Monday, April 23, 2012

Seal of God, by Chad Williams

I have never doubted that Navy SEAL training was hard, but reading Chad Williams's blow-by-blow account of his life as a SEAL convinces me that those guys are toughSEAL of God follows Williams' journey from rebellious kid to dedicated recruit to exemplary SEAL, and, ultimately, to a follower of Jesus and enthusiastic evangelist.

Chad Williams
Williams was a good candidate for not making it as a SEAL.  He was more concerned with partying than sticking with anything, especially anything as difficult as SEAL training.  Under the guidance of former SEAL Scott Helvenston, Williams prepared physically and mentally.  He never thought of quitting.  Even though only 13 of his class of 173 became SEALs, Williams made it, thinking of his training as a prison from which he could only escape by graduating as a SEAL.

Part of his motivation was to avenge Helvenston's death.  Helvenston was one of the Blackwater contractors who was ambushed in Iraq, dragged through the streets, mutilated, and hung from a bridge.  Seeing those images on TV gave Williams the fuel to drive his commitment.  However, after graduating from SEAL training, Williams gave his life to Christ.  His driving passion now was not revenge but following Jesus.  He began to have doubts about whether the SEAL lifestyle was for him.

The bulk of the book, about two thirds, deals with Williams's life before and during SEAL training.  I haven't read much about the SEALs, but Williams's detailed descriptions of the grueling, intense training gives a great picture of what someone has to go through to be a SEAL.  The most disturbing portion was Williams's account of the persecution he endured as a result of his being a Christian.  Many of his fellow SEALs were indifferent to his newfound faith, but others actively harassed him for his choice not to get drunk or go to strip clubs with them.  The hazing he endured as a result led him to seek assignment to another team, and led to broken relationships with his fellow SEALs.

I was greatly encouraged by Williams's faith and conversion story, but was discouraged that he struggled so much during his service.  I know the military is full of strong believers, but it seemed like Williams was surrounded by apathetic, nominal Christians, people who didn't care about faith, and, tragically, some who openly ridiculed him for his faith.

Seal of God will strike a chord with military readers, and Christians will be challenged by the passion with which he shares the gospel.  Bonus for Fort Worth readers: Williams' co-author is David Thomas, formerly a columnist for the Star-Telegram!




Thanks to Tyndale Press for the complementary review copy!
Tyndale promotional video.
Tyndale's book web site.

10 comments:

  1. Good review one to put on my list to read.

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  2. Chad Williams was a sub-par SEAL with a lackluster and short career. Any potential reader would be wise to take much of what he says regarding his service with a grain of salt. Chad's non-committal attitude was evident in his careless and immature actions. If he was persecuted then it was due to his actions on the job and had nothing to do with his faith.

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  3. Anonymous--
    Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you have some first-hand knowledge. I'm not surprised that some would think Williams's performance "lackluster" and "non-committal." He makes clear in his book that his priorities changed after he became a Christian, and that he did not have the passion to be a SEAL that he did when he started out. On his persecution, I only have his account to go by, and it's clear that the main episode he describes has everything to do with his not joining in on the bar-hopping, womanizing ways of his teammates, if not for his faith. Read his account in Seal of God and let me know what you think.

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  4. Chad Williams was an absolute HORRIBLE SEAL and was black balled by all of his platoon mates. Team ONE booted him and Team SEVEN hated him.

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    1. if he wouldve been a horrible seal. Then why did they make him a seal if the chances of getting in are very low?

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  5. Hmmm. . . . Sounds like there are some SEALs out there who hold some grudges about their former brother. . . .

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  6. he made it through training but he was never one of the brothers.

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  7. BC he didn't party?

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  8. It sounds like he wasn't accepted once God changed his life. Very sad. He could have been easily killed by his 'teammates' in Mississippi that one night. I don't see how there can be a brotherhood if fellow SEALs are treated that way.

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  9. If I understand correctly, a team can't merely boot a SEAL out of their team (in his case Team 1) just because they don't like him, so I'm calling BS on that. This is the government we're talking about. There's way more red tape so, again, I call 'nada' on Fellow Frog's comment.

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