In Pursuit of Wholeness: Experiencing God's Salvation for the Total Person
BOOK SUMMARY
In Pursuit of Wholeness: Experiencing God's Salvation for the Total Person is about God's loving desire to bring healing and restoration to the broken areas of our lives. As the Savior of humankind, the Lord Jesus Christ can rescue us from the things that diminish or destroy us in our spirits, minds, bodies, relationships, and other aspects of our humanity. Readers will gain an understanding of the theological foundations of salvation and learn how to apply biblical truth to effect spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Chapter 1 addresses the problem of human sin. Sin separates us from God and leads to brokenness in every area of life. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, creation suffers from deterioration, futility, and decomposition. We also face illnesses, pain, calamities, and death because of the entry of sin into the world. God’s remedy for sin and its effects is the salvation which he now offers through Jesus Christ, his Son.
The next six chapters of the book explore Jesus’ mission of salvation—a mission to bring wholeness to hurting humanity. The Savior forgave sins, healed broken hearts, restored physical health, defeated dark forces, and worked many mighty miracles. His death on the cross redeemed us from eternal separation from the Father and secured for us a host of spiritual blessings, benefits, and resources.
When the Lord returned to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to enable the church to continue his ministry until the Second Coming. The church now proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the source of salvation for the total person. Available to the church are various spiritual gifts that confirm her message and make her more effective in serving people. Gifts of healings, for example, manifest the love of God and reveal his power to restore broken bodies, souls, and spirits.
Chapters 8 and 9 present practical steps to wholeness. Christians must appropriate God’s provisions for individual well-being through prayer and personal consecration. We also must discipline ourselves to engage in practices that we know to be spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy. Chapter 10 is a case study to help readers apply the concepts found in the first nine chapters of the book. In Pursuit of Wholeness concludes with two appendices, each containing additional material that readers will find both helpful and encouraging.
Endorsements
From the Foreword "I strongly commend Dr. Graves for this excellent work and for his continued dedication to the practical application of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Pursuit of Wholeness will help countless people to experience the fullness of God’s salvation for the total person. I pray that the book blesses your life and that you will never be the same again."
Charles E. Blake, Sr.
Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ
Pastor, West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Los Angeles, California
"Wilfred Graves, Jr. is a trusted and proven servant, with a distinct heart of wisdom and grace for helping people needing Christ's liberating touch to heal every aspect of our lives. In this helpful book, Dr. Graves presents simple, yet illuminating, strategies for clear and definite steps to wholeness in Christ and personal transformation. This book will change your life if you take its principles to heart."
Jack W. Hayford
Chancellor, The King's University
Founding Pastor, The Church On The Way
Los Angeles, California
"The times that we live in require special coping tools to inspire us to keep going and move forward. Dr. Wilfred Graves, Jr. leads us through the teachings of the Bible and uncovers powerful principles to uplift us and give us access to sustainable encouragement. He truly gives us God’s ideas."
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Actress, Philanthropist
"Dr. Wilfred Graves Jr. is a great thinker and wonderful teacher. He communicates truth in ways that are both profound and easy to understand. People from all walks of life will find peace, wholeness, and personal transformation in the pages of this phenomenal volume. This is one book that you will want to read from cover to cover."
Cookie Johnson, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist,
Secretary, Magic Johnson Foundation Board of Directors
"Dr. Graves is concerned, as we all should be, that all Christ followers experience the more abundant life that Jesus has promised us (John 10:10). Unfortunately, many people miss that abundance. They may be wonderfully saved but their Christian experience falls short of what they pray for. As Dr. Graves says, 'This book is for those seeking to experience the fullness of God’s salvation in their individual lives.'
Though we are promised this abundant life as a part of our salvation, for many, perhaps for most who find it, abundance is a second step. And for those who don't find it, it is but a dream. God wants us to be free and alive in Him. But He requires that we cooperate with Him to bring His will about. A major focus of the book is on what we need to do to work with God to experience this aliveness. This is a book to help us become what both God and we ourselves want us to be."
Charles H. Kraft
Author of Confronting Powerless Christianity: Evangelicals and the Missing Dimension Senior Professor of Anthropology and Intercultural Communication
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California
"I heartily endorse Dr. Graves’ encouraging - and life-changing - teaching that God wants not just to heal physical sickness, but wants to heal the brokenness of our lives while on earth. There is hardly a day that goes by when I don’t see it usually happening in someone’s life."
Francis MacNutt, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Christian Healing Ministries, Inc.
Jacksonville, Florida
"Dr. Wilfred Graves’ volume, In Pursuit of Wholeness is a very significant book. As a pastor, he has seen his share of those in need of salvation and those in need of wholeness. As a scholar, he has thought about these themes both long and carefully. Rarely does a book on salvation or wholeness achieve what Dr. Graves has achieved in this book. He has brought these thoughts together in a compelling narrative. His reflections are rich and well worth pondering by mature Christians. Yet his language and illustrations are simple enough to make sense and to provide sound answers to the questions that many people in our day are asking. They come from real life, and as such, they provide real solutions to daily problems. This is a book full of wisdom that is born of God and rooted in everyday life. It is sound and practical. I found it to be a masterpiece of practical, pastoral theology and I am honored to be able to recommend it to you."
Cecil M. Robeck, Jr.
Professor of Church History and Ecumenics
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California
"I have known Wilfred Graves, Jr. for nearly twenty years. He is a dynamic teacher and preacher who correctly handles the Word of God and possesses a genuine love and compassion for people. In Pursuit of Wholeness is a comprehensive guide to spiritual, mental, and physical well-being through the appropriation of the gospel’s timeless message of salvation. I enjoyed reading it immensely and I know that it will be a blessing to many."
Paul Thomas
Lead Pastor, Evangel Temple Assembly of God
Columbus, Georgia
"Some people think that “salvation” means being born again and going to heaven. Yes, that is true, but when you read In Pursuit of Wholeness you will discover that salvation is much, much more. Wilfred Graves takes you on a journey that will enrich your life here on earth as well as prepare you some day for heaven. You need this book to fulfill the wonderful destiny that God has for your life."
C. Peter Wagner
Apostolic Ambassador, Global Spheres, Inc.
COMMENTS FROM BISHOP CHARLES E. BLAKE SR. In this video clip, Bishop Charles Blake introduces In Pursuit of Wholeness by Dr. Wilfred Graves.
COMMENTS FROM PASTOR PAUL THOMAS In this video clip, Pastor Paul Thomas reads from In Pursuit of Wholeness by Dr. Wilfred Graves.
COMMENTS FROM DR. WILFRED GRAVES JR. In this video clip, Dr. Wilfred Graves Jr. discusses In Pursuit of Wholeness on a Sunday morning.
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