Saving Salvation: The Amazing Evolution Of Grace

By Stephen Smith and Stephen Smith

Book Overview

With increasing frequency, mainline Christians are challenged--by televangelists as well as by neighbors, friends, and coworkers--with the question: "Are you saved?" Not only are they stumped for an answer, but they may be unsure of exactly what salvation means. This book examines the concept of salvation in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the New Testament, showing readers that salvation, rather than simply the attainment of a faraway heaven in the afterlife, is also accomplished in the here-and-now through the Gospel of Jesus. In everyday language and an accessible, conversational tone, Saving Salvation helps Christians reach a deeper, more nuanced understanding of salvation than that provided by the dominant religious culture of our day. More than a heavenly reward for "good behavior" or "right belief," Smith says, salvation is also the gift of God's abundant grace-through the love of family and friends, prayer, and service-in a Kingdom experienced here on earth. With its thorough grounding in Scripture, along with reflection questions posted on the Morehouse website, Saving Salvation will serve as an excellent resource for both individual, small group, and parish study. Stephen Smith, an Episcopal priest, is rector a St. Patrick's Church in Dublin, Ohio. A frequent presenter at the Kenyon Summer Conference in Ohio, he has also presented at Epworth Center in Michigan, a highly regarded Methodist conference center.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0819221384
• ISBN13: 9780819221384
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Understanding God

As a cradle Epsicopalian, I had issues with the fundamentalists views, but I also had doubts about my own faith because of the fundamentalists outspoken views and judgements. This book helped me by explaining the history of the views of the church and the where the church may have strayed. Also, it helped me realize that I don't have to believe the fundamentalist's point of view so I can go to heaven (or be saved). It also helped me with my acceptance and love of the Episcopal faith because the Episcopal church allows people to come to their own conclusions and not be told what to believe. I hope to get my non-Christian friends to read this so they can have a better understanding of Christianity and God's love. This book has renewed a fire in me to search for answers, come to my own conclusions and try not to complicate things. Because it all comes down to the fact that you are loved by God.

Readable and reasonable

An excellent book in the same vein as Marcus Borg's "Heart of Christianity." This short book explains how salvation is something we experience in this life, not just in the afterlife. It offers a readable and reasonable contrast to the oversimplified and relatively modern view of "salvation" associated with fundamentalist Christianity. This text would make an great choice for an adult Christian Education class.

Finally, intelligent discourse!

Saving Salvation gives the reader an essay on the topic of salvation in an intelligent, biblically based presentation. Far from revisionist, this treatment of the sotieriology has its foundation in scripture. Anglican spirituality includes reason/experience and tradition/history in its consideration of the God and God's relationship to creation. Because Smith is an Episcopal priest, this spirituality is evident in his presentation. Saving Salvation gets back to the fundamentals of salvation history, and lifts up the loving God who created and continues to create this universe. This book would be a great choice for adult forums or high school groups.