The fear of death is the mother of all phobias (Greek for fear) according to Dr. Irvin D. Yalom, professor of psychiatry Emeritus at Stanford University . He believes all other phobias have their origins in the fear of death. Perhaps the greatest manifestation of that root fear is the fear a mother has for the eternal fate of her children. What happens to them in the after-life, especially if her children have not lived a “good” life according to the moral standards she has been taught by society and religion.
 

Whatever Became of Melanie? Is a story of Alice, a middle-aged, single mother, who loses her oldest child, Melanie, to a tragic death. Alice is a conservative Christian; Melanie, a trouble, rebellious teenager who chose to turn away from the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The thought of her beloved daughter being consigned to the flames of everlasting hell has devastated Alice , driving her to the verge of a nervous breakdown. Brenda, a long-lost childhood friend, comes to the funeral and invites Alice to return home with her. She too is a conservative Christian, but with one major difference. Brenda and her husband have discovered Biblical truths and principles that have led them to challenge and eventually reject the doctrine of hell.
 

Mr. Chevrier presents a thought-provoking and exciting discussion on this pressing and timely issue, and he does so through the unique literary style of a theological novel. The extensive dialogue between the two friends is not the dry disquisitions of professional theologians, but rather, delightfully founded upon the warm, intelligent, and honest experiences of everyday life. In this bold, new genre he appeals to both the serious student and inquisitive novice, challenging both the intellect and emotions with sound, compelling, arguments that are firmly founded upon the Holy Scriptures, reason and the moral intuition of an advancing, empathetic society. Though a novel, the book is not a shallow treatment. Chevrier has been a conservative Christian and avid student for over thirty years of his adult life. As he confessed: “My sole purpose in writing this book is to bless. If it can be used of God to remove the dark veil from the mind of just one of His precious children, then my labor will not have been in vain.”

This is a great book introducing the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to those trapped in fear-based religion or those who have rejected Jesus Christ because of the traditional teaching of Hell. This book makes the "Good News" truly good.
 

Allan E. Chevrier lives with his family in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada where he has worked as a technical writer and served extensively as a lay minister.

Key Words: universalism, hell, afterlife, universal salvation, ultimate reconciliation, doctrine of inclusion, heaven, Allan E. Chevrier, Gary Amirault, tentmaker, melanie