Dark Journey Deep Grace: Jeffrey Dahmer's Story of Faith [Paperback]

Roy Ratcliff (Author), Lindy Adams (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Crimes unspeakable. A name synonymous with twisted brutality and hate. Jeffrey Dahmer. The most notorious serial killer of our time.A decade ago his story shocked our nation and the world. But we didnt get the whole story. In prison, Dahmers dark journey crossed paths with deep grace. Here is the whole story, told by a man who at first tried to avoid meeting Jeffrey Dahmer, but later became his friend and showed him the light of Gods love. Its an unexpected story of first steps in faith, of surprising questions about the Bible, of light breaking into darkness. A story that will change what you thought you knew about grace. Jeffrey Dahmer. Christian. Grace unspeakable.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roy Ratcliff has ministered with a church in Madison, Wisconsin for over twenty-five years. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University. Since his unexpected encounter with Jeffrey Dahmer in 1994, he has ministered to prisoners in several Wisconsin prison facilities. Lindy Adams was an editor of The Christian Chronicle, an international newspaper, for twelve years. She lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, OK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Leafwood Publishers (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976779021
• ISBN-13: 978-0976779025
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can God Forgive a Serial Murderer and Cannibal?, December 26, 2006

By 

Evelyn I. Sears - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Journey Deep Grace: Jeffrey Dahmer's Story of Faith (Paperback)

One phone call in April 1994 changed Roy Ratcliff's life forever. The call came from a fellow minister who wanted to know if Ratcliff would preside over the baptism of an inmate who was incarcerated in a prison near his home. Ratcliff had never had any experience with prison ministry. Nevertheless, he agreed to drive to the prison and meet with the prisoner. Upon being satisfied that the prisoner had a proper understanding of baptism's purpose, Ratcliff would make all the necessary arrangements. Ratcliff just needed one more piece of information: who was the prisoner making the request? The answer: Jeffrey Dahmer.

Ratcliff, like everyone else living in Wisconsin in the 1990s, was familiar with Dahmer's horrific story of torture, murder, necrophilia and cannibalism. When Ratcliff met Dahmer in late April 1994, he was surprised at Dahmer's quiet demeanor, his fairly lean frame and his small hands. Satisfied that Dahmer understood the meaning of baptism and that his desire was sincere, Ratcliff made arrangements for Dahmer's baptism in May 1994.

After Dahmer's baptism, Ratcliff continued meeting with him for weekly Bible studies and discussions. Little did they know that, in late November 1994, their friendship would be severed by Dahmer's brutal murder at the hands of another prisoner.

His friendship with Dahmer changed Ratcliff's life in several ways. First, the responses of other Christians to Ratcliff's ministry with Dahmer challenged Ratcliff to think deeply about the concepts of mercy, grace and justice. Some Christians encouraged Ratcliff's efforts, others believed Ratcliff was being conned and still others believed Dahmer was too evil to be forgiven. Second, Ratcliff's belief in Dahmer's sincerity and his friendship with Dahmer led him to believe more deeply in God's unconditional love. Third, following his ministry with Dahmer, Ratcliff became involved in several other prison ministries, activities that he is still engaged in a dozen years later.

Ratcliff states unequivocally that God can and does forgive the Jeffrey Dahmers of the world. Ratcliff also states unequivocally that divine forgiveness does not expunge the need for earthly justice. Ratcliff believes that people who cannot understand these distinctions are confused about the natures of both God and society. Social justice required, rightly, according to Ratcliff, that Dahmer should serve out his sentence regardless of his spiritual condition. Ratcliff reports that Dahmer also accepted his penalty as a just one. Neither of these men ever viewed spiritual conversion as a "get out of jail free" card. According to Ratcliff:

"A gross misunderstanding of what Jeff's baptism accomplished was apparent. No one said Jeff was no longer guilty of his crimes. He would not be released from prison, nor should he be, dependent upon his baptism. Baptism does not take away crimes. It addresses sins. The issue in baptism doesn't concern justice in the society. It concerns the forgiveness of God. . . . Jeff's crimes cry out for justice. . . . No one understood this quite as well as Jeff" (pp. 85-86).

This is a profoundly moving book, an unpretentious chronicle of an unlikely friendship that developed around a seemingly unlikely faith. Christians interested in stories of personal testimony will find this book interesting, as it offers insights into the spiritual lives of two men, Ratcliff and Dahmer. They should also find it uplifting, because it offers the promise of present and future redemption to all people, regardless of their past transgressions. Finally, readers of any faith, and even people with no faith, who read this book will be challenged to reconsider their ideas about God, evil and justice.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, honest account of face-to face meetings with Jeffrey Dahmer, July 26, 2006

By 

Cathy Messecar "Author, A Still and Quiet Sou... (Montgomery, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Journey Deep Grace: Jeffrey Dahmer's Story of Faith (Paperback)

For the first time, I feel like I read an honest account of Jeffrey Dahmer's life and his turn around in prison.

I especially appreciate the way Leafwood Publishers and authors Roy Ratcliff and Lindy Adams write with sensitivity about the atrocious parts of Dahmer's crimes. While gruesome accounts are thankfully missing, they are "outlined" for those who may have been missing from this planet and do not know the general details.

After conviction for his dark murderous crimes, his prison seclusion forced Jeffrey to face himself and ask some hard questions. I like the timeline that Ratcliff shares with readers and his honesty about his own feelings and even mistakes, especailly in one incident is very appealing.

Some have doubted Jeffrey's conversion. While Ratcliff's encounter may not convince skeptics, his account will no doubt cause any reader to consider the grace of Ratcliff who shared the good news with Jeffrey Dahmer. Many had written him off as hopelessly lost.

I gave this book to a Christian policeman. He meets some very unrepentent, rebellious thugs. I gave him the book to give him hope. Sometimes these criminals, when caught, get a chance to face themselves--to find God in a jail cell.

My thanks to all who had a part in nurturing Jeffrey Dahmer and bringing his story of faith and baptism to the public.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can a story about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer be beautiful?, December 16, 2006

By 

Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dark Journey Deep Grace: Jeffrey Dahmer's Story of Faith (Paperback)

Can a story about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer be beautiful?

My mind takes me to a verse in the gospel of John: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:8 ESV). Dark Journey Deep Grace shows that the darkness of Jeffrey Dahmer's past cannot overcome the light of Christ. The grace of Christ Jesus is more than able to transform a life that has known the depths of depravity.

I was apprehensive about reading this book because of the inevitable retelling of Dahmer's crimes. A couple of chapters are somewhat disturbing, but I found that grace runs through this account. I see it in Dahmer's desire to be baptized and to obediently follow Christ. Because he had done so much wrong, he wanted so badly to do everything right that it bordered on legalism.

This is where God used Roy Ratcliff, a sincere and humble Church of Christ pastor that God uniquely prepared for this situation. Overwhelmed with regret for his crimes, Dahmer thought of suicide. Ratcliff at one time was so low over a failed pastorate that he too contemplated the same. He gently helped Dahmer to see the issue in light of Scripture, and was also able through their ongoing study of the Bible to guide Dahmer away from a legalistic faith. Ratcliff wanted Dahmer to know that he was fully loved and accepted by God.

Ratcliff never sought notoriety, but he had to deal with it when word of Dahmer's baptism reached the press. The grief that it caused was overshadowed by his concern for his relationship with the man he knew as Jeff. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that Dahmer was glad that people learned of his baptism. Dahmer had a desire to share his faith with others.

This is a wonderful account, simply told, of Ratcliff's seven-month relationship with Dahmer. One of the beautiful aspects of the book is that the two became friends. As a result, Ratcliff is able to share intimately about how Dahmer changed after becoming a Christian.

Dahmer dared to ask the question: Is there a place in heaven for a sinner like me? This book answers yes. It's surprising to learn that many people, including Christians, found it difficult to believe that Dahmer could be forgiven and have a place in heaven. It makes one wonder if Christians truly believe that the vilest offender can receive pardon from sin through faith in Christ.

Ratcliff uses misunderstanding in the minds of people to write briefly about the difference between forgiveness and justice. This might help those who struggle with the thought of God accepting Dahmer and his being a Christian. The book, however, leaves little doubt about his faith being genuine.

The writing is excellent making for easy reading. The author shows a wonderful balance in what he chose to write about. He wisely and tactfully addresses a number of issues without being preachy.

There's a beauty in being able to tell the truth in a simple and straightforward manner. That's what I find here.

This is a tragic story made beautiful in the end by the grace of God.