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Praise for Transforming Acts

“Acts of the Apostles is good news for those who want to join head, heart, and hands in an intellectually-solid, spiritually-inspiring, and socially-active faith,” says Dr. Epperly as you begin a journey of discovery. If your church community is looking for ways to be relevant, to reach out, to live “gospel lives,” this book is for you; if you are seeking a guide that will help you understand the gospel message in broad, affirming, yet life-challenging ways, this book can be that guide; if you’ve almost given up on religious institutions but know that there is something real, vital and transformative about God and faith; this book will supply you with a refreshing glimpse of a vibrant, living faith. Whether you consider yourself churched or “spiritual but not religious,” you will find stimulating ideas and challenging thoughts that will assist and affirm your journey of belief, question, doubt and seeking more. Dr. Epperly is a spiritual guide for a new generation of seekers and believers. To read Transforming Acts is to go on a journey with a deeply-attuned, thoughtful and progressive thinker and theologian.

Rev. Kathy Harvey Nelson

Director of the Center for Leadership Development

Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA

Reading the Book of Acts, with Bruce Epperly’s Transforming Acts at hand, reminds you that what’s old is new wherever the Spirit addresses the church. This book will be a helpful companion for devotional reading, small group Bible study, or preaching preparation. As Christians learn to relocate themselves in a 21st Century spiritual world that is becoming more like that of the 1st Century, we can find renewed hope in the abiding relevance of the gospel by reading this fresh work.

Rev. Dr. George A. Mason, Senior Pastor

Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

Transforming Acts is a magnificent book! Drawing from a remarkable range of sources, Dr. Epperly presents the Book of Acts in a manner that is both downright compelling and remarkably relevant. If anyone is discouraged with the current state of the institutional church, this is the book to read. The author presents a vision of a compelling community, one with the power to effect necessary change in a broken world. The book strikes a wonderful balance between necessary academic background and a heartfelt vision of the possibilities and potential of the community that seeks to follow Jesus, i.e. the church. I recommend it highly.

Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle

Pastor, Second Congregational Church, UCC

Manchester, Connecticut

When I was in seminary, there was a great emphasis on producing clergy with positive attitudes and joy-filled ministries. Bruce Epperly has written a book that not only aids in studying Acts but also in producing positive attitudes and joy-filled ministries and lives. Dr. Epperly uses the Acts of the Apostles to open our hearts to acts of our own that are full of love, transformation, and praise.

Throughout this book, the reader is encouraged and challenged to jump fences, pull down walls and realize that we “could be the answer to someone’s prayer.” This book is an inspiration to Christians in today’s world! This is a book I could use in small groups and give to people who are struggling in their faith and spirituality.

Rev. Shauna Hyde, Pastor

author of Fifty Shades of Grace and Victim No More!

Over the course of time many have treated the Book of Acts as simply a historical record of the early church or a blue print for church organization and practice. In his reading of Acts, Bruce Epperly conceives of it as being gospel for a postmodern age. It offers good news that the Spirit of God is alive and active in our midst, transforming lives and the world itself. It is, he suggests, a word of encouragement to postmodern Christians, who live in a pluralistic context, to let the Spirit lead us on to new spiritual adventures in a world that God loves in Jesus. Yes, in the hands of this author, a biblical text that is often read in rather dry manner comes alive again.

Dr. Bob Cornwall

Pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church, Troy, MI

Author, Editor, and Activist