A Broken Hallelujah by Judith Forgoston

Judith Forgoston’s A Broken Hallelujah is a brilliantly composed novel that skilfully spans half the world to explore two profoundly human and spiritual themes. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a powerful testament to restorative love.

On one hand, the book highlights the very real danger of allowing a genuine faith in God to boil over into loveless, self-centered exuberance. On the other, it champions the supreme power of sincere love to overcome all hindrances and bring restoration and joy into otherwise hopeless situations.

The Two Threads of the Story

The narrative primarily follows two distinct paths that are destined to intertwine:

Sophie Schmid’s Journey: Seeking Solace

We first meet Sophie Schmid, a teacher struggling with life after the tragic loss of her boyfriend in a car accident. She lives without real enthusiasm or purpose until a friend persuades her to join a sailing trip around the Friesian Islands.

On the boat, she connects with Thomas, an older man who notices her troubled state of mind and engages her in deep, sympathetic conversations. Fascinated by him, Sophie later reestablishes contact. He introduces her to a small group that meets at his house to discuss spiritual questions based on the Bible. She feels instantly at home. When the group plans a winter holiday to the Rocky Mountains, Sophie readily joins them.

Justin Friedman’s Transformation: Finding Faith

The scene shifts to the United States and shows Justin Friedman, a young man who leads a wild life and has found success – and danger – in drug dealing. Things take a strange turn when a lenient police officer discovers drugs and a weapon in his apartment but only gives him a stern warning to change his lifestyle.

A subsequent near-fatal car accident forces Justin to reflect. In a strange, surreal moment, he has the powerful impression that God is speaking to him, challenging him to turn his life around. Justin makes a genuine commitment to following Jesus, gives up his criminal activities, and enrolls in a fundamentalist, Pentecostal-oriented Bible school to learn more about God.

The Paths Cross and Diverge

The two threads finally converge during a skiing holiday in the Rocky Mountains. Justin rescues Sophie when she gets stuck and breaks a ski. Though their paths separate, Sophie is so impressed by Justin’s behaviour that she seeks him out, discovering his Bible school. They have long, meaningful conversations during her brief stay before she returns to Switzerland.

Justin, meanwhile, feels a strong calling to missionary work. When Sophie shows no inclination to join him, they part rather coldly. Justin travels to India with no money and little idea of what awaits him. He initially finds success in preaching and teaching but soon gets involved with a large, strictly-run church. When he is pressured to comply with the lead pastor’s wishes, he realises he cannot cope and is in danger of being arrested.

Finding a Truer Faith

In a crucial turn, an elderly man, Luke, spirits Justin away into hiding. Justin spends time with this gentleman and is deeply impressed by his social involvement, particularly helping the poor and mistreated women. He discovers this man is also a Christian believer but lives out his faith in a profoundly different way – one focused on social action and compassion rather than rigid doctrine.

This experience is a revelation for Justin. Eventually, Luke must return to Switzerland for his teaching ministry, and Justin secretly follows him. It’s here that he realises he badly mishandled his budding relationship with Sophie, and has now run himself into a kind of dead end. Filled with remorse, he longs for a chance to apologise for leaving her alone.

A Restorative Hallelujah

Meanwhile, Sophie has also found faith in Jesus and a new sense of peace. On Thomas’ advice, she takes a summer job at a Christian conference center in a tiny Alpine village. She is thrilled by the teaching and the whole atmosphere of the community.

The story culminates in a stunning, beautiful realisation: Luke from India and Sophie’s mentor Thomas are one and the same person.

The two protagonists are brought together in the same Christian conference center setting. When they finally meet, Justin and Sophie realize they are madly in love and want to marry. The book concludes with a joyous, unifying event – a large celebration in the small mountain village where they invite many friends to celebrate the beginning of their married life. One reserved guest is, of all people, the police officer who once showed Justin leniency at a critical moment in his life.

A Broken Hallelujah is a compelling read that powerfully demonstrates that the truest faith is one lived out in genuine love and that no matter how broken a life may seem, redemption and joy are always possible.