Review: Escaping the Cauldron by Kristine McGuire

Escaping the Cauldron by Kristine McGuire
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: non-fiction
Publisher: Charisma House
Publication Date: September 5, 2012

Kristine McGuire was raised in a Christian home. She married a Christian man and had two children. Her life seemed perfect from the outside. But inside, she was in turmoil. From a young age she found herself fascinated by the supernatural and even as she was teaching pre-school at her church and sitting in Sunday service, she began to explore the occult. Like many of us, Kristine dipping her toes into things that she knew weren’t good for her wasn’t enough. After struggling with temptation for years, her marriage in jeopardy and God seeming far away, she decided it was time to dive in and dive deep. Kristine embraced Wicca and became a practicing Christian witch.

As I’ve shared my thoughts on this book with friends, there is always one common response; shock, surprise, and awe that someone could straddle both worlds in such a manner. How is it possible to justify reading the Bible, attending church, and casting incantations at home in your spare time? Kristine is honest about her journey – she shares the good and the bad. The scary and the amazing. She doesn’t mince words and she doesn’t hide the reality. She knows that during her time as a practicing Wiccan, the Lord kept His hand on her, protected her and eventually guided her back to Him.

Now, out of that lifestyle and culture, Kristine is firmly planted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Where she previously embraced dark spirits, her time is now spent meditating on God’s word.

Part reference, this book shared details that anyone from the outside wouldn’t truly know or understand without some level of research. Kristine explains various levels of Wicca and how they worship. She leaves nothing out and describes her experiences in vivid detail. I will not mince words. There were encounters that frightened me and freaked me out. Though I know who is victorious in the end, it still doesn’t change the darkness that we battle. The spirits, demons and principalities of darkness are creatures that Kristine has spoken with, researched and in some cases, worshiped.

The Bible tells us often that our battle is not in the flesh. We’re constantly working against the supernatural/spirit world. Lately, with the influx of television, films and books that are all dealing with this subject matter, there’s become a new fascination with the supernatural. Kristine’s book shed light on this subject that I personally needed.

I have recommended this book to every pastor I know and I believe that anyone who stands in the gap as a prayer warrior needs to read this book. It helped me learn how to pray when under attack and it answered tons of questions that I have had. Kristine cut to the heart of many issues and answered with blunt truth and honesty. I appreciated the fact that in each section, no matter what she was discussing, she referenced the Bible. Every argument, thought, opinion – all of it was foundationally based in the Bible.

This book also helped me deal with some of my own spiritual issues that were rooted in some church issues.

Kristine’s heart is honest and open. She wants nothing more than to educate, share her experiences, and help others in similar situations. I think that this book needs to be on every church library shelf, every bookstore shelf and in every home as a reference material. If you’re at all intrigued, don’t even think about hesitating. Get this book today.

Rated R: The subject matter in this book is fabulous, but it’s definitely something kids should hopefully not need to deal with. Stick with adult readers for this one.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!