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Nowhere to Go But Up: The Power of Living in God's Love, Rather Than Fearing God's Wrath

Paperback |English |1725266075 | 9781725266070

Nowhere to Go But Up: The Power of Living in God's Love, Rather Than Fearing God's Wrath

Paperback |English |1725266075 | 9781725266070
Overview
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.
ISBN: 1725266075
ISBN13: 9781725266070
Author: Kevin E. Ruffcorn
Publisher: Resource Publications
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2020-08-04
Language: English
PageCount: 132
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.3 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 6.56 ounces
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.
Editorial Reviews


"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."


--Cristy Fossum, author of the Sunday by Sunday series, a trilogy of church fiction based in the Revised Common Lectionary



"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."


--Michael Camp, spiritual coach, purveyor of historical spirituality, and author of Craft Brewed Jesus



"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."


--Marta Poling Schmitt, retired ELCA pastor, church planter, and evangelist



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.

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Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

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  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
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Overview
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.
ISBN: 1725266075
ISBN13: 9781725266070
Author: Kevin E. Ruffcorn
Publisher: Resource Publications
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2020-08-04
Language: English
PageCount: 132
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.3 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 6.56 ounces
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.
Editorial Reviews


"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."


--Cristy Fossum, author of the Sunday by Sunday series, a trilogy of church fiction based in the Revised Common Lectionary



"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."


--Michael Camp, spiritual coach, purveyor of historical spirituality, and author of Craft Brewed Jesus



"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."


--Marta Poling Schmitt, retired ELCA pastor, church planter, and evangelist



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.

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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