Soul Graffiti: Making a Life in the Way of Jesus

Scandrette, a pastor who is president and co-founder of ReIMAGINE!, a Bay Area center for spiritual formation, believes that "we were made to orient our entire beings to the good dreams of our maker." We do that by imitating Jesus, the radical messenger of the good news (gospel) of God rather than the saccharine or sentimental Jesus often marketed to us. Dividing his book into four sections, Scandrette explores Jesus as companion, artist, healer and mystic, inviting readers to become apprentices of Jesus. Scandrette provides stories of ordinary people struggling to follow Jesus, and offers spiritual practices for those who want to do likewise. The book's focus on the responsibility of each Christian to be part of the "genesis-vision" of God—in other words, to be a co-creator with God—will speak to contemporary readers who find Jesus more compelling than the institutional church. They will also appreciate its eclectic mix of ecology, social justice, biblical theology and a smattering of wisdom from other faith perspectives (e.g., the "Jesus Dojo"). This practical and down-to-earth book includes questions for contemplation and spiritual practices in each chapter, making it useful for group study. (May 4)