From here to Eternity

by Ray Galea

Romans 8 doesn't pretend that life is a bed of roses. It contains a healthy realism about the Christian life. There is no promise of an unachievable perfectionism this side of glory, no promise of heaven on earth. But neither am I left with a pessimistic Christianity where I am always filled with doubt, always defeated by sin, never making progress. Throughout Romans 8, Paul emphatically and repeatedly affirms that neither sin nor suffering will drive a wedge between the love of Christ and us." Join long-time pastor and author Ray Galea as he takes you deep into "the most extraordinary chapter in the Bible". With penetrating insight, good humour, and a disarming personal honesty, Ray opens up the wonders of this chapter and takes us to the heart of the Christian life. From Here to Eternity also features special contributions from Christians who share their personal reflections on walking with God through suffering and finding real hope and comfort in the promises of Romans 8. This book is a treasure for living the Christian life, no matter how long you've been walking with Jesus.

Genres: Christian

238 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2017

About the author

Ray Galea is an Anglican minister who leads the pastoral team at St Alban's Multicultural Bible Ministry at Rooty Hill in western Sydney. His special brief is to work cross-culturally among second-generation Mediterranean and Middle Eastern people in the region.

Ray grew up as a member of a devout Roman Catholic family, and played an active role as a boy in his local parish church. Prior to training for the ministry, Ray worked as a social worker in Wollongong for three years where he specialized in marriage and family counselling. He is a graduate from Moore Theological College. He is married to Sandy and they have has three children: James, Amy and Madeleine. He has recently authored the book Nothing in My Hand I Bring (Matthias Media, 2008) which has become a focus of interest in the lead-up to Pope Benedict's visit to Sydney in July for Catholic World Youth Day.

Reviews

[Jeff Ke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome reread. I remember reading this book when I was a much younger Christian and only appreciating it for its theological value. I read this book now as a slightly older saint, having been able to go through some of the examples of experiences Ray puts in this book. What a chapter of assurance and lasting joy Romans 8 is, and how helpful Ray's straightforward and candid writing is to help unpack it. A solid read and a book I'd recommend to any of my Christian friends - please come borrow it off me!

[Peter Yock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book on Romans 8 is one of the most refreshing Christian books I’ve ever read. I can’t recommend it enough.

[L-T Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good for my soul. You can never hear enough about assurance and this book is all about it. An excellent explanation of Romans 8. Ray applying it to his own issue of anger makes real and gives the book life.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this wonderful book by Australian pastor and author Ray Galea, the reader is taken on a journey through Romans chapter 8, section by section, beginning with our life in the Spirit as believers (including the incredible declaration of ‘no condemnation’ for those who are in Christ), our status as heirs with Christ as a result of our adoption as children of God, the way in which God works through and in the midst of our suffering – with the Spirit interceding for us in our darkest moments – for our good and for God’s glory, to the assurance we can have thanks to God’s unbroken chain of redemption, and concluding with the amazing reminder that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God.

This passage has been described as a journey up a mountain. Each step throughout the passage takes you higher on your way up to the summit where we see God’s promise of our glorification (which follows our predestination, calling and justification) and the declaration of His love for us and our security in that love, which cannot be broken by anything we face in this life. The mountain metaphor is in many ways quite apt, and Ray is a most excellent guide, helping the reader to enjoy the journey and take in the view along the way to the summit. Ray also uses personal examples from his own life, and stories from the lives of others, to apply the truths of this passage to real-life situations.

In short, I highly commend Romans 8 as a chapter which all believers should drink from deeply and return to regularly, and I also commend this book as a wonderful companion to help open up the truths of this amazing passage in a relatable way. I was reading Ray’s book as my local church was working through a sermon series on Romans 8 and I am thankful for his insights which complemented the sermon series and helped me unpack the subject matter between each sermon by causing me to consider more closely the incredible treasures of this most excellent chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans.

[Amy Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really solid, helpful, and easy to read.
Romans 8 is one of my favourite chapters of the bible and Ray Galea unpacked it well. I think he dealt with some of the “big issues” brought up in the book of Romans fantastically. The book held tightly to the words of the bible and referenced other books in a way that was helpful.
I ended the book feeling assured of my faith in Jesus and so thankful that God chose us, loves us, and nothing can ever separate us from His love.

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter on suffering was exceptional.

[Rachel Raja]

loved it :)