Reviews"Gracious Christianity is a beautiful, intelligent, and readable introduction to Christian faith. It will be of help to people approaching the faith for the first time, eager to see it as a grace-filled and peaceable way of life and not as an argumentative and tensely-held dogma. It will also be a great help to people who are Christians but want to get a fresh vision of what their faith can mean in their lives and in our world."--Brian McLaren, pastor (crcc.org) and author (anewkindofchristian.com)"I have never read a more lucid and compelling summary of the Christian faith. With its story of grace and love mixed with conviction and commitment, this is a book to ponder in one's heart, to discuss with one's friends, and to savor for a lifetime. If I were not a Christian, I might very well want to become one based on my reading of this text."--Richard T. Hughes, distinguished professor of religion, Messiah College"Marked by unaffected humility, Gracious Christianity is what an earlier generation would have described as a winsome invitation to the Christian faith. As in the best of catechesis, Jacobsen and Sawatsky cover the basics and provide an account of the hope that is in us."--Frederick W. Schmidt, associate professor of Christian spirituality, Perkins School of Theology; author of What God Wants for Your Life"Jacobsen and Sawatsky provide a look at 'mere Christianity' through the lens of the gracious life to which God's creating, revealing, saving, and indwelling acts call us. Though the authors gently introduce us to points of view, terminology, names, and ideas that have appeared throughout the church's history, this book is not for those who need all the loose ends tied up in neat knots. It's for those who want to join in theological conversation with fellow Christians about the beliefs that matter most to people who are called to love God and their neighbors."--Dennis Okholm, professor of theology, Azusa Pacific University"In an engaging and lively narrative, Jacobsen and Sawatsky articulate the basics of Christian faith and practice. It is a lovely introduction to the basics of Christian faith in gracious prose."--Donald B. Kraybill, author of The Upside-Down Kingdom "Gracious Christianity is itself a gracious gift to all of us. In a spirit of loving simplicity, the authors offer us marvelous insights into the Christian life. This is a book to read and reread!"--Richard J. Mouw, president and professor of Christian philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary
SynopsisWhat does our culture think of when the word Christian is mentioned? Unfortunately, stereotypes and misconceptions abound, and those who follow Christ are sometimes considered mean-spirited, narrow-minded, and uncharitable. Douglas Jacobsen and Rodney Sawatsky provide a blueprint for recovering a vibrant faith as they demonstrate how believers can manifest the fruit of the Spirit to a watching world. This book not only serves as an introduction to or review of the basics of the Christian faith but also shows how true, Spirit-led Christianity is a force for peace, justice, and goodness in today's volatile and violent world., An introduction to vibrant Christian faith for a new generation that demonstrates how believers can manifest the fruit of the Spirit to a watching world