Costly Grace

An Evangelical Minister's Rediscovery of Faith, Hope, and Love

By: Rob Schenck

Narrated by: Rob Schenck

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A leading American evangelical minister - whom public figures long turned to for guidance in faith and politics - recounts his three conversions, from childhood Jewish roots to Christianity, from a pure faith to a highly politicized one, and from the religious right to the simplicity of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

Rob Schenck’s extraordinary life has been at the center of the intersection between evangelical Christianity and modern politics. Attacked by partisans on both sides of the aisle, he has been called a "right-wing hate monger", the "ultimate D.C. power-broker", a "traitor", and "turncoat." Now, this influential spiritual adviser to America’s political class chronicles his controversial, sometimes troubling career in this revelatory and often shocking memoir.

As a teenager in the 1970s, Schenck converted from Judaism to Christianity and found his calling in public ministry. In the 1980s, he, like his twin brother, became a radical activist leader of the anti-abortion movement. In the wake of his hero Ronald Reagan’s rise to the White House, Schenck became a leading figure in the religious right inside the Beltway. Emboldened by his authority and access to the highest reaches of government, Schenck was a zealous warrior, brazenly mixing ministry with Republican political activism - even confronting President Bill Clinton during a midnight Christmas Eve service at Washington’s National Cathedral.

But in the past few years Schenck has undergone another conversion - his most meaningful transition yet. Increasingly troubled by the part he played in the corruption of religion by politics, this man of faith has returned to the purity of the gospel. Like Paul on the Road to Damascus, he had an epiphany: revisiting the lessons of love that Jesus imparted, Schenck realized he had strayed from his deepest convictions. Reaffirming his core spiritual beliefs, Schenck today works to liberate the evangelical community from the oppression of the narrowest interpretation of the gospel, and to urge Washington conservatives to move beyond partisan battles and forsake the politics of hate, fear, and violence. As a preacher, he continues to spread the word of the Lord with humility and a deep awareness of his past transgressions.

In this moving and inspiring memoir, he reflects on his path to God, his unconscious abandonment of his principles, and his return to the convictions that guide him. Costly Grace is a fascinating and ultimately redemptive account of one man’s life in politics and faith.

©2018 Rob Schenck (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

One of the most moving testimonials ever heard!

I can't put into words the emotion and the sincere admoration I feel after listening to Rob's journey. Costly Grace is amazing!

Costly Grace

If you start reading or listening to this book you must finish it. The message of this book needs to be heard and understood by anyone living in today’s society.

Reflections on the Christian Witness

At a time when I find myself wondering "who have we become as Christians?" this book took me on one man's journey on the ethics of the Christian witness. His feelings echo many of my own sentiments in what we have lost by gaining so little in the here and now. As Christians, we are destroying our witness. We are choosing to settle for cheap grace with heavy consequences.

Moving Personal Journey with Insight for all

I didn't know much about Rob Schenck or his story before deciding to listen to this book on a friend's recommendation. The author's unflinching honesty about his faith, his achievements, and most importantly his mistakes force the reader to look inward for similar self-analysis (and hopefully similar personal learning and insight).Highly recommended.

Amazing Costly Grace

Every evangelical, every Christian, everyone needs to read this book! It will change you - hopefully forever!

A must read for hope in this country!

I loved this book. I am not identified as a Christian but I share core moral and ethical values and am a spiritual person. This gave me insight into a world I knew nothing about and gave me hope for the future. Everyone on all sides of these issues would learn from this book.

So needed!

What a wonderful book! I was inspired and encouraged as I followed Schenck's candid journey.

a book that will challenge you.

I suspect the point of this book will be missed by many. That is unfortunate since it is not important that you agree with the conclusions and deductions of the author but rather that you analyze the process by which he reaches them, and challenge yourself about what you believe.

Waiting my whole life to hear his story

This book makes sense to me. I am in the process of healing from wounds and as I listened it felt like comfort to know that what I’ve witnessed in church makes perfect sense. With grace i am able to read it

A must read to understand how we became so divided

I bought this book because I wanted to understand why Evangelicals aligned themselves with the Republican party and Trump when so much of their rhetoric is not Christain. As a liberal, at times I didnt want to listen to his earlier political views and judgments, but I persisted and I am glad I did. His journey is enlightening and inspiring. It gives me hope during this difficult time and restores my faith.