Between The Bible and The Bullet

About this book

On a Sunday morning, Rev. Dr. M. Keith McDaniel stood in his pulpit preaching about the presence and protection of God. Before the service, a family asked him to pray for their missing grandson. The church gathered around the altar and prayed together. Hours later, Dr. McDaniel received the phone call that every parent fears: his son, Savion, had been shot and killed in broad daylight. In a moment, the pastor who had comforted so many grieving families found himself living the very nightmare he had helped others endure. Somewhere between the pulpit and the cemetery, between the Bible and the bullet, his life changed forever.Between the Bible and the Bullet is a deeply personal and profoundly pastoral reflection on grief, gun violence, faith, and the fragile work of healing communities. Blending memoir, biblical reflection, and practical guidance, Dr. McDaniel speaks as both a father and a pastor who has buried too many young lives. Through raw storytelling and spiritual insight, he explores: - The unbearable drive to identify a child after violence- How trauma reshapes families, marriages, and siblings- Why the church must confront community violence, not just bury its victims- What to say-and what not to say-to grieving families- Why it truly takes a village to keep our children aliveThis is not simply a story about loss. It is a call to compassion, community responsibility, and courageous faith. For anyone who has buried a child, comforted a grieving family, or wondered how faith survives tragedy, this book offers honesty, hope, and a path forward.