Dark Journey, Deep Grace

A decade ago, Dahmer's story shocked and gripped our nation and the world. But we didn't get the whole story. In prison, Dahmer's dark journey crossed paths with deep grace. Here is the whole story, told by the man who befriended him and showed him the light of God's love. It's an unexpected story of first steps in faith, of surprising questions about the Bible, of light breaking into darkness. This is the story of Jeffrey Dahmer's baptism into Christianity.

In 1991, his crimes shook our country to the core. Such gross abuse and vicious murders were so horrific that even today, 16 years later, we still cannot comprehend. If anyone was deserving of divine judgment, it was him; but in April of 1994, he made a humble request that would change his life and the lives of those around him. Jeffery Dahmer asked to be baptized.

Dark Journey, Deep Grace by Roy Ratcliff and Lindy Adams is the story of two men: the serial killer who found faith and the pastor who baptized him into it. Ratcliff had no idea what he was getting himself into when he decided to baptize and disciple Dahmer. Before long, he found himself being bludgeoned by the media and judged by other Christians for his acceptance of a criminal as horrible as Jeffery Dahmer. However, through his ministry came spiritual growth for many who never otherwise would have found Christ.

Dark Journey is a masterful mix of true crime and Christian theology that readers of both genres will appreciate. Throughout his narration of the events that he and Dahmer shared, Ratcliff challenges readers, calling them to question their own levels of belief in an impartial God, unearned salvation, and the true meaning of “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Readers should be warned that Ratcliff’s book is very graphic. Chapters 3 and 4 describe, in detail, Dahmer’s crimes and how he hid them. Though these descriptions of depravity serve strongly to drive home a point of God’s mercy, this book is recommended for very mature audiences. High school students should read this book only with the guidance of a parent or other responsible adult.

Dark Journey, Deep Grace is a story some will embrace and others will find hard to accept. Through its revelation, however, readers will be changed, from the way they think to the way they live. The church has been waiting for a book to start a revolution. This just may be that book. – Bethany DuVal, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

3 of 3 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Rev. C. Booker (Bethesda, MD), October 26, 2009

Looking over this book, I repeatedly wondered: Does the author donate his profits from his vicarious fame to the Dahmer victims' families? Otherwise, his is a dark journey devoid of deep grace.

Reviewed by John L. Hoh, Jr. (Milwaukee, WI), November 09, 2007

On July 22, 1991, news from Milwaukee shook the nation about a serial killer. Jeffrey Dahmer was found guilty and sentenced to consecutive life prison terms. This book is about the short time spent between that man and a pastor who baptized and shared Bible study for seven brief months before Jeff was brutally murdered. Roy Ratcliff had never done any prison ministry before a fateful call set things in motion. Jeff received correspondence courses on the Bible he requested baptism. This request went through the channels of the Churches of Christ, which Jeff's family had been involved with in Jeff's youth. The book touches ever so briefly on Jeff's crimes. Mostly it is about the request for baptism, the baptism itself, and a brief sampling of the items studied in the weekly Bible studies. Jeff certainly had questions. In prison prisoners want to do religion right with many legalistic fallacies. This is a book prisoners need to read. If Jeff can be redeemed from his sins, so then can any prisoner. This book is also a wonderful pastoral theology text. The practical roadblocks to Jeff's faith are addressed in an evangelical manner by Ratcliff. He has a proper distinction between Law and Gospel! And his dealings with Jeff were Gospel. Jeff felt the weight of the Law—he needed the Gospel message that God loves him and paid for his sins. Ratcliff also distinguishes between the church and state. He explains that while Jeff is forgiven of his sins, HE points out that Jeff's obligation to the state is still in force. Ratcliff also writes about the memorial service for Jeff and why he referred to him as “Jeff.” That explanation is evangelical and must reading in pastoral theology class at any seminary. The book can serve as a Bible study on sin and grace. If someone like Jeff couldn't find grace and forgiveness, then where is the threshold? And if we don't know about the threshold, then how confident can any of us be in our salvation?

Reviewed by Pastor Bob (Portage, Wisconsin), June 02, 2007

This book is a MUST READ!! Roy Ratcliff absolutely drives home the question "Was Jeffrey Dahmer really a Christian before he died?" This book will not only answer your questions about Jeffrey Dahmer's faith, but it will also drive you to realize about your own. It puts everything into proper perspective to understand God's amazing grace applied to sinners of the worst kind. If God could forgive a serial killer, surely you could receive His mercy & forgiveness too.

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