General & Miscellaneous Christian Theology, General & Miscellaneous Theology, Evangelism, Spirituality, Missions & Missionary Work - Christianity

Geography of Grace

Name: Geography of Grace
Author: Kris Rocke
ISBN: 9780985233402

by Kris Rocke, Joel Van Dyke

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Overview

How do we make sense of God's love among the urban poor, and among the rest of us who are hungry for good news in the hard and sometimes forgotten places of our own lives?

Rocke and Van Dyke invite us to discover for ourselves the unexpected nature of grace among those who have been labeled the least, last and lost-and their inextricable link to the forgotten and disturbing stories in the Bible. Graphic but never gratuitous, Rocke and Van Dyke are lyrical, poetic, irreverent, and playful. They are as rigorous in their study of applied theology as they are accessible in their storytelling. The authors share their own discovery of that which has been "hidden since the foundations of the earth," and they do it by standing with those who have stood alone, finding joy in being counted among the transgressors. They offer a new kind of orthodoxy that is as old as the gospel itself.

Far from a dogmatic theology, the burden of this book is uncommonly light, but it is not without its demands. If you are up for a life-changing adventure, then get ready to "assume the risks."

"In this challenging book, graceful writing meets grace-full theology. The wounds of the world cry out in poetry and poignancy; the call to care crushes complacency; places below rise to expose suffering and healing in the depths; darkness shines upon light, transforming Word and world in reading, hearing and doing."

Phyllis Trible,
Author of Texts of Terror

"This is a beautiful book and a true book, proving again that they are the same thing! You will get to the essentials quickly here, and in a way that will change you both painlessly and painfully."
Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M.
Author and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation

Synopsis

How do we make sense of God's love among the urban poor, and among the rest of us who are hungry for good news in the hard and sometimes forgotten places of our own lives? Rocke and Van Dyke invite us to discover for ourselves the unexpected nature of grace among those who have been labeled the least, last and lost-and their inextricable link to the forgotten and disturbing stories in the Bible. Graphic but never gratuitous, Rocke and Van Dyke are lyrical, poetic, irreverent, and playful. They are as rigorous in their study of applied theology as they are accessible in their storytelling. The authors share their own discovery of that which has been "hidden since the foundations of the earth," and they do it by standing with those who have stood alone, finding joy in being counted among the transgressors. They offer a new kind of orthodoxy that is as old as the gospel itself. Far from a dogmatic theology, the burden of this book is uncommonly light, but it is not without its demands. If you are up for a life-changing adventure, then get ready to "assume the risks." "In this challenging book, graceful writing meets grace-full theology. The wounds of the world cry out in poetry and poignancy; the call to care crushes complacency; places below rise to expose suffering and healing in the depths; darkness shines upon light, transforming Word and world in reading, hearing and doing." Phyllis Trible, Author of Texts of Terror "This is a beautiful book and a true book, proving again that they are the same thing! You will get to the essentials quickly here, and in a way that will change you both painlessly and painfully." Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M. Author and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation

About the Author, Kris Rocke

Kris Rocke lives with his wife Lana and their two sons Grant and Mitchell in Tacoma WA. He has served in urban ministry since 1985 and is the founder and director of Center for Transforming Mission. He earned his B.A. in English at Pacific Lutheran University, in Tacoma, WA and his M.Div. at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He recently completed a D.Min. in Transformational Leadership for the Global City from Bakke Graduate University in Seattle, WA. Kris is also an ordained member of the Street Psalms Community and swears he heard God laugh once.

Joel Van Dyke has lived and served in Guatemala City since 2003 with his wife Marilyn and their children Joel and Sofia. While in Guatemala, he has directed the work of CTM in Latin America as a career missionary with Christian Reformed World Missions. Prior to moving to Central America, he pastored for 15 years at Bethel Temple Community Bible Church in Philadelphia. He obtained his B.A. in Psychology and Social Work from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI and his M.Div. with concentration in Urban Mission from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Most recently, he completed a D.Min. in Transformational Leadership for the Global City from Bakke Graduate University in Seattle, WA. Joel is also an ordained member of the Street Psalms Community and a “wannabe” sports fisherman and a baseball enthusiast who loves playing with his son and coaching his son’s team in Guatemala.