Fall to Grace: A Revolution of God, Self & Society

Bakker, son of famous televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye and pastor at Revolution Church in New York, stridently argues for a new emphasis on grace. After spending his teenage years reeling from family scandals and substance abuse, Bakker had almost given up on Christianity altogether until he discovered grace, which he understands as the love and salvation offered by God to all regardless of adherence to religious law. Interlacing anecdotes with exegesis of Paul's letters (especially Galatians), Bakker shares stories of those who have experienced a three-part revolution of grace. Living with grace transforms God from harsh rule maker to loving abba (daddy), reorients individuals away from self-centeredness, and remakes society. His test for this final revolution is his call for acceptance of homosexuals, a position that he says grace demands. This emphasis might be troubling for more conservative Christians, even with his clear summary of how to read the Bible as condemning not homosexuality itself but forbidding rape, abuse of strangers, and paganism. Bakker's tone and style are highly readable, even humorous, ashe tackles serious theological issues. Overall, the book speaks more to those already convinced of grace, but provides ample reinforcement for that position. (Jan.)