Movements of Grace: The Dynamic Christo-Realism of Barth Bonhoeffer and the Torrances

To Barth Bonhoeffer and the Torrances grace is not an abstract truth; it is reality itself. By Gods revelation in Jesus Christ we are given the blessed assurance to know that all human beings are included in the humanity of the Savior. And in Christ we discover the movements of grace a double movement at once God-humanward and human-Godward all by the Holy Spirit. These theologians were keen to remind us that Christs ongoing mediatorship includes all appropriate human responses to God. In fact only by grace and in union with Christ do we have true response-ability. It is this going with the flow of the Holy Spirit en Christo that makes Christo-realism so dynamic and life-giving. The joyous gospel of Gods love comes alive in this passionately argued and carefully resourced exposition. It has powerful implications for evangelistic practice and provides much needed theological tools for the critical engagement with many questionable forms of evangelism today. It belongs on the bibliography of any college or seminary class dealing with evangelism and on the must read list of any church or para-church concerned about the faithfulness the integrity and the promise of Christian witness to the gospel. --Darrell L. Guder author of Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America McSwains work blends scholarly accuracy practicality and unswerving integrity. Here in dialogue with some of the greatest minds of the church he recovers and re-communicates the original Gospel of grace for those who have lost sight of it--that God has come all the way to us but also lifted us back decisively and permanently to Himself in His Son Christ who is now the reality out of which we all live. These pages will correct liberate and inspire. --Douglas A. Campbell author of The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul This book articulates the profound trinitarian dynamic of grace. For all who regard themselves as evangelical this book shows the true extent of the Good News which penetrates so much deeper than we often assume. McSwain offers remarkable testimony to the way in which the trinitarian Gospel affirms us liberates us lifts us up and by providing what is required of us inspires a response that is life-transforming. Further this book is written by a theologian with a unique ministry to young people which testifies to the liberating power of the faith he expounds so lucidly. --Alan Torrance author of Persons in Communion: Trinitarian Description and Human Participation Jeff McSwain (BA Davidson College MLitt University of St. Andrews Scotland) is the founder and Executive Director of Reality Ministries Incorporated a community-based inter-church outreach in Durham North Carolina. The mission of Reality Ministries is to help adolescents live into the loving presence and life-changing reality of Jesus Christ.