Keys of the Kingdom by A.J. Cronin

The Keys of the Kingdom is one of the early novels of A.J. Cronin. A Scottish medical doctor turned novelist after a long convalescence. Cronin masterfully presents compelling and deeply relatable characters in his novels, among the most famous of which are The Citadel and The Keys of the Kingdom. This novel is one of Cronin’s masterworks in its examination of Christianity and tolerance. It follows a Scottish priest, Francis Chisholm, from his earliest days in a mixed faith home. His childhood is beset by tragedy and he is given every excuse to walk away from his Catholic
upbringing. Despite his suffering Francis finds himself called to the priesthood which leads him through several challenging positions as curate (parochial vicar in our parlance) before being asked to become a missionary to China. Francis readily accepts the assignment and sets out with a great fervor to bring Christ to the remote corners of China. This journey to the far east deftly leads the reader to question our assumptions about the glories of missionary work and highlights the challenge of putting aside our own selfishness and self interest when we choose to submit ourselves to God’s will for our life.

The Keys of the Kingdom tugs at the heart, filled with compelling examples of self-sacrifice, personal conflict, and the vicissitudes of God’s providence. In my opinion it is a must read for those struggling to understand their place in God’s plan.