Nowhere to Go But Up
The Power of Living in God’s Love, Rather Than Fearing God’s Wrath
- Theology
- Publisher: Resource Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
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.
Endorsements (4)
“Kevin Ruffcorn adds another thoughtful and solid questioning of the existence of hell to the collection of books considering that issue. Deftly, he educates about church history and doctrine and biblical interpretation while nurturing the human spirit. His poignant, real-life anecdotes incarnate how people of faith have been and continue to be affected by the doctrine of eternal damnation. Because his approach and conclusions are grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I am strengthened by this book to live in the truth of God’s love rather than the lie of God’s wrath.”
“Kevin Ruffcorn traces the roots of fear-based dualism and the evolving understanding of God throughout church history. He exposes hell’s unbiblical sources and the motivation for its creation: religious control. Nowhere to Go But Up is a beautiful narrative that reminds us what matters most in Jesus’ love ethic and how paramount universalism was in the early church.”
“Do you believe in hell? If so, this book will turn your thinking upside down about God’s plans for your future! Kevin Ruffcorn takes readers through a systematic journey of Christian theology, biblical exegesis, and ecclesiastical machinations to a liberating understanding of God’s overarching love for all people. . . . This is a must-read for Christian leaders who care about representing the Almighty accurately and well to those unfamiliar with the God of the Bible.”
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