rounds of ammunition and around 100 bombs. The students set the bombs in and around the school, with plans for them to explode. However, when the bombs didn’t work, they began their shooting spree. One of the first of these 12 students who were killed was Rachel Scott, a 17 year old junior. According to the book, she was asked by one of the gunmen if she was a Christian, when she answered in the affirmative, he killed her. In just a few short minutes, these two young men had killed 12 students and a teacher. Then they killed themselves. As bad as this mass murder was, had the bombs worked, numerous students and faculty could have lost their lives at this school of 1900 students.
Although, her life on earth ended that day, Rachel became nationally recognized for her convictions and for being nice to everyone. She wasn’t the typical Christian who will only talk and make friends with certain people, she was a friend to any and everyone she met. However, as a Christian, this sometimes led her to do things she later felt convicted about, such as smoking.
Positives:
In many ways, Rachel was a good example of what every person who calls themselves a Christian should be. She was a friend to the friendless. Even in the face of persecution, she continued doing what she felt the Lord would want her to do. She walked her talk – she didn’t just die a dramatic death, she lived what she believed on a daily basis.
Negatives:
According to the authors, Rachel had always been a good person, but the summer she was 12 years old, she got saved at a revival meeting. After that, she didn’t want to just be good anymore, she wanted to be the Christian she felt God wanted her to be. I was surprised after reading what her mom said regarding Rachel’s salvation experience that the authors had been a pastor and pastor’s wife before they got divorced. Her mom didn’t seem to understand that with salvation comes a changed heart and life. Some Christians don’t have the life change that they should have, but if they are truly saved, there will be a difference in them.
Other Books by the authors:
Darrell Scott – “Chain Reaction” and “Rachel Smiles”
Beth Nimmo – “The Journals of Rachel Scott”
Final Words:
Although, I didn’t agree with everything in this book, there are many good things about this book, about the life Rachel lived. The one thing that I believe we should all remember is that we should never miss the chance to share Christ with others. We should be bold enough to live a godly life, even if that boldness costs us our life. At least one time during Rachel’s life, she was ridiculed by her church friends when she began to walk her talk. Our strength should come from God. When we go through bad times, we rely on him, but we should rely on him all the time. He is the only place where we can get true strength from.