Christianity Books

Book SynopsisBestselling author Craig Groeschel offers 365 practical devotions to help you develop a daily connection with Jesus and experience his life-shaping power.Power--God''s power. You''ve got to have it to stand strong in these times and become who God says you are. And the good news is you have full access to it through Jesus. Daily Power will help you develop a consistent, daily pursuit of Jesus that releases his power in your life.These 365 brief devotions by pastor and New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel deliver what no instant energy drink can: strength and insight for the here-and-now of your life, your marriage, your workplace, family matters, temptations, hopes and dreams, possibilities and decisions.Groeschel shares wisdom from personal experience as a spouse, parent, son, and pastor that can help you write your own life story the way you''d like it to read. Each devotion includes a Scriptu

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Book SynopsisThis insightful commentary, the concluding volume on Acts, utilizes an unparalleled range of ancient sources and features Keener's meticulous research.

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Book SynopsisAn expert on the early church tells the surprising story of its priorities and practices that led to the spread of Christianity over its first 400 years.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Growth and Patience1. The Improbable Growth of the Church2. The Good of Patience3. Push and PullPart 2: Ferment4. Christians as Agents of Growth5. Communities as Cultures of PatiencePart 3: Forming the Habitus6. Catechesis and Baptism7. Worship8. "Wise Doves" in the Didascalia apostolorumPart 4: The Transformation of Patience9. The Impatience of Constantine10. Augustine and the Just ImpatienceIndex

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Book SynopsisIn Leadership Pain, Samuel Chand---best-selling author recognized as 'the leader's leader'---provides a concrete, practical understanding of the pain we experience to help us interpret pain more accurately and learn the lessons God has in it for us.

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Book SynopsisJesus taught his followers that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. This book offers a sweeping intellectual and social history of the vexing problem of wealth in Christianity in the waning days of the Roman Empire.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2012 Gold Medal Book of the Year Award, History category, ForeWord Reviews Winner of the 2012 Award for Excellence in Humanities, Association of American Publishers Winner of the 2012 R. R. Hawkins Award, PROSE Awards, Association of American Publishers Winner of the 2013 Jacques Barzun Prize in Cultural History, American Philosophical Society Winner of the 2013 Philip Schaff Prize, American Society of Church History Winner of the 2012 PROSE Award in Classics & Ancient History, Association of American Publishers One of Bloomberg's Best Books of 2016 One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2013 Honorable Mention for the 2013 Cundill Prize in Historical Literature, McGill University "To compare it with earlier surveys of this period is to move from the X-ray to the cinema... Every page is full of information and argument, and savoring one's way through the book is an education. It is a privilege to live in an age that could produce such a masterpiece of the historical literature."--Garry Wills, New York Review of Books "[O]utstanding... Brown lays before us a vast panorama of the entire culture and society of the late Roman west."--Peter Thornemann, Times Literary Supplement "[I]t's the gloriously ambitious panorama of Through the Eye of a Needle that most impresses. This is a book written in Cinemascope, and like the best intellectual and social history it features a polyphony of voices."--Christopher Kelly, London Review of Books "[M]agisterial... The formidably learned historian challenges commonly accepted notions about the role of wealth in the decline of the Roman empire and examines the roots of charity, two subjects relevant to contemporary economics."--Marcia Z. Nelson, Publishers Weekly "It is exciting to watch a historian who has already written so extensively on Late Antiquity absorb so much new scholarship, revise his old reviews, and re-imagine the world we thought we knew from him... Through the Eye of a Needle is a tremendous achievement, even for a scholar who has already achieved so much. Its range is as vast as its originality, and readers will find everywhere the kinds of memorable apercus and turns of phrase for which its author is deservedly famous... There can be no doubt that we are in the presence of a historian and teacher of genius."--G. W. Bowersock, New Republic "As Brown (Augustine of Hippo), the great dean of early church history, compellingly reminds us in his magisterial, lucid, and gracefully written study, the understanding of the role of wealth in the developing Christian communities of the late Roman Empire was much more complex. Combining brilliant close readings of the writings of Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Paulinus of Nola with detailed examinations of the lives of average wealthy Christians and their responses to questions regarding wealth, he demonstrates that many bishops offered such Christians the compromises of almsgiving, church building, and testamentary bequests as alternatives to the renunciation of wealth... Brown's immense, thorough, and powerful study offers rich rewards for readers."--Publishers Weekly "Brown's goal in this book is patiently to reconstruct the debates on wealth among late Roman Christians: in other words, to set out the context for the tendentious claims of ascetic minorities, which have misled so many later interpreters."--Conrad Leyser, Times Literary Supplement "His sparkling prose, laced with humour and humanity, brings his subjects to life with an uncommon sympathy and feeling for their situation."--Tim Whitmarsh, Guardian "This book should be daunting but it is not; for while the book is heavy to lift, it is even harder to put down. It makes utterly compelling reading."--Eric Ormsby, Standpoint "Brown may be an emeritus professor of history at Princeton, but his research is resolutely up-to-date... A hefty yet lucid contribution to the history of early Christianity."--Kirkus Reviews "[A]n unprecedented resource... Brown creates broad, deep landscapes in which the reader can watch the ancients moving. You can, in places, just crawl in and have a true dream about the ancient world. Moreover, the topic holds fascinating implications about the formation of modern Western culture... It's a significant and suggestive story."--Sarah Ruden, American Scholar "The sheer scope of this history is daunting, but scholars, theologians, and anyone interested in late Roman history or early Christianity will find this a fascinating view not only of the Church's development, but also of the changing concepts of wealth and poverty in the last centuries of the Roman empire."--Kathleen McCallister, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia, Library Journal "This is a masterpiece that more than justifies its length. Peter Brown is the greatest living historian of late antiquity, a periodization which he virtually invented, and Through the Eye of a Needle an achievement which stands to his earlier career as a great cathedral does to a pilgrimage route."--Tom Holland, History Today "[N]o other scholar could have produced Brown's characteristically intricate, spectacular and joyous synthesis... One of the captivating qualities of Brown's new book is the sheer energy and intellectual excitement that sparkle through it. He might, in recent years, have rested of his laurels--perhaps, like his beloved Augustine, written his memoirs. Instead, he celebrates the continuing expansion of the field and demonstrates his continued mastery of it in a groundbreaking study of wealth in the late antique Church... Towards the end of the book, Brown describes how a basilica might have looked around the year 600: glowing with candles, glittering with mosaics, gleaming with gold and silver vessels. 'The church itself', he says, 'had become a little heaven, filled with treasures.' It is a description irresistibly applicable to Peter Brown's own book: as rich a monument to the life of the mind as was any late Roman basilica to the life everlasting."--Teresa Morgan, Tablet "[A] predictably brilliant re-appraisal of the Roman world during the fourth to sixth centuries... Through the Eye of a Needle is a vast book, but is remarkably readable. Brown's intimate knowledge of Augustine and his times is presented with human empathy and a sense of the relevance of these long-ago events... [T]he latter chapters of Through the Eye of a Needle contain much essential information about the establishment of Christian influence throughout Europe following Rome's fall... [A] wonderful book."--Ed Voves, California Literary Review "Peter Brown, professor emeritus at Princeton University and the leading historian of late antiquity, has written a masterful study... His book is characterized by lively prose, mastery of the primary sources and original languages, comprehensive use of changes in the study of antiquities (especially the 'material culture' of archaeology), gorgeous plates, nearly 300 pages of bibliographic end material, and a number of important revisions to the standard historiography."--Dan Clendenin, JourneywithJesus.net "Through the Eye of a Needle (Princeton University Press) is the crowning masterpiece of Peter Brown, the great historian who virtually invented late antiquity as a periodisation. The book's theme might seem specialised: the evolution of attitudes towards wealth in the last century and a half of the Roman empire in the west, and the century that followed its collapse. In reality, like so many of Brown's books, it gives us a world vivid with colour and alive with a symphony of voices. It is not only the most compassionate study of late antiquity in the west ever written, but also a profoundly subtle meditation on our own tempestuous relationship with money."--Tom Holland, History Magazine "Brown, in this masterful history, makes the writings of Augustine, Ambrose and Jerome more accessible to the average reader, and scholars will welcome the voluminous notes and index."--Ray Saadi, Gumbo "[D]eliriously complicated... As usual, Brown leaves no stone unturned in his search for insight and evidence... He paints a colorful social setting for early church debates about theology and ethics without becoming reductively sociological, and often overturns accepted mytho-history in the process. He quietly draws on contemporary theory but typically lets ancients speak for themselves because his aim is to introduce us to an exotic world. Through it all, he focuses on the masses of details by treating attitudes, beliefs, and practices about wealth as a 'stethoscope' to hear the heartbeat of late Roman and early Christian civilization... Brown has captured the rough texture of real history. It is testimony to the success of Brown's subtle, provocative, and beautifully written book."--Peter Leithart, Christianity Today "A fascinating book by the great historian of late antiquity, Peter Brown, on the development of Christianity in Rome... Through the Eye of a Needle is a serious work of scholarship and an important study about how Rome became Christian."--John Roskam, Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs "Thoroughly researched, making use of the new materials that have emerged in the recent years, The Eye of the Needle is a scholarly work not just on early Christianity but relates its growth to the later developments and offers a new reading of the old sayings. It definitely is a source book for readers on religion and society."--R. Balashankar, Organiser "Its achievement is plain. It explores, with Brown's characteristically profound empathy, the great paradox of how a church with a world- and wealth-denying ideology came to acquire temporal riches and respectability... [H]is approach is to offer the reader extraordinarily vivid portraits of individual Christian thinkers faced with the moral contradictions of worldly riches... This much anticipated book, described by Brown as 'the most difficult book to write that I have ever undertaken,' fulfils expectations. Its success is grounded in its unerring moral balance. Perhaps for the first time, the problem of wealth in early Christianity is treated in full, with no righteous fury at blatant hypocrisy nor any apology for a church that rationalized its enrichment by feeding the poor... It is the virtue of Through the Eye of a Needle that it prompts and enables one to think about the largest questions. It is a gift to have such a beautiful, authoritative, and humane study that cuts to the heart of all that is most challenging in the relationship between the spiritual and the material in late antiquity."--Kyle Harper, Bryn Mawr Classical Review "Brown ... offers a masterful study on how converting to Christianity transformed the ways that economic elites in Europe and North Africa viewed their own wealth's source and purpose. A vivid storyteller, Brown transforms evidence from written, archaeological, and material sources into compelling portraits of early Christian leaders like Ambrose and Augustine... [Through the Eye of a Needle] will quickly become required reading for students of early Christianity and late ancient history, but others interested in history and theological studies also will find it engaging."--Choice "Compelling... One can see in Brown's narrative that the disputes of the fourth century stand between the old civic generosity and a new concern for otherworldliness. Perhaps that transitory radicality could not be sustained. But it has bequeathed to the church a 'conglomerate of notions' that link the wealth of the church, the care of the poor and the fate of the soul."--Walter Brueggemann, Christian Century "Peter Brown's achievement is not least in having placed us all in his debt with so rich a work... [D]o not be put off by thinking that this is a book only for academics; all of us can enjoy what is, simply, accessible and well-written reading matter that does not require the possession of academic qualifications. It deserves to be enjoyed on the beach, as well as in the Bodleian!"--John Scott, Fairacres Chronicle "[B]oth masterful and friendly... Through the Eye of a Needle, an important revisionary account for scholars of the ancient world, should also be read by a general public and by beginning undergraduates as an example of the humanity, the generosity, and the clarity of scholarship at its best."--Caroline Walker Bynum, Common Knowledge "Through the Eye of a Needle demonstrates Brown's mastery of an enormous range both of source material and of secondary work. It is crammed with stimulating ideas, and striking, very Brownian observations and metaphors... Brown has taken us on a long and highly informative journey with numerous fascinating detours through late antiquity. We can only be grateful."--J. H. W. G. Liebeschuetz, American Historical Review "Through the Eye of a Needle, an important revisionary account for scholars of the ancient world, should be read by a general public and by beginning undergraduates as an example of the humanity, the generosity, and the clarity of scholarship at its best... It is both masterful and friendly."--Caroline Walker Bynum, Common Knowledge "[T]his book, like Brown's many others, has done [much] to illuminate the late-ancient world, and he has opened many avenues for others to continue exploring."--Michael Kulikowski, Catholic Historical Review "Through the Eye of a Needle challenges the widely held notion that Christianity's growing wealth sapped Rome of its ability to resist the barbarian invasions, and offers a fresh perspective on the social history of the church in late antiquity."--World Book Industry "In typical fashion, Peter Brown has delivered a text that is masterly in scale, broad in scope, ... and admirable in readability for a large audience."--M.A. Gaumer, Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses "In addition to vast erudition formed by a range of reading in well over a dozen languages, Brown has something of the cinematographer's ability to compose a narrative by moving between panoramas and individual close-ups. The results are often dazzling."--Patrick Cook, Cambrdige Humanities Review "[T]his is an impressive and monumental piece of scholarship that casts western late antiquity into clearer relief than it has received. It will long be required reading for anyone wanting to understand the social realities of Christianity in the late antique West."--Geoffrey D. Dunn, Journal of Early Christian Studies "Through the Eye of a Needle is Peter Brown at his best, his very best: a thoughtful and thought-provoking travel-guide whose beautiful prose opens up previously unseen horizons of real people living in a variety of landscapes around the Mediterranean at different moments in a period of epochal change that was fundamental for the making of Western European civilization. Using a fine brush and a light touch, Brown paints his pictures with a palette of an astonishingly broad and erudite up-to-date scholarship."--John Behr, Marginalia "[C]learly a magisterial achievement. Through the Eye of a Needle should be read by anyone interested in the late Roman Empire, ancient Christianity, or the complex origins of attitudes towards wealth and poverty in the modern world."--Benjamin H. Dunning, European Legacy "Through the Eye of the Needle will remain ... as massive and reassuringly immovable landmarks in the horizon of our understanding."--Kate Cooper, Journal of Roman Studies "Elegantly written and amply sign-posted, this long book is a pleasure to read."--Alexander Skinner, Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture "Those readers interested in the evolution of the Western church or in a good social approach or both will find this book a splendid treatment... This thorough work will become the standard go-to study of the early Christian church in the West."--Lee L. Brice, The Historian "Magisterial... Brown's newest monograph belongs on the bookcase of every late ancient and medieval historian... A stunning accomplishment."--Elizabeth DePalma Digesner, H-Net ReviewsTable of ContentsList of Maps xv List of Illustrations xvii Preface xix Part I Wealth, Christianity, and Giving at the End of an Ancient World 1 *Chapter 1 Aurea aetas - Wealth in an Age of Gold 3 *Chapter 2 Mediocritas - The Social Profile of the Latin Church, 312-ca. 370 31 *Chapter 3 Amor civicus - Love of the city - Wealth and Its Uses in an Ancient World 53 *Chapter 4 "Treasure in Heaven" - Wealth in the Christian Church 72 Part II An Age of Affluence 91 *Chapter 5 Symmachus - Being Noble in Fourth-Century Rome 93 *Chapter 6 Avidus civicae gratiae - Greedy for the good favor of the city - Symmachus and the People of Rome 110 *Chapter 7 Ambrose and His People 120 *Chapter 8 "Avarice, the Root of All Evil" - Ambrose and Northern Italy 135 *Chapter 9 Augustine - Spes saeculi - Careerism, Patronage and Religious Bonding, 354-384 148 *Chapter 10 From Milan to Hippo - Augustine and the Making of a Religious Community, 384-396 161 *Chapter 11 "The Life in Common of a kind of Divine and Heavenly Republic" - Augustine on Public and Private in a Monastic Community 173 *Chapter 12 Ista vero saecularia - Those things, indeed, of the world - Ausonius, Villas, and the Language of Wealth 185 *Chapter 13 Ex opulentissimo divite - From being rich as rich can be Paulinus of Nola and the Renunciation of Wealth, 389-395 208 *Chapter 14 Commercium spiritale The spiritual Exchange - Paulinus of Nola and the Poetry of Wealth, 395-408 224 *Chapter 15 Propter magnificentiam urbis Romae - By reason of the magnificence of the city of Rome - The Roman Rich and their Clergy, from Constantine to Damasus, 312-384 241 *Chapter 16 "To Sing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land" - Jerome in Rome, 382-385 259 *Chapter 17 Between Rome and Jerusalem - Women, Patronage, and Learning, 385-412 273 Part III An Age of Crisis 289 *Chapter 18 "The Eye of a Needle" and "The Treasure of the Soul" - Renunciation, Nobility, and the Sack of Rome, 405-413 291 *Chapter 19 Tolle divitem - Take away the rich - The Pelagian Criticism of Wealth 308 *Chapter 20 Augustine's Africa - People and Church 322 *Chapter 21 "Dialogues with the Crowd" - The Rich, the People, and the City in the Sermons of Augustine 339 *Chapter 22 Dimitte nobis debita nostra - Forgive us our sins - Augustine, Wealth, and Pelagianism, 411-417 359 *Chapter 23 "Out of Africa" - Wealth, Power and the Churches, 415-430 369 *Chapter 24 "Still at that Time a More Affluent Empire" - The Crisis of the West in the Fifth Century 385 Part IV Aftermaths 409 *Chapter 25 Among the Saints - Marseilles, Arles and Lerins, 400-440 411 *Chapter 26 Romana respublica vel iam mortua - With the empire now dead and gone - Salvian and His Gaul, 420-450 433 *Chapter 27 Ob Italiae securitatem - For the security of Italy - Rome and Italy, ca. 430-ca. 530 454 Part V Toward Another World 479 *Chapter 28 Patrimonia pauperum - Patrimonies of the poor - Wealth and Conflict in the Churches of the Sixth Century 481 *Chapter 29 Servator fidei, patriaeque semper amator - Guardian of the Faith, and always lover of [his] homeland - Wealth and Piety in the Sixth Century 503 Conclusion 527 Abbreviations 531 Notes 533 Works Cited * Primary Sources 641 * Secondary Sources 654 Index 719

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Book SynopsisRefresh your weary soul with living water from God''s Word.Everyone goes through difficult seasons, tough losses, and moments that feel unbearable. In today''s world, people thirst more than ever for reassurance and guidance. Streams in the Desert provides a river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration to weary travelers. ABC''s Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts reads Streams in the Desert every day. Roberts said, It''s my most prized possession…my family, each of us has a copy and we read it every morning…it just brings us closer together.In this updated edition, you''ll find: 366 devotions with updated modern text More Scripture, Subject, and Contributor Indices A ribbon marker to hold your place A powerful collection of meditations, Christian writings, and Scripture featured in the original edition Precise NIV text

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Book Synopsis''In the midst of life we are in death.''The words of the Book of Common Prayer have permeated deep into the English language all over the world. For nearly 500 years, and for countless people, it has provided a background fanfare for a marriage or a funeral march at a burial. Yet this familiarity also hides a violent and controversial history. When it was first produced the Book of Common Prayer provoked riots and rebellion, and it was banned before being translated into a host of global languages and adopted as the basis for worship in the USA and elsewhere to the present day. This edition presents the work in three different states: the first edition of 1549, which brought the Reformation into people''s homes; the Elizabethan prayer book of 1559, familiar to Shakespeare and Milton; and the edition of 1662, which embodies the religious temper of the nation down to modern times. ''magnificent edition'' Diarmaid MacCulloch,London Review of Books''superb edition...excellent notes and introduction'' Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Trade ReviewThis book is an exemplary text ... the reproduction of the three different prayer books is immaculate, and the introductory commentary is original and thought provoking. * Marcus Harmes, Parergon - Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies *magnificent edition * Diarmaid MacCulloch, London Review of Books *superb edition...excellent notes and introduction * Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Note on the Texts ; Note on Music ; Select Bibliography ; Biblical Abbreviations ; THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1549 ; THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1559 ; THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1662 ; Appendix A: The Black Rubric, 1552 ; Appendix B: Additional Orders of Service, Articles, and Tables 1662-85 ; Explanatory Notes ; Glossary ; Index of Services and Orders

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Book Synopsis''Alas that I ever did sin! It is so merry in Heaven!''The Book of Margery Kempe (c. 1436-8) is the extraordinary account of a medieval wife, mother, and mystic. Known as the earliest autobiography written in the English language, Kempe''s Book describes the dramatic transformation of its heroine from failed businesswoman and lustful young wife to devout and chaste pilgrim. She vividly describes her prayers and visions, as well as the temptations in daily life to which she succumbed before dedicating herself to her spiritual calling. She travelled to the most holy sites of the medieval world, including Rome and Jerusalem.In her life and her boisterous devotion, Kempe antagonized many of those around her; yet she also garnered friends and supporters who helped to record her experiences. Her Book opens a window on to the medieval world, and provides a fascinating portrait of one woman''s life, aspirations, and prayers. This new translation preserves the forceful narrative voice of Kempe'Trade ReviewBale's Book of Margery Kempe offers the best modern version of the text and the most comprehensive and judicious assessment of scholarly and critical environments in which to read this strange and wondrous work... Bale sensitively reviews all the textual, critical and ideological challenges of the work. His modern English is supple and responsive. * Times Literary Supplement, Seth Lerer *This lively new edition preserves the author's forceful individuality, but makes her writing accessible to a new audience, and her book not only flings open a forgotten world but also comes garnished with useful notes and maps of her extensive travels. * Good Book Guide, Fiona Lafferty *whatever view may be taken of Margery's visions, the book is extraordinarily lively and enjoyable, and gives an unparalleled glimpse of everyday life in that distant period of English history. This new translation by Anthony Bale is presented in idiomatic modern English, but aims to stay true to the style of the original, sometimes homely and familiar, sometimes high-flown and Latinate. It's wonderfully readable, and has an excellent introduction and notes. Altogether a great pleasure. * Shiny New Books, Harriet Devine *This new look at one of the most important texts of the Middle Ages will come as an eye-opener to those who believe that to live a religious life you need to be inordinately pious. * Northern Echo, Stephen Craggs *The Book of Margery Kempe is genuinely hard to put down - due to the incredible picture of medieval England it paints, and the fascinating mind of the woman who produced it. Anthony Bale's notes add a huge amount of value too, providing much needed context, and raising interesting questions about the material. * The Book Bag, Sue *Extraordinary * Peter Costello, The Irish Catholic *

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Book SynopsisA unique translation of the New Testament which balances scholarly accuracy and living, spirit-filled words.

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Book Synopsis ?I lived in Afghanistan for five years. I learned the rules ? I had to.? Riveting and fast paced,In the Land of Blue Burqasdepicts sharing the love and truth of Christ with women living in Afghanistan, which has been calledthe world''s most dangerous country in which to be born a woman. These stories are honest and true. The harsh reality of their lives is not sugar-coated, and that adds to the impact of this book. Through storytelling, the author shows how people who don''t know Christ come to see Him, His truth, and His beauty. The stories provide insight into how a Jesus-follower brought Jesus'' teachings of the Kingdom of God to Afghanistan. They reveal the splendor of Christ, the desire of human hearts, and that precious instance where the two meet.All of the names ofthose involved?including Kate''s?plus the locations have been changed to protect the participants.

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Book SynopsisThe apostle Paul declared, "I have been crucified with Christ." What does this mean? Should every believer make this claim? With renowned teacher A.W. Tozer, explore biblical answers that allow you to thrive in the crucified life.

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Book SynopsisWith over 2.5 million copies sold, this classic work is the story of one man's journey from skepticism to a life-changing relationship with God. Filled with historical and biblical accounts of speaking in tongues, this is also the deeply personal and moving story of how you, too, can walk in the power of the Spirit day by day.

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Book SynopsisA classic collection of hymns and choruses.Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos was developed by Ira D. Sankey as a resource for his concerts and revival meetings in the late 19th century. This collection is still popular today, with a wide selection of hymns and songs on many different themes.

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Book SynopsisRegarded as the leading text in Christian theology for the last 25 years, Alister E. McGrath s The Christian Theology Reader is now available in a new 5th edition featuring completely revised and updated content.Table of ContentsPreface xv Approaching the Readings xvii To the Student: How to Use This Book xix To the Teacher: How to Use This Book xxi Video Resources for This Textbook xxiii The Development of Christian Theology: An Historical Overview xxv Acknowledgments xxxi 1 Getting Started: Preliminaries 1 Introduction 2 1.1 Justin Martyr on Philosophy and Theology 5 1.2 Clement of Alexandria on Philosophy and Theology 6 1.3 Tertullian on the Relationship between Philosophy and Heresy 7 1.4 Augustine of Hippo on Philosophy and Theology 9 1.5 The Nicene Creed 10 1.6 The Apostles’ Creed 12 1.7 Anselm of Canterbury’s Proof for the Existence of God 13 1.8 Gaunilo’s Reply to Anselm’s Argument 14 1.9 Thomas Aquinas on Proofs for the Existence of God 16 1.10 Thomas Aquinas on the Principle of Analogy 19 1.11 William of Ockham on Proofs for the Existence of God 21 1.12 Martin Luther on the Theology of the Cross 23 1.13 John Calvin on the Nature of Faith 24 1.14 The Heidelberg Catechism on Images of God 26 1.15 John Locke on the Formation of the Concept of God 27 1.16 René Descartes on the Existence of God 28 1.17 Blaise Pascal on Proofs for the Existence of God 29 1.18 Blaise Pascal on the Hiddenness of God 31 1.19 Immanuel Kant on Anselm’s Ontological Argument 32 1.20 Søren Kierkegaard on the Subjectivity of Truth 33 1.21 The First Vatican Council on Faith and Reason 34 1.22 John Henry Newman on the Grounds of Faith 36 1.23 Adolf von Harnack on the Origins of Dogma 38 1.24 Karl Barth on the Nature and Task of Theology 39 1.25 Ludwig Wittgenstein on Analogy 41 1.26 Ludwig Wittgenstein on Proofs for the Existence of God 42 1.27 Vladimir Lossky on Apophatic Approaches to Theology 43 1.28 Dietrich Bonhoeffer on God in a Secular World 45 1.29 Paul Tillich on the Method of Correlation 47 1.30 Ian T. Ramsey on the Language of Christian Doctrine 49 1.31 Sallie McFague on Metaphor in Theology 50 1.32 Gustavo Gutiérrez on Theology as Critical Reflection 52 1.33 Brian A. Gerrish on Accommodation in Calvin’s Theology 54 1.34 George Lindbeck on Postliberal Approaches to Doctrine 55 1.35 Dumitru Stăniloae on the Nature of Dogma 58 1.36 Kevin Vanhoozer on the Challenge of Postmodernity for Theology 60 1.37 John Polkinghorne on Motivated Belief in Theology 62 1.38 Pope Francis on Faith and Truth in Theology and the Church 64 For Further Reading 66 2 The Sources of Theology 67 Introduction 68 2.1 Melito of Sardis on Typology and Old Testament Interpretation 71 2.2 Irenaeus of Lyons on the Role of Tradition 73 2.3 Hippolytus on Typological Interpretation of Scripture 74 2.4 Clement of Alexandria on the Fourfold Interpretation of Scripture 75 2.5 Tertullian on Tradition and Apostolic Succession 76 2.6 Origen on the Three Ways of Reading Scripture 77 2.7 Cyril of Jerusalem on the Role of Creeds 78 2.8 Augustine of Hippo on the Literal and Allegorical Senses of Scripture 79 2.9 Jerome on the Role of Scripture 80 2.10 Vincent of Lérins on the Role of Tradition 82 2.11 Bernard of Clairvaux on the Allegorical Sense of Scripture 83 2.12 Stephen Langton on the Moral Sense of Scripture 84 2.13 Ludolf of Saxony on Reading Scripture Imaginatively 85 2.14 Jacques Lefèvre d’Etaples on the Senses of Scripture 86 2.15 Martin Luther on the Fourfold Sense of Scripture 88 2.16 Martin Luther on Revelation in Christ 89 2.17 John Calvin on the Natural Knowledge of God 91 2.18 John Calvin on the Relationship between the Old and New Testaments 92 2.19 The Council of Trent on Scripture and Tradition 93 2.20 The Gallic Confession on the Canon of Scripture 94 2.21 The Belgic Confession on the Book of Nature 96 2.22 Melchior Cano on the Church as an Interpreter of Scripture 97 2.23 The Formula of Concord on Scripture and the Theologians 98 2.24 Robert Bellarmine on Protestant Biblical Interpretation 99 2.25 The King James Translators on Biblical Translation 100 2.26 Sir Thomas Browne on the Two Books of Revelation 102 2.27 Francis White on Scripture and Tradition 104 2.28 Jonathan Edwards on the Beauty of Creation 105 2.29 William Paley on the Wisdom of the Creation 106 2.30 Johann Adam Möhler on Living Tradition 108 2.31 John Henry Newman on the Role of Tradition 110 2.32 Charles Hodge on the Inspiration of Scripture 113 2.33 Gerard Manley Hopkins on God’s Grandeur in Nature 114 2.34 Charles Gore on the Relationship between Dogma and the New Testament 115 2.35 James Orr on the Centrality of Revelation for Christianity 117 2.36 Wilhelm Herrmann on the Nature of Revelation 118 2.37 Karl Barth on Revelation as God’s Self-Disclosure 121 2.38 Emil Brunner on the Personal Nature of Revelation 123 2.39 Rudolf Bultmann on Demythologization and Biblical Interpretation 124 2.40 Pope Pius XII on the Authority of the Vulgate Translation of the Bible 126 2.41 Austin Farrer on Demythologization, History, and Biblical Interpretation 127 2.42 Gerhard von Rad on Typology and Biblical Interpretation 129 2.43 Karl Rahner on the Authority of Scripture 131 2.44 Brevard S. Childs on the Canonical Interpretation of Scripture 133 2.45 Phyllis Trible on Feminist Biblical Interpretation 134 2.46 John Meyendorff on Living Tradition 137 2.47 James I. Packer on the Nature of Revelation 138 2.48 Thomas F. Torrance on Karl Barth’s Criticism of Natural Theology 140 2.49 The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Scripture and Tradition 143 2.50 N. T. Wright on the Authority of Biblical Narratives 145 2.51 Alister E. McGrath on a Christian Approach to Natural≈Theology 147 For Further Reading 148 3 The Doctrine of God 150 Introduction 151 3.1 Athenagoras of Athens on the Christian God 155 3.2 Irenaeus of Lyons on the Origin of Evil 156 3.3 Irenaeus of Lyons on the Trinity 157 3.4 Tertullian on Creation from Preexistent Matter 158 3.5 Origen on Creation from Preexistent Matter 159 3.6 Origen on the Relationship between God and Evil 160 3.7 Gregory of Nyssa on Human Analogies of the Trinity 161 3.8 Basil of Caesarea on the Work of the Holy Spirit 163 3.9 Gregory of Nazianzus on the Gradual Revelation of the Trinity 165 3.10 Athanasius of Alexandria on the Holy Spirit and the Trinity 166 3.11 Hilary of Poitiers on the Trinity 167 3.12 Augustine of Hippo on the Trinity 168 3.13 Augustine of Hippo on the Relationship between God and Evil 172 3.14 Epiphanius of Constantia on Sabellianism 173 3.15 Cyril of Alexandria on the Role of the Holy Spirit 174 3.16 John of Damascus on the Holy Spirit 175 3.17 The Eleventh Council of Toledo on the Trinity 176 3.18 Anselm of Canterbury on the Compassion of God 177 3.19 Richard of St. Victor on Love within the Trinity 178 3.20 Alexander of Hales on the Suffering of God in Christ 180 3.21 Thomas Aquinas on Divine Omnipotence 181 3.22 Bonaventure of Bagnoregio on the Origin of Evil 182 3.23 Julian of Norwich on God as Our Mother 183 3.24 William of Ockham on the Two Powers of God 184 3.25 Thomas à Kempis on the Limits of Trinitarian Speculation 185 3.26 John Calvin on the Providence of God 186 3.27 Benedict Spinoza on the Impassibility of God 188 3.28 F. D. E. Schleiermacher on the Trinity 189 3.29 Karl Barth on the “Otherness” of God 190 3.30 Jürgen Moltmann on the Suffering of God 191 3.31 Hans Urs von Balthasar on the Glory of God 193 3.32 Leonardo Boff on the Trinity as Good News for the Poor 195 3.33 Robert Jenson on the Trinity 197 3.34 Hans Küng on the Immutability of God 200 3.35 Eberhard Jüngel on the Crucified God 202 3.36 Jacques Ellul on the Theology of Icons 203 3.37 Walter Kasper on the Rationality of the Trinity 205 3.38 Paul Jewett on Noninclusive Language and the Trinity 207 3.39 John Milbank on the Trinity in a Postmodern Age 209 3.40 Elizabeth A. Johnson on Male and Female Images of God 211 3.41 Anne Carr on Feminism and the Maleness of God 213 3.42 Sarah Coakley on Social Models of the Trinity 215 3.43 David Bentley Hart on God and Evil 217 For Further Reading 219 4 The Person of Christ 221 Introduction 222 4.1 Ignatius of Antioch on Docetism 225 4.2 Irenaeus of Lyons on Gnosticism in Christology 226 4.3 Tertullian on Patripassianism 227 4.4 Tertullian on the Incarnation 227 4.5 Novatian on the Divinity of Christ 229 4.6 Origen on the Two Natures of Christ 230 4.7 Arius on the Status of Christ 231 4.8 Athanasius of Alexandria on the Two Natures of Christ 232 4.9 Apollinarius of Laodicea on the Person of Christ 233 4.10 Gregory of Nazianzus on Apollinarianism 234 4.11 Theodore of Mopsuestia on the “Union of Good Pleasure” 235 4.12 Nestorius on the Term Theotokos 236 4.13 Cyril of Alexandria on the Incarnation 238 4.14 Pope Leo the Great on the Two Natures of Christ 239 4.15 The Chalcedonian Definition of the Christian Faith 241 4.16 John of Damascus on the Incarnation and Icons 243 4.17 Honorius of Autun on the Cause of the Incarnation 244 4.18 Thomas Aquinas on the Necessity of the Incarnation 245 4.19 Gregory Palamas on the Divine Condescension in the Incarnation 246 4.20 Martin Luther’s Critique of Nestorianism 247 4.21 François Turrettini on the Threefold Office of Christ 249 4.22 Gotthold Ephraim Lessing on the Ditch of History 250 4.23 F. D. E. Schleiermacher on the “Natural Heresies” of Christianity 252 4.24 Martin Kähler on the Historical Jesus 254 4.25 George Tyrrell on the Christ of Liberal Protestantism 257 4.26 Albert Schweitzer on the Failure of the “Quest of the Historical Jesus” 259 4.27 G. K. Chesterton on the Incarnation, Myth, and Reason 260 4.28 P. T. Forsyth on the Person of Christ 262 4.29 Dorothy L. Sayers on Christology and Dogma 263 4.30 Paul Tillich on the Dispensability of the Historical Jesus 264 4.31 Wolfhart Pannenberg on the Indispensability of the Historical Jesus 266 4.32 Thomas F. Torrance on the Incarnation and Soteriology 268 4.33 Rosemary Radford Ruether on the Maleness of Christ 270 4.34 Morna D. Hooker on Chalcedon and the New Testament 273 4.35 N. T. Wright on History and Christology 275 4.36 Janet Martin Soskice on Christ’s Significance for Women 278 For Further Reading 280 5 Salvation in Christ 281 Introduction 282 5.1 Irenaeus of Lyons on the “Ransom” Theory of the Atonement 285 5.2 Irenaeus of Lyons on “Recapitulation” in Christ 286 5.3 Clement of Alexandria on Christ’s Death as an Example of Love 287 5.4 Athanasius of Alexandria on the Death of Christ 288 5.5 Athanasius of Alexandria on the Relationship between Christology and Soteriology 289 5.6 Pseudo-Hippolytus on the Cosmic Dimensions of the Cross 290 5.7 Rufinus of Aquileia on the “Fish-Hook” Theory of the Atonement 291 5.8 An Ancient Liturgy on Christ’s Descent into Hell 291 5.9 Theodoret of Cyrrhus on the Death of Christ 292 5.10 Augustine of Hippo on Redemption in Christ 293 5.11 Maximus the Confessor on the Economy of Salvation 294 5.12 Simeon the New Theologian on Salvation as Deification 296 5.13 Anselm of Canterbury on the Atonement 296 5.14 Peter Abelard on the Love of Christ in Redemption 299 5.15 Hugh of St. Victor on the Death of Christ 300 5.16 Rupert of Deutz on the Incarnation as God’s Response to Sin 301 5.17 Thomas Aquinas on the Satisfaction of Christ 302 5.18 Nicolas Cabasilas on the Death of Christ 303 5.19 John Calvin on the Grounds of Redemption 304 5.20 The Socinian Critique of the Idea of Satisfaction 305 5.21 John Donne on the Work of Christ 307 5.22 George Herbert on the Death of Christ and Redemption 308 5.23 Charles Wesley on Salvation in Christ 308 5.24 F. D. E. Schleiermacher on Christ as a Charismatic Leader 309 5.25 F. D. E. Schleiermacher on Christology and Soteriology 312 5.26 Charles Gore on the Relationship between Christology and Soteriology 313 5.27 Hastings Rashdall on Christ as a Moral Example 314 5.28 Gustaf Aulén on the Classic Theory of the Atonement 316 5.29 Vladimir Lossky on Redemption as Deification 319 5.30 Bernard Lonergan on the Intelligibility of Redemption 320 5.31 Wolfhart Pannenberg on Soteriological Approaches to Christology 322 5.32 James I. Packer on Penal Substitution 324 5.33 Dorothee Sölle on Suffering and Redemption 325 5.34 Colin E. Gunton on the Language of Atonement 327 5.35 The Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Sacrifice of Christ 329 5.36 Miroslav Volf on the Cross of Christ and Human Violence 330 5.37 Rosemary Radford Ruether on Suffering and Redemption 332 5.38 J. Denny Weaver on Violence in Traditional Approaches to the Atonement 334 For Further Reading 336 6 Human Nature, Sin, and Grace 338 Introduction 339 6.1 Irenaeus of Lyons on Human Progress 342 6.2 Tertullian on Inherited Guilt 342 6.3 Origen on the Image of God 343 6.4 Lactantius on Political Aspects of the Image of God 344 6.5 Ambrose on the Unmerited Character of Salvation 345 6.6 Ambrosiaster on Original Sin 346 6.7 Gregory of Nyssa on Human Longing for God 347 6.8 Augustine of Hippo on the Nature of Predestination 348 6.9 Augustine of Hippo on Fallen Human Nature 349 6.10 Pelagius on Human Responsibility 350 6.11 Pelagius on Human Freedom 351 6.12 The Council of Carthage on Grace 352 6.13 The Second Council of Orange on Grace and Freedom 353 6.14 Hildegard of Bingen on the Creation of Man and Woman 355 6.15 Alan of Lille on Penitence as a Cause of Grace 356 6.16 Francis of Assisi on the Creation 357 6.17 Thomas Aquinas on the Nature of Grace 358 6.18 Mechthild of Magdeburg on Humanity’s Longing for God 360 6.19 Duns Scotus on the Immaculate Conception of Mary 361 6.20 Gregory of Rimini on Predestination 362 6.21 Gabriel Biel on Merit and Justification 362 6.22 Giovanni Pico della Mirandola on Human Nature 364 6.23 Martin Luther on Justifying Faith 365 6.24 Martin Luther on Sin and Grace 366 6.25 Philip Melanchthon on Justification by Faith 368 6.26 John Calvin on Predestination 369 6.27 John Calvin on the Concept of Justification 371 6.28 The Council of Trent on Justification 372 6.29 Theodore Beza on the Causes of Predestination 372 6.30 John Donne on the Bondage of the Human Will 374 6.31 The Westminster Confession of Faith on Predestination 375 6.32 Jonathan Edwards on Original Sin 375 6.33 John Wesley on Justification 377 6.34 John Henry Newman on Original Sin 378 6.35 Karl Barth on Election in Christ 380 6.36 Emil Brunner on Barth’s Doctrine of Election 382 6.37 Reinhold Niebuhr on Original Sin 383 6.38 Valerie C. Saiving on Feminist Approaches to Sin 385 6.39 The Second Vatican Council on Human Nature 387 6.40 Mary Hayter on Human Sexuality and the Image of God 389 6.41 Pope Benedict XVI on the Identity of Humanity 392 For Further Reading 394 7 The Church 395 Introduction 396 7.1 Irenaeus of Lyons on the Function of the Church 399 7.2 Origen on the Church and Salvation 399 7.3 Cyprian of Carthage on the Unity of the Church 400 7.4 Cyril of Jerusalem on the Catholicity of the Church 402 7.5 Petilian of Cirta on the Purity of Ministers 403 7.6 Augustine of Hippo on the Mixed Nature of the Church 404 7.7 Pope Leo the Great on Ministry within the Church 405 7.8 Pope Innocent III on the Church and State 406 7.9 Thomas Aquinas on the Catholicity of the Church 406 7.10 Pope Boniface VIII on Papal Primacy 407 7.11 Jan Hus on the Church 409 7.12 Martin Luther on the Marks of the Church 410 7.13 Martin Luther on Priests and Laity 412 7.14 Philip Melanchthon on the Nature of Catholicity 413 7.15 Sebastian Franck on the True Church 414 7.16 The First Helvetic Confession on the Nature of the Church 415 7.17 John Calvin on the Marks of the Church 416 7.18 Richard Hooker on the Purity of the Church 417 7.19 The Westminster Confession of Faith on the Church 418 7.20 Roger Williams on the Separation of the Church from the World 419 7.21 F. D. E. Schleiermacher on the Church as a Fellowship of Believers 420 7.22 The First Vatican Council on Papal Primacy in the Church 422 7.23 Henry Barclay Swete on the Apostolicity of the Church 424 7.24 The Barmen Confession on the Identity of the Church 427 7.25 Stephen Charles Neill on Holiness and the Mission of the Church 428 7.26 Yves Congar on the Hierarchy of the Church 429 7.27 The Second Vatican Council on the Nature of the Church 431 7.28 John D. Zizioulas on Local and Universal Churches 433 7.29 Avery Dulles on the Meanings of “Catholicity” 434 7.30 Stanley Hauerwas on the Church and the Story of Faith 435 7.31 George Dragas on the Orthodox Concept of the Church 437 7.32 Pope John Paul II on the Laity and Mission 438 7.33 John Webster on the Church and the Gospel 440 For Further Reading 442 8 The Sacraments 443 Introduction 444 8.1 Clement of Alexandria on Faith as Feeding on Christ 447 8.2 Tertullian on the Significance of Water in Baptism 447 8.3 Cyprian of Carthage on Heretical Baptism 449 8.4 Cyril of Jerusalem on the Meaning of Baptism 449 8.5 Cyril of Jerusalem on the Body and Blood of Christ 451 8.6 Hilary of Poitiers on the Effects of Baptism 451 8.7 Gregory of Nazianzus on the Symbolism of Baptism 452 8.8 Augustine of Hippo on Donatist Approaches to the Sacraments 453 8.9 Augustine of Hippo on the “Right to Baptize” 454 8.10 John of Damascus on the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist 455 8.11 Paschasius Radbertus on the Real Presence 456 8.12 Ratramnus of Corbie on the Real Presence 457 8.13 Candidus of Fulda on “This is My Body” 458 8.14 Lanfranc of Bec on the Mystery of the Sacraments 459 8.15 Hugh of St. Victor on the Definition of a Sacrament 460 8.16 Peter Lombard on the Definition of a Sacrament 461 8.17 The Fourth Lateran Council on Baptism and the Eucharist 462 8.18 Thomas Aquinas on Transubstantiation 464 8.19 Martin Luther on the Doctrine of Transubstantiation 465 8.20 Martin Luther on the Bread and Wine as a Testament 466 8.21 Huldrych Zwingli on “This is My Body” 468 8.22 Huldrych Zwingli on the Nature of Sacraments 470 8.23 John Calvin on the Nature of Sacraments 472 8.24 The Council of Trent on Transubstantiation 473 8.25 John Wesley on the Eucharist and Salvation 474 8.26 John Henry Newman on Infant Baptism 475 8.27 The Second Vatican Council on the Eucharist 477 8.28 Edward Schillebeeckx on the Real Presence 479 8.29 The World Council of Churches on Baptism 481 8.30 Alexander Schmemann on the Eucharist 483 8.31 Rowan Williams on the Nature of a Sacrament 485 8.32 Pope John Paul II on the Eucharist as a Sign of Hope 487 For Further Reading 488 9 Christianity and Other Religions 490 Introduction 491 9.1 Justin Martyr on Christianity and Judaism 493 9.2 Ludwig Feuerbach on the Human Origins of Religion 494 9.3 Karl Marx on Feuerbach’s Views on Religion 495 9.4 Karl Barth on Christianity and Religion 496 9.5 C. S. Lewis on Myth in Christianity and Other Faiths 498 9.6 Karl Rahner on Christianity and the Non-Christian Religions 500 9.7 The Second Vatican Council on Non-Christian Religions 503 9.8 Clark Pinnock on Pluralists and Christology 506 9.9 John Hick on Complementary Pluralism 509 9.10 John B. Cobb Jr. on Religious Pluralism 513 9.11 Lesslie Newbigin on the Gospel in a Pluralist Culture 516 9.12 Gavin D’Costa on the Self-Contradictions of Pluralism 519 9.13 Herbert McCabe on Christianity and the Abolition of the Gods 522 9.14 David Ford on Scriptural Reasoning and Interreligious Dialogue 523 9.15 Pope Francis on Evangelism and Interreligious Dialogue 526 For Further Reading 528 10 The Last Things 529 Introduction 530 10.1 Irenaeus of Lyons on the Final Restoration of Creation 532 10.2 Theophilus of Antioch on Conditional Immortality 533 10.3 Tertullian on Hell and Heaven 534 10.4 Tertullian on the Millennium 534 10.5 Origen on the Resurrection Body 535 10.6 Cyprian of Carthage on Paradise as the Christian Homeland 536 10.7 Methodius of Olympus on the Resurrection 537 10.8 Cyril of Jerusalem on Prayers for the Dead 538 10.9 Gregory of Nyssa on the Resurrection Body 539 10.10 John Chrysostom on Prayers for the Dead 540 10.11 Augustine of Hippo on the Christian Hope 540 10.12 Gregory the Great on Purgatory 541 10.13 Peter Lombard on the Appearance of Humanity in Heaven 542 10.14 Pope Benedict XII on Seeing God in Heaven 543 10.15 Catherine of Genoa on Purgatory 544 10.16 John Donne on the Resurrection 545 10.17 Jeremy Taylor on Death and Heaven 546 10.18 Jonathan Edwards on the Reality of Hell 547 10.19 John Wesley on Universal Restoration 549 10.20 C. S. Lewis on the Hope of Heaven 550 10.21 Rudolf Bultmann on the Existential Interpretation of Eschatology 552 10.22 Helmut Thielicke on Ethics and Eschatology 554 10.23 Richard Bauckham on Jürgen Moltmann’s Eschatology 556 10.24 Hans Urs von Balthasar on Hell 558 10.25 The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Heaven 559 10.26 Kathryn Tanner on Eternal Life 561 For Further Reading 563 A Glossary of Theological Terms 565 Sources of Readings 572 For Further Study: Additional Collections of Readings 583 Index 585

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Book SynopsisThe Oxford Bible Commentary is an exciting new ecumenical verse-by-verse commentary on the whole Bible, including all the books of the Apocrypha, for use by Christians, Jews, and members of other religious traditions, or of none. 1.5 million words long, it has been written by a team of internationally respected biblical scholars chosen for their expertise and ability to communicate rather than for their adherence to any particular faith. Now available in paperback, the Oxford Bible Commentary will provide the one-volume resource for the Bible for the 21st century.Trade ReviewA very fine work and a useful addition to any study bookshelf. * Church Review *[A] magnificent, supremely scholarly volume. Indispensible to clergy, lay preachers, students, adult members of congregations and those just interested in the Bible as literature, it provides an up to date, clear, verse by verse explanation of all the books of the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Apocrypha... After carefully examining this brilliant authoritative volume, I unreservedly recommend it to anyone who wishes to understand the Bible more fully. * Ronald S. Mallone, Day by Day *

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Book SynopsisBook three of Eugene Peterson's landmark Spiritual Theology series; foundational reading for the twenty-first century church.Trade ReviewFrom his profound scholarship and spiritual wisdom, Eugene Peterson helps us see the stark simplicity and necessity of adopting the way in which Jesus is - not just selecting a few words or deeds from him and calling ourselves "Christians", but finding an inner oneness with him in kingdom living that pushes away all the bright ideas and traditional 'wisdoms' about how we can get things done for Jesus without being like him. * Dallas Willard *'The most significant book by Eugene Peterson' * James Catford *

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Book SynopsisUnlike Lent, Advent is celebrated when the year is becoming darker and colder, moving into the death and dormancy of winter. Before we can greet the coming of the light, we need to engage with some themes that are challenging and occasionally fearful.Trade ReviewA refreshing and original approach to Advent prayer and meditation. * Methodist Recorder *

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe issue is church health, not church growth—if your church is healthy, growth will occur naturally. So how do we make healthy churches, driven by purpose?In order for any church to thrive, it must be built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus Christ. In this classic of Christian church stability, pastor and bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren unpacks this proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow: Warmer through fellowship. Deeper through discipleship. Stronger through worship. Broader through ministry. Larger through evangelism. Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Warren will show you how to concentrate on building p

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Book SynopsisMost of us spend a lifetime trying to figure out who we are and how we relate to others and God. The Enneagram is here to help. Far more than a personality test, author Chris Heuertz teaches us that the Enneagram is a sacred map to the soul.Lies about who we think we are keep us trapped in loops of self-defeat, but the Enneagram uniquely reveals nine ways we get lost, as well as nine ways we find our way home to our true self and to God. Whether you are an enthusiast or simply Enneagram-curious, this groundbreaking guide to the spiritual depth of the Enneagram will help you: Understand the why behind your type beyond caricatures and stereotypes Identify and find freedom from self-destructive patterns Learn how to work with your type toward spiritual growth Awaken your unique gifts to serve today''s broken world Richly insightful and deeply practical, The Sacred Enneagram is your invTrade ReviewAfter publishing and editing the Enneagram Monthly (EM) since the start in 1995 and interviewing practically 'everyone who is anyone' in this field, I did not expect to find a fresh take that zeroes in on a spiritual and practical view. The Sacred Enneagram is a breath of fresh air that opens the window and encourages those steeped in psychological detail to remember that they have not exhausted the possibilities, but can see it as having come to a new beginning. --Jack Labauskas, editor and amp; publisher, Enneagram Monthly * - Jack Labauskas, editor & publisher, Enneagram Monthly *Accessible to the spiritual journey of any seeker, Chris Heuertz beautifully translates this simple truth: that God is accessible when we know ourselves deeply. The Sacred Enneagram helps us to learn how to take that deep dive into our own essence to find the Divine. * –Mona Haydar, rapper, poet, activist, theologian *As the years pass, I often find myself asking, “Who am I?” The Sacred Enneagram is a book that I will forever use as a guide throughout my lifelong journey of self-discovery. * –Shirley Chung, “Top Chef” semifinalist and restauranteur *Integrated within these pages is Chris’s extensive knowledge and understanding of this ancient tool, along with depth in his teaching of contemplative spirituality as practiced by Jesus. Readers are offered a powerful way forward in their unique journey of spiritual transformation through aligning Christian contemplative prayer postures to specific Enneagram types. * –Nina M. Barnes, Dean of Spiritual Formation & Leadership, University of Northwestern–St. Paul *The book you hold in your hands is more powerful than you know, more illuminating than you assume, more transformative than you imagine. If you are weak-kneed or faint of heart, drop it and run. If you’re happily complacent or content to live on autopilot, turn back now. Because this book will change the way you see everything. The Sacred Enneagram is not a just book about an ancient personality framework with a funny name. It is a roadmap to self-understanding written by one of the great spiritual practitioners of my generation. Read it now and you can thank me later. * –Jonathan Merritt, contributing writer for The Atlantic and author of Learning to Speak God from Scratch *The gentleness of Chris’s tone mixed with the truth in these pages makes this book unavoidable for anyone who not only cares about their own mental and spiritual well-being but also wants to see others flourish. * –Propaganda, spoken word poet and activist *The Sacred Enneagram beautifully integrates the journey of self-discovery with guidelines that are simultaneously seasoned and filled with childlike wonder, personal and inviting. Instead of wandering around a hall of mirrors that most self-discovery texts build, The Sacred Enneagram walks with you through holy ground and fills you with love and life that ultimately pours out and must be shared. * –Alex Hwang, vocalist of Run River North *The Sacred Enneagram is a fascinating exploration into our inherent and undiscovered gifts of humanity. Learning about the Enneagram has awakened my understanding of Self in connection to God, my reactive tendencies in leadership, and hopeful opportunities for growth, discernment and spiritual formation. Learning about the Enneagram has expanded my heart’s capacity for compassion---toward those I fail to understand and especially toward myself. * –Nikole Lim, Cofounder and International Director, Freely in Hope *The Sacred Enneagram is a groundbreaking contribution to the Enneagram community, providing unique spiritual growth insights for all nine types. If you’re not yet convinced of the value, depth, and accuracy of the Enneagram, Chris demystifies and makes this ancient wisdom more accessible than ever. * –George Mekhail, pastor, The Riverside Church NYC *Through years of careful research and mindful study, Chris uses the Enneagram to illuminate the best and the worst of us and shine a light down the path to our truest selves. The Sacred Enneagram will find you when you need to be found. * –Orenda Fink, singer-songwriter *Understanding the Enneagram is not just an exercise in secular self-discovery but a journey toward living out rhythms of rest and reflection that will lead to deep spiritual growth. By grounding the Enneagram in the core truth of Scripture’s teachings about ourselves and God, this book helps us live into the full promise of who God created us to be, with impact on the communities and places God has called us to serve. I applaud Chris for doing the hard work of grounding an age-old practice into such practical and wise applications for those of us who seek to honor God in all of who we are and all of what we do. * –Jenny Yang, Vice President of Advocacy and Policy, World Relief *

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Book SynopsisA Student’s Vocabulary for Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic has been a standard resource for students of Hebrew and Aramaic for over 30 years. This new edition has updated formatting and transliterations to be more useful for students in vocabulary acquisition. The book provides vocabulary lists of Hebrew words appearing ten times or more in the Hebrew Bible. A separate section contains all Aramaic words appearing in the Hebrew Bible. The lists are arranged according to word frequency, allowing students to pay special attention to the words they will encounter most often when reading and translating. Complete alphabetical indices of all Hebrew and Aramaic terms in the book are included to make it more user-friendly for students.The vocabulary lists provide: The basic meaning of each word Syllabification in transliteration Key information about the word’s part of speech The number of times each word appears in the Hebrew Bible This resource is a proven and effective tool to aid students in Hebrew and Aramaic vocabulary acquisition.

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Book SynopsisIn this wide-ranging text, Ronald Rolheiser gives information and practical advice on how to build a spi rituality for today and for the next century. He also explai ns what Christian spirituality is and why we struggle with it.

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Book SynopsisThe Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.Overview of Commentary Organization Introduction—covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology. Each section of the commentary includes: Pericope Bibliography—a helpful resource containing the mos

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Book SynopsisThis elegant large print Bible edition honors the beauty and richness of the New King James Version.

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Book SynopsisThe NIV Application Commentary helps readers with the vital task of bringing the ancient message of the Bible into a contemporary context. It gives preachers and teachers the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God’s Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.Trade Review“At a time when many pastors are deeply in need of inspiration and encouragement, these volumes… would be a good investment for congregations, even if it means adding a line to the annual budget.” * Christianity Today *“Here at last is a commentary which is not only academically well informed but which helps that commentary reader hear God’s Word and consider its implications; scholarship in service of the Church.” * Arthur Rowe, Spurgeon’s College *“If you want to avoid hanging applicational elephants from interpretational threads, then the NIV Application Commentary is for you! This series excels at both original meaning and contemporary significance. I support it one hundred percent.” * Howard G. Hendricks, Dallas Theological Seminary *“It is encouraging to find a commentary that is not only biblically trustworthy but also contemporary in its application. The NIV Application Commentary series will prove to be a helpful tool in the pastor’s sermon preparation. I use it and recommend it.” * Charles F. Stanley, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Atlanta *“It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application. Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we’ve missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing ‘doers of the Word.’” * Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Valley Community Church *“The NIV Application Commentary builds bridges that make the Bible come alive with meaning for contemporary life--and the series do so concisely, clearly, and accurately. No wasted words or academic detours--just solid help and practical truth.” * Warren W. Weirsbe *“The NIV Application Commentary dares to go where few scholars have gone before---into the real world of biblical application faced by pastor and teachers every day. This is everything a good commentary series should be.” * Leith Anderson, Pastor, Wooddale Church *“The NIV Application Commentary is a magnificent gift to the church!” * Dr. R. Kent Hughes, Pastor, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois *“The NIV Application Commentary meets the urgent need for an exhaustive and authoritative commentary based on the New International Version. This series will soon be found in libraries and studies throughout the entire evangelical community.” * Dr. James Kennedy, PhD, Senior Minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church *“The NIV Application Commentary series doesn’t fool around: It gets right down to business, bringing this ancient and powerful Word of God into the present so that it can be heard and delivered with all the freshness of a new day, with all the immediacy of a friend’s embrace.” * Eugene Peterson *“The NIV Application Commentary series helps pastors and other Bible teachers with one of the most neglected elements of good preaching---accurate, useful application. Most commentaries tell you a few things that are helpful and much that you do not need to know. By dealing with the original meaning and contemporary significance of each passage, the NIV Application Commentary series promises to be helpful all the way around.” * Dr. James Montgomery Boice, Tenth Presbyterian Church *“The NIV Application Commentary series promises to be of great service to all who preach and teach the Word of God.” * J. I. Packer, Regent College *“The NIV Application Commentary series will be a great help for readers who want to understand what the Bible means, how it applies, and what they should do in response.” * Stuart Briscoe, Pastor, Elmbrook Church *“This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible’s timeless message speak to this generation.” * Billy Graham *“This is the pulpit commentary for the 21st Century” * George K. Brushaber, President, Bethel College & Seminary *

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Book SynopsisIn the The Misunderstood Jew, scholar Amy-Jill Levine helps Christians and Jews understand the Jewishness of Jesus so that their appreciation of him deepens and a greater interfaith dialogue can take place. Levine''s humor and informed truth-telling provokes honest conversation and debate about how Christians and Jews should understand Jesus, the New Testament, and each other.

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Book SynopsisSir Anthony Kenny continues his magisterial new history of Western philosophy with a fascinating guide through more than a millennium of thought from 400 AD onwards, charting the story of philosophy from the founders of Christian and Islamic thought through to the Renaissance.The middle ages saw a great flourishing of philosophy, and the intellectual endeavour of the era reaches its climax in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, with the systems of the great schoolmen such as Thomas Aquinas and John Duns Scotus. Specially written for a broad popular readership, but serious and deep enough to offer a genuine understanding of the great philosophers, Kenny''s lucid and stimulating history will become the definitive work for anyone interested in the people and ideas that shaped the course of Western thought.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This wonderful book . . . is not only an authoritative guide to the history of philosophy but also a compelling introduction to every major area of philosophical inquiry. . . . Kennys prose is exceptionally clear . . . He conveys his rich subject matter with a light touch of which only the greatest of writers are capable. . . . This, combined with his breadth and depth of learning and philosophical sophistication, make reading this book hugely rewarding. It is also worth mentioning that the book is beautifully illustrated . . . One is left eager for subsequent volumes and convinced that the intellectual cosmos is, indeed, boundlessly rich. * James Ladyman, Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of ContentsMap; Introduction; 1. Philosophy and Faith: Augustine to Maimonides; 2. The Schoolmen: From the Twelfth Century to the Renaissance; 3. Logic and Language; 4. Knowledge; 5. Physics; 6. Metaphysics; 7. Mind and Soul; 8. Ethics; 9. God; Chronology

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Book SynopsisGeza Vermes was born in Hungary in 1924. From 1957 to 1991 he taught in at the Universities of Newcastle and Oxford. Professor Vermes is the author of The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English (1997) and The Changing Faces of Jesus (2000). He lives in Oxford.

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Book SynopsisA beautifully written, evocative exploration of the Celtic concept of 'sacred space'Trade Review“One of the most talented spiritual writers.” * The Tablet *

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Book SynopsisSpurgeon was one of the most effective evangelists of all time. Under his ministry Victorian London saw revival on a scale never seen since. Yet Spurgeon would be the first to point your finger away from himself to the true author of repentance and reformation - he realised that without God at work, he could do nothing. Here is a collection of his lectures and talks to take people away from human inspired gimmickry and slavish mimicry to think through for themselves how to enable God to work in their lives and ministry.Trade Review". . . full of the pith, humour and wisdom one expects of Spurgeon . . . it was to God that Spurgeon looked and expected blessing and that he received it . . . It is heartening to read of the joys and problems associated with the preaching of the Gospel . . . he had the ability to go to the heart of matters . . . This is a book to relish and enjoy, and then to apply, under the earnest seeking for the blessing of God, to today's world." -- Rev J F Dunn, English Churchman

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The Blue Parakeet is author Scot McKnight’s compelling statement of how to read the Bible in a new evangelical generation. In reexamining the Bible, McKnight provides an exciting “New Way” that appeals to the millions in today’s church who long to be authentic Christians but don’t consider themselves theologically conservative or liberal.

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Book SynopsisDespite predictions of continuing secularisation, the twenty-first century has witnessed a surge of religious extremism and violence in the name of God.In this powerful and timely book, Jonathan Sacks explores the roots of violence and its relationship to religion, focusing on the historic tensions between the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.Drawing on arguments from evolutionary psychology, game theory, history, philosophy, ethics and theology, Sacks shows how a tendency to violence can subvert even the most compassionate of religions. Through a close reading of key biblical texts at the heart of the Abrahamic faiths, Sacks then challenges those who claim that religion is intrinsically a cause of violence, and argues that theology must become part of the solution if it is not to remain at the heart of the problem.This book is a rebuke to all those who kill in the name of the God of life, wage war in the name of the God of peace, hate Trade ReviewThe former Chief Rabbi, Lord (Jonathan) Sacks, is one of the most interesting thinkers, writers and speakers about today. His interventions into the public debate rarely fail to encourage thought, knowledge and indeed wisdom. I suspect that this latest book will contribute a significant amount to the ferocious debates around religion and violence in our world today. There is a huge amount in the new book, including much to find agreement with as well as some things I am sure some readers will want to push back on. -- Douglas Murray * The Spectator *Rabbi Sacks has eloquently set out the theological case for confronting religious violence in his book Not in God's Name. * Standpoint Magazine *Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's Not in God's Name is a masterpiece that should be read by all of us. The book is an essential and brilliant dissertation. * Jewish Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisGrounded in Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner's time-tested research, this book offers practical guidance and inspiring examples of how Christian leaders can have a powerful impact in their workplaces, communities, and congregations by bringing their faith into their leadership.Table of ContentsForeword ixJohn C. Maxwell 1 Leadership is Everyone’s Business 1James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner 2 The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership 7James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner Part 1 Model the Way 3 Reflections on Model the Way 41John C. Maxwell Part 2 Inspire a Shared Vision 4 Reflections on Inspire a Shared Vision 55David McAllister-Wilson Part 3 Challenge the Process 5 Reflections on Challenge the Process 71Patrick Lencioni Part 4 Enable Others to Act 6 Reflections on Enable Others to Act 85Nancy Ortberg Part 5 Encourage the Heart 7 Reflections on Encourage the Heart 101Ken Blanchard Final Reflections 8 Leadership is a Relationship 119James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner Notes 127 Selected Readings on Leadership 131 Acknowledgments 135 About the Authors 139 Index 145

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Book SynopsisTen fascinating bite–sized biographies of the Christians people expect you to know. While Christians have always prized the Bible as our ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice, we also recognize that the Christian life is an intergenerational and communal activity. This collection of ten short biographies will introduce you to Christians from a variety of places and times, who all boldly preached the gospel, despite the risk to personal reputations and safety. How short–sighted it would be not to glean insights from our ancestors, whether that entails learning how to walk in their steps – or else avoiding their missteps. Written by Ian Maddock, Rachel Ciano and Stuart Colton, who all teach church history and edited by Ian Maddock. Each chapter has suggested further reading, and additional suggestions ‘for the adventurous’. Chapter Headings: 1. Athanasius: Against the World 2. Augustine: The Grace of God Defeated Me 3. Anselm: Faith Seeking Understanding 4. Martin Luther: Here I Stand 5. Thomas Cranmer: Lord Jesus, Receive My Spirit 6. Richard Baxter: Keep These Hearts Above 7. John Wesley: A Brand Plucked from the Burning 8. Hudson Taylor: These I Must Bring Also 9. Spurgeon: Preaching, Prayer and Perseverance 10. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship This book is ideal for anyone wanting a biref, entertaing and illuminating overview of the lives and beliefs of these ten giants of Christian history.Trade Review… the lives, thinking and impact of ten of the most important ‘dead guys’ have been brought to life. Famous names become interesting characters and big ideas are explained simply and clearly in a way that shows why they are still important today. -- Clare Heath–Whyte (Speaker and author of several books, including ‘Everyone a Child Should Know’ and ‘First Wives’ Club’)I warmly commend this page–turner, not least as an appetizer which will encourage you to delve more deeply into various aspects of Church (including missionary) history across the centuries. May these sketches challenge, perhaps correct, yet also motivate you to emulate significant aspects of these examples of committed, costly Christian discipleship. -- Hector Morrison (Principal, Highland Theological College, Dingwall)Each snapshot combines a brief biographical presentation with important lessons for the church to learn about obedience, faith, holiness, perseverance, courage, and mission. If readers are not familiar with these ten towering figures from the past, this book will bring them alive for today! -- Gregg R. Allison (Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)… an excellent read to stir the passion for Church history and to encourage the development of a historical awareness for our faith. -- Leonardo De Chirico (Church planter in central Rome)This insightful collection of ten Christian leaders from different times and places reveal that knowing the past can be both liberating and illuminating. Maddock, Coulton, and Ciano ably demonstrate how earlier theologians, pastors, martyrs, and missionaries sought to live out the gospel and challenge contemporary readers to be faithful disciples of Jesus as well. This welcome introduction is well–researched, reflective, warm–hearted, and witty. -- Tom Schwanda (Associate professor Emeritus, Christian Formation and Ministry, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois)

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