Theology Books

Book SynopsisA NYT Bestseller, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by former Muslim Nabeel Qureshi provides an intimate window into American Muslim life, describing how a passionate pursuit of Islam led him to Christ through friendship, apologetics, dreams and visions.Trade ReviewSeeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a brilliant book with an authentic and challenging message. Nabeel Qureshi tells the powerful story of his journey to Jesus, a story that began with a doubtful investigation and ended with a beautiful transformation. Jesus isn't intimidated by our questions; this story celebrates that truth! You won't be able to put this book down. * Louie Giglio, pastor, Passion City Church; founder, Passion Conferences *For anyone seeking understanding of their Muslim neighbors or colleagues, this is a book to read. We go on a journey from the inside out. We are introduced to the depth of spirituality, the love and honor of family, and the way a person 'sees' and 'feels' in a devout Muslim home. This is a profound book that skillfully shows the core differences between the gospel and Islamic claims. I highly recommend it. * Dr. Stuart McAllister, Regional Director The Americas, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries *Fresh, striking, highly illuminating, and sometimes heartbreaking, Qureshi's story is worth a thousand textbooks. It should be read by Muslims and all who care deeply about our Muslim friends and fellow citizens. * Os Guinness, author and social critic *In his personal quest to know the truth, Nabeel Qureshi paves the way for an analytical study of the faiths, dissecting the Christian and Islamic arguments, specifically citing numerous Islamic hadith and early Christian texts, so that the reader can see a logical progression to the analyses. But it is also a deeply personal heartwrenching and tear-evoking saga of the life of a young Muslim growing up in the West, a gripping biography that is impossible to put down. * James M. Tour, Professor of Chemistry, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Materials Science, Rice University *Nabeel describes the yearning in the hearts of millions of Muslims around the world. This book is a must-read for all seeking to share the hope of Christ with Muslims. * Fouad Masri, President and CEO, Crescent Project *Nabeel Qureshi's story is among the most unique two or three testimonies that I have ever heard. His quest brought together several exceptional features: a very bright mind, extraordinary sincerity, original research, and a willingness to follow the evidence trail wherever it took him. His search led to the cross and to Jesus Christ, who was resurrected from the dead. * Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University *This book offers the fascinating story of the conversion of a sincere young Ahmadiyya man who tried his best to seek Allah and eventually fell in love with Christ. I trust that this book can be a powerful encouragement for all Christians to pray for many Muslims to find Jesus Christ. * Mark Gabriel, author and former lecturer, Al-Azhar University in Cairo *This is an urgently needed book with a gripping story. Nabeel Qureshi masterfully argues for the gospel while painting a beautiful portrait of Muslim families and heritage, avoiding the fearmongering and finger-pointing that are all too pervasive in today's sensationalist world. I unreservedly recommend this book to all. It will feed your heart and mind, while keeping your fingers turning the page! * Josh D. McDowell, author and speaker *

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Book SynopsisTactics provides the game plan for defending your faith and artfully communicating the truths of Christianity with confidence and grace. This expanded anniversary edition of the classic book of Christian apologetics includes updates and expansions of existing tactics, as well as the addition of an all-new tactic and a chapter on Mini Tactics filled with simple maneuvers to aid in discussions.In a culture increasingly indifferent or even hostile to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority.In Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. You''ll learn how to:Meet challenges, questions, and provocations with poise and cTrade ReviewC. S. Lewis once said, “Any fool can write learned language. The vernacular is the real test.” In this book Greg Koukl passes Lewis’s test with flying colors. There are many great arguments in favor of the Christian faith, but many of them are accessible only to professional apologists and philosophers. Koukl has developed a memorable and practical way to translate these arguments so that all Christians can become winsome and persuasive apologists in everyday conversations, no matter what their day jobs. This book should be required reading for every thoughtful Christian. * Jay Wesley Richards Coauthor of The Privileged Planet *Greg Koukl has been using the methods offered in this book for many years with our Summit students and to great effect. His suggestions, illustrations, and witnessing approach work. This is a well-written, practical, and timely book. * David Noebel Founder and President, Summit Ministries *Greg Koukl is a master of the ideas that undergird the Gospel and one of the finest Christian communicators on the planet. He has spent many thousands of hours in front of the most difficult skeptics and their toughest questions and has developed very effective techniques to bring the truth to the surface of any conversation with love and grace. I have learned so much over the years by studying his persuasive yet respectful approach to giving reasons for faith. This book presents his methods in a way that is engaging and accessible to every believer. I hope Christians in churches all over the country gather together to study this important book and learn to stand firm for the Gospel in these dark times. * Craig J. Hazen, PhD Founder and Director, Graduate Program in Christian Apologetics, Biola University *Greg Koukl is a master tactician. I know of no one who is more conscientious in his efforts to communicate effectively and winsomely his Christian faith. In this book Greg shares with us his tried and true methods, skills honed through continual practice and revision. Mastering his tactics will make you a more effective ambassador for Christ. * William Lane Craig Author of Reasonable Faith—Christian Truth and Apologetics *Greg Koukl is a wise, seasoned, front-lines apologist. I am happy to recommend a book so full of practical insights and careful guidance for skillfully, winsomely defending the Christian faith. * Paul Copan Author of True for You, but Not for Me and Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? *If you enjoy apologetics, Greg’s book Tactics is not only a required read, but simply a delightfully entertaining resource. In fact, just try and put it down! Especially for those who struggle with relevant ways to relate to non-Christians while presenting Christian truth, this volume provides many proven methods of natural, non-confrontational dialogue where the purpose is often to simply give an unbeliever something to think about, what Greg calls placing a stone in someone’s shoe. Featuring remarkably simple techniques that are easily and fruitfully applied, this incredibly insightful book is one I highly recommend. * Gary R. Habermas Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University Author of The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus *In a society filled with so much anti-Christian rhetoric, there is no better book to equip Christians to think clearly, soundly, and inoffensively in the face of the devices employed today in opposition to the Christian faith. * Norm Geisler Author of Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics and When Skeptics Ask *In this wise and compelling book, Greg Koukl---who has thought long and hard about not only what to say but how to say it---provides a game plan for equipping believers through an artful method of careful thinking and winsome conversation. If you struggle with how to talk about your faith and respond to questions and objections in a meaningful and effective way---and most of us do---there is no better book to buy, read, and put into practice. I could not recommend it more highly! * Justin Taylor “Between Two Worlds” blog; Editor, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God and The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World *Just as a course on tactics is a requirement at all military academies, so too Greg Koukl’s Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions should be required training for all Christians and churches. Koukl has made a worthwhile contribution to the literature on apologetics by teaching us how to say what we say. Witty and winsome, this resource is as fun to read as it is to put into practice. * Hank Hanegraaff Host of the “Bible Answer Man,” author of Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century and The Complete Bible Answer Book, Collector’s Edition *Tactics is the book I’ve been waiting for! I love engaging non-Christians in conversation, but in the back of my mind I often think, “What if I get stuck and don’t know what to do?” Greg helped me put that fear to rest and gave me practical tools to artfully maneuver in conversations. I enthusiastically recommend Tactics. It will revolutionize your conversations with non-Christians. * Sean McDowell Author of Ethix, coauthor of Understanding Intelligent Design and Evidence for the Resurrection *When I want someone who can help me train ambassadors for Christ, the first person I call is Greg Koukl. Now his proven ideas are in this book. I wish I had known these tactics twenty years ago. They are some of the best I’ve ever seen to help Christians be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Trust me---if you read Koukl’s advice and learn his methods, your impact for Christ will skyrocket. * Frank Turek Author of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist *With the advantage of a lifetime of experience, Greg Koukl has written what must be considered THE authoritative treatment of how to employ various strategies in conversations with unbelievers about the Christian faith. Tactics is not just another apologetics book. It is a sensitive, well-written, widely illustrated treatment of actual situations that often come up when believers share their faith. Koukl not only reminds us that it is not enough to know why you believe, but it is also crucial to know how to communicate those beliefs by adapting to various situations. And Tactics shows precisely how to do that. * J. P. Moreland Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, and author of Kingdom Triangle *

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Book SynopsisGod's Word tells us we must "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). This updated classic from Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell will give you the tools you need to do just that. The modern apologetics classic that started it all is now completely revised and updated-because the truth of the Bible doesn't change, but its critics do. With the original Evidence That Demands a Verdict, bestselling author Josh McDowell gave Christian readers the answers they needed to defend their faith against the harshest critics and sceptics. Since that time, Evidence has remained a trusted resource for believers young and old. Bringing historical documentation and the best modern scholarship to bear on the trustworthiness of the Bible and its teachings, this extensive volume has encouraged and strengthened millions. Now, with his son Sean McDowell, Josh McDowell has updated and expanded this classic resource for a new generation. This is a book that invites readers to bring their doubts and doesn't shy away from the tough questions.

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Book SynopsisWe are living through a period of cultural climate change. We have outsourced morality to the markets on the one hand, and the state on the other. The markets have brought wealth to many, and the state has done much to contain the worst excesses of inequality, but neither is capable of bearing the moral weight of showing us how to live. This has had a profound impact on society and the way in which we interact with each other. Traditional values no longer hold, yet recent political swings show that modern ideals of tolerance have left many feeling rudderless and adrift. In this environment we see things fall apart in unexpected ways - toxic public discourse makes true societal progress almost unattainable, a more divisive society is fuelled by identity politics and extremism, and the rise of a victimhood mentality calls for 'safe spaces' but stifles debate. The influence of social media seems all-pervading and the breakdown of the family is only one result of the loss of social capital. Many fear what the future may hold. Delivering a devastatingly insightful critique of our modern condition, and assessing its roots and causes from the ancient Greeks through the Reformation and Enlightenment to the present day, Sacks argues that there is no liberty without morality, and no freedom without responsibility. If we care about the future of western civilisation, all of us must play our part in rebuilding our common moral foundation. Then we will discover afresh the life-transforming and counterintuitive truths that a nation is strong when it cares for the weak, and rich when it cares for the poor. Here is an inspiring vision of a world in which we can all find our place, and face the future without fear.Trade ReviewAwarded Book of the Year 2020 in the National Jewish Book AwardsLady Elaine Sacks commented: 'I know my late husband was very proud of Morality and would have been most honoured by this recognition from the Jewish Book Council. Though he had won many previous Jewish Book Awards, none of his books had been named as the Book of the Year. This shows the particular relevance of Morality in today's increasingly complex world. In the book, he aimed to show society a way forward, and one which prioritises the "We" over the "I" - something he passionately believed in throughout his life. Though he is much missed by our family and so many others, I am delighted the book has been recognised in this way.'His last book, Morality, while written before the spread of coronavirus, is highly relevant to today's situation. He would not have been silent were he still with us, and his voice is sadly missed. * The Times *Jonathan Sacks is one of the great moral thinkers of our time. His latest book, Morality, applies his powerful approach to the unprecedented challenges of our time - social, political, economic, and above all, cultural. May his words be heeded throughout the land. -- Robert D. Putnam Professor, Harvard University and author of Bowling Alone (2000) and The Upswing (2020)the work will stand as a worthy successor to, and, in many respects, summation of Sacks's impressive oeuvre * Jewish Chronicle *Sacks unpacks a whole litany of dystopian trends arising from our relentless preoccupation with me, me, me * Premier Christianity *Sacks presents an articulate and impassioned argument . . . He is a fine exegete of the Hebrew Scriptures, and his belief in the common good is profound. * Reform *The strength of Morality does not reside in Jonathan Sacks's discussion of political and philosophical theorists, but in those passages in which he speaks to us as rabbi and community leader. * TLS *'Sacks argues convincingly that this pursuit of the common good has been disappearing from the West, and has left us impoverished and damaged.' * Jewish Renaissance *The inheritor of a tradition with a long historical memory of loss, exile, death and mourning, Sacks has things to say that speak more directly to our present condition than anything in recent liberal thinking. * New Statesman *'Let Us Dream thus joins a growing body of Covid-era literature calling for a communitarian reset of liberal values and institutions... Morality by the late Jonathan Sacks have all traversed similar territory. The collective pro noun is back in fashion.' * Observer *And so this last book reads like a summation of his life's work - a propitiously timed gift and a starting point for discussion. * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive study that draws upon poetry and mythology, art and literature, archaeology and psychology to show how the myth of the goddess has been lost from our formal Judeo-Christian images of the divine. It explains what happened to the goddess, when, and how she was excluded from western culture, and the implications of this loss.Table of ContentsPart 1 The mother Goddess and her son-lover: in the beginning - the Paleolithic mother Goddess; the Neolithic great Goddess of Sky, Earth and Waters; Crete - the Goddess of Life, Death and Regeneration; the Bronze Age - the mother Goddess and her son-lover; Inanna-Ishtar - Mesopotamian Goddess of The Great Above and The Great Below; Isis of Egypt - Queen of heaven, Earth and Underworld; Tiamat of Babylon - the defeat of the Goddess; Goddesses of Greece - Gaia, Hera, Artemis and Athena. Part 2 The sacred marriage: Goddesses of Greece - Aphrodite, Demeter and Persephone; Cybele - great Goddess of Anatolia and Rome; the Iron Age - the great father God Yahweh-Elohim; the hidden Goddess in the Old Testament; Eve - the mother of all living; Mary - the return of the Goddess; Sophia - mother, daughter and bride; the sacred marriage of Goddess and God - the reunion of nature and spirit. Appendices: prehistoric times; the Christian gospels.

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Book SynopsisThe writings in this volume cast a glimmer of light upon the emerging traditions and organization of the infant church, during an otherwise little-known period of its development. A selection of letters and small-scale theological treatises from a group known as the Apostolic Fathers, several of whom were probably disciples of the Apostles, they provide a first-hand account of the early Church and outline a form of early Christianity still drawing on the theology and traditions of its parent religion, Judaism. Included here are the first Epistle of Bishop Clement of Rome, an impassioned plea for harmony; The Epistle of Polycarp; The Epistle of Barnabas; The Didache; and the Seven Epistles written by Ignatius of Antioch—among them his moving appeal to the Romans that they grant him a martyr's death.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics repreTable of ContentsTranslated by Maxwell StaniforthRevised Translation, Introductions and New Editorial Material by Andrew LouthGeneral IntroductionGeneral BibliographyNote on the TextThe First Epistle of Clement to the CorinthiansThe Epistles of IgnatiusTo the EphesiansTo the MagnesiansTo the TralliansTo the RomansTo the PhiladelphiansTo the SmyrnaeansTo the PolycarpThe Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians and The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Epistle to DiognetusThe Epistle of BarnabasThe DidacheMap of Ignatius's route

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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 SynopsisAre natural rights ''nonsense on stilts'', as Jeremy Bentham memorably put it? Must the very notion of a right be individualistic, subverting the common good? Should the right against torture be absolute, even though the heavens fall? Are human rights universal or merely expressions of Western neo-imperial arrogance? Are rights ethically fundamental, proudly impervious to changing circumstances? Should judges strive to extend the reach of rights from civil Hamburg to anarchical Basra? Should judicial oligarchies, rather than legislatures, decide controversial ethical issues by inventing novel rights? Ought human rights advocates learn greater sympathy for the dilemmas facing those burdened with government?These are the questions that What''s Wrong with Rights? addresses. In doing so, it draws upon resources in intellectual history, legal philosophy, moral philosophy, moral theology, human rights literature, and the judgments of courts. It ranges from debates about property in medieval Christendom, through Confucian rights-scepticism, to contemporary discussions about the remedy for global hunger and the justification of killing. And it straddles assisted dying in Canada, the military occupation of Iraq, and genocide in Rwanda.What''s Wrong with Rights? concludes that much contemporary rights-talk obscures the importance of fostering civic virtue, corrodes military effectiveness, subverts the democratic legitimacy of law, proliferates publicly onerous rights, and undermines their authority and credibility. The solution to these problems lies in the abandonment of rights-fundamentalism and the recovery of a richer public discourse about ethics, one that includes talk about the duty and virtue of rights-holders.Trade Reviewa welcomed addition to the current discussion. Biggar's previous work on the ethics of war gives him a unique angle to approach cases of rights talk, focusing on specific instances such as torture and killing in war. He makes a strong case for making rights the conclusion of a process of moral consideration rather than a foundational starting point to which everything else must yield. * Todd A. Scacewater, Journal of Language, Culture, and Religion *This is a scholarly book worth reading and a critique worth constructively engaging with. * Ethna Regan, Studies in Christian Ethics *Courageous ... What's Wrong With Rights? is a rich and challenging book. Not everyone will agree with Biggar's views, but anyone writing about human rights who wishes to be taken seriously will need to engage with his arguments. * Jonathan Sumption, The Times *I...commend this book for its clarity of reasoning and its engagement with fundamental issues with which we should all be discussing. * John Duddington, Law and Justice *A brilliant, provocative and intelligent book. * Simon Heffer, The Daily Telegraph *A thought-provoking work of scholarship... [a] compelling challenge to sloppy rights-thinking. * Craig Purshouse, Times Literary Supplement *This encyclopaedic study provides a marvellous survey of the complex field of rights and raises important questions as to the growing use of rights language. * R. Dean Drayton, International Journal of Public Theology *...A powerfully reasoned intellectual history of the sceptical tradition from the 1780s to the present day. [Biggar is] a discriminating guide rather than an anti-rights ideologist, and his analysis of these traditions is intricate, exacting and fair. While clearly Christian in his perspective, he keeps claims from authority, especially divine authority, firmly in their place * Michael Ignatieff, Literary Review *It is a rigorously reasoned argument and ... Biggar succeeds brilliantly in deflating the inordinate claims made for rights today...Along with being a profound study in moral and political philosophy, this is also a devastating and highly topical attack on the belief that ethical dilemmas can be resolved by 'an oligarchy of judges' expanding existing rights and conjuring up new ones...Over the past two decades, Biggar has produced a body of work of the highest intellectual quality which has made him one of the leading living Western ethicists. * John Gray, New Statesman *Quietly, cautiously, and with careful scholarly integrity, Professor Biggar has derailed a gravy train. Should the UK withdraw from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights? Should it repeal or redraft the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010? The result would surely be petitions, denunciations, hostile crowds, the toppling of statues, the banning of speakers, self-righteous lawyers. But all this happens already; what is there to lose? Thanks to Biggar, we see how much there is to gain. It is time for philosophical arguments, won in the pages of this important book, to be translated into legislation. * Jonathan Clark, The Critic *This scholarly, but nonetheless most readable, book makes an important contribution to the debate about to be had when the UK Government takes forward its promised (some would say threatened) new Commission on the Constitution, Democracy and Human Rights. No stranger to controversy, Professor Biggar argues in effect that the assertion of human rights has got out of hand. He pulls no punches and takes no prisoners. This is a penetrating examination of the relationship between rights and responsibilities and reflects many of the concerns expressed in Jonathan Sumption's 2019 Reith Lectures. * Lord Simon Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood *What's Wrong With Rights? isone of the most remarkable scholarly achievements I know of:it deftly addresses a wide variety of theoretical and practical problems of great normative importance; it engages with a vast and complex legal, philosophical, and theological literature about the morality of rights; it articulates plausible assessments of the most important contributions to that literature; and perhaps most importantly, the topics it addresses are at the very heart of political discourse in contemporary liberal polities. I cannot recommend it more highly. * Christopher Eberle, Professor of Philosophy at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis *With the noble post-World War II human rights project increasingly imperiled by misunderstanding and manipulation, Nigel Biggar's new book is a major contribution to clear thinking about what we mean when we speak of rights. Whether or not they agree with his conclusions, friends of human rights everywhere should welcome this timely and informative analysis of what's wrong with rights and what needs to be done to put them right. * Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University and author of Rights Talk (1991) *Despite its eye-catching title, this book is neither a rejection of rights as such nor of natural morality, but a keen-eyed critique of natural rights in particular. In a discussion both dazzlingly wide-ranging and compellingly concrete, Nigel Biggar shows how natural rights talk undermines appropriate acknowledgement of the contingent, circumstantial character of political and ethical judgments. We do well to recognize that rights are paradigmatically legal and enrich ethical discourse by attending to virtues and duties as much as to rights. What's Wrong with Rights is the most significant Christian ethical contribution to reflection on rights since Nicholas Wolterstorff's Justice: Rights and Wrongs. * Jennifer Herdt, Gilbert L. Stark Professor of Christian Ethicsat Yale Divinity School *What's Wrong With Rights? is magisterial, combining theology, intellectual history, and detailed attention to particular cases and examples. Biggar is not afraid of making controversial judgements and works towards them in a manner that is honest and transparent, always commanding respect. At a deeper level, his book invites the reader to engage in debates about rights, maybe to disagree, but to do so from within a richer moral tradition, which gives more opportunity for insight, nuance, and dissent. The possibility arises of not only better judgements, but better disagreements. Both robust and generous, this landmark book represents a leading theological ethicist writing at the height of his powers. * Christopher Insole, Professor of Philosophical Theology and Ethics at Durham University *Rights talk has dominated public discourse for the past seventy years. But our political disagreements are worse than ever. Nigel Biggar not only explains what happened, he also proposes a comprehensive way forward. We need to move beyond "rights fundamentalism", and retrieve a richer public discourse that emphasizes duty, virtue, and the concrete challenges facing a political community. Crossing the boundaries of theology, philosophy, history, and law, Biggar's incisive analysis shows why talking about "natural rights" isn't helpful: defining, defending, and balancing rights always requires well-functioning legal institutions. * Cathleen Kaveny, Darald and Juliet Libby Professor of Law and Theology at Boston College *What's Wrong with Rights?is a finely crafted review of the history of rights and an insightful assessment of contemporary discussions across a range of disciplines and contexts. Nigel Biggar raises important basic questions for theology, ethics, and law, and this book will reshape our ways of thinking about rights in all three fields. * Robin W. Lovin, Cary M. Maguire University Professor Emeritus of Ethics at Southern Methodist University, Dallas *This is a critique of one of most fashionable and incoherent notions of our time, the idea that there are enforceable rights, 'natural' or 'human', that exist independently of collective human choice. It is original, thought-provoking, and carefully reasoned. Such rights have many supporters, and always will have. But they should not be taken seriously unless they are willing to engage with the ideas in this impressive book. * Lord Jonathan Sumption, QC, former Justice of the Supreme Court of the UK *What's Wong With Rights? is a timely, wide-ranging, and historically informed book that subjects the prevailing human rights culture, in its various manifestations, to a strong dose of Burkean scepticism. Philosophers will be provoked by his thesis that rights are paradigmatically the creatures of law and form no part of natural morality. Lawyers will be challenged by the vigorous criticisms of what Biggar views as the illegitimate employment of rights vocabulary as a mean of enforcing the moral and political views of an "oligarchy of judges". This is an iconoclastic book that deserves to be reckoned with in the serious conversation about the nature and limits of rights that we desperately need. * John Tasioulas, Yeoh Professor of Politics, Philosophy, and Law at King's College London *This is a cleverly titled, crisply written, and largely clear-eyed engagement with the history, concept, and limits of rights and right talk in the Western tradition and beyond.Nigel Biggar brings a big analytical mind and deft pen to the task — and a pair of sharp elbows too. He engages a substantial library of human rights scholarship and case law with critical acuity and philosophical originality, concluding with a cautious and conditional endorsement of rights. * John Witte, Jr, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law and McDonald Distinguished Professor, Emory University School of Law, and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory University *Biggar's method in discussing the intellectual history of rights is to distil the most notable expressions of the 200-year-old British tradition of scepticism about natural rights into a set of main objections. * Esther D. Reed, University of Exeter, Modern Believing *Biggar's method in discussing the intellectual history of rights is to distil the most notable expressions of the 200-year-old British tradition of scepticism about natural rights into a set of main objections. * Esther D. Reed, University of Exeter, Modern Believing *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1: Are there Natural Rights? 1: The Sceptical Tradition 2: Are there Natural Rights? 2: The Sceptical Critique and Rights before 1776 3: Are there Natural Rights? 3: The Sceptical Critique and Rights after 1776 4: Are there Natural Rights? 4: The Sceptical Critique and the modern Roman Catholic Tradition 5: Are there Natural Rights? 5: The Sceptical Critique and Contemporary Theories 6: What's Wrong with Subjective Rights? 7: Are there Absolute Rights? 8: Are Human Rights Universal? 9: What's Wrong with Rights in Ethics? 10: What's Wrong with (some) Judges? 1: Al-Skeini, Al-Jedda, Smith, and the Fog of War 11: What's Wrong with (some) Judges? 2: Carter and the Invention of a Right to 'Physician-assisted Dying' 12: What's Wrong with (some) Human Rights Lawyers? Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIn The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience, Simeon Zahl presents a fresh vision for Christian theology that foregrounds the relationship between theological ideas and the experiences of Christians. He argues that theology is always operating in a vibrant landscape of feeling and desiring, and shows that contemporary theology has often operated in problematic isolation from these experiential dynamics. He then argues that a theologically serious doctrine of the Holy Spirit not only authorizes but requires attention to Christian experience.Against this background, Zahl outlines a new methodological approach to Christian theology that attends to the emotional and experiential power of theological ideas. This methodology draws on recent interdisciplinary work on affect and emotion, which has shown that affects are powerful motivating realities that saturate all dimensions of human thinking and acting. In the process, Zahl also explains why contemporary theology has often been ambivalent about subjective experience, and demonstrates that current discourse about God''s activity in the world is often artificially abstracted from experience and embodiment.At the heart of the book, Zahl proposes a new account of the theology of grace from this experiential and pneumatological perspective. Focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation and sanctification, he retrieves insights from Augustine, Luther, and Philip Melanchthon to present an affective and Augustinian vision of salvation as a pedagogy of desire. In articulating this vision, Zahl engages critically with recent emphasis on participation and theosis in Christian soteriology, and charts a new path forward for Protestant theology in a landscape hitherto dominated by the theological visions of Barth and Aquinas.Trade ReviewZahl's argument is compelling, clear, and insightful. If nothing else, this book carves out an important place for experience in theology and refuses to accept theological accounts that skirt real pastoral issues with vague language. In this, Zahl's book should be a model for future theologians, particularly as theologians begin seeking to bridge the gap between academic and pastoral theology. * Michael Riggins, Ad Fontes *Zahl has written a stimulating monograph encouraging us to experience, to feel, and desire the graciousness of God "in an affective and pneumatological key." * Christopher Holmes, The Living Church *If Zahl's integration holds, this book will prove to be a milestone, one that can help usher Pentecostal theology into the mainstream of academic theological reflection. It is a book that deserves to be read by all Protestant theologians, including all Pentecostals. * Steven Edward Harris, Pneuma *Zahl has written a fresh and inventive book. Its focus upon emotion and desire settles it nicely within contemporary efforts in systematic theology to take embodiment seriously. Nevertheless, Zahl remains informed by historic claims familiar to Christian theology. Its innovation lies in its ability to say something new by saying something old ... It is a rare occasion when a book reminds one of why one loves theology (and here the choice of words is deliberate). Simeon Zahl's The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience is that kind of book. * Fellipe do Vale, Journal of Reformed Theology *This is a well-argued book, wide in its engagements, generous in its challenges and savvy in its constructive efforts. * Calvin Lane, Scottish Journal of Theology *Recommended. * P.K. Moser, Loyola University Chicago, CHOICE *

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Book SynopsisM. A. S. Abdel Haleem's acclaimed translation of the Qur'an is now published with the original Arabic text to give a greater appreciation and understanding of the holy book. The traditional Arabic calligraphic pages are displayed alongside the English translation; the text is accompanied by an invaluable introduction, notes, and an index.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition ''[Haleem] transforms the Holy Book's complex grammar and structure into smooth, contemporary English mercifully free from archaisms, anachronisms and incoherence. The result it both accessible and compelling...a remarkable achievement' (on the English translation)' * New Statesman *a refreshing, very useful and interesting new translation ...one of the best to have appeared in recent times. * Muslim News *[Haleem] has managed to transform the complex grammar and structure of the holy book into a form of modern English which reads easily and flows smoothly without taking liberties with the inviolable text. * The Economist *[Haleem] knows the text by heart, and his intimacy with it shows in the brevity and intuitive intelligence of his solutions. * Times Literary Supplement *accurate, sensitive, well-annotated English translation of the Qur'an. * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThis Very Short Introduction provides both the believer and non-believer with a balanced survey of the central questions of theology. David Ford''s approach draws us in to considering the principles underlying religious belief, including the centrality of salvation to most major religions, the concept of God in ancient, modern, and postmodern contexts, the challenge posed to theology by prayer and worship, and the issue of sin and evil. He also probes the nature of experience, knowledge, and wisdom in theology, and discusses what is involved in interpreting theological texts.In this new edition, Ford considers the contemporary relevance of theology, including the effect of globalization and digitized communication, examines the theological responses to change and development in science, considers the impact of increased engagement between Islam and the West, and looks at the development and importance of theology between the different faiths.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewIt is written in an extremely accesible, interesting and fresh style and this combined with its 'safely' othodox but balanced tone will make it a useful aid to assisting a range of people. * Ray Gaston, Theology November/December 1999 *Table of ContentsPreface ; Part 1: Describing the field ; 1. Introduction: Theology and the religions in transformation ; 2. Theology and religious studies: how is the field shaped? ; Part 2: Theological explorations ; 3. Thinking of God ; 4. Living before God: worship, ethics, and politics ; 5. Facing evil ; 6. Jesus Christ ; 7. Salvation - scope, intensity, and dialogues ; Part 3: Skills, disciplines, and methods ; 8. Through the past to the present: history and texts ; 9. Experience, reason, and wisdom ; Part 4: Prospects ; 10. Theology for the third millennium ; References ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisThe Lamb's Supper is one of the most original and exciting works of theology to have appeared in recent years. With unique scholarship, style and exuberance Scott Hahn reveals a long-lost secret of the Church: the early Christians' key to understanding the mysteries of the Mass was the New Testament's Book of Revelation. With its bizarre imagery, its mystic visions of heaven, and its end-of-time prophecies, Revelation mirrors the sacrifice and celebration of the Eucharist. The first paperback edition of this new book by bestselling Catholic author Scott Hahn will enable readers to see the Mass with new eyes, pray the liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the celebration of the Eucharist more enthusiastically and intelligently than ever before.Trade Review'Scott Hahn's theology is wholly original and wholly orthodox.' -- Aidan Nichols OP

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Book SynopsisIn Live No Lies, John Mark Comer offers spiritual practices and advice for finding happiness and peace by recognising and resisting evil in the world, the flesh and the devil.Trade ReviewThis is the book I've been waiting for and one of the most important books a follower of Jesus will ever read. It will become a classic * Christine Caine, founder of A21 and Propel Women *John Mark Comer is a gift to the church. He writes with adept cultural nuance, theological savvy, and refreshing spiritual depth. In Live No Lies, he's taken on a multilayered, ancient topic and brilliantly rearticulated it for our generation. This is a gem * Rich Villodas, lead pastor of New Life Fellowship and author of The Deeply Formed Life *If your soul feels depleted and beat up, Live No Lies is the book you need to pick up and read. Right now. It is brilliant, deep, scriptural, and will equip you to face the enemy and fight. * Jennie Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head and founder and visionary of IF:Gathering *In a time that feels full of contradictions and confusion, John Mark does a masterful job of laying out what is true, what true is, and why it matters deeply that we know the truth. This is the book for our day. * Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun *I devoured every word of this book and found myself deeply stirred and nourished. John Mark speaks to the mind and soul, as he uncovers in his usual thoughtful way the three great enemies to our peace-the world, the flesh, and the devil. You will emerge better after reading these pages. * Bryan Loritts, author of Insider Outsider *Every day we are dealing with temptations in multiple forms that draw us away from faithfulness to the Way of Jesus. In this compelling work, john Mark gives a vision of the beauty of Jesus is a culture of lies. * Jon Tyson, pastor of Church of the City New York and author of The Intentional Father *This book is a godsend. It exposes our spiritual enemy of untruth-a foe impacting our societies on a global scale. In a world where everyone tries to live their own 'truth,' this book reveals and challenges the many lies that have become common, normal, and accepted in our everyday conversations and decisions. * Albert Tate, lead pastor of Fellowship Church *Comer has personally helped me on my faith journey and I believe he is one of the greatest teachers of our generation. As you read Live No Lies, your heart will be strengthened and your eyes opened to the daily war waged against our personal peace. * Rich Wilkerson Jr., pastor of VOUS Church *In a time where deception seems to have settled upon the land like a dense fog, Live No Lies offers us a clearing to see how we have been deceived, to learn how we deceive ourselves, and to flee from the one who deceives. An essential guide for discernment in our contested age. * Mark Sayers, senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia, and author of a number of books including Strange Days and Reappearing Church *

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Book SynopsisKNOWING GOD is one of the most significant and popular Christian books of our time and has deepened the faith and understanding of millions of people around the world.''Dr Packer says we''re cruel to ourselves if we try to live in his world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. I''m convinced we''re cruel if we deny ourselves the wisdom contained in this Christian classic.'' Rico TiceTrade Reviewa spiritual classic * John Stott *

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Book SynopsisBook two of Eugene Peterson's landmark Spiritual Theology series; foundational reading for the twenty-first century church.Trade ReviewPeterson's exposition of lectio divina is one of the fullest to appear in recent years... A worthy sequel to his 2004 hit CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES * Publishers Weekly *A tour de force in spiritual theology, combining incisive cultural analysis and biblical exposition with a sweeping and engaging vision of the Christian life (for CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES) * Christianity Today *Rich, generous, and wise, Peterson's 'conversation' will help readers at every stage of faith to live their faith more deeply (for CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES) * Publishers Weekly *'Eugene Peterson is an authoritative voice in the 'spiritual theology' field and well worth listening to.' * Franciscan *

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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 SynopsisIn THE PRODIGAL GOD, New York pastor Timothy Keller uses the story of the prodigal son to shine a light on the central, beautiful message of Jesus: the gospel of grace, hope and salvation.Keller argues that the parable of the prodigal son, while Jesus'' best-known parable, is also his least understood. He introduces the reader to all the characters in this timeless story, showing that it concerns not just a wayward son, but also a judgemental older brother and, most importantly, a loving father. In this challenging and inspiring book, Timothy Keller invites both faithful believers and curious outsiders to come to a new and totally life-changing understanding of the central message of the Christian faith.Trade ReviewFifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbours, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians. * Christianity Today magazine *A fine exposition of the heart of the Christian faith...much needed at the present time * Evangelicals Now *Another great choice for a short, punchy read... Keller shows us that the challenge in this striking parable is for the older brother too. * Together Magazine *

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Book SynopsisDom Gregory Dix (1901 1952) was an English monk and priest of Nashdom Abbey, UK.Trade ReviewLiturgy, for Dom Gregory Dix, is no branch of archaeological study; it is in all its stages and forms the living Body of Christ upon earth. His account of it is alive and absorbing. * Church Times *The Shape of the Liturgy changes not only the shape of liturgical study but also profoundly influenced worship itself. Half a century after its publication we are, perhaps, beginning to discover the debt we owe to Dom Gregory Dix. * Simon Bailey, Biographer *This 764 page work was first published in 1945 and has had seven reprintings, the latest being in 2015. This latest edition has been cited 558 times (Google Scholar). … The book is well worth reading. -- Winifred Whelan, St. Bonaventure University (emerita), USA * Catholic Books Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction. The Purpose of this Essay I. The Liturgy and the Eucharistic Action II. The Performance of the Liturgy III. the Classical Shape of the Liturgy - I IV. Eucharist and Lord's Supper V. The Classical Shape of the Liturgy - II VI. The Pre-Nicene Background of the Liturgy VII. The Eucharistic Prayer VIII. Behind the Local Traditions IX. The Meaning of the Eucharist X. The Theology of Consecration XI. The Sanctification of Time XII. The Development of Ceremonial XIII. The Completion of the Shape of the Liturgy XIV. Variable Prayers at the Eucharist XV. The Mediaeval Development XVI. The Reformation and the Anglican Liturgy XVII. 'Throughout All Ages, World Without End' Index

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Book SynopsisThe Very Revd Thomas F. Torrance was Professor of Christian Dogmatics, University of Edinburgh, UK.Paul D. Molnar is Professor of Systematic Theology, St John's University, NY, USA.Table of ContentsPreface by Paul D. Molnar Introduction 2. The Christian Perspective 3. The Biblical Frame 4. The TrinitarianMind 5. One Being, Three Persons 6. Three Persons, One Being 7. Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity 8. The Sovereign Creator 9. The Unchangeableness of God Index Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIn this foundational book, James R. White offers a concise, understandable explanation of what the Trinity is and why it matters. While refuting the distortions of God presented by various cults, he shows how understanding this teaching leads to renewed worship and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian, helping you draw closer to God.

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Book SynopsisSharing inspiring and exciting stories grounded in Scripture, Bill Johnson and Randy Clark lay out practical and proven step-by-step guidance for ministering in healing and how to understand your authority, receive and relay words of knowledge, and more!

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Book SynopsisIn the first of a three-volume systematic theology of culture, leading Reformed philosopher James K. A. Smith casts a new vision for worldview through the lens of Christian liturgy.Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction: Beyond "Perspectives": Faith and Learning Take PracticeMaking the Familiar Strange: A Phenomenology of Cultural LiturgiesThe End of Christian Education: From Worldview to Worship (and Back Again)Picturing Education as Formation in Orwell's Road to Wigan PierElements of a Theology of Culture: Pedagogy, Liturgy, and the ChurchPart I: Desiring, Imaginative Animals: We Are What We Love1. Homo Liturgicus: The Human Person as LoverFrom Thinking Things to Liturgical AnimalsFrom Worldviews to Social ImaginariesFrom Spheres to Aims: Liturgical Institutions2: Love Takes Practice: Liturgy, Formation, and CounterformationWhy Victoria's In on the Secret: Picturing Discipleship at the Moulin Rouge"Thick" and "Thin" Practices: Ritual Forces of Cultural FormationFormation, Mis-Formation, and Counter-Formation: Liturgies Secular and Christian3. Lovers in a Dangerous Time: Cultural Exegesis of "Secular" Liturgies"Reading" Culture Through the Lens of WorshipConsuming Transcendence: Worship at the MallMarketing (as) EvangelismPicturing the Liturgy of Consumerism in The PersuadersSacrificial Violence: The "Military-Entertainment" ComplexCathedrals of Learning: Liturgies of the UniversityPicturing the University's Liturgies in Wolfe's I Am Charlotte SimmonsApologetic Excursus: The Persisting Witness of IdolatryPicturing Resistance in 1984Part II: Desiring the Kingdom: The Practiced Shape of the Christian Life4. From Worship to Worldview: Christian Worship and the Formation of DesireThe Primacy of Worship to WorldviewThe Sacramental Imagination: Resisting Naturalism and SupernaturalismPicturing the Sacramental Imagination in Graham Greene and Anne SextonExcursus: The Shape of Christian Worship5. Practicing (for) the Kingdom: An Exegesis of the Social Imaginary Embedded in Christian WorshipLiturgical Time: Rhythms and Cadences of HopeCall to Worship: An Invitation to Be HumanGod's Greeting: Hospitality, Community, and Graced DependenceBaptism: Initiation into a Royal Priesthood/Constitution of a New PeopleSong: Hymning the Language of the KingdomConfession: Brokenness, Grace, HopeLaw: Order, Norms, and Freedom for the GoodThe Creed: Situating BeliefPrayer: Vocalizing DesireScripture and Sermon: Re-narrating the WorldEucharist: Supper with the KingOffering: Kingdom EconomicsSending: The Great Commission as Cultural MandateWorship, Discipleship and Discipline: Practices Beyond Sunday6. A Christian University is for Lovers: The Education of DesireA New Monasticism for the University: Why Christian Colleges Should Corrupt the YouthChristian Education Takes Practice: Three Monastic OpportunitiesExcursus: Christian Worship as Faculty Development: From Christian Scholars to "Ecclesial" ScholarsIndexes

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Book SynopsisDefiningthe kingdom of God as the interplay of the king's power over the king's people in the king's place, this volume helps readers understand God's purpose for the world.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Michael Reeves calls believers to see God as the object of their feara fear marked not by anxiety but by reverence and awe.

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Book SynopsisThis book invites readers to explore the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ by looking at 6 key truths presented in the Scriptures and later developed in the ecumenical creeds.

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Book SynopsisIn this concise version of God Shines Forth, Daniel Hames and Michael Reeves urge Christians to grow in their knowledge and enjoyment of Godas they know God more, they will be spurred on to authentic service through missions and evangelism.

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Book SynopsisWhat Happened to the Human Race? challenges readers to think deeply about many of the anti-God and antilife practices that dominate American society. This book is a call to action, encouraging Christians to take a stand against issues such as abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia.

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Book SynopsisWe live in an age of scepticism. Our society places such faith in empirical reason, historical progress, and heartfelt emotion that it''s easy to wonder: why should anyone believe in Christianity? What role can faith and religion play in our modern lives? In this thoughtful and inspiring book, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller invites sceptics to consider that Christianity is as relevant now as ever. As human beings, we cannot live without meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice and hope - and Christianity provides us with unsurpassed resources to meet all these needs. Written for both sceptic and believer, Making Sense of God shines a light on the profound value and importance of Christianity in our lives.

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Book SynopsisInternationally acclaimed thought-leader Jonathan Sacks demonstrates how we can build a strong collective morality for the modern era.Trade ReviewAwarded Book of the Year 2020 in the National Jewish Book AwardsLady Elaine Sacks commented: 'I know my late husband was very proud of Morality and would have been most honoured by this recognition from the Jewish Book Council. Though he had won many previous Jewish Book Awards, none of his books had been named as the Book of the Year. This shows the particular relevance of Morality in today's increasingly complex world. In the book, he aimed to show society a way forward, and one which prioritises the "We" over the "I" - something he passionately believed in throughout his life. Though he is much missed by our family and so many others, I am delighted the book has been recognised in this way.'His last book, Morality, while written before the spread of coronavirus, is highly relevant to today's situation. He would not have been silent were he still with us, and his voice is sadly missed. * The Times *Jonathan Sacks is one of the great moral thinkers of our time. His latest book, Morality, applies his powerful approach to the unprecedented challenges of our time - social, political, economic, and above all, cultural. May his words be heeded throughout the land. -- Robert D. Putnam Professor, Harvard University and author of Bowling Alone (2000) and The Upswing (2020)the work will stand as a worthy successor to, and, in many respects, summation of Sacks's impressive oeuvre * Jewish Chronicle *Sacks unpacks a whole litany of dystopian trends arising from our relentless preoccupation with me, me, me * Premier Christianity *Sacks presents an articulate and impassioned argument . . . He is a fine exegete of the Hebrew Scriptures, and his belief in the common good is profound. * Reform *The strength of Morality does not reside in Jonathan Sacks's discussion of political and philosophical theorists, but in those passages in which he speaks to us as rabbi and community leader. * TLS *'Sacks argues convincingly that this pursuit of the common good has been disappearing from the West, and has left us impoverished and damaged.' * Jewish Renaissance *The inheritor of a tradition with a long historical memory of loss, exile, death and mourning, Sacks has things to say that speak more directly to our present condition than anything in recent liberal thinking. * New Statesman *'Let Us Dream thus joins a growing body of Covid-era literature calling for a communitarian reset of liberal values and institutions... Morality by the late Jonathan Sacks have all traversed similar territory. The collective pro noun is back in fashion.' * Observer *And so this last book reads like a summation of his life's work - a propitiously timed gift and a starting point for discussion. * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisA short guide to help young Christians defend their faith. It’s good to be prepared for hard questions. And if you’re a Christian, hard questions are going to come. The Bible says we should be prepared to give an account of our faith, and so Stephen Nichols has written this short book to help you defend what you believe. Read, and make sure you’re ready.Trade Review… every Christian needs to defend what he or she believes about God, about Jesus. And every Christian needs to know how best to do it. And here, in this short primer, Nichols has given you a gem. It might even change your life. So be prepared to be changed, challenged, convicted, and encouraged. -- Derek W. H. Thomas (Senior Minister of Preaching and Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina)At last! An apologetics book that is practical rather than academic, biblical rather than philosophical, entertaining rather than boring, short rather than long, and, most importantly, Christ–centered rather than Christless. This engaging and enjoyable book will not only defend your faith but help you defend and share the faith with others. -- David Murray (Senior Pastor, First Byron CRC, Byron Center, Michigan and author of ‘The StoryChanger’ and ‘Jesus on Every Page’)This little book on apologetics from my friend Stephen Nichols is packed full of big, life–altering truths that will equip you to both find and give answers to the hard questions of faith and life. -- Walt Mueller (President, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding)

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Book SynopsisMany pastors today see themselves primarily as counselors, leaders, and motivators. Yet this often comes at the expense of the fundamental reality of the pastorate as a theological office. The most important role is to be a theologian mediating God to the people. The church needs pastors who can contextualize biblical wisdom in Christian living to help their congregations think theologically about all aspects of their lives, such as work, end-of-life decisions, political involvement, and entertainment choices. Drawing on the Bible, key figures from church history, and Christian theology, this book offers a clarion call for pastors to serve as public theologians in their congregations and communities. It is designed to be engaging reading for busy pastors and includes pastoral reflections on the theological task from twelve working pastors, including Kevin DeYoung and Cornelius Plantinga.Table of ContentsContents Preface Owen Strachan and Kevin J. Vanhoozer Introduction: Pastors, Theologians, and Other Public Figures Kevin J. Vanhoozer * Problem: A Lost Vision * Proposal: The Pastor-Theologian as Peculiar Public Figure * Prospect: The Ministry of What Is "in Christ" Pastoral Perspectives Gerald Hiestand--Six Practical Steps toward Being a Pastor-Theologian Josh Moody--Seven Ways to Theologize as a Pastor Part 1: Biblical Theology and Historical Theology 1. Of Prophets, Priests, and Kings: A Brief Biblical Theology of the Pastorate Owen Strachan * The Ministry of the Old Covenant in the Old Testament * Participating in Jesus's Ministry of the New Covenant: The New Testament * Conclusion: The Pastorate as Theological Office Pastoral Perspectives Melvin Tinker--The Pastor as Public Theologian Todd Wilson--Human Origins: A Test Case for Pastor-Theologians Jim Samra--A Practical Theology of Technology 2. Of Scholars and Saints: A Brief History of the Pastorate Owen Strachan * The Early Church * The Medieval Period: Scholasticism and Monasticism * The Reformational Awakening: Protestant Pastors * Theological Shepherds: The Puritans and the Practicality of Truth * Agents of "Divine Business": The Edwardseans and Pastoral Dominion * The Modern Turn: Populism, Professionalism, and the Taming of the Pastorate * Glimmers of Hope: Harold Ockenga and Neoevangelical Boldness * Conclusion: Toward What Pastorate? Pastoral Perspectives Wesley G. Pastor--How the Theology of Saving Faith Has Affected My Congregation Kevin DeYoung--A Place for Truth Part 2: Systematic Theology and Practical Theology 3. In the Evangelical Mood: The Purpose of the Pastor-Theologian Kevin J. Vanhoozer * The Many Moods of Theology: Between Death and Resurrection * A Ministry of Reality: Theology in the Indicative Mood * A Ministry of Understanding: The Diakonia of God's Word * A Ministry of (New) Life: Theology in the Imperative Mood * The Goods of Theology: What Are Seminaries For? Pastoral Perspectives David Gibson--On Death Bill Kynes--Preaching the Doctrine of the Gospel as Truth, Goodness, and Beauty Cornelius Plantinga Jr.--Reading for Preaching 4. Artisans in the House of God: The Practices of the Pastor-Theologian Kevin J. Vanhoozer * The Great Pastoral Commission: "Make Disciples"; "Build God's House" * Evangelist: Presenting What Is in Christ * Catechist: Teaching What Is in Christ * Liturgist: Celebrating What Is in Christ * Apologist: Demonstrating What Is in Christ Pastoral Perspectives Guy A. Davies--The Drama of Preaching Jason B. Hood--The Pastor-Theologian as Pulpit Apologist Conclusion: Fifty-Five Summary Theses on the Pastor as Public Theologian Kevin J. Vanhoozer Indexes

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2020 Book Award (Award of Merit, Theology/Ethics) Outreach 2020 Recommended Resource of the Year (Theology and Biblical Studies) The question of what makes life worth living is more vital now than ever. In today's pluralistic, postsecular world, universal values are dismissed as mere matters of private opinion, and the question of what constitutes flourishing life--for ourselves, our neighbors, and the planet as a whole--is neglected in our universities, our churches, and our culture at large. Although we increasingly have technology to do almost anything, we have little sense of what is truly worth accomplishing. In this provocative new contribution to public theology, world-renowned theologian Miroslav Volf (named "America's New Public Intellectual" by Scot McKnight on his Jesus Creed blog) and Matthew Croasmun explain that the intellectual tools needed to rescue us from our present malaise and meet our new cultural challenge are the tools of theology. A renewal of theology is crucial to help us articulate compelling visions of the good life, find our way through the maze of contested questions of value, and answer the fundamental question of what makes life worth living.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Why Theology Matters--To Us1. The Human Quest2. The Crisis of Theology3. The Renewal of Theology4. The Challenge of Universality5. Lives of Theologianswith Justin Crisp6. A Vision of Flourishing LifeIndex

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Book SynopsisLars Muhl has had a lifelong burning interest in Jesus, not only as an archetype, saviour, boddhisatava and elder brother, but also in relation to the Essenes from the Dead Sea. The Law of Light is the result of his many years spent studying Aramaic and the techniques of Yeshua (Jesus). Yeshua spoke Aramaic. Through the Aramaic language, his teachings offer not just another interpretation of the New Testament, but the unveiling of a secret message that attempts, once and for all, to settle centuries-old conceptions of sin, and to once again connect man with the heavenly spiritual source. The core of Yeshua’s Aramaic message is intimacy, freedom, selfless awareness, unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness. In all he says, there exists a hidden invitation to us to be present in, and dedicated to, everything with which we engage. Five minutes of total devotion is worth more than hours of hectic exertion. The aim is to set mankind free and to dismiss everything that is bound up in false notions.Trade Review“Lars Muhl, author of The O Manuscript has surpassed himself with The Law of Light. This is certainly his masterpiece: the teachings of Christ, a guide to a lightness of being which throws a different aspect on life and how to live it well. Like one of Jesus’ apostles, Lars Muhl was given an inside into the Mysteries—the true message of Jesus and we have the privilege that he shares it with us. A book to be read and reread—an indispensable study guide to life.” —Heidi Kay “After almost 2,000 years of the religious distortions of Yeshua’s (Jesus) spiritual practice teachings, it is imperative that we recover the truth of his Aramaic words. No one does this with the beauty, the depth, and the clarity of Lars Muhl in his book, The Law of Light. There will not be a more important book released in the 21st century for the spiritual seekers who have chosen to live beyond the smallness of religion. Beyond religion, your life awaits your claiming it fully.” —James A. Stacey

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Book SynopsisIn his 100th work, Joel Beeke writes on the power and beauty of true, secure assurance of faith: the heartfelt conviction that one belongs to Christ through faith and will enjoy everlasting salvation. This title opens up Dr. Beeke’s expertise and learning for anyone ‘trapped in a background of easy believism or trapped in the opposite fear of assurance being the certain mark of being presumptuous and so crushing the young shoots of hope and assurance as they appear.’Trade ReviewHere is a book that every person should read, whether they are a believer or an unbeliever. Joel Beeke has once again done a masterful job of presenting a thorough biblical case on this important subject. -- Steven J. Lawson (President, OnePassion Ministries and Professor of Preaching,The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California)Here in this book, with perspicuity and simplicity, and informed by a lifetime of reflection and study of this subject, Dr Beeke lays out the New Testament witness that so thrilled the hearts of the Reformers and our Evangelical forebears. I highly recommend it. -- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)Here is a book that will bring comforting peace, thrilling joy, and a defiant hope to the heart of any child of God battered by waves of unbelief in the high seas of life. Read it and be blessed! -- Conrad Mbewe (Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Kabwata, Zambia; Founding Chancellor, African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia)I'm delighted to see this book make Dr. Beeke's expertise more widely accessible, and hope that many more will now benefit from it as I did. To be fruitful, healthy and happy in Christ, Christians need to know the truths laid out for us here. -- Michael Reeves (President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales)As one who has personally benefitted from Dr. Beeke's teaching on assurance over the years, I'm delighted that the mature fruit of his thinking, writing, and speaking about this vital topic is now being made more available and accessible in this simple guide to such a profound and practical subject. May many discover through these pages, "I am His, and He is mine." -- David Murray (Senior Pastor, First Byron CRC, Byron Center, Michigan and author of ‘The StoryChanger’ and ‘Jesus on Every Page’)

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Book SynopsisDo Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics share a common orthodoxy, as promoted by initiatives such as Evangelicals and Catholics Together? Or do the profound differences between Evangelical and Catholic theology and how they view the doctrines of Christ, the Church and salvation mean they actually hold to very different gospels? Same Words, Different Worlds explores whether Evangelicals and Catholics have the same gospel if they have core commitments that contradict. It lays out how the words used to understand the gospel are the same but differ drastically in their underlying theology. With keen insight, Leonardo de Chirico looks at various aspects of Roman Catholic theology – including Mary, the intercession of the saints, purgatory and papal infallibility – from an Evangelical perspective to argue that theological framework of Roman Catholicism is not faithful to the biblical gospel. Only by understanding the real differences can genuine dialogue flourish. Same Words, Different Worlds will deepen your understanding of the differences between Evangelical and Catholic theology, and how the Reformation is not over in the church today.Trade ReviewJust as Luther’s own debates with Rome clarified his theology, so this book helps evangelicals think more clearly about the gospel and so helps us be more truly evangelical... this book not only gives us wisdom: it takes us deep into the joy-giving world of the gospel. -- Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of TheologyLeonardo De Chirico’s Same Words, Different Worlds is an authoritative, clear, and compelling account. He knows of what he speaks: fluffy-minded evangelicals confused about "contemporary" Roman Catholicism, read and learn. -- Dr. Josh Moody (Ph.D. University of Cambridge), Senior Pastor of College Church, President of God Centered Life MinistriesLaboring for the gospel in the shadow of the Vatican, Dr. De Chirico knows Roman Catholicism of the past and present, of its doctrine and practice, of its American and global identity. He then adds his deep knowledge of the historic orthodox Christian faith. And he then adds his winsome and gracious nature. The result is a book that with clarity and grace shows the profound difference between Roman Catholicism and Evangelicalism—and why that difference is of such ultimate, eternal significance. -- Stephen J. Nichols President of Reformation Bible College Chief Academic Officer of Ligonier Ministries Author of R. C. Sproul: A LifeHow can I stand next to my Roman Catholic friend and say the words, "We believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic faith" and mean something completely different by the words: "We", "believe", "in", "the one", "holy", Catholic", "Apostolic" and "faith"? De Chirico, an Italian National and church planter in Rome, is better placed than anyone to act as a bridge between evangelicals and Roman Catholics. This book provides the key to understanding these differences, avoiding pitfalls and communicating more effectively with Roman Catholics. De Chirico’s book is a powerful tool to help us talk about the Jesus whom we love with the people in our lives whom we love who live in a world influenced by Roman Catholicism. -- Rev Dr Mark Gilbert, Catholic Evangelist, Sydney, Australia.In current ecumenical dialogue the emphasis is on agreement, with disputed points either left to one side or treated as secondary. Dr De Chirico takes issue with this approach and argues that the questions that divided the Western Church in the sixteenth century have not gone away and must still be faced. Evangelicals and Catholics hold some things in common, but as this book shows, their differences are important and cannot be overlooked. -- Gerald Bray, Research Professor of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School, Alabama, USA, and Director of Research for the Latimer Trust.In this helpful book, my friend Leonardo De Chirico proves why he is one of the preeminent Protestant scholars of Roman Catholicism. He accomplishes just what he sets out to prove: that even though Protestants and Catholics may use similar words, they believe in very different gospels. As he accomplishes this, he displays his characteristic wisdom, charity, kindness, and expansive knowledge of both Protestant and Catholic doctrine. -- Tim Challies, www.challies.comThis book is easily the most profound analysis of the Roman Catholic ‘world’ available today. The fact that it is also the most lucid and accessible makes it remarkable. In a measured and eirenic way the author peels back the subtle deceptions through which, over the best part of two millennia, the Papacy has mis-represented the Chistian faith" -- Ranald Macaulay, Founder, Christian HeritageWhen Vatican II met at Rome 1962-1965, global Protestants were helped to assess the developments taking place there through ‘observers’, invited from various communions. In more recent times, this service has been admirably fulfilled by Leonardo De Chirico, who by his on-site residence and his digesting of fresh Papal pronouncements and activity today serves as the eyes and ears of evangelical Protestants globally. Now, in Same Words: Different Worlds, De Chirico offers us a fine distillation of his observations. -- Kenneth J. Stewart, Emeritus Professor of Theological Studies, Covenant CollegeThis is a challenging read which sets out the crucial doctrinal differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, especially those hiding within some apparent verbal similarities. It is a provocative counter-point to the sometimes naive ecumenical thrust of much modern discussion on inter-church relations. -- Dr Lee Gatiss, Director of Church Society and author of Light after Darkness: How the Reformers Regained, Retold, and Relied On the Gospel of Grace.I am thrilled to see this new book by Leonardo De Chirico. I benefitted immensely from reading De Chirico's doctoral thesis several years ago on Roman Catholicism. As one who teaches theology, including a course on the church fathers and medieval theology, it is tempting to say that Rome and Protestantism simply agree on many things. But I have been persuaded by De Chirico's analysis that central tenets of Roman Catholicism put even seemingly common theological territory in a different light. If you want to understand the deep principles of Roman Catholic theology, I strongly encourage the reading of this book. -- Bradley G. Green, Professor of Theological Studies, Union University, Jackson (TN).

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Book SynopsisIbn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah Dar al-Sa''ada) is an abridgement of the first volume of Key to the Blissful Abode, a popular title by the renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. In it, Ibn Qayyim focuses on the importance of knowledge and willpower, as means through which a person may attain Paradise. Willpower is the door and knowledge in particular knowledgewhich pertains to God and His Attributes, the Qur''an and the example of the Prophetis the key. Ibn Qayyim discusses the virtues and benefits of knowledge over wealth and worldly matters; the path to knowledge; the importance of pursuing knowledge and applying it in order to achieve guidance from God and protect oneself from doubts; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper; the necessity of using knowledge and willpower as the bases for all actions if one is to achieve spiritual bliss. Ibn Qayyim then concludes Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode, by discussing the importance of contemplation and reflection in order to attain further knowledge and guidance.

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Book SynopsisIbn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Divine Wisdom and the Problem of Evil is a translation of selections from two of Ibn Qayyim''s books, Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah dar al-sa''ada) and Remedy for Those who Question on Matters Concerning Divine Decree, Predestination, Wisdom and Causality (Shifa'' al-''alil fi masa''il al-qada'' wa''l-qadar wa''l-hikma wa''l-ta''lil). As with all his other writings, Ibn al-Qayyim''s foremost goal is to establish the wisdom of God, the primacy of the Qur''an and Sunna, and the congruity between reason and revelation. In the present selections, Ibn al-Qayyim focuses on the application of the wisdom of God to the existence of evil.Ibn al-Qayyim first discusses twenty-six wise purposes behind God creating humanity and settling them on Earth. His perspective is that whatever exists in this world is either purely or preponderantly good, or indirectly leads to a greater good. Ibn Qayyim then explores how the presence of evil allows the manifestation of many of God''s Beautiful Names, glorious attributes and compassionate actions; while, for humanity, the existence of evil provides the righteous with opportunities to strive against it, for Paradise can only be reached by ''traversing a bridge of hardships and tribulations''.The discussion of the existence of evil is followed by thirty wise purposes and secrets in God allowing people to sin. Prominent among them are that God loves repentance and loves to manifest His Attributes of forgiveness and mercy. Here, Ibn al-Qayyim also debates at length whether the punishment of Hellfire will be eternal or whether it will come to an end. He favours the latter position in accordance with the Qur''anic verse 107 of the Chapter Hud and because of God''s mercy.

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Book SynopsisIn this comprehensive open access book, written for readers from any or no religious background, Leena El-Ali does something remarkable. Never before has anyone taken on every last claim relating to Islam and women and countered it not just with Qur’anic evidence to the contrary, but with easy-to-use tools available to all. How can a woman’s testimony be worth half of a man’s? How can men divorce their wives unilaterally by uttering three words? And what’s with the obsession with virgins in Paradise? Find the chapter on any of the seventeen topics in this book, and you will quickly learn a) where the myth came from and b) how to bust it. The methodology pursued is simple. First, the Qur’an is given priority over all other literary or “scriptural” sources. Second, the meaning of its verses in the original Arabic is highlighted, in contrast to English translations and/or widespread misunderstanding or misinterpretation. Table of ContentsPart I First the Qur’an, then Islam1. A Spiritual Journey2. Hadith Corpus3. Hadith Content4. Women and the Development of hadith LiteratureAT A GLANCE: First the Qur’an, then IslamPart II The Nature of Women5. Women Were Not Created of Inferior Celestial Material6. Eve Is Not Blamed for the Fall from Eden, Nor Are Women Guilty by Association7. Women Are Not a Constant Source of Social Discord – Nor Naturally Conniving!8. Women Were Created with the Exact Same Spiritual and Intellectual Capacity as Men, So of Course They Can Lead9. When Men Deprive Women of Their Free Will, They Are Not Protecting Anyone: They Are Obstructing God’s Plan10. God Does Not Prefer Sons Over Daughters (!)AT A GLANCE: The Nature of WomenPart III The Rights of Women11. Women Were Not Meant to Be Subordinate to Men12. Inheritance: No, Women Did Not Get the Short End of the Stick13. Nuptials: Women Do Have the Right to Choose Their Own Spouse, and How the Qur’anic Nuptial Agreement Advocates for the Bride14. Marriage: A Sublime Institution, Not Mere Social Contract15. Divorce: Men Do Not Hold all the Cards – The Qur’an Actually Levels the Playing Field Through Mandated Process and EtiquetteAT A GLANCE: The Rights of WomenPart IV Some Inconvenient Truths16. Clothing: There Is No Dress Code for Women Beyond Covering their Private Parts, as with Men17. Segregation: There Is No Restriction on Men and Women Mingling18. Witnesses: A Woman’s Testimony Is Worth the Same as a Man’s, Except in Two Cases Where It May Count for More or LessAT A GLANCE: Some Inconvenient TruthsPart V Carnal Matters19. Sexual Misconduct: What the Qur’an Tells Us About Pre-Marital vs Extra-Marital Sex20. Domestic Violence: The Qur’an Does Not Instruct Husbands to Hit Their Wives for “Disobedience” or Anything Else21. Virgins: There Are No 72 Virgins Waiting for Anyone in Paradise AT A GLANCE: Carnal Matters

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Book SynopsisC.S. Lewis's famous work on the nature of love divides love into four categories: Affection, Friendship, Eros and Charity. The first three are loves which come naturally to the human race.Charity, however, the Gift-love of God, is divine in its source and expression, and without the sweetening grace of this supernatural love, the natural loves become distorted and even dangerous.Trade Review‘He has never written better. Nearly every page scintillates with observations which are illuminating, provocative and original.’ Church Times

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