Religious social and pastoral thought and activity Books

Book SynopsisThis volume explores the connections between our own birth, the experience of having children, and the new birth of the Christian life. Seasoned pastor James Howell offers theological perspectives on a variety of themes associated with birth, such as who we are in light of having once lived in utero, why people might have children, infertility, adoption, baptism, and how to make sense of it all in light of God coming to us first in Mary's womb and then as an infant. The book includes paintings, photos, and drawings. About the Series Pastors are called to help people navigate the profound mysteries of being human, from birth to death and everything in between. This series, edited by leading pastoral theologian Jason Byassee, provides pastors and pastors-in-training with rich theological reflection on the various seasons that make up a human life, helping them minister with greater wisdom and joy.Table of ContentsContents Series Preface Introduction Part 1: Our Mysterious Beginning 1. In My Mother's Womb 2. My Birthday 3. Unchosenness and Being Chosen Part 2: Jesus's Birth and Early Life 4. Mary, Mother of Our Lord 5. The Birth of Jesus 6. Jesus's First Days Part 3: The Complexities of Conception and Raising Children 7. Why Have Children? 8. Having Children 9. The First Days after Birth 10. Infertility and Medicine 11. When Medicine Fails Part 4: Our New Birth 12. Adoption 13. Remember Your Baptism 14. You Must Be Born Again Epilogue Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis"A rare and wonderful theological book that turns something ordinary--being a friend--into an expression of God's greatness."--Jeremiah Rood, Foreword (starred review) In this vibrant theological reflection on the meaning of friendship, experienced pastor and leading Christian ethicist Victor Lee Austin argues that friendship is the medium through which God shares grace with his creatures. Mixing personal reflection and theological commentary, Austin provides a fresh reading of classical writers and biblical texts; shows how a robust theology of friendship addresses contemporary controversies in the areas of marriage, celibacy, and homosexuality; and draws on cultural examples of the desire for true friendship. Ultimately, Austin helps readers understand the strange yet real possibility of friendship with God. About the Series Pastors are called to help people navigate the profound mysteries of being human, from birth to death and everything in between. This series, edited by leading pastoral theologian Jason Byassee, provides pastors and pastors-in-training with rich theological reflection on the various seasons that make up a human life, helping them minister with greater wisdom and joy.Table of ContentsContentsSeries PrefaceInvocationIntroduction: An Invitation to Friendship1. The Limits of Marriage2. The Confusions of Friendship3. Friendship as Success at Being Human4. Friendship and Beauty5. The Weirdness of Divine Love6. Biblical Friendships7. Christian Friendship and Christian Love8. Unapologetic Celibacy9. Is There Friendship in the Trinity?10. Examples of Friendship11. All Together NowPostscript: Concrete Practices

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is the role of culture in human experience? This concise yet solid introduction to cultural anthropology helps readers explore and understand this crucial issue from a Christian perspective. Now revised and updated throughout, this new edition of a successful textbook covers standard cultural anthropology topics with special attention given to cultural relativism, evolution, and missions. It also includes a new chapter on medical anthropology. Plentiful figures, photos, and sidebars are sprinkled throughout the text, and updated ancillary support materials and teaching aids are available through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources.Table of ContentsContents 1. The Discipline of Anthropology 2. Culture 3. Language 4. Social Structure and Inequality in Race, Ethnicity, and Class 5. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality 6. Economics 7. Authority and Power 8. Kinship and Marriage 9. Religion and Ritual 10. Medical Anthropology 11. Theory in Cultural Anthropology 12. Anthropology in Action Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA veteran Baptist pastor and ministry professor offers a distinctive free church vision for pastoral leadership, attending to voices from the past four centuries as they speak about the practice of ministry. The book contains theological reflection on current ministry issues among Baptists based on biblical and historical foundations and reflects a diversity of Baptist life across time and around the world, including many different voices. Each chapter contains reflection questions to help readers consider the implications of Baptist thinking.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Becoming a Pastor1. Pastoral Identity: The Shepherd and the Flock2. The Call to Ministry: More Than a Job3. Ordination: Set Apart to Serve4. Women in Ministry: Your Daughters Shall ProphesyPart 2: Proclamation: Pastor as Prophet5. The Preaching Ministry: Fire in My Bones6. Witness to the World: Sent to ProclaimPart 3: Care: Pastor as Priest7. Worship and the Ordinances: Directing Attention to God8. Pastoral Care: Tending the Flock9. Spiritual Formation: Teaching Them to Obey All That I Have CommandedPart 4: Leadership: Pastor as Servant10. Pastoral Authority: Serving Something Larger11. The Equipping Leader: Sharing Ministry12. Dreaming of the Future: Offering HopeConclusionAppendix: A Baptist Who's WhoIndexes

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe live in a world of oppositional relationships and increasing in-group/out-group divisions. Christian sociologist Matthew Vos explains how the problem of the stranger lies at the root of many problems humanity faces, such as racism, sexism, and nationalism. He applies classic sociological theory on "the stranger" to matters of faith and social justice, showing that an identity in Christ frees us to love strangers as neighbors and friends. The book also includes two guest chapters, one on intersex persons and the church and one on stranger-making in the "correctional" system.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Strangers among UsPart 1: Strangers and Scapegoats in Sociological Perspective1. Constructing Identity: The Self, the Social, and the Stranger2. A Stranger World: In-groups, Out-groups, and the Space Between 3. No More Scapegoats: A Stranger TheologyPart 2: Strangers on the Margins4. Strangers in the Pew: Girls and Symbolic Exclusion5. From Stranger to Neighbor: Intersex Persons and the Churchby Val Hiebert, Providence University College6. Strangers at the Borders: Immigrants and the Heart of the Gospel Message 7. Strangers behind Bars: Examining the System of Mass Incarcerationby Scott Monsma, Northwestern College8. Competing in Cedar: Nike, Superstar Athletes, and the Unseen Strangers Who Make Our ShoesPart 3: Inviting Strangers9. Challenging the Normal: The Strange(r) Reality of the Gospel10. Pursuing the Common Good: Three Stories of the NeighborIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlthough our planet faces numerous ecological crises, including climate change, many Christians continue to view their faith as primarily a "spiritual" matter that has little relationship to the world in which we live. But Steven Bouma-Prediger contends that protecting and restoring our planet is part and parcel of what it means to be a Christian. Making his case from Scripture, theology, and ethics and including insights from the global church, Bouma-Prediger explains why Christians must acknowledge their identity as earthkeepers and therefore embrace their calling to serve and protect their home planet and fellow creatures. To help readers put an "earthkeeping faith" into practice, he also suggests numerous practical steps that concerned believers can take to care for the planet. Bouma-Prediger unfolds a biblical vision of earthkeeping and challenges Christians to view care for the earth as an integral part of Christian discipleship.Table of Contents1. Overture: Why Read This BookBiblical Meditation: Water, Water Everywhere2. Beginning and Ending with Rivers and Trees: The Biblical Vision of EarthkeepingBiblical Meditation: God Remembers and the Earth Re-membered3. Humble Humans in a Holy World: Learning from Theology and EthicsBiblical Meditation: Lightning and Wind, Hawk and Vulture, Behemoth and Leviathan4. Ecumenical Insights: Wisdom from the Global ChurchBiblical Meditation: I Am the Good Shepherd5. Christian Faith in Action: Living What We BelieveBiblical Meditation: Peace Be with You6. Yearning for Shalom: Becoming Aching VisionariesIndexes

Read more less

Book SynopsisA must-read for every concerned American--and especially for every Christian who weeps at the graveside of his culture. --R.C. SproulA cataclysmic change has occurred as our culture has shifted toward belief in "Oneism."Every religion and philosophy fits into one of two basic worldviews: "Oneism" asserts that everything is essentially one, while "Twoism" affirms an irreducible distinction between creation and Creator. The Other Worldview exposes the pagan roots of Oneism, traces its spread throughout Western culture, and demonstrates its inability to save."For bodily holiness and transformed thinking . . . we depend entirely on one amazing thing: the incredibly powerful message of the Gospel to a sinful world, which is the ultimate expression and goal of Twoism. The only hope is in Christ alone."Trade ReviewThis is a key book for understanding the profound worldview shift in all the West (not just North America, but Latin America included). Peter Jones carefully analyzes its religious underpinnings and, in light of the Scriptures, demonstrates that there are only two choices. I highly recommend this work as the mature reflections of a scholar who has dedicated the last 20 years to this topic.--Rev. Bill Green, Executive Secretary, Confraternidad Latinoamericana de Iglesias Reformadas (CLIR), Costa RicaI have worked as a legal campaigner in Great Britain for two decades and witnessed the devastation of a politico-legal system that embraces Oneism and denies Twoism. There is a suppression of Christianity in the public sphere, robbing our nation of what is good for all. Peter Jones brilliantly explains how and why we are in such chaos, equipping us to speak and act relevantly in a culture steeped in old paganism.--Andrea Williams, Chief Executive, Christian Concern and Christian Legal Centre, London, EnglandDr. Peter Jones' new book is spot on! His historical, theological, and cultural analysis is of the highest caliber, inspiring both great concern for the Church of the 21st century and great hope. The Other Worldview is a must read for all Christian leaders who recognize and proclaim that God is the creator and we are his creation!--The Rt. Rev. Dr. Eric Vawter Menees, Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin, Fresno, CaliforniaMy good friend Peter Jones argues that the ills of modern culture stem from its denial of the biblical creator-creature distinction. Peter has made this case before, but here he presents his most substantial, detailed, and illuminating account of this modern consciousness, from ancient paganism and Gnosticism to such modern thinkers as Carl Jung. In the end Peter shows how the biblical gospel of salvation from sin in Christ provides the only adequate challenge to neo-pagan "Oneism," and the only way for us to know God as he really is.--Dr. John M. Frame, J. D. Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FloridaFor over two decades, Peter Jones's work has proven indispensable for any Christian who wants to understand how to reach the pagan West with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In The Other Worldview, he helps readers see that there really are only two options available for how we view reality: Christianity and everything else. With the rare and enviable gift of being able to make complex ideas accessible, Dr. Jones shows that the other worldview, in its varied expressions, cannot withstand intellectual scrutiny.--Rev. Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer, Senior Minister, Shiloh Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, North CarolinaThe velocity and intensity of the cultural death spiral is overwhelming, yet its inevitable trajectory is affirmed in Scripture. In The Other Worldview, Peter Jones, with careful Biblical analysis, unfolds the inevitable embrace of paganism and its assured dissipation--unless arrested by a God-exalting, Gospel proclamation of both common grace and redeeming grace displayed in word and deed.--Harry L. Reeder, Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AlabamaThe Christian faith's battles are sometimes described as "culture wars," but Peter Jones' new book shows them to be nothing less than a war of worldviews. Peter is spot on when he identifies the philosophia perennis as underlying the seductive paganisms, ancient and modern, Eastern and Western. The monism and pantheism inherent in such views fail to distinguish between the Creator and the creature, the One and the many.The Bible's worldview is quite distinct from the rest of the ancient East, and the contemporary West's entanglement with "Eastern spirituality" arises out of its rejection of the biblical paradigm. Atheistic secularism is under pressure from the innate human need for the spiritual--and this provides the opportunity for myriad spiritualities that justify any and every promiscuity under the guise of being "non-judgmental." Peter is absolutely right in his trenchant criticism of the desire to reconcile opposites and thus to obscure the difference between good and evil, right and wrong--even, perhaps especially, when this is done in the name of science.Today, we need both a critique of the unexamined assumptions of Western culture and a competent apologetic for the Christian analysis of the human condition in a universe continually dependent on its Creator, who cannot simply be identified with it. We are in Peter's debt for providing such a critique and apologetic in this book.--Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, President of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue (OXTRAD), and formerly Bishop of Rochester, EnglandIf the 21st century is looking more and more like the gnostic world of the first two centuries, we should be grateful that God has also provided another Irenaeus to go with it. Peter Jones has for decades been a prophetic voice, and here he puts his wealth of wisdom and insight into something of a magnum opus, an Against Heresies for our time--although he would rightly insist on the singular, "heresy," instead of its plural. The Other Worldview is a must-read that brilliantly explains why.--Dr. Brian Mattson, Senior Scholar of Public Theology, Center For Cultural Leadership, Coulterville, CaliforniaWhat Francis Schaeffer did for so many in the second half of the 20th century--that is, opening eyes to issues behind the issues, the deep worldview undercurrents that dehumanize and wreak havoc on culture--Peter Jones has done for us in the first half of the 21st century. The Other Worldview offers probing analysis of how Romans 1--the exchange of Creator for creation worship--has taken tragic shape in Western culture. Where many books focus on symptom-treating, Jones takes us to the disease and points us to the only possible remedy--the Gospel of Twoism.--Dr. Thaddeus Williams, Assistant Professor of Theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe goal of preaching is to let the powerful message of the Bible penetrate the lives of your congregation. A well-crafted sermon can help to bridge the gap between biblical context and contemporary application.In Excellent Preaching, Craig Bartholomew explains why we need to be acquainted with both the context of Scripture and the context in which we preach. Good contextualization is hard work, but Bartholomew shows that it can be done.Practical, accessible, and rooted in years of preaching experience, this short book helps preachers connect the message of the text to everyday life.Trade ReviewIn this masterful little book, Craig Bartholomew provides a view of preaching in which the preacher proclaims God's living and authoritative word in a manner appropriate to a specific cultural context. Along the way he teaches the reader how to view a biblical text within the context of the whole biblical narrative, preach it in a way that draws hearers closer to God and at the same time sends them out into the world, and apply it to the prevalent idolatries of our time.--Bruce Riley AshfordBartholomew's thoughts on preaching should be read by every preacher. Our congregation is richly blessed when he opens God's word to us. His singular focus on the glory of Christ in all of scripture has been inspiring to me in our friendship and partnership in preaching the gospel. This book challenges us to take our task seriously, offering practical guidance and instruction for every preacher from the recently ordained and to the seasoned pastor.--The Rev R.D. Glenn, Rector (Senior Pastor) St. George's Anglican Church, BurlingtonIn this serious and, at times, deeply challenging book Craig Bartholomew brings together many of his passions: the Bible as the story of the world, the richness of Christian spirituality, the best of Reformed theology, hermeneutics and Christian philosophy. All these are put to work on the place of preaching in the life of the Church. Flying a plane works as a powerful metaphor for this foundational task and reminds us of the most important thing in the life of a believer: arriving at the destination of God himself ... an awesome, intimate, personal and transforming encounter. Such is the accumulated Christian wisdom of Bartholomew's own life of discipleship that almost every page of this small book is full of good things, things that invite us into deeper fellowship with the Trinity. I recommend this carefully distilled wisdom without hesitation to every person who is engaged in the preaching ministry.--Rev Dr William Olhausen, Church of Ireland priest and theological adviser to the Archbishop of DublinStanding in the tradition of John Stott, with his passion for preaching that was both faithful to the biblical text and relevantly applied to the contemporary context, Craig Bartholomew argues persuasively and passionately for a revival of exactly that quality of preaching in today's church. In a short space he combines deep biblical scholarship with acute cultural analysis. Pastors who long to be effective in their primary calling - to preach the Word of God - will find encouragement, vindication and ongoing challenge in this book.--Christopher J.H. Wright, Langham Partnership

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis provocative and timely primer on the just war tradition connects just war to the concrete practices and challenges of the Christian life. Daniel Bell explains that the point is not simply to know the just war tradition but to live it even in the face of the tremendous difficulties associated with war. He shows how just war practice, if it is to be understood as a faithful form of Christian discipleship, must be rooted in and shaped by the fundamental convictions and confessions of the faith. The book includes a foreword by an Army chaplain who has served in Iraq and study questions for group use.Table of ContentsForeword: Chaplain Lt. Col. Scott A. SterlingIntroduction: Living Faithfully in a Time of War 1. Love and Evil in the Christian Life: The Emergence of Just War2. Can War Be Just? A Brief History of Just War3. Two Just War Traditions: Presuppositions and Presumptions4: Who's in Charge? Legitimate Authority5. Why Fight? Just Cause6. Why Fight? Right Intent7. When Fight? Last Resort and Reasonable Chance of Success8. How Fight? Discrimination and ProportionalityConclusion: Spirituality and Just War Appendix: Two Just War Traditions

Read more less

Book SynopsisCelebrated Theologian Offers Wisdom for Civic Engagement Christian citizens have a responsibility to make political and ethical judgments in light of their faith and to participate in the public lives of their communities--from their local neighborhoods to the national scene. But it can be difficult to discern who to vote for, which policies to support, and how to respond to the social and cultural trends of our time. This nonpartisan handbook offers Christians practical guidance for thinking through complicated public issues and faithfully following Jesus as citizens of their countries. The book focuses on enduring Christian commitments that should guide readers in their judgments and encourages legitimate debate among Christians over how to live out core values. The book also includes lists of resources for further reflection in each chapter and "room for debate" questions to consider.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Commitments1. Christ the Center and Norm2. Christ, the Spirit, and Flourishing3. Reading in ContextsPart 2: Convictions4. Wealth5. The Environment6. Education7. Work and Rest8. Poverty9. Borrowing and Lending10. Marriage and Family11. New Life12. Health and Sickness13. Aging Life14. Ending Life15. Migration16. Policing17. Punishment18. War19. Torture20. Freedom of Religion (and Irreligion)Part 3: Character21. Courage22. Humility23. Justice24. Respect25. CompassionAfterwordIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith so many people around the globe migrating, how should Christians and the church respond? Leading Latino-American biblical scholar M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas) helps readers understand what the Bible says about immigration, offering accessible, nuanced, and sympathetic guidance for the church. After two successful editions of Christians at the Border, and having talked and written about immigration over the past decade, Carroll has sharpened his focus and refined his argument to make sure we hear clearly what the Bible says about one of the most pressing issues of our day. He has reworked the biblical material, adding insights and broadening the frame of reference beyond the US. As Carroll explores the surprising amount of material in the Old and New Testaments that deals with migration, he shows how this topic is fundamental to the message of the Bible and how it affects our understanding of God and the mission of the church.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. "My Father Was a Wandering Aramean": Stories of Migration in the Old TestamentThe Image of GodExperiences of the People of GodConclusion2. "You Are to Love Those Who Are Foreigners": Old Testament Law and the SojournerHospitality in the Ancient WorldLegislation concerning the SojournerConclusion3. Entertaining Angels Unawares: Hospitality for the Stranger in the New TestamentLearning from JesusChristians as SojournersThe Call to HospitalityWhat about Romans 13?ConclusionEpilogue: The Scriptures and the FutureIndexes

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Readers looking for ways to get involved in their communities will find plenty to motivate them in Krinks's personal testament." --Publishers Weekly At age twenty, Lindsey Krinks thought she had her life figured out. But a devastating injury and an unexpected encounter with a homeless organizing group disrupted her plans and opened her eyes to the immense suffering and injustice around her. Awakened to a fierce pursuit of justice and a faith that called her to "pray with her feet," Krinks plunged into the underside of American society, where she found both staggering loss and astounding love. As a street chaplain, activist, and cofounder of Open Table Nashville, Krinks takes us on an unforgettable spiritual journey to tent cities, alleys, slums, and the front lines of movements for justice. Praying with Our Feet challenges preconceptions about people who live on the streets, calling us to move from charity to justice and to get our hands dirty in the struggle for a better world. Readers who are dismayed by the world's suffering but don't know where to start will find much inspiration in this intimate and moving book. Includes end-of-book discussion questions for each chapter.Table of ContentsContentsAuthor's NotePrologue1. Upstream2. Descent3. Broken Soil4. Downhill5. Burning Hearts6. Wilderness7. Emergence8. Accompaniment9. Wick10. Tending Wounds11. Another WorldEpilogueDiscussion Guide

Read more less

Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2022 Book Award Winner (Politics & Public Life) Outreach 2022 Resource of the Year (Social Issues and Justice) Foreword INDIES 2021 Finalist for Religion "Kwon and Thompson's eloquent reasoning will help Christians broaden their understanding of the contemporary conversation over reparations."--Publishers Weekly "A thoughtful approach to a vital topic."--Library Journal Christians are awakening to the legacy of racism in America like never before. While public conversations regarding the realities of racial division and inequalities have surged in recent years, so has the public outcry to work toward the long-awaited healing of these wounds. But American Christianity, with its tendency to view the ministry of reconciliation as its sole response to racial injustice, and its isolation from those who labor most diligently to address these things, is underequipped to offer solutions. Because of this, the church needs a new perspective on its responsibility for the deep racial brokenness at the heart of American culture and on what it can do to repair that brokenness. This book makes a compelling historical and theological case for the church's obligation to provide reparations for the oppression of African Americans. Duke Kwon and Gregory Thompson articulate the church's responsibility for its promotion and preservation of white supremacy throughout history, investigate the Bible's call to repair our racial brokenness, and offer a vision for the work of reparation at the local level. They lead readers toward a moral imagination that views reparations as a long-overdue and necessary step in our collective journey toward healing and wholeness. Christians are awakening to the legacy of racism in America like never before. Reparations explores the church's responsibility for the deep racial brokenness at the heart of American culture, investigates the Bible's call to repair it, and offers a vision for the work of reparation at the local level. The authors lead readers toward a moral imagination that views reparations as a long-overdue and necessary step in our collective journey toward healing and wholeness. This book won a Christianity Today 2022 Book Award (Politics & Public Life) and an Outreach 2022 Resource of the Year Award (Social Issues and Justice). It was also a Foreword INDIES 2021 Finalist for Religion. "Kwon and Thompson's eloquent reasoning will help Christians broaden their understanding of the contemporary conversation over reparations."--Publishers WeeklyTable of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Generations without Recompense 1. The Call to See2. Seeing the Reality of White Supremacy3. Seeing the Effect of White Supremacy4. The Call to Own5. Owning the Ethic of Restitution6. Owning the Ethic of Restoration7. The Call to RepairEpilogueIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisResearch tells us that when most people suffer from a mental health crisis, the first person they turn to for help is not a physician, a psychiatrist, or a social worker, but a pastor, a priest, or a minister. In other words, a leader in their church. Unfortunately, many church leaders are not trained to recognize mental illness and don’t know when to refer someone to a mental health professional. The consequence—unintended yet tragic—is continued and unnecessary suffering.Madness and Grace is a comprehensive guide for church ministry to alleviate this situation. Written by Dr. Matthew Stanford, the book is carefully constructed to help build competency in detecting a wide spectrum of mental disorders, such as knowing when a person is contemplating suicide based on telltale patterns of speech. It also explodes common discriminatory myths that stigmatize people with mental illness, such as the myth that they are more prone to violence than others. Dr. Stanford has treated clients throughout his career who were afflicted with all manner of mental disorders. In Madness and Grace, he takes the full extent of his experience and makes it accessible and actionable for the lay reader. He begins by explaining what constitutes a mental illness and how these disorders are classified according to science. He next teaches how to notice the presence of a mental illness by listening carefully to phraseology, observing behavior, and asking discerning questions. He goes on to discuss methods of treatment, common religious concerns about mental health, and ways church communities can support people on the road to recovery. As a Christian, Dr. Stanford wants his fellow believers to know that acknowledging and seeking help for a mental illness is not a sign of weak faith. That’s why, in addition to sharing his medical expertise with church leaders, he commends pertinent biblical passages that underscore God’s concern for our mental wellbeing. These passages provide strength and comfort as complements to clinically-derived treatment and are essential to Dr. Stanford’s approach. “When working with those in severe psychological distress,” he writes, “compassion and grace are always the first line of pastoral care.”Trade Review“This book is recommended for all who are involved in providing pastoral care. Those already familiar with issues of behavioral health will still find information to glean. Those without previous exposure or education in behavioral health will gain a treasure-trove of knowledge. Finally, all readers will further appreciate their role in being part of the care network for those suffering at any point in the mental health spectrum.”—Sharing the Practice "Practical and balanced, Madness Grace is one that should be of considerable value to anyone involved in ministry or pastoral care who's looking for some guidance on how to respond to the issue of mental health."—Sight Magazine “In Madness and Grace, Dr. Stanford brings together the richness of his academic career and his commitment to the Christian faith to give us a thorough presentation of the mental health issues encountered by women and men in church ministries. With clarity and compassion, he guides us in how to respond to those who suffer with mental illness, as well as their families. This book should be a ‘must read’ for women and men preparing for ministry.” —Nancy C. Kehoe, RSCJ, PhD, author of Wrestling with Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness"Upon finishing Dr. Stanford's outstanding work, Madness and Grace, one of the first words that came to mind was 'FINALLY!' For years, like many of my clergy friends, I have sought a comprehensive and thorough resource to deal with those who walk in my door seeking help, release, and support for various forms of behavioral, emotional, and mental illness. Dr. Stanford's book provides the end to that search. He shows faith leaders how they can, in fact, be the open arms of God, by revealing how faith communities can work with trained professionals in a way that puts flesh on the welcoming words, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ Within these pages, the reader will gain the knowledge and know-how to provide a framework of care and treatment for the one in five who suffer with some form of mental illness.” —The Reverend Dr. Russell Jones Levenson, Jr., MStJ., Rector, Saint Martin's Episcopal Church, and Sub-Prelate, the Priory of the USA of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem“Mental illness continues to escalate in North America at alarming rates. For pastors and other Christ-followers who want to help mentally ill family, friends, and neighbors—and ‘to do no harm’— allow me to commend this book by my friend Dr. Matthew S. Stanford. Madness and Grace is a rich resource for clergy and congregations who wish to serve the mentally ill looking to the Church for help and hope. One’s training for ministry to the mentally ill may not end here, but I do not know of a better place to begin. I am grateful for and have benefited from this timely work and firmly believe that it will do much good for many.” —Todd D. Still, PhD, The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean The William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures, George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University“When it comes to mental illness in America, too many people fail to get the help they need too much of the time. In Madness and Grace, Dr. Matthew Stanford notes how this is a divine opportunity for the church. There’s a problem, however, in that clergy lack the training to help with mental illness. When do I refer someone? How can I tell if this person is mentally ill? What should I do if someone seems suicidal? These are the kinds of questions pastors and others in local churches ask. In this fine book, Dr. Stanford addresses these issues and teaches church leadership how to work with professionals to care for those with mental health issues. With biblical content, real-life examples, and accessible resources, Dr. Stanford offers the church a vital contribution. We can do more; Madness and Grace shows a way forward.” —Ed Stetzer, professor and dean, Wheaton College“As mental health finally gains in people’s awareness as a serious area of concern, here is a book that every Christian leader across the country ought to have close at hand. With a combination of clinical expertise, Christian mercy, and clear prose, Dr. Matthew Stanford walks us through the various ways that mental illness can afflict the people in our spiritual care. Not only does he present the nature of the most common disorders, we also learn to notice the red flag behaviors and indicative speech patterns that tell us when to refer to a mental health professional. Madness and Grace is a wise and compassionate resource that can help bring healing to countless numbers of people within the church. I highly recommend it to you!” —Dr. Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan we know anything about God apart from the Bible? Many Protestant Christians are suspicious of natural theology, which claims that we can learn about God through revelation outside the Bible. How can we know anything about God apart from Scripture? In Nature's Case for God, distinguished theologian John Frame argues that Christians are not forbidden from seeking to learn about God from his creation. In fact, the Bible itself shows this to be possible. In nine short and lucid chapters that include questions for discussion, Frame shows us what we can learn about God and how we relate to him from the world outside the Bible. If the heavens really do declare the glory of God, as the psalmist claims, it makes a huge difference for how we understand God and how we introduce him to those who don't yet know Christ.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe foundation of discipleship is sound, scriptural doctrine. The value of sound doctrine is often misunderstood by the modern church. While it can be dry and dull, when it flows from the story of Scripture, it can be full of life and love. This kind of doctrine, steeped in Scripture, is critical for disciple-making. And it's often overlooked by modern pastors. In Hearers and Doers, Kevin Vanhoozer makes the case that pastors, as pastor-theologians, ought to interpret Scripture theologically to articulate doctrine and help cultivate disciples. scriptural doctrine is vital to the life of the church, and local pastor-theologians should be the ones delivering it to their communities. With arresting prose and striking metaphors, Vanhoozer addresses the most pressing problems in the modern church with one answer: teach sound, scriptural doctrine to make disciples.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA field guide for teaching homiletics. There is a difference between knowing how to preach and knowing how to communicate that knowledge to others. Drawing from the wells of pedagogy and theology, Training Preachers shows teachers of homiletics how to educate preachers to skillfully and effectively present God's word to their congregations. Training Preachers presents the classroom-tested insights of several seasoned homiletics professors whose goal is to share their knowledge with preaching instructors ranging from novices to veterans. Expertly edited by Scott M. Gibson, this is a textbook on teaching preaching that is informed by Christian theology as well as cutting-edge pedagogical practices. The book enables those who teach preaching to holistically prepare to teach this subject to groups, conference gatherings, and classes in Bible colleges and seminaries.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume is a collection of some of the best of the hundreds of Preaching Points that the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has produced. Preaching Points is a weekly podcast on iTunes U that features conversations on preaching by Haddon Robinson, Jeffrey Arthurs, Matthew Kim, and Patricia Batten—all members of the preaching faculty of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton campus. This book offers diverse topics based upon on how they relate to preaching—the preacher's spiritual life, the way to preach, the way to live life as preachers, their role as a preacher, considerations for listeners, and so forth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat can the Church learn from the business world? You're a leader of a ministry, nonprofit, or church. You trained to be a faithful counselor, preacher, interpreter of God's Word—so why do you find yourself spending so much energy on administration tasks that threaten to drain your time, energy, and joy? Look to this book for the coaching you needed, yesterday. Written from years of ministry and business experience, Business for Ministry is built on a solid foundation of business principles but—unlike many business books—in a straightforward style that anyone can grasp. You'll learn how to: Communicate vision and strategize with a team Steward resources well (yes, including budgeting) Prioritize goals, wisely make decisions, and evaluate outcomes based on vision and data Leverage the existing talents of men and women at your church, many of whom don't fit in "traditional" ministry roles This field guide to building a holistic, sustainable system for your church will both help you address the business needs of your church and free your leaders to serve, fully and joyfully.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisShare your faith and keep your friends. You want your non--believing friends to be brothers and sisters in Christ. But how do you talk about Jesus without driving them away? When do you talk? When do you stay quiet? In How Do We Talk with Skeptics?, Sam Chan shows you how to walk the tightrope by offering ten wise tips to keep the balance right. Listen well. Speak persuasively. Learn hospitality. Gently reveal the holes in your friend's worldview. Gain wisdom on when to speak and when to listen. With Chan's help, you can keep your friends while being a faithful witness for Christ. The Questions for Restless Minds series applies God's word to today's issues. Each short book faces tough questions honestly and clearly, so you can think wisely, act with conviction, and become more like Christ.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJesus Christ is the light that no darkness can overcome. Spiritual warfare isn't always obvious. It's normally not scary or spooky; it's usually rather mundane. Yet it's real and always miraculous. In Spiritual Warfare, Harold Ristau shows that faithful spiritual warfare isn't about secret methods and rituals. The good fight is fought with God's word, prayer, and worship. As the church preaches the forgiveness of sins, the darkness is pierced with the light of Christ and those in bondage are freed.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"A crucial book." --Timothy Keller Our world is facing increasing hostilities. Political and cultural differences rage, even among people who otherwise show goodwill. And the church is no stranger to extreme polarization, theological backbiting, and political squabbling. Jesus's prayer in John 17--that the church be one as he and the Father are one--seems increasingly unattainable. But what if Scripture actually provides the key for thinking about unity in diversity? In Uncommon Unity: Wisdom for the Church in an Age of Division, Richard Lints explores the nature of diversity and how Christians can think more clearly about unity in an increasingly polarized age. Drawing on theological, historical, and sociological resources, Lints exposes problems with the inclusion narrative of democracy and shows a better way forward for fostering unity in the midst of extreme diversity. If we are to think rightly about diversity, wisdom is required for the church in our late modern world. Through wisdom, Christians can display real unity in diversity and bear witness of the God who made them for himself as diverse members of his one body. Readers of Uncommon Unity will be heartened that Scripture and Christian tradition provide an antidote to division.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Cause us trouble Keith, but not too much trouble," these were final words of advice from a bishop to a new curate the day before his ordination. This book is the result of much reflection on that advice. Keith Hebden, parish priest and spiritual activist brings action and theory together with ideas that are as practical, accessible and exciting as the activism they underwrite. Beginning with the conviction that Jesus was an activist who was deeply committed to community, this book seeks to explore ways in which each of us can challenge the unjust structures that keep us from realising our full and common humanity. Seeking Justice is a timely reminder of our need to face up to our personal ability to change the world we live in and the urgency of the task ahead.Trade Review"I have known Keith Hebden for quite a few years. We live on opposite sides of the planet, so we don't get to talk much, but every time we get together we share notes about our journey towards a wholehearted love that seeks hard after justice. In Seeking Justice Keith gets to share his journey in the depth and the detail that we could never have in a single conversation. In Seeking Justice Keith helps us see the world through the eyes of a radical compassion that embraces beauty, rebels against brutality and commits itself resolutely to work slowly but surely to create a better future, In Seeking Justice Keith shares the way to engage in change with great care, so we can envisage what it would mean for us to do likewise". Dave Andrews, well known speaker, activist, author, and member of the Waiter's Union, Brisbane --Dave Andrews

Read more less

Book SynopsisDoes the word hospitality bring to mind tables filled with tea, coffee and cake? While offering food to others is a wonderful ministry, this study reveals that the hospitality of the Bible is a deeper, more significant concept. In the Old Testament, hospitality demonstrates the grace and provision of God. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of a host and his guests to teach about the Kingdom of God, provision and protection. With more than 130 titles, the LifeBuilder Bible Studies series delivers sound biblical content and raises thought-provoking questions. It provides a unique Bible study experience for individuals and groups.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe seem to be obsessed with perfection. It's everywhere, permeating our conversations, our language, our advertising, our films and our religion. It's not only widespread across our culture; it has roots deep in the beginning of our civilization. For the sake of our well-being and our faith we need to be liberated from this pre-occupation. Past Perfect unravels some of the confusion surrounding our use of the word in many different contexts, and shapes an understanding of God that is free of this notion. 'Stephen Mitchell's lively, original and sometimes brilliant book is a sustained attack on that idea of absolute perfection. It is also part of the process by which modern Christianity is struggling to renew itself.' Don Cupitt, author of The Sea of FaithTrade ReviewStephen Mitchell's lively, original and sometimes brilliant book is a sustained attack on that idea of absolute perfection. It is also part of the process by which modern Christianity is struggling to renew itself.--Don Cupitt, Author of The Sea of Faith

Read more less

Book SynopsisChristianity Expanding - Into Universal Spirituality takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the areas that need updating if Christianity is to flourish in the 21st Century. New science, ecological concern and the need for new theology are all converging into a maelstrom of change. With broad brushstrokes on a big canvas, a path of personal transformation is charted, drawing on the mysterious Perennial Wisdom teachings that have survived down the ages. Pulling no punches, Don MacGregor delves into typically taboo subjects such as reincarnation, drawing a distinction between Jesus and the Christ. This dynamic first volume of The Wisdom Series is an initial outline of areas that demand ongoing exploration.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeing human is complicated! Our bodies, intellects and emotions are all God-given gifts, but we so often find them in varying states of disorder. How then, can we become the full bearers of God's image that we were made to be? In response to this profound question, Ros Clarke helpfully outlines what the Bible has to say about the nature of humanity. Addressing our status as created beings; our purpose in God’s world; our nature as body and soul; and our fall away from God, Human unpacks questions around the issues of identity, sexuality and gender. It then turns to Christ's example as the perfect human, and considers Jesus' teaching about each of us being loved, valued and redeemed. A teaching that remains foundational for all discussions around important topics like inclusivity, disability and race. Written with both humour and pastoral concern, and including a study guide to aid personal reflection and group discussion, this book will help you consider afresh what it means to be a human.Trade Review"Ros Clarke's Human is a fresh, insightful and, above all, inspiring deep dive into what it means to be us! But far from navel-gazing or indulgence, she offers the true liberation that uniquely comes from the God who created us. She helps us understand what we once were, what we should be and what in Christ we will be again. On top of all that, Ros manages to pack into a highly readable and accessible book a serious engagement with important controversies in the wider culture that affect us all. This is a really helpful book that I hope is read far and wide." -- Revd Dr Mark Meynell, Director (Europe and Caribbean), Langham Preaching, and author of A Wilderness of Mirrors, When Darkness Seems My Closest Friend and What Makes Us Human?"Human is super readable; fresh and relevant in content, clear in style - exactly what we have come to expect from Ros Clarke! There are honest insights on work, the body and soul, sexuality and many other topics. All the while, Clarke continues to unpack who we are, made in the image of God. The book doesn't stop there, however, but crescendos in the New Man, Christ Jesus, securing a new redeemed humanity for himself. This book is a great, gospel-centred and countercultural antidote to these mad days of self-made humanity." -- Natalie Brand, Bible teacher and author of Priscilla, Where Are You? A Call to Joyful Theology"In an age confused about what it means to be human, we desperately need books like this! Clear and accessible, rich and deep, biblically faithful and beautifully written, Human demonstrates the relevance and power of the Bible to show us who we really are and who we’re meant to be." -- Matthew Mason, Assistant Director, Pastors’ Academy, and Director, Crosslands Cultivate."Christianity has an incredibly realistic and yet positive vision of what it is to be human. This book will enable you to rejoice in your humanity and learn something new if you are not yet a Christian – or have been one for decades. Every chapter included nuggets that were new to me – Ros is one of those rare writers who always leaves you wanting more." -- Ed Shaw, Ministry Director for livingout.org and author of Purposeful SexualityWhat it means to be human is one of the most important questions of our times and has profound implications for discipleship, leadership, cultural engagement and evangelism. Ros Clarke masterfully addresses this contended issue, weaving Biblical truth throughout. Human is accessible, grace-filled, challenging and oozes gospel hope. I am grateful for it and praying that it gives us a firmer foundation in these uncertain times. -- Phil Knox, Evangelist and missiologist at the Evangelical Alliance and author of Story Bearer and The Best of Friends

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow do we respond to the silent appeal in the dark eyes of the child in the charity catalogue, or the blanketed figure in the cold shop-doorway? Should we share the gospel with them, or a bowl of soup? Throughout history, men and women such as Wilberforce, Shaftesbury, Carey and Booth have recognized a call to help the needy. Others have argued that our first task is evangelism, that Christians should not meddle in politics, that social action is a distraction. Do we serve Christ through preaching his Word, or should we use words only when necessary? Tim Chester argues passionately that evangelism and social action are inseparable as two arms of the church's mission. He presents a biblical case for truly evangelical social action that is shaped and inspired by the gospel. He urges conservatives not to marginalize those who uphold the cause of the oppressed, and those involved in social action not to neglect the preaching of the Word.Trade Review'Consistent, mission-minded evangelicals have always refused to choose between a commitment to gospel proclamation and an active concern for the poor. Tim Chester digs deep into the Bible to show us why both are vital, and what it means to be Christ's people in a world of need.' -- Keith Walker, Director of SIM-UK/N, Europe * Endorsement *'A must-read for those looking for a way to integrate word and deed mission to advance God's purposes in our needy world.' -- Tom Sine, author of Living on Purpose: Finding God's Best For Your Life * Endorsement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnother lurid newspaper headline: a high-profile figure has fallen from grace. Worse still, he tried to cover it up so that everyone would think he was something he wasn't ... She was a respected figure in her school but it turned out she had been funding her lavish lifestyle with money that didn't belong to her. Integrity matters. We expect it, naively perhaps, of leaders in all walks of life. We trust people whose words, character and actions are consistent. But why is integrity so rare? Why does our walk not match our talk? One of the most pertinent and positive examples of integrity in Scripture is that of the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians his passions and frustrations are clear as he offers us an extraordinary insight into the joys and pressures of Christian leadership. His model is no less counter-cultural today than it was in the first century: leading with God watching. There are lessons for all Christians here, not just for formally recognized leaders. Jonathan Lamb examines key passages and interweaves them with examples from everyday life. Whether in responding to criticism, exercising authority, coping with failure, handling money or struggling with personal weakness, this book is a call to live consistently in the light of gospel priorities. Only then will our lives speak authentically to a sceptical world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDewi Hughes' conviction is that the suffering through poverty of such a vast number of people in our day is overwhelmingly the result of the misuse of power by others. Hence, the underlying theme of this wide-ranging, challenging study is that poverty has to do with the way in which we human beings use and abuse the power God gave us when he created us.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvangelical Christianity has long been plagued by a dichotomy between evangelism and social action. The debate about whether evangelicals should attempt to make this world a better place in tune with God's will as well as prepare people for life in a better world is the background to this stimulating volume, which seeks to demonstrate that there is no tension between the task of evangelism and the Christian's obligation to care for those in need. The issue should never have been one of 'either/or' but rather should always have been voiced in terms of 'both/and'. The Bible's teaching makes it plain that God's salvific work is both spiritual and physical. The first seven chapters survey relevant material in the Old and New Testaments; the second seven explore the theme of world transformation from the perspective of social ethics, systematic theology and church history. The clear message is that the proclamation of God's salvation must address both the desperate spiritual need of a sinful humanity and the desperate physical need that is all too apparent in our troubled world - and that there is theoretical and practical work yet to be done as we think and work under the dominion of Jesus, who as a result of his death and resurrection has been given all authority in heaven and earth. The contributors are David L. Baker, Tim Chester, M. Daniel Carroll R., Jamie A. Grant, Peter S. Heslam, Jason Hood, Dewi A. Hughes, I. Howard Marshall, Rene Padilla, Anna Robbins, David W. Smith, Melvin Tinker, Alistair I. Wilson and Christopher J. H. Wright.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the face of climate change and other environmental trends, it is easy to be pessimistic about the future. Philosophers, film-makers, environmentalists, politicians and even senior scientists increasingly resort to apocalyptic rhetoric to warn us that a so-called 'perfect storm' of factors is coming together in a way that threatens the future of life on earth. Do these dire predictions amount to nothing more than ideological scaremongering, perhaps hyped up for political or personal ends? Or are there good reasons for thinking that we may indeed be facing a crisis unprecedented in its scale and in the severity of its effects? Jonathan Moo and Robert White encourage us to assess the evidence for ourselves. Their own conclusion is that there is in fact plenty of cause for concern.Trade ReviewThe authors grapple honestly with the scientific evidence about the state of our planet … This is a great book for Christians who are not afraid to face reality, but want to do so with the certainty of Christian hope. -- John Steley * Evangelicals Now *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book enables Christians to assess their impact on world poverty through their current lifestyles. It then provides practical proposals for action to help reduce poverty, safeguard the environment and promote human rights. Our impact in the world results from the choices that we each make and for which we are responsible to God. Peter Grant writes from a Tearfund perspective and explains simply and clearly the causes of poverty and the action that each of us can take to change our behaviour so that we can have a positive impact. As Tearfund seeks to see a million Christians mobilised in the UK to address poverty, this book aims to be the handbook for that movement.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Anglican Communion stands at a crossroads. Some want Anglicanism to be exclusive of gays, especially gay priests and bishops. The Windsor Report is seen as the means of achieving this by centralising the Anglican Communion, and bringing wayward provinces, like ECUSA, to heel. In this collection of essays, distinguished academics from the UK and the US offer lively, thoughtful and scholarly critiques of the Windsor Report. What unites this collection is the view that Windsor does not provide a way forward for Anglicanism. Contributors write from a variety of standpoints, including justice for gays, opposition to centralisation, and/or the need for legitimate moral diversity within Anglicanism. This timely collection offers a means of grappling with what has become one of the most controversial issues within Anglicanism, and also a way of reflecting on the future shape of the Church, and how inclusive that Church is going to be. CONTRIBUTORS: Marilyn McCord Adams is Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford. Thomas Breidenthal has been Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel at Princeton University since January 2002. Anthony M. Coxon is currently Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and Emeritus Professor of Sociological Research Methods, University of Wales. Robin Gill is the Michael Ramsey Professor of Modern Theology in the University of Kent. Sean Gill is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Bristol. Elaine Graham is the Samuel Ferguson Professor of Social and Pastoral Theology at the University of Manchester. Rowan A. Greer is Professor of Anglican Studies Emeritus at Yale Divinity School. Charles Hefling is a Faculty Member of the Theology Department and the Honours Programme at Boston College, Massachusetts; Editor of the Anglican Theological Review; and the Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Massachusetts. Carter Heyward is the Howard Chandler Robbins Professor of Theology at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lisa Isherwood is Professor of Feminist Liberation Theologies at the College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth. Gareth Jones studied Theology at Cambridge University, completing his PhD on Bultmann in 1988. Philip Kennedy studied music at the University of Melbourne before joining the Dominican Order in 1977. Richard Kirker is Director of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, a post held since 1979. Christopher Lewis is Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. Andrew Linzey is a member of the Faculty of Theology in the University of Oxford, and Senior Research Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. George Pattison is Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford. Carolyn J. Sharp is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Yale Divinity School. Vincent Strudwick is currently Chamberlain of Kellogg College and Associate Chaplain of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Adrian Thatcher taught Theology at the College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth, from 1977 until his retirement in August 2004.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Primer of Pastoral Spanish is designed to provide religious and non-religious alike with the linguistic and cultural tools to minister in Spanish. This primer is modeled after Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish (1953), whose author, Margarita Madrigal, bases her methodology on creating with the language instead of memorizing it. Previous knowledge of Spanish is not necessary, although, as you will discover, you already know thousands of words in Spanish. The vocabulary you know in English is the foundation on which you can build your knowledge of Spanish vocabulary. There are thousands of English words that become Spanish words if you can recognize the slight change that takes place from one language to the other. For example, you will learn how to conjugate a verb in Spanish to the first-person singular of the past tense by dropping a letter from its translation in English and adding an accent. There are 40 units in this primer. If you were to study each unit 20-30 minutes a day throughout Lent, for example, think about how far you could progress. Each unit consists of four sections: Vocabulary, Prayer or Culture, Cornerstones, and Vocabulary Review. There are four units called Check Your Progress. These units consist of Challenges based on the grammar, vocabulary, and culture you learned in the previous units. The answers to the Challenges are at the end of the units.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less