Grace Beyond the Grave

Grace beyond the Grave explores the possibility of the opportunity for repentance and salvation on the other side of the grave. Stephen Jonathan, pastor and theologian, explores posthumous salvation as a viable evangelical alternative to the traditional view that death ends all possibility of salvation, doing so with humanity, integrity, and devotion to Scripture. Jonathan is not dissuaded from asking provocative questions for fear of being thought unorthodox. While scholarly, Grace beyond the Grave will be of benefit to pastors, theological students, and lay people alike. During nearly three decades of teaching ministry and the New Testament, Jonathan became increasingly conscious that the common, mechanical answers to the more pressing questions are often inadequate and need revisiting. Grace beyond the Grave will both unsettle the "theologically comfortable" and reassure the open-minded in equal measure.

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''Jonathan writes as an evangelical Christian who is also a pastor committed to evangelism and discipleship. He is a practitioner, and this book is intended to help people practically explore the implications of their faith in God and God's attitude toward people; it is not merely an intellectual exercise in which biblical texts have been manipulated in order to result in a conclusion that is more palatable or agreeable than other views of the afterlife. Read it with an open mind, dialoguing with the author in your mind as you do--you may be surprised by what you will discover.''
--Keith Warrington, Reader in Pentecostal Studies, Regents Theological College, Worcestershire, UK

''This book is written primarily from a pastoral perspective that seeks to answer some of the troubling questions about life and death. Both are answered biblically and theologically, but with a caring concern that seeks to combine truth and mystery. I would recommend it for church leaders and ordinands as a stimulus to thoughtful pastoral care. No doubt, as C. S. Lewis suggested, when heaven is reached we shall say 'of course.'''
--Richard Massey, former Principal of Birmingham Christian College, Birmingham, UK

''Asking whether death ends all opportunity to turn to Christ, and deciding that biblical material doesn't settle the question, Jonathan concentrates on the character of God. This book's conclusions will not persuade everyone. However, it demonstrates two things: theological reflection does have to do with real pastoral care, and we shouldn't claim undue certainty in an area where Jesus said, 'Many will come . . .' There'll be surprises in heaven!''
--William P. Atkinson, Senior Lecturer, London School of Theology, London, UK

''In this book, Stephen Jonathan offers an important contribution to the current discussion on the possibility of salvation after death. Combining biblical, theological, missiological, and pastoral reflections, this work is well researched, clearly written, exegetically nuanced, very informative, balanced, irenic, and cautious when appropriate, yet bold when necessary. It is, to my mind, far and away the most helpful book available addressing the topic.''
--Robin Parry, author of The Evangelical Universalist --Wipf and Stock Publishers

Dr. Stephen Jonathan has been a pastor for over a quarter of a century. He serves as a team leader of a growing, Christ-centered, community-focused, Pentecostal church in Tamworth, England.