From "Warrior Monk" to "Root of All Evil?"

If you, your family or your friends have not yet read Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, the time is now!

Not only is summer a great season for a fun, page-turning thriller, but author Ray Keating has just finished the sequel – Root of All Evil? A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.

While the sequel is being edited and spruced up – to be published later in the summer – why not get into the adventures of Stephen Grant, the former CIA agent turned pastor, or get others into a book?

Warrior Monk has been called “a riveting mix of action, romance and intrigue” by Paul Maier, the best-selling author of A Skeleton in God’s Closet.

Get Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel (Revised Edition) from Amazon.com at

http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Monk-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1453801030/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284850170&sr=1-1

Visiting Pastor Grant's Hometown

I visited the town where Pastor Stephen Grant grew up on June 23. He will be going back for a visit, not in the forthcoming sequel, but one or two books after that. You'll have to wait until then to find out more about that town.

Warrior Monk Excerpt: After 9-11

How did Pastor Stephen Grant - the former CIA agent turned pastor - deal with the 9-11 terrorist attacks? The following excerpt comes from Chapter 16 in Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel:

As Matins came to a close, Grant spoke the Collect for Grace from the Lutheran Service Book:

“O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”

Each time Grant uttered this prayer, he thought about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Stephen had only been pastor for a few weeks, when two commercial jets were flown into the Twin Towers a mere 70 miles away in lower Manhattan.  Less than an hour before the first plane hit, Grant had said essentially the same collect – just with “thy” from the old hymnal rather than “you” or “your” from the new one.

Other than when hearing about the death of his parents, Grant never felt so helpless as he did that day. The aftermath also marked the only extended period of time when he regretted leaving the CIA to become a pastor. He had longed, once again, to take action against the terrorists who threatened the United States. That regret lingered for several weeks, and finally evaporated after much prayer, confession and guidance from Grant’s bishop that got him re-centered on his faith and pastoral work.

Opportunity for Church Groups to Discuss Big Issues and a Fun Novel

On the “Abide in My Word” blog, it was noted that a church book club read and discussed Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating.

From the blog: “We discussed the book, ‘Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel,’ by Ray Keating, which everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed reading, and which is a book that lends itself well to much pertinent discussion, especially among Lutherans. We talked about ecumenism, relativism, secularism, radical Islam, politics, environmentalism, terrorism, torture, parish life and the pastor-parishioner relationship, temptation, the ‘inside baseball’ of the LCMS, which is explored in the book, denominationalism, RC-Lutheran relations/differences, C.S. Lewis, and more… We decided that we were going to give each book we read a rating of 1-5, 1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest. We gave ‘Warrior Monk’ a solid 4, and very much look forward to the next installment in the adventures of Pr. Stephen Grant.”

Read the full entry at http://abideinmyword.blogspot.com/2011/10/peace-book-club.html

I hope other church groups enjoy the book, and find topics worthy of discussion. If interested in reading the book individually, or as a group, a discussion guide also is available.

Get Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel from Amazon.com at

http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Monk-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1453801030/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284850170&sr=1-1

Get the Discussion Guide for Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel from Amazon.com at

http://www.amazon.com/Discussion-Guide-Warrior-Monk-Stephen/dp/145658569X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297632120&sr=1-1

Warrior Monk Book Excerpt – The Pope's Letter

In Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating, a letter from Pope Augustine I sets off an international firestorm. Read the letter here:

Dear Peter:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:2)

I look forward to visiting the United States, particularly Long Island, next month. Your prayers and hard work – indeed, the prayers and efforts of all the faithful in the Diocese of Rockville Centre – in service to our Savior and His Church are precious gifts from which I take great strength and encouragement. 

While the logistics of my visit are being finalized among our respective aides, it is important that you understand what we – with the inspiration and support, I pray, of the Holy Spirit – are trying to initiate today, and that my Long Island visit will be the leaping off point for a global effort. 

The challenges that Christianity faces and our wounds that must be healed are grave and deep. Unfortunately, much of this has been self-inflicted over the centuries. In turn, a wounded Christianity has not ably illustrated and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. For this shortcoming, each of us will have to answer on Judgment Day. 

What does the world see when it looks at the Christian faith?

Too often, it is conflict and division. We should be saddened and ashamed that Christian unity is so lacking. After all, Jesus specifically prayed: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-23) 

We can – and will – debate the degree of unity necessary, but Christians certainly must achieve much more than what exists today. While progress has been made, we have fallen far short of Christ’s desire.

Unfortunately, this is not just a task of trying to bring together different denominations. Disunity exists even within the Roman Catholic Church, as well as within most other Christian bodies. As a result, Christians too often send confusing signals to the world on essential matters of faith and morals when our message should be clear and strong. 

Like so much of our culture, Christianity suffers from an internal erosion of the truth. Why do Christians follow rather than inform the culture? Too many leaders have lost credibility due to scandals, due to a willingness to abandon Holy Scripture and Tradition, or because they seem far more interested in politics and social activism than in spreading the Gospel.

Some of our Lutheran friends have a point when arguing that Martin Luther’s “Two Kingdoms” means that when Christian leaders or the Church do not have to speak out on a political issue, perhaps then they should not speak out. When Christians have the freedom to disagree on political and social issues, for example, declarations by the Church on such matters tend to create further strife and division. The Church must root Christians in faith and morality, and help form the Christian conscience as informed by Holy Scripture and Church teachings, with individual Christians then encouraged to act and serve accordingly in the world. 

When diverging from its central mission, Christianity becomes clouded. Love, forgiveness, redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ get pushed aside. Moral authority is lost. Christianity is then unable to stand firm when it must speak out, when it needs to, when it is imperative to do so. 

What are the most critical challenges faced today? Three stand out. 

Relativism plagues our age. The truth of Christ has been treated as just another choice among many so-called “truths.” Or the very notion of truth has been rejected. Moral verities that have served as the bedrock of civilization have been and continue to be displaced in favor of the latest whims and desires. Tragically and sinfully, many Christians have joined with and strengthened the forces of relativism. 

Coupled with this is a growing and militant secularism. God is being pushed out of the public square. In your own country, your noble Constitution, a document that has offered so much for the benefit of peoples around the world, has been twisted so that the separation of church and state now is taken by many to mean that the Church should never speak out on issues carrying clear and significant moral weight. Indeed, especially in Europe and increasingly in the United States, Christians are expected to leave their faith in the pews and in their homes when they venture to discuss and debate in public, to cast votes or to serve in government. That, however, is unacceptable. The Christian cannot, and should not, be expected to ever leave God behind, or to restrict the Lord to only certain realms of one’s life. That is not what it means to be a Christian. 

Finally, in contrast to a militant secularism, Christians, along with all of God’s children, face the grim reality of a radical arm of Islam. While we all realize and must emphasize that the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the world are peace-loving, Christians and Muslims cannot afford to ignore the dark realities of the small, but significant extremist movement within Islam. From that dangerous perversion springs evils of terrorism and religious persecution in our current age. While Christianity certainly has had and continues to experience dark times – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 2:23) – the Church has left behind the mistaken path it sometimes ventured down in centuries past regarding war and persecution, and imposing the Faith at the point of a sword or gun. 

Too often today, however, Christianity loses confidence, retreats and even turns inward when confronted by these grave “isms” – relativism, secularism and what has been called Islamic fascism. 

The Roman Catholic Church is proposing a modest, but important first step towards enhanced Christian unity. Specifically, the proposal I am putting forth is that traditional, orthodox faithful from across Christianity come together to speak with one voice on matters of the faith and culture where Holy Scripture and Church teachings are fundamental, clear and imperative. It is necessary that Christians come together in love and brotherhood to address the culture. 

Allow me to first make clear what this is not. It is not a vehicle for political and social activism to supplant the Gospel. It does not place the Roman Catholic Church in a position of leadership, but merely as one of hopefully many participants. Nor does it attempt to address the issue of the papacy itself, and the accompanying obstacles for many other Christians. It is not an attempt to gloss over or ignore the unfortunate theological differences that exist among Christians. 

Instead, this is an effort to bring much of the Christian world together to express a unified voice – where possible – on matters of fundamental morality. It is my hope that Christians across the spectrum will join in this effort; that we will meet regularly to discuss, work together in Christian love, come to agreement, and then issue clear and bold Christian declarations on issues confronting the Faith and the world. 

With guidance and strength from the Holy Spirit, this effort hopefully will build, expand, and eventually bring about an even more far-reaching unity. 

It is my intention to travel the globe to speak and meet with Christian leaders on this important undertaking from late September until the eve of our Savior’s birth. These travels will begin in the United States, with you on Long Island on September 20, and will proceed through Central and South America, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, ending back in Rome. Invitations will be presented for the first official gathering in this effort scheduled for the spring of next year in Wittenberg, Germany, where the Reformation started, and where Christianity can come together in order to speak with one voice to the world some 500 years later. 

I have long appreciated the writings of C.S. Lewis, the great Christian apologist and Anglican layman of the twentieth century. Lewis has been adopted by all kinds of Christians around the world, from Roman Catholics to independent evangelicals. So many of his books are classics, including his thoughtful Mere Christianity. In that book, originally a series of radio broadcasts during the Second World War, Lewis observed: 

“It is at her centre, where her truest children dwell, that each communion is really closest to every other in spirit, if not in doctrine. And this suggests at the centre of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice.” 

In many ways, this is the spirit we hope to capture in this mission. That is, on many issues we need to speak with the same voice to the world – serving, empowered and inspired by that Someone.

To start, then, I call this “A Public Mission of Mere Christianity.” Of course, once assembled in Wittenberg, the mission may choose another name, but this is how we will get started. 

“A Public Mission of Mere Christianity” has begun today, with approximately 500,000 letters arriving in the hands of Christian leaders around the globe. However, the first on-the-ground step in this mission will start in your diocese, Peter, on Long Island. 

Thank you, once more, for your willingness to serve. May God grant courage, wisdom and caring – to both of us. 

Yours in Christ,

Augustine I

Warrior Monk and a Lutheran Church Called St. Mary's?

In Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating, Grant serves as pastor at St. Mary's Lutheran Church. You don't hear about too many Lutheran churches with such a name. Consider the following excerpt from the novel:

Grant was posting the new times for all the weekly services and activities at St. Mary’s in the large roadside sign – Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses, Sunday school, adult Bible study, Matins on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Vespers on Wednesday evenings. He closed and locked the Plexiglas door underneath the large white letters spelling out “St. Mary’s Lutheran Church” against dark wood.

Grant still had not unearthed how this parish got its name. “St. Mary’s” was pretty rare for a Lutheran church, even though that was Martin Luther’s parish in Wittenberg. However, Luther’s parish was named for Mary Magdalene, while Grant’s was for Mary, the mother of Jesus. Stephen thought that modern day Lutherans had no clue what to do with Mary – either Mary, for that matter – so it intrigued him and actually played a tiny part in his taking the call to this church. He appreciated such oddities.

Besides, Bing Crosby in The Bells of St. Mary’s was a longtime favorite, along with an appreciation for Ingrid Bergman as a rather fetching nun. Grant tried not to think too deeply about a Lutheran pastor having the hots for a Catholic nun.

Then again, Martin Luther married a nun, so what the heck.

A Lutheran on the Pope and Lutherans

Another interesting take by a Lutheran regarding the Pope and Lutherans. See

http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2011/10/a-lutheran-reflects-on-benedict-xvirsquos-german-visit

9-11 Reaction: An excerpt from Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel

The following is an excerpt from Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel. The scene occurs after terrorists set off a string of bombs in New York City. It reflects on the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

     Stephen had talked about the bombings during the Thursday Matins service, and a special Vespers gathering later that night. They were the largest turnouts for mid-week services since the 9-11 attacks, except perhaps an Ash Wednesday here or there. Pastor Grant learned from those earlier acts of terror, however, not to expect the spike in attendance to last.

     After the country’s most deadly day of terror, church attendance at St. Mary’s had jumped by about 50 percent. But roughly a month later, it was back to normal. People came to church in the aftermath of the attacks saying that they sought answers and comfort. Whether finding what they wanted or not, they again stopped coming – except a few more come back on Easter and Christmas.

     At first, Stephen felt responsible, blaming his own distractions and doubts about his pastoral call and desire to get back in the fight against terrorists. He never fully shook off that sense of guilt. But after hearing about and reflecting on the same phenomenon at so many other churches, Grant largely concluded that it wasn’t about him. Nor was it about whether people did or did not find what they came looking for. Instead, he saw a combination of short attention spans, widespread desire for the quick fix, everyday duties once again crowding out the Lord, and people generally looking to God only during the worst times in life. And even then, for many, it was an occasion to question God, rather than seeking out His comfort. Grant came to see that each person had to decide what really mattered. His job was making the case that God was the ultimate priority.

     The impact on Grant this time around was different. No doubts materialized about his calling. Nor was there the near-overwhelming wish to get back in the game. But Stephen also realized that his job helping to protect Pope Augustine may have quenched any lingering subconscious thirst on that front. After all, he was, to some degree, in the game.

     Stephen tried to come up with a sermon that helped people sort through their feelings and responses to the devastating bombings. The usual query he heard in similar times and during natural disasters was: How could God let this happen? Grant wanted them to ask two different questions. First, why do I only come to God in bad times? Second, if I think about God in bad times, shouldn’t I be making time for him in good times as well?

Pope Benedict XVI, Martin Luther and Christianity Today

Powerful speech by Pope Benedict XVI about Martin Luther and the challenges of Christianity today. Could have been given by Pope Augustine, the pope in Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.

http://cyberbrethren.com/2011/09/23/the-popes-remarks-at-the-augustinian-cloister-in-erfurt/

Video for Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating

Life, Art, Security and Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating

In terms of the many reactions that I’ve received regarding this novel about a former CIA agent who becomes a pastor, most interesting are references to various members of the clergy who actually once were in the spy and law enforcement communities.

The idea for Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel came to me when a friend mentioned that a priest at her parish used to be with the CIA. It was a passing comment, but I immediately thought that would make the basis for a fun novel. Eventually, I wrote the book. But over these past months, I’ve been somewhat surprised to hear about so many more individuals who have followed that path from national security to, if you will, working for security for eternity.

Consider the following comment from an Amazon.com reviewer:

“Keating's protagonist, a CIA field operative who became a Lutheran parish pastor, is not far from reality. Rev. Kavouras and I, like Keating's fictitious Rev. Grant, are ordained ministers of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Among our brothers in ministry are men who in their former lives were military intelligence officers (one was KGB), military base security chiefs, Secret Service agents and organize crime prosecutors. I was one of them. There are professional church workers who were formerly in the technical end of the intelligence community. Warrior Monk is well worth reading.”

Get the book from Amazon.com at

http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Monk-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1453801030/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284850170&sr=1-1


Don’t forget to “like” the Warrior Monk Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Warrior-Monk-A-Pastor-Stephen-Grant-Novel/115414341850692?ref=sgm

Where is Pastor Stephen Grant Coming From? An Excerpt from Warrior Monk

The Catholic Church is making inquiries about Pastor Stephen Grant, who happens to be a Lutheran. In the following excerpt from Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, Grant meets with his two friends - Father Ron McDermott, a Catholic priest who has just been quizzed by his superiors about Grant, and Father Tom Stone, an Anglican - trying to figure out what this is all about.

Sure enough, it was all about theology.

Stone, McDermott and Grant agreed to push back their Monday devotional meal to lunch. When Stephen arrived, dressed casually in tan shorts and a white polo shirt, Tom Stone was already waiting. Today was a Magnum PI day for Stone – dressed in a dark blue Hawaiian shirt with white swirly flowers, jeans and white sneakers. Grant reflected that he was only missing the sunglasses hanging around his neck, a Detroit Tigers hat, and the red Ferrari in the parking lot. Stone instead drove a very sensible minivan.

While slipping into the booth across from his friend, Grant nodded and said, “Magnum.”

Stone didn’t miss a beat, replying, “Mr. Bond.”

Stephen brought Tom Stone up to speed on the inquiries from the Vatican via the local Catholic bishop, while Tom filled Stephen in on the latest happenings in the always hectic Stone household.

After Ron McDermott arrived, about twenty minutes late, they ordered lunch, and read their devotions from For All the Saints.

When they closed their books, the waitress came with drinks and a small bowl of cole slaw with a crisp pickle on top for each.

Stephen looked at McDermott. “Well?”

“Stephen, I am officially sick of talking about you.”

“That makes two of us,” added Stone.

McDermott continued: “I was on the phone with my bishop and two of his assistants for three hours going over the theological views of my Lutheran friend. At the same time, I was e-mailing links to some of your articles, and even faxing over two in my files that aren’t online. What’s wrong with this picture?” A touch of annoyance was barely detectable in Ron’s voice.

“Why the heck are they talking to you about me? Why not come to me directly?”

“Maybe you’re up for bishop and they want to surprise you,” Tom cheerfully commented.

“You’re not helping,” Stephen replied, giving him a look.

“Sorry.”

“I didn’t get to ask too many questions,” Ron resumed. “But from what I was told and could otherwise figure out, they are cobbling together a thorough bio on you that will be passed on to someone in the Vatican this week. Sounded like tomorrow.”

Stephen paused to mull this over. What’s the deal? “So, what did you tell them?”

Tom jumped in, looking at McDermott, “That he’s a follower of that mad monk, Luther, and believes the pope is the anti-christ, right?”

“Still not helping,” said McDermott.

“Yea, I know, but I’m amusing myself.” He smirked and took a sip from his Coca-Cola.

McDermott looked Stephen in the eyes. “It would probably be easier to go over what we failed to cover. We talked about your views on the Reformation; the Catholic Church; old line Protestants; evangelicals; Holy Scripture; the Eucharist; the liturgy; the current challenges facing the church in the U.S. and around the globe; the strengths, weaknesses and role of Lutheranism today; and even church music. A good chunk, though, was focused on the relationship between Christian denominations, including your take on the old ecumenical movement and the New Ecumenism among traditionalists.”

“So, what did you tell them?” Stephen pressed anxiously.

“What did I tell them? I don’t have another three hours to spare, my friend.”

“Come on, Ron.”

“I told them exactly what I’ve come to learn and respect about you, Stephen, over the past four years. I know your theology well, so no worries. I explained that you view the Reformation as a necessary evil. That you fall onto the Catholic rather than the Protestant side of Lutheranism. That you view Lutheranism as a reform movement, rather than a new church. That you’re traditional when it comes to the Bible, worship and the culture. That you see a great opportunity for Lutheranism as a kind of bridge between Catholics and Protestants, but are frustrated by the internal squabbling among your fellow Lutherans. At the same time, though, I made clear that you’re not a Lutheran on the verge of heading to Rome. And I highlighted your strong belief that traditional Christians, no matter their denomination or individual church, must become more unified in confronting the many challenges that Christianity faces and will face in the twenty-first century.” McDermott paused for a sip of iced tea. “How’d I do?”

Stephen felt more at ease. “Fine, of course. Thanks Ron, and I apologize if I came across a bit edgy.”

“Don’t worry about it. This is all a mystery.”

“And as Captain Kirk once said, mysteries give me a bellyache,” Stone added, shoveling a large forkful of cole slaw into his mouth.

The waitress brought over their lunch. Each had some slightly different take on the diner hamburger – Stone with cheddar cheese and bacon, McDermott simply well done, and Grant with the traditional American cheese.

As he added ketchup and salt, Stone said, “Stephen, as easy as it is for me to say, don’t get all knotted up over this. Pray, go about your ministry, and don’t fret over what you cannot control.”

“Good advice, my friend. Hope I can follow it.”

Stone took a big bite into his bacon cheeseburger, and ketchup dripped down onto his Hawaiian shirt. “Crap.”

Ron observed, “Well, that was rather un-clergy-like.”

Tom grunted as he dipped his napkin in a glass of water, and tried to erase the stain.

“Well, better on the shirt than on the Ferrari’s upholstery,” added Grant. “After all, what would Higgins say?”

“Very funny. I’m not worried about Jonathan Higgins. It’s Maggie Stone who will lecture me about getting a stain on a shirt that she always tells me is ugly and too expensive.”

“Wise woman,” added Ron, who seemed to be enjoying his friend’s sartorial predicament as he chewed on his burger.

Read Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant, which is available at Amazon.com or at Amazon.com's CreateSpace.

From Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel by Ray Keating…

"Until that moment, Stephen Grant seemed to have existed in two completely separate universes. First, it was as a Navy SEAL, followed by time as an analyst—unofficially as an assassin – with the CIA. After a break, the second was studying to become and then serving as a Lutheran pastor. In a matter of mere minutes – excruciating minutes – the two worlds merged in a flurry of bullets, blood, song and prayer."

From CIA to Pastor?

How could Stephen Grant go from working for the CIA to becoming a pastor?

Note this description from the CIA website: "Operations officers comprise only a small portion of the whole CIA workforce. Being an operations officer demands a forceful personality, keen intellectual ability, toughness of mind, and a high degree of personal integrity, courage, and love of country."

Sounds like what's needed in a pastor - of course, adding in faith and compassion.

That's Stephen Grant from Ray Keating's Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.

Top 10 Reasons Why “Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel” by Ray Keating Makes for a Great Summer Read

10) Beach scenes from Montauk, NY, to Santa Marta, Colombia

9) Plenty of gun play – as it should be in any fun summer thriller

8) A beautiful spy in a yellow bikini with white flowers and a white, mesh sarong driving a Mustang convertible

7) A handsome, athletic pastor with a mysterious past who happens to be handy with a Glock and can hotwire a yacht – don’t see that everyday

6) Dinner at the Lobster Roll – some of the best summer dining on the South Fork of Long Island

5) Fighting current-day bad guys with bow and arrows, and some swordplay

4) Few do barbecues better than Grillin’ with the Monks

3) Mocking annoying politicians and loopy Hollywood types – fun during the summer, or any other time of year

2) Playing golf and talking sex

1) Murder, terrorists, romance, an assassin, poison, humor, the CIA and a pope – what more could you possibly want in a great summer read?

Get the book at Amazon.com here.

On St. Ambrose from Warrior Monk

Pope Augustine on St. Ambrose from Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel: 

“And as we talk about the Church’s role in the public arena now, it is worth recalling that Ambrose previously was a lawyer and politician who came to be a powerful voice in the Church for celibacy and voluntary poverty. If that happened today, few, I think, would doubt the transformative power of faith in our Lord.”

10 Reasons Why Traditional Christians Should Love Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel

10) Pastor Grant seriously considers the Christian Just War Theory.

9) Grant dislikes modern – or is it post-modern? – church architecture.

8) Father Tom Stone led his parish away from the lefty Episcopal Church and into the orthodox Anglican Church in North America

7) C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity partially inspires the Pope’s call for “A Public Mission of Mere Christianity.”

6) Pastor Grant loves the liturgy and traditional hymns.

5) Prayer plays a big role in the book.

4) The traditional Christian views on marriage, sex and family are embraced.

3) There are monks who happen to be great at barbecuing – Grillin’ with the Monks!

2) Grant goes on TV to discuss/debate radical Islam and religion in the public square.

1) The Lutheran Grant, the Anglican Stone and the Roman Catholic Father McDermott – three friends – believe traditional Christians across denominations must offer a unified voice on moral issues where the biblical imperative is clear.

Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel can be purchased from Amazon.com’s CreateSpace at https://www.createspace.com/3481414

Or, the book can be purchased from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Monk-Pastor-Stephen-Grant/dp/1453801030/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284850170&sr=1-1

Warrior Monk Book Excerpt – Torture, Terrorists and Just War

Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is a tale about a former CIA agent who became a Lutheran pastor. A shooting at his church and an assignment to help protect the Pope mean that Grant’s former and current lives collide. This book excerpt – a discussion about terrorists, torture and “just war” – occurs during a dinner party.

Read the excerpt here.

Top 10 Reasons Why Lutheran Pastors Should Read Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel

10) A pope named Augustine.

9) You’ll never sing or listen to “A Mighty Fortress” the same way again.

8) ST. MARY’S Lutheran Church? What’s that all about?

7) Pastor Grant is not shy in laying out the differences between the ELCA and the LCMS.

6) Grant eats food far more interesting and tasty than anything ever served in a Lutheran church basement.

5) Grant is smart, athletic, handsome, and attracts beautiful women. He’s like James Bond in a collar. Jealous?

4) Admit it – you want to go on television and put a member of the media in his place.

3) During long council meetings, your mind occasionally wanders to how handy it would be to possess lethal skills, like Pastor Grant.

2) A Lutheran pastor called on to protect the pope? Ironic? Cool? Or both?

1) How many guys from seminary did you meet who used to kill people for the CIA?

Top 10 Reasons Conservatives Should Read Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel

10) This pastor not only favors gun rights, but he’s skilled at using a variety of weapons!

9) Grant and his clergy buddies have no use for church liberals.

8) A free market economist is featured, and she knows how to wield a sword!

7) What the CIA, FBI and local law enforcement do to protect the American people is appreciated.

6) Environmental extremists do not come off well … to say the least.

5) Father Ron McDermott can’t stomach Hollywood lefties.

4) Pope Augustine makes the case that the three biggest challenges to Christianity are moral relativism, militant secularism, and Islamic fascism.

3) Pastor Grant believes that in very rare circumstances, the torture of terrorists can be a moral imperative.

2) Grant possesses a healthy skepticism of politicians, especially the arrogant and duplicitous ones.

1) Support a fellow conservative, as Warrior Monk’s author – Ray Keating – is a longtime conservative columnist and writer.