Book Review: The Penniless Millionaire

May 19, 2013 News

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A Believer’s story of spiritual wonderment
By Dr Glenville Ashby
Dorothy Martell’s passion, her love for God is unswerving. For some, it borders on hypo-religiosity. This should not be misconstrued as a slight in any way. But for skeptics and even believers, The Penniless Millionaire is an overreach in incredulity.
Throughout this chronicle of spiritual fortitude, life’s vagaries and vicissitudes, there is that persistent thread of the fantastical, of hubris; and for naysayers, the delusional. Yet, Martell’s tale reeks of existentialism and the human will to survive, be it through rational means, or the exertion of unfathomable faith.
The woes of life are inescapable, a truism. That life is the great equaliser of men is hardly contestable. But what tools are at our disposal to surmount these tormentous paths?
Faith or sharpened belief in God’s help is fruitless without arduous work and Dharma (Ethics). And therein lies the problem with The Penniless Millionaire. Martell plays the part of an automaton, one who is molded by a divine Puppeteer and emerges the miracle worker and recipient of His every boon. Her every move, trials and conditions are likened to Biblical personages, be they Elijah, Moses, Lot or Job.
The Old Testament becomes her History; the New Testament, her therapy. In passing, she makes mention of  God’s vengeful, bloodthirsty order to slaughter the evil Amalekites – babies included, as she builds her case for His guardianship over Christians, the righteous ones.
Martell is the consummate believer. No questions asked. And her life is awash with visions and miracles that befuddle.
“Now I recall when I was approximately seven years old, I saw in a vision a huge angel with a large book and pen appearing mid air immediately behind my house……,” and later: “I also had a vision that I was looking up to the clouds and beheld a branch. From this branch hung a scroll, and on the scroll was written in bold lettering: “International Jesus is Coming.” Flashes of St John.
In one startling account, the reader is asked to suspend reason. On shaking the hand of a fellow believer, Martell describes a scene that trumps natural law.
“In the process of doing so, he was lifted up into the air immediately. Because I was holding his arm, he pulled me up with him. I felt like 2,000 volts were going through my body. I was then slain in the Spirit where God showed me Enoch….”
Despite her closeness and favoured status with God, Martell is tested. But she emerges victorious against villainous plots, illness, and run-of-the mill trials. God talks to her, counsels, instructs her, literally.
The Penniless Millionaire takes Christian fundamentalism to the extreme, where pride turns on itself and where salvation sows seeds of self righteousness and intolerance. The following exchanges will attest to that much. In one scene, the writer recalls informing her pastor of an incident: “…in other words I was gossiping to Reverend Notice’s wife….The pastor’s wife asked me, “Who gave me that information?” I told her, “My friend,” She turned and asked me, “Is your friend saved?’ I said, “No.” Mrs Notice uttered, “I rebuke you, Mom. How dare you go talking about a church sister with an unsaved person?”
In another exchange with another pastor, Martell is told to sell her belongings as God has commanded, not before reminding her of his status: “I am a prophet of God. Watch and see what is going to happen if you do not do what God wants you to do.”
This work will appeal to those drowning in faith. For the non-Christian, it is intolerable. In turn, the moderate believer is put on the defensive. Like the fabled philosopher’s stone that rewards its finder with the elixir of life, Martell’s faith is cloaked in biblical legend. Can faith move mountains? Literally, it can’t. But fervent believers like Martell will disagree.
Martell’s biography will not win over the multitude. Such stories have oftentimes been told. But there is a pulsating strain of authenticity in her writing, in her confession. She bares her soul. Her truthfulness runneth over. Yes, fault her beliefs, but not her sincerity.
Martell’s love and devotion to family and friends are laudable; her vision to erect a place of worship; to build a school, pantry and soup kitchen for the needy are exemplary. Sure, her detractors may argue that charity and kindness need not be religiously fueled. But Martell’s infusion of dogma in her every action creates the ultimate evangelical tool.
In ending her testimony, she borrows a line from Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now I am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
A befitting prayer of gratitude that encapsulates raw faith that spans the ages.
Feedback: [email protected] Follow him on Twitter: @glenvilleashby
Website: www.glenvilleashby.com
The Penniless Millionaire by Dorothy Martell
Xlibris, 2012
ISBN 13: 978-1-4771-3083-4
Available; www.xlibris.com
Rating: Interesting

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