In His Steps

“The church was the first in the city. It had the best choir. It had a membership composed of the leading people, representatives of the wealth, society, and intelligence of Raymond.”

The narrative description of the First Church sets the stage for the radical transformation that will take place over the course of the novel. By establishing that this particular community was one of both affluence and influence, the wealthy and well-educated strike a clear contrast with the demographic that will comprise the meetings in the Rectangle, where much of the charitable work is done later. Setting up a class divide in this way emphasizes the eventual payoff of the breakdown of social barriers.

“It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don’t understand. But what would Jesus do? Is that what you mean by following His steps?”

These words, spoken by Jack Manning, the homeless man who wanders into the Raymond church the day after encountering Rev. Maxwell, cut Henry’s heart to the quick. Jack’s question becomes the catalyst for Rev. Maxwell’s challenge to the congregation. Here is the central theme of the novel: What would happen if those who claim to follow Jesus actually went out into the world and acted like their faith were sincere? The troubles that plague Raymond, both in the suburbs and the downtown setting in the Rectangle, are transformed by the words and actions of the Christians who determine to actually follow the Gospel and the example of Jesus.