Book Review:
Through the Tunnel – Free at Last
by Daniel Holland (PUSH Publishing)
“Staggering across my bedroom I opened the cupboard, and lifting another
hidden bottle of vodka I took a huge slug. The feeling of being out of my
depth was overwhelming but I thought I knew what I must do. The wedding must
be cancelled, there is no other way; tomorrow I must tell Beck”. The words
on the back cover naturally draw the reader in. Jennifer Rees Larcombe calls
this “a vital resource for people in the Christian healing ministry”. As you
look at this book you know you have in your hands something of considerable
value – a real man’s flesh and blood story – and a story that ends in
blessing and in the glory of Jesus. But what a journey to get there!
Daniel Holland is quite clear that this journey is in fact through an
emotional, mental and spiritual tunnel, very dark in places. Holland, who is
today a full time evangelist with Through Faith Missions, enjoyed what was
in many respects a conventional Christian upbringing and a happy childhood.
Yet at the age of nine, something happened to him that altered the course of
his life. After this event, his life underwent a number of emotional and
spiritual convulsions. Hurts were buried deep within. Hurts that needed
healing were instead buried – only to manifest themselves in later life in
emotional and mental torment.
The battle keeps going throughout the book. In fact it is only in the last
chapter that through painstaking prayer and deliverance ministry, that the
book makes good on its title; “free at last”. Is this an “easy” read? At one
level yes – in another, no. Holland is a natural and gifted writer. This
book is well written and in that sense it is not taxing on the reader. But
the subject matter is a battle, and the reader definitely feels drawn-in to
the story. In a sense we tread some of that tunnel with Holland, albeit
vicariously.
Each chapter begins, beautifully, with a Scripture verse, apt for the
chapter ahead. At 159 pages, this is an emotional roller-coaster – in fact
it is one of those books that literally, you don’t want to put down as your
immerse in Holland’s struggles. Yet by the same token it’s a book that
demands reflective thought, and encourages us to think deeply on the
question of healing and of God’s over-arching purposes in hugely difficult
circumstances. This book helps to underscore the truth of the Scripture;
“all things work together for good, to those who love the Lord” (Romans
8:28). Holland’s life and his present work bear out this truth.
I commend this book to serious Christians, to those involved in healing
ministry, and to those in leadership – as so many folk in our flock bring
with them emotional and spiritual baggage that it can be impossible for them
to “leave at the door”. Some folk definitely need determined and persistent
healing and deliverance ministry, and this book helps to underscore that
message. Each reader will, I am sure, be blessed by our healing Saviour as
they engage with this book.
Peter Sammons
Available as a paperback via Christian Publications International. Price
£9.00 + £1.00 p&p in UK. Also available as a Kindle (e-book) edition via
Amazon at
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Through-Tunnel-Free-at-Last/dp/0955378346 at
£3.97.
