Sinner Saint - by Luke Kjolhaug (Paperback)

About the Book

An alcoholic falls off the wagon again after promising his family he'd finally kicked the habit.
An upstanding citizen and churchgoing family man breaks down and confesses an affair to a friend.
A lifelong Christian secretly wrestles with anger issues, unable to control the rage bubbling up from within.

The ongoing presence of sin in the life of believers is a troubling problem, and the honest truth is pretty universal: We're not as good as we would like to be. What are we to make of this? What hope is there for full-fledged sinner-saints who find themselves redeemed yet still susceptible to sin's sway? God's answer is clear: We are not our failures. We are not our past mistakes. At the Cross, God gave the skeletons in our closet a final burial. Through faith we are forgiven, free, and loved beyond reason by the God who wrestles our old Adam to the ground, puts him in a death grip, and raises us to new life as saints. Welcome to the world of the simul.

Book Synopsis

Embrace the Paradox of Sin and Grace
Few mysteries of Christian faith feel as urgent as the persistent presence of sin in a believer's life. This book offers a refreshingly honest approach to the tension we face daily--caught between our brokenness and our standing as redeemed children of God.

Explore the Heart of the Struggle
You'll discover how an age-old teaching from the Reformation, often called the "simul" (Latin for "at the same time"), shines light on every believer's genuine condition. Step into the tension of being both sinful and justified, broken yet beloved, and learn how Divine acceptance meets our daily failings.

What You'll Gain
- A Clear Roadmap: Unpack challenging theological questions with practical explanations that illuminate the paradox of sin and grace.
- Authentic Insights: Encounter real-life stories, biblical references, and historical perspectives that showcase the breadth of Christian experience.
- Personal Application: Move beyond theory by applying these truths to your own faith walk, discovering hope, peace, and renewed purpose.

This comprehensive look at our inner conflict supplies real strength--helping you acknowledge your flaws without letting them define you.

Why This Matters
Through straightforward storytelling and robust theological reflection, the author reveals a third way between simplistic "either-or" extremes. Recognize that you are fully known and profoundly loved, even in the midst of confusion or failure. The result is a new lens through which to see your day-to-day struggles, offering solace that God's grace is greater than your shortcomings. Explore the liberating truth that you are indeed both sinner and saint.

Review Quotes

"Christians are regularly told what do; tragically, they are rarely told who they are. Luke Kjolhaug's new book Sinner Saint very clearly, convincingly, and memorably reminds us of our dual identity, as well as the tremendous importance of embracing this in our everyday lives." - Nicholas Perrin, Senior Pastor, Corinth Reformed Church

"Are you looking for something fun to read that will also bring you closer to Jesus? This wonderful book is for you. It will give you a new perspective on what it means to live as a Christian. And it will set you free." - Sigurd Grindheim, Ph.D., Missionary, The Norwegian Mission Society, Professor of New Testament, Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

"Sinner-Saint is a wonderfully down-to-earth presentation of Protestants' law-and-gospel heritage. Here we encounter sanctification as growth in grace. While Lukas Kjolhaug writes as a Lutheran pastor, Reformed believers like me can be challenged and nourished by his proclamation of core biblical convictions that we share." - Daniel J. Treier, Ph.D., Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology, Ph.D. Program Director, Wheaton College (IL)

"For anyone who is stuck on the cycle of rededication, backsliding, and shame, this book gives gospel truth to the reality of the Christian life. It reveals a grace that rises up to look sin in the eye. I could not put this book down. Accessible, profound, and deeply needed." - Gretchen Ronnevik, Author of Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted and Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to True Freedom

"Is it true that a believer fully redeemed in Christ is a saint but also still a sinner at the same time? In a very honest and engaging manner, Luke Kjolhaug capably establishes biblical and theological grounds for this position while taking the reader on an exploratory journey through the personal and pastoral implications of this dual identity."
- Gaylan Mathiesen, Ph.D., Retired Professor of Mission and Evangelism, Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Fergus Falls (MN)

"When a book makes me think deeply about God and sharpens my understanding of Scripture, and does so with gold-standard prose that is clear and lovely, I give that book a standing ovation. When I finished Sinner Saint: A Surprising Primer to the Christian Life, I was on my feet. Read. This. Book. Luke Kjolhaug has blessed us all." - Chad Bird, Scholar in Residence for 1517

About the Author

Luke Kjolhaug is the pastor of Elim Lutheran Church in rural Osakis, Minnesota. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and a master's degree from Lutheran Brethren Seminary. Luke blogs for 1517 and contributes regularly to the Lutheran Brethren periodical Faith & Fellowship. You can also find him impersonating a theologian on the socials @foxholetheology. He and his wife Bethannie have been blessed with two daughters.