Fire of Grace [Paperback]

Richard Rouse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

Trinity Lutheran Church was burned to the ground by one of the most prolific arsonists in the history of the United States.When Paul Keller was finally apprehended and imprisoned, one of his first visitors was Rick Rouse, pastor of the church he burned. Pastor Rouse said that he was compelled by Christ to visit Paul and offer him his personal forgiveness.

That simple and profound act began a process of healing and transformation that included the entire congregation, the victims of arson, and his family. Through sharing his story—and highlighting other stories of forgiveness—Pastor Rouse outlines the path toward reconciliation that many have experienced when relying upon God’s gift of forgiveness. Truly inspirational!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard W. Rouse served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood,WA, until 1995. He is currently Executive Director for Church Relations and Continuing Theological Education, the Director of the Institute for Clergy and Congregational Renewal, and a Certified Spiritual Director. Richard Rouse has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and has had his story of forgiveness and healing reported in USA Today, Reader’s Digest, and The Lutheran.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: AUGSBURG BOOKS (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806651121
• ISBN-13: 978-0806651125
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,887,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Way to Forgiveness!, September 4, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire of Grace (Paperback)

Into every life enters pain, suffering and loss. Sometimes it feels like there is no hope, and in our grief and despair we become angry. But, according to Richard W. Rouse, author of Fire of Grace, there is hope and in that hope lays reconciliation and forgiveness.

Rouse talks of forgiveness as a journey. He compares the stages of forgiveness to Kubler-Ross' stages in her book, On Death and Dying. They are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The steps are similar but not linear. The process is different for each person.

Through the personal story of the August 9, 1992 burning of his church, discussion questions, scripture reflection and prayer, we follow Rouse through the stages of forgiveness to the four steps of reconciliation, the restoration of relationships and the acceptance of God's Grace.

Fire of Grace is a thought provoking, insightful book that is easy to read and understand because of the author's ability to transfer his ideas with the help of his story of the burning of his church. This is a must read for everyone as we all need the healing power of forgiveness.

Armchair Interviews says: Read this book and give one to someone you know who is experiencing the need to forgive.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fire of Grace, September 30, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Fire of Grace (Paperback)

I was reminded that forgiveness is not an act, but a process.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amnesty, September 13, 2007

By 

Sarah Raymond Cunningham (Southeast Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire of Grace (Paperback)

Forgiveness is not always simple, yet that is not supposed to be an excuse for avoiding it.

Lutheran pastor Rick Rouse had a textbook excuse for "throwing the book" (or maybe the Bible) at his offender. Completely unprovoked, a serial arsonist burned Rouse's church to the ground.

The congregation and community were understandable devastated and many called for the kind of justice that would lock the arsonist away from both society and their memories. However, Rouse and his church dug deep into the bottomless heart of God and found a vision to build a relationship with their offender and his family.

In Fire of Grace, Pastor Rouse creates a priceless picture of spiritual amnesty--the type of grace that is the foundation of the Christian faith. And although in the case of Rouse's church, grace unfolded in a series of complex stages, the results proved why forgiveness is a practice we should all engage more regularly.