Andrew J. Bauman - Stumbling toward Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us

Ever since I read Stumbling toward Wholeness by Andrew Bauman, I want to give a copy to everyone. Whether you are stumbling or marching, heading in many directions at once or confidently toward one, or looking for wholeness or who knows whatthis book is for you. As you read it, you will realize you both stumble and march, you know what you long for, and you live with an inexplicable ache; and somehow, somewhere along this path, faith finds you. Do you have the audacity to consider the possibility of wholeness in this fractured world? Answer yes. Pick up this book. You are on the path to a radically new way of life.

SHARON A. HERSH, MA, LPC, bestselling author of The Last Addiction: Why Self Help Is Not Enough

What a bold, brave, and thoughtful reflection on the prodigal-son story. Andrew Bauman invites us into the drama and equips us to identify the feelings of shame, betrayal, contempt, and grief that we all wrestle with as we stumble toward wholeness. I came away encouraged by the boundless love of the Father for us all.

CRAIG DETWEILER, president of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology

A few years ago, a friend of mine said, We are at a time in the life of the church where stories of failure are much more important than stories of success. I couldnt agree more. And while that may sound counterintuitive, it shouldnt surprise us. In fact, what should surprise us is that our fascination with success stories has gained so much ground inside the church. After all, the Bible makes it clear that it is in our weakness that we discover Gods strength; it is in our guilt that we discover Gods grace; it is in our shame that we discover Gods salvation; it is in our rebellion that we discover Gods rescue; it is in our slavery that we discover Gods freedom; it is in our failure that we discover Gods faithfulness. This is one of the many reasons I deeply appreciate Andrew Baumans book: Its real and its raw. Its uncomfortably honest and therefore unfathomably hopeful. We need more books like thisbooks that acknowledge brokenness and needfor it is only then that we will see and appreciate the one-way love of God that comes our way minus our merit. Thank you, Andrew, for reminding me that it is finished. I keep forgetting.

TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN, author of One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World

This book takes a brave look at the story of the prodigal son and invites the reader to find true freedom in the loving arms of the Father. It calls us to embrace the resurrection that is found on the other side of repentance.

BRAD COOPER, pastor of direction and culture, NewSpring Church

Stumbling toward Wholeness is exactly what the title implies: Its Andrew Baumans life, in process, shared beautifully and vulnerably with us as a gift. Yet, like any good story, it tells a larger story, imagined through the ancient biblical tale of a father and his two sons. Its his story and their story, but somehow its also our story. And this is the beauty of Andrews work. Youll be invited into the tears and laughter of a prodigious Lover who sees you, pursues you, and embraces you.

CHUCK D E GROAT, professor of pastoral care and counseling, Western Theological Seminary

Today I add Andrew Baumans name to Luke, Nouwen, and Rembrandt as my beloved guides through the magical prodigal story from Jesus. Illumination is an ancient sacred practice. Stumbling toward Wholeness helped me anew to carry my grief, my shame, my confession, and my mourning, nudging me with its honesty and wisdom toward healing, joy, and hope.

TONY KRIZ, author of Aloof: Figuring Out Life with a God Who Hides

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Stumbling toward Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us

Copyright 2018 by Andrew J. Bauman. All rights reserved.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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In dedication to my son, Jackson Brave Bauman, and my sister, Julie McGill Bauman.

May these words honor my love and your legacy.

SINCE I WAS TWENTY-TWO, I have been exploring the question, How do we become whole? There is a theoretical impulse behind the quest, but what drives the search is the fact that I know that who I am is not who I am meant to be. I knew that before I knew the gospel, but in the early years, I shrugged off the inner war with diversions and addictions. I came to know the gospel, and one of the early stories that I surrendered to was the story of the prodigal son.

There was much about the Bible and Jesus that was foreign and unlikable to me. I may have become a Christian, but early on I wasnt that fond of my new faith or many of those who unquestioningly followed Jesus. Yet I was smitten by the story of the prodigal. I knew him intimately. The older brother was a fool, and I had known many like him. It took years for me to understand that the prodigal was a secondary character in the story and that the older brother and I were far, far more alike than initially seemed possible.