Nowhere to Go But Up

For most of its history, the church has preached and taught a doctrine of dubious biblical origins. The doctrine has cast a pall of gloom over the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has caused division in the human family, has inspired fear of God’s wrath in the lives of the faithful, and has prevented believers from experiencing the abundant life that is theirs through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Nowhere to Go But Up, investigates the source of this doctrine and surveys its use by the Christian church. From its findings, the book offers an alternative interpretation to several passages of Scripture—recapturing the understanding of the first followers of the Way and the insights of the earliest church fathers. Several salvation motifs are resurrected from the early centuries of the church. These motifs invite readers to view the ministry of Jesus from refreshing, life-changing perspectives.

Shunning the centuries-old practice of living in fear of God’s judgment, the book presents readers with a new, dynamic, yet realistic vision of living in the power of God’s love—celebrating creation, the diversity of the human family, and our unity as God’s children.

Kevin E. Ruffcorn retired after serving over forty years as a parish pastor in the Lutheran church. He is the author of six books including Rural Evangelism: Catching the Vision. He has also written religious curriculum for adults, several magazine and journal articles, and numerous devotionals. Pastor Ruffcorn is an active blogger at www.aSaneFaith.com.