Search results for ""Inter-Varsity Press""

The Contemporary Christian is John Stott's definitive and passionate plea to the church. Before we attempt to teach or evangelise, he urges, we must listen to God's Word and God's world. Only then will we be able to communicate the authentic gospel effectively.John Stott himself models this 'double listening' as he tackles five key questions: * Amid scepticism inside the church as well as outside, what is the authentic gospel? * In a world torn by pain and need, what characterises the obedient disciple? * Now that the Bible is often set aside as culturally irrelevant, how can we relate it with integrity to contemporary society? * Given the church's general lack of credibility, what is her calling and how can she fulfil it? * In a pluralistic society and a hungry world, what is the church's mission?

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In recent years our knowledge of the individual parts of the Bible has increased greatly, but our understanding of how they fit together has not kept pace. In particular, the relationship between the Old and New Testaments has been a neglected field of study. The latest in IVP's developing family of New Dictionaries, the 'New Dictionary of Biblical Theology' is an essential tool for students, preachers and ministers, as well as for scholars and others seeking a better grasp of the Bible's teaching. The aim of this prestigious dictionary is to integrate the various biblical books and themes into the overarching story of the Scriptures. The volume embodies three perspectives on biblical theology, which are reflected in its structure.

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Surprisingly, in recent years evangelical exegetical commentaries on Isaiah have been few and far between. Now after over three decades of studying and teaching Isaiah, Alec Motyer presents a wealth of comment and perspective on this book. Although his emphasis is on the grammatical, historical, structural, literary and theological dimensions of the text, Motyer writes with an eye on its meaning for Christians today. Based on the author's knowledge of the Hebrew text, but utilizing the New International Version, the commentary easily accommodates readers without a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew. Preachers, teachers and serious Bible students of all types will find this commentary a wise, winsome and welcome guide to the prophecy of Isaiah. It may easily be the best one-volume evangelical commentary on Isaiah available today.

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Great privilege. Great pain. This is God's way: to take the privilege of faith and strengthen it with real trials so that we worship and witness with a greater passion for God. There is a certain irony to the fruit of affliction; John Bunyan's confinement taught him the pilgrim path of Christian freedom; William Cowper's mental illness yielded sweet music of the mind for troubled souls; David Brainerd's smouldering misery of isolation and disease exploded in global mission beyond all imagination. Irony and disproportion are all God's way. We think we know how to do something big, and God makes it little. We think that all we have is weak and small, and God makes it big. Barren Sarah gives birth to the child of promise. Gideon's three hundred men defeat a hundred thousand Midianites. A slingshot in the hand of a shepherd boy brings the giant down. A virgin bears the Son of God. A boy's five loaves feeds thousands. A breach of justice, grovelling political expediency, and criminal torture on a gruesome cross become the salvation of the world.

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Can Christian artists tough it out in the real world? Or can Christian art only survive when unchallenged, in the cordoned off enclave of the Christian subculture? If our music, writing, theatre, painting, artistic expression is insipid and uninspiring, how great is the God who allows it to represent him? How exciting is the life that seems to prefer drabness to colour, shallowness to complexity, security to risk? The world of the arts and media is where ideas are rehearsed and values are tested. And yet the Christian presence in that world is insignificant, and the church has not always been supportive. Are we fearful of opening ourselves to its influence, or are Christian artists too often swallowed up by the world where they seek to be salt and light? Steve Turner urges us to develop ways of being out there, of thinking rigorously but christianly, of finding a voice, of achieving an integrity in our artistic expression while maintaining a true spiritual integrity. Only then can our art naturally and inevitably speak of the hope that we have.

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Self-esteem is a problem for many people today, including Christians. Low self-esteem can hinder people from achieving their potential, and prevent even the most dedicated Christians from fulfilling God's purpose in their lives. Yet properly understood, the gospel provides an important answer to low self-esteem. In this important book, Joanna McGrath, a psychologist, and Alister McGrath, a theologian, explore a number of crucial questions, including; what is self-esteem?; are Christians allowed to have positive self-esteem?; what about sin and humility?; are psychological approaches to counselling anti-Christian?; how can I nurture self-esteem in myself and in other people? They demonstrate the centrality of the cross to a Christian understanding of self-esteem, and the importance of secure parental attachment to God in Christ for an authentic experience of self-worth. Their analysis also provides a sure-footed guide through current secular approaches in psychology and psychotherapy, revealing some of the strengths and weaknesses of these views.

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In a groundbreaking work Dan Estes produces a systematic theory of education in how to live. He describes and explains the rich tradition of education in living underlying Proverbs 1 - 9, a tradition based on that most important concept, 'The fear of the LORD'.

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Pastoral theology is theology seen from the shepherding perspective. Relating to every aspect of church life - from leading congregations to counselling individuals - it calls for pastors with a good grasp of Christian doctrine and a wide range of skills. After defining pastoral theology the author examines its biblical foundations. He then surveys the various ways in which it has been understood in the history of the church. In his final section Dr Tidball considers five major themes - belief, forgiveness, suffering, unity and ministry - as examples of pastoral theology at work in the church today.

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"Good preaching is the present Word of God to his people", argues J. I. Packer. And it is to communicate this that is our first calling. In this inspiring collection of essays, experienced preachers explore the different aspects of preaching.

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This is a journey through the Bible, which is an exploratory walk rather than a motorway dash. The large number and diversity of biblical passages dealing with the theme of creation underlines its central importance to the biblical message. As a theologian (whose focus is the Bible) and as an eminent astrophysicist (whose subject is the visible universe) David Wilkinson is well placed to try to capture some of the richness of the biblical portrayal of creation. The key to this portrait, believes David Wilkinson, is to see Father, Son, and Spirit in the beginning, the sustaining, and the new beginning of creation, giving life and love in a generosity beyond our imaginings.

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With characteristic insight, Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-jones here offers a detailed and comprehensive exposition of one of the best known but most frequently misunderstood passages of scripture – the Sermon on the Mount/ The Sermon on the Mount, says Lloyd-Jones, is not a code of ethics or morals; it is a description of what Christians are meant to be. With his eye always on both Scripture and life, he explains and applied Christ’s teaching for Christians struggling to live like Christ. Originally delivered as sermons, the sixty studies in this devotional classic provide a fine example of clear, consecutive expository preaching from one of the greatest preachers of our time.

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Do you ever feel powerless? It was not always so for the people of the early church. Jesus transformed their lives--and they changed the world! Acts is the extraordinary record of what these early Christian disciples did. The power that you see in action in this book is the same power that can transform your life. As Phyllis J. Le Peau leads you through the pages of Acts, you will begin to understand what the Holy Spirit can do in you and in the world. This revised Life Builder Bible Study features additional questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection. Included are expanded leader's notes and a "Now and Later" section in each study.

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Follow the story of the dynamic growth of the early church. Meet the cast of characters with their strengths, faults and failings just like ours. Always God’s power shines through, in spite of opposition and misunderstanding. Then, as now, men and women prayed, searched the Scriptures and listened for God’s promptings. This volume will inspire and inform our faith. It will fill us with renewed appreciation for our heritage. But above all, as we â€~discover Acts’, tracing the adventures of the early church, we cannot fail to refocus afresh on our great and powerful God.

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In a world with so much destruction and pain we can often find ourselves asking: Was there ever a perfect plan for the world? Was it designed by anyone at all? Was it an accident? And if it was all planned for a reason and purpose, what are those purposes? Vaughan Roberts encourages readers to look at the first chapters of the Bible to understand the plan that God had in mind for humanity right from the start. He examines how God intended us to live in his creation and gives clear indications of how we can do so in the world today, even through the pain and destruction around us. He covers the issues that affect us all: our identity, the earth, sex, marriage and work. This is an indispensable guide to understanding how the Creator wants the world to work and will challenge readers to change their behaviour and attitudes to reflect what God intends for life.

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David Smith surveys the modern missionary movement, examines critical issues concerning the gospel and culture, reflects on mission in the context of violence and suffering, and explores the ‘translation’ of the gospel for today’s globalized world. In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes striking use of the phrase 'the kindness of God' (11:22). The apostle to the Gentiles warns non-Jewish believers in the imperial city of Rome to beware of arrogance, counselling them to 'be afraid' that the kind of spiritual pride which led to the downfall of biblical Israel will also be their undoing. In the deeply troubled times in which we live, this text speaks powerfully to Christians throughout the world, summoning a global church to prioritize what really matters and to discover its unity in the service of the Christ whose life and death revealed in human form precisely the 'kindness of God'. Taking his starting point from Lesslie Newbigin's analysis of the contemporary historical and cultural context, David Smith explores issues in, and challenges to, the practice of Christian mission and witness today. He surveys the modern movement, starting with the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in 1910; examines critical issues concerning the gospel and culture; reflects on mission in the context of violence and suffering; and explores the 'translation' of the gospel for a globalized world. He also examines how Scripture was used to justify the political and economic expansion of European power at the dawn of the modern world, and argues that mission today demands both a new hermeneutic and a revised theology of mission, within which Paul's letter to the Romans will play a significant role.

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James Robson's accessible study focuses on Deuteronomy's storyline, explores its role within a biblical theology of the Old and New Testaments, and sets out its enduring function as an authoritative word for the Christian and the church today. In the Old Testament, milk and honey are the enticing fare of the Promised Land; but honey as sweet nourishment extends to Yahweh's words, and Deuteronomy is a book filled with them. A rock is hardly the most promising place to find nourishment, and perhaps for many readers Deuteronomy may seem equally unpromising. However, in the song of Moses Yahweh is pictured as the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4). Our nourishment comes not just from Deuteronomy, but from God himself. James Robson's aim is to orient readers to Deuteronomy: to guide them in what to expect, to help them interpret what they find, and to help them think through the wider significance of what they have read. His study is for those interested in understanding Deuteronomy's role within a biblical theology of the Old and New Testaments, and for those convinced that when Deuteronomy is read, God's voice is heard. All with a concern for Christian interpretation and appropriation of the book of Deuteronomy will appreciate Robson's accessible exploration of a word with a story, to shape the life of God's people.

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We love them. We hate them. But we certainly cannot ignore them. Emotions can be wonderful things we love or horrible things we hate - depending on how we're feeling at the time. Sometimes we feel at their mercy and think that God would have been so much wiser to have made us without them. But we can't get away from it: God made us to feel. Emotions thinks through the place of emotions, how we view them, handle them and glorify God with them. We see that the mature Christian life involves a fully-functioning emotional life and that emotions flow from the heart. We focus on how we can grow in good and godly emotions. We look at emotions and reading the Bible, emotions and singing praise to God, and the best way up when we are feeling down.

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The figure of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) dominates the history of British evangelicalism in the twentieth century. As perhaps the greatest non-conformist statesman of his generation, 'the Doctor' is best known as a preacher and mentor of young preachers. From the pulpit of Westminster Chapel in London and other platforms, he called the evangelical movement back to a robust reformed Christianity, with a passion for biblical conviction and Spirit-empowered revival. His impact upon evangelicalism was immense, and his legacy remains deeply influential. By building on, and engaging with, the work of earlier biographers and theologians, this valuable collection of new studies seeks to advance our understanding of Lloyd-Jones' life and legacy in a number of fresh directions. The topics covered are: the interwar Calvinist resurgence, Wales, revival, the charismatic controversy, ministerial education, fundamentalism, Barth, Rome, the Anglican secession crisis, and the Protestant past. The volume concludes with a chronological bibliography of Lloyd-Jones' writings. The contributors are Andrew Atherstone, Ben Bailie, David W. Bebbington, John Coffey, Philip H. Eveson, David Ceri Jones, William K. Kay, John Maiden, Robert Pope, Ian M. Randall and Robert Strivens.

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... in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28) The Puritans used to say that 'providence is the last refuge of the saints'. Melvin Tinker's personal experience and work as a pastor have led him to believe that the doctrine of God's providence should be amongst the first refuges for the Christian seeking strength and comfort. From the early church right through into the nineteenth century, belief in providence was part of the staple diet of professing Christians. For various reasons, the doctrine was eclipsed in the twentieth century, and still lies on the edges of much Christian thought and practice today. However, rightly understood, the providence of God shines as a glorious jewel in the crown of the Christian faith. Melvin Tinker's exploration and exposition of some of the wonderful facets of that jewel is both pastoral and practical.

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‘God doesn’t demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules: he only wants his people to know him more intimately,’ says D. A. Carson. ‘If we are to make any headway in reforming our personal and corporate praying, then we shall have to begin by listening afresh to Scripture and seeking God’s help in understanding how to apply Scripture to our lives, our homes and our churches.’ In this widely appreciated exposition, Carson works through several of the apostle Paul’s prayers in such a way that we hear God speak to us today, and find strength and direction to improve our praying, both for God’s glory and for our good.

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Working daily with Muslims in central London, Rob Scott has discovered that many have a hunger for debate and an openness to talking about matters of faith. In this thoughtful and respectful book, he explores good answers to common questions his Muslim friends have discussed with him over the years. He equips ordinary Christians to tackle conversations about faith with their Muslim friends, with confidence and competence.

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What does it mean to be a truly spiritual Christian? At a time when there is no shortage of answers competing for our attention, how do we know what really is from God? This book looks for answers in the Bible, focusing on Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. The Corinthians really thought they had arrived. By contrast, Paul was unspiritual, ignorant, weak and foolish. Paul writes a strongly corrective letter, not simply to defend his reputation but to restore them to true Christian faith. He picks up the words that they themselves use and says, 'This knowledge, power and wisdom you claim to have are not the real thing. What you call spirituality is worldly. You are being directed by the mindset of the non-Christian world rather than by the Holy Spirit.' That challenge still applies. Paul's appeal is God's appeal to us. We too need to repent of inadequate understandings of what it means to live by the Spirit and instead embrace true spirituality.

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Thirty-five of John Stott's friends open their hearts and share significant memories of a unique man, mentor, speaker and author, creating a vivid gallery of very personal portraits from around the globe. From 'Wumby Dumby', the special uncle and godfather, to the Revd Dr John Stott, international Christian statesman, this tribute contains a rich bank of memories, representing a key period in twentieth-century British evangelicalism. The human John Stott is very much in evidence also, for example in stories from the author's bird-watching exploits and relaxed holidays at his beloved Welsh home. Many brush strokes, one portrait, this presents a compelling and multi-faceted image of a fascinating Christian leader. [Contains coloured art sections x 2 with a unique collection of photos, both formal and informal.]

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In 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 are 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. Climate change, they suggest, is potentially the most far-reaching threat that our planet faces in the coming decades, but only the most publicized. There is a wide range of much more obvious, interrelated and damaging impacts that an ever-growing number of people, consuming more and more, are having on the planet upon which we all depend. Yet if the Christian gospel fundamentally reorientates us in our relationship with God and his world, then there ought to be something radically distinctive about our attitude and approach to such threats. Moo and White therefore reflect on just what difference the Bible’s vision of the future of all of creation makes to how we live now and respond to the challenges facing life on earth.

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In an age when men can be nurses or stay-at-home dads and women can be pilots or business managers, there are few areas left where gender alone determines what a person can and cannot do. Yet different models still exist in Christian ministry. Some denominations contend that certain areas of church life should be the preserve of men alone, while others allow full access to all areas for both sexes. But which is right? In this compelling email exchange, Lis Goddard and Clare Hendry search the Scriptures for guidance on the roles of women and men in church leadership today. Against the busy backdrop of everyday life, their conversation covers all the key passages, leaving no tricky verse unexamined. Passionately arguing their respective corners, they pinpoint where they disagree - and agree - all the while modelling Christian debate and friendship. Points to ponder helpfully enable readers to explore their own conclusions.

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For some Christians, God the Holy Spirit is something of a mystery, and they are not too sure what to say about him. Others speak with confidence and enthusiasm about him, challenging us to be 'filled with the Spirit', or to live a 'Spirit-filled life'. As a result, the work of the Spirit has sometimes been controversial. Graham Beynon looks at the main New Testament passages in which the Spirit s work is described. With freshness and clarity, he builds a picture of what the Holy Spirit does, and hence what experiencing him in our lives should look like.

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The Gospel of John declares its purpose clearly--"these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Thus it fulfills a dual function, encouraging believers and providing them with evidences for proclaiming that Jesus is God's Messiah, the divine, incarnate Son of God. Christians today, as in the first century, can draw strength and courage from John's telling of the story of Jesus, a telling that consistently reflects not only the words and deeds of Jesus but their inner significance. We are called to worship as we find the Father, Son and Spirit revealed in the Gospel. And as in Jesus we discover God's light, life and love, we learn to respond in faith, humility and obedience. Throughout, Whitacre explains what the gospel meant to its original hearers and its application for us today.

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When we hear the word 'idol' we tend to think of football players or pop stars. We may even remember that some people's religion meant worshipping idols: little or large statues that represented a god. But what has this to do with us today? Julian Hardyman is increasingly convinced that idolatry putting anything else in the place that is rightfully God's explains us and our problems: Why we get so angry about traffic jams. What drives us to work so hard our marriage hits the rocks. What lies behind that compulsion to look at pornography. He has also found that God is engaged in a war to win back our hearts.

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Nothing is more central to the Bible than Jesus' death and resurrection, over one weekend in Jerusalem about two thousand years ago. Attempts to make sense of the Bible that do not integrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are doomed to failure. Jesus' own followers did not expect him to be crucified; they certainly did not expect him to rise again. Yet after these events their thinking and attitudes were so transformed that they could see the sheer inevitability that Jesus would die on a cross and leave an empty tomb behind, and absolutely everything in their lives was changed. However much the Bible insists on the historicity of these events, it is as important to know what they mean as to know that they happened. With clarity and conviction, D. A. Carson unpacks what some of the earliest witnesses wrote, in five New Testament texts, to provide an introductory explanation of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

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Thomas Schreiner's substantial New Testament Theology examined the unifying themes that emerge from a detailed reading of the New Testament canon. Magnifying God in Christ provides a student-level digest of Schreiner's massive work, exploring the key themes and teachings of the New Testament in a more accessible and concise way. In addition to summarizing the findings of Schreiner's larger work, this survey provides answers to the 'so what?' question of New Testament theology.

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If someone came back from the grave, they would be able to answer some big questions: *What happens when we die? * Is there anybody out there? *Which religion, if any, is true? Christians claim that Jesus Christ did just that: was bodily resurrected three days after being brutally executed. But is it true?

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God speaks. By his Spirit. Through the Bible. About his Son. This is one of the most crucial things for any Christian to get to grips with. If we understand how God speaks, then we can truly know him. Everything else slots into place. We see Jesus clearly. We fall in love with him more deeply. We make sense of our world. But get this wrong and we lose it all. This book covers the whole sweep of the subject from start to finish. It puts all the parts of the jigsaw in their proper place. Yet, mixing our metaphors, it’s also an appetizer, whetting your palate for more...

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Ever since the first century, Christians have regarded the book of Isaiah as a high point of the Old Testament prophetic literature. Its key themes, such as the suffering servant, deliverance from exile, and new creation, have been viewed as reaching particular fulfilment in the gospel. Isaiah has been formative to the identity of the people of God. It is a text to be weighed, on which to meditate and pray, and through which to explore the ways in which God works. Isaiah has also received more than its fair share of scholarly examination. While many excellent resources are now available, these tend to be either introductory or highly specialized; there are fewer that bridge the gap between the two. This volume contributes to that need: it assumes some foundational knowledge and guides readers through current issues and approaches. Here is evangelical scholarship that will inform, stimulate and reward diligent teachers and preachers of the Old Testament. Contributors: John Goldingay, Philip Johnston, Nathan MacDonald, David Reimer, Richard Schultz, S. D. Snyman, Jacob Stromberg, Dwight Swanson, Torsten Uhlig, Rikk Watts, Paul Wegner, H. G. M. Williamson and Lindsay Wilson.

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Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another. It's a simple command to understand, but very difficult to obey. And in the local church, it sometimes seems impossible. Many of us belong to highly diverse Christian communities, where we encounter people radically different from ourselves. At the same time, controversies and difficulties often threaten to tear us apart. So how can we achieve unity within the body of Christ? Gerald Sittser examines the 'one another' statements from the New Testament, distilling much-needed biblical wisdom to help us love one another. Drawing on his own pastoral experience of the best and worst of church life, he shows us what the love Jesus commanded actually requires of us, and how to live it out in struggle and servanthood, compromise and sacrifice. This enjoyable book by a best-selling author will guide us in putting one of the most important biblical principles into practice, for the good of our local churches.

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Under that hoodie, behind that eye make-up, there frequently lurks a human being of immense charm, affection and wit.' Ann Benton admits that, when her children were teenagers, she enjoyed 'the very best of parenting years'. Yet, from her experience and that of others, she is all too well aware of the frustrations, pitfalls and difficulties that parenting teens can bring. The Bible book of Proverbs points to wisdom as the key to health, happiness and prosperity. The author points out that the job of parents is not first and foremost to make their teens successful, but to make them wise. With honesty and wit, Ann shows how Proverbs can speak directly into real life, however messy, today.

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In the wake of the schism during the past two centuries between biblical studies and theology, a new movement has developed, seeking to bridge this modern gap. This hermeneutical movement, which hearkens back to aspects of pre-critical interpretation, has been labelled the 'theological interpretation of Scripture' (TIS) and focuses on the contexts of canon, creed, and church. While the trend is in its infancy, it is rapidly gaining momentum. Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture is the first clear, systematic introduction to this movement for students and non-specialist scholars. Daniel Treier surveys the history, themes, advocates, and positions of TIS and seeks to bring coherence to its various elements. He also explores what he sees as the greatest challenges the movement will have to address in the future, including the interface between TIS and biblical theology, general hermeneutics, and the concept of social location in reading scriptural texts. Woven throughout is a case study on the imago Dei, demonstrating how TIS plays out in theological exegesis. This case study adds to the book's usefulness as a secondary text in hermeneutics courses.

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It takes no courage to sign up as a Protestant. With these words, David Wells opens his bold challenge to the modern church. In this volume, Wells offers the summa of his critique of the evangelical landscape, as well as a call to return to the historic faith, one defined by the Reformation solas (grace, faith, and Scripture alone), and to a reverence for doctrine. Wells argues that the historic, classical evangelicalism is one marked by doctrinal seriousness, as opposed to the new movements of the marketing church and the emergent church. He energetically confronts the marketing communities and what he terms their sermons-from-a-barstool and parking lots and après-worship Starbucks stands . He also takes issue with the most popular evangelical movement in recent years - the emergent church. For Wells, many emergents are postmodern, postconservative and postfoundational, embracing a less absolute understanding of the authority of Scripture than he maintains is required. 'The Courage to be Protestant' is a dynamic argument for the courage to be faithful to what biblical Christianity has always stood for, thereby securing hope for the church's future.

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Donald Bloesch surveys the history of Christian thinking on the nature of the spiritual life. In his own charitable, ecumenical yet evangelical way he provides incisive guidance toward a genuine Christian spirituality that is firmly rooted in biblical faith and fully aware of the positive contributions of various streams of Christian tradition, while critically engaging the current plethora of options being offered today.

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`Biblical theology' attempts to embrace the message of the Bible holistically and to describe this wholeness using biblical categories. These essays focus on selected central themes and their development across the canon, and demonstrate the essential unity of the Bible.

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This volume provides an authoritative account of evangelicalism from the 1790s to the 1840s, skilfully balancing British and American developments and also encompassing Canada, Australia, the West Indies and elsewhere. An account of the formative impact of revivalism is followed by discussion of spirituality and worship, and the place of evangelicalism in the lives of women, men and the family. The book then explores the broader social and political impact of the movement, giving particular attention to the slavery question. Major figures, such as Lyman Beecher, Thomas Chalmers, Charles Finney, Hannah More and William Wilberforce, are surveyed alongside other fascinating, lesser-known personalities. The concluding coverage of the 1846 London meeting of the Evangelical Alliance - one of the few grand gatherings of evangelicals from the Atlantic world and beyond - contributes key insights into the movement as a whole.

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If we are honest, most of us struggle with our praying at least some of the time. Perhaps we have difficulty finding time to pray, or maybe we simply do not know what to say. Praying may seem simple and straightforward in theory, but in reality it can be hard work. In 'Praying' J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom offer hope to us in our efforts to pray better. They present praying as both a duty and a delight: an essential, expected practice for a follower of Christ, but also a privilege and joy. With wisdom, humility and sincerity they lead us through different moods or types of praying. Yet they do not just teach us about prayer; they also challenge and inspire us to do it by pointing us to a clearer understanding of the character of God. Here is practical help for active, honest praying that involves all of who we are - heart, hands and head - and moves us to deeper obedience, joy and intimacy with our Father.

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My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?' (Psalm 6:8) Personal tragedy and heartache. Accident, illness and infirmity. Drought, earthquake, tsunami. Terrorist atrocities. War, genocide, poverty, famine. All we have to do is live long enough, and we will suffer in one way or another. In this new edition of an excellent, widely appreciated study, Don Carson addresses the issue of evil and suffering with sensitivity, pastoral concern and biblical insight. He helps Christians prepare for the day when they have to experience a 'frowning providence', and face it with faith and hope because of an unshakable trust in the providence of God.

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How can the gospel authentically come to life in widely differing cultural settings? This is a question gospel communicators and theologians have asked in many situations around the world. The technical term is contextualization. Missionary theorists have pondered and written on it at length. More and more, those who do theology in the West are also trying to discover new ways of communicating and embodying the gospel for an emerging postmodern culture. However, few have considered in depth how the early church contextualized the gospel - and yet the New Testament provides numerous examples. As both a cross-cultural missionary and a New Testament scholar, Dean Flemming is well equipped to examine how the early church contextualized the gospel and to draw out lessons for today. By carefully sifting the New Testament evidence, Flemming uncovers the patterns and parameters of a Paul or Mark or John as they communicated the Word, and he brings these to bear on our contemporary missiological task. Rich in insights and conversant with frontline thinking, this is a book that will revitalize the conversation on this subject, and refresh our Christian engagement with today's diverse cultures, communities and contexts.

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What do you do when you discover that you're not satisfied in God the way he wants you to be? Joy is more than an afterthought of the Christian life; it is the sustaining fruit of a relationship with God. With a radical passion for Christ's glory, John Piper helps you find the joy God wants you to have. For over twenty-five years John Piper has trumpeted the truth that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." He calls it Christian Hedonism. The problem is that many people, after being persuaded, find that this truth is both liberating and devastating. It's liberating because it endorses our inborn desire for joy. And it's devastating because it reveals that we don't desire God the way we should. What do you do when you discover the good news that God wants you to be content in him, but then find that you aren't? If joy in God were merely the icing on the cake of Christian commitment, this book would be insignificant. But Piper argues that joy is so much more. Our being satisfied in God is necessary to show God's worthiness and to sustain sacrifices of love. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. He tasted it. It sustained him through the deepest suffering. His Father was glorified. His people were saved. That is what joy in God does. The absolutely urgent question becomes: What can I do if I don't have it? With a pastor's heart and with radical passion for the glory of Christ, John Piper helps you answer that question.

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What motivates you to serve Christ? Is it a sense of nagging obligation as you struggle to achieve a host of impossible targets? Or is it a heart full of joy? God's grace is neither earned nor deserved. We receive grace, and with it the blessings of forgiveness, peace, hope, security, rescue, reconciliation and eternal life. God's grace needs no additions, no subtractions. Yet it's so easy, so tempting, like the Galatians in the New Testament, to slip back into a legalistic mindset. We want to build on what God has done; we want to make ourselves more attractive and acceptable. Marcus Honeysett challenges us to live as sons and daughters of God, not as slaves. He helps us to understand the law and its place in the Old and New Testaments. He accompanies us as we go joy-spotting in Philippians. Joy should be the hallmark of our Christian service. Understanding God's grace is the foundation to releasing that joy.

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Professor deSilva's outstanding textbook sets a new standard for the genre. The usual topics of New Testament introduction are integrated with instruction in interpretative strategies and application to ministry formation. The attractive layout includes numerous maps, photographs and text-boxes.

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Being 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.

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Reconnect Your Church provides a practical, road-tested vision and process to equip church leaders to reinvigorate their church How can churches stay healthy and dynamic over the long-term? What’s needed to avoid or reverse church stagnation and decline? While some churches are vibrant and growing, many more are struggling, especially after Covid. The congregation might be declining and ageing, there’s little success in reaching out to with the gospel, and more time is spent on inward facing problems than loving God and loving others. But the potential that could be released is huge. David Brown draws on his experience revitalising a church in central Paris to offer a vision and a process for church revitalisation, with a focus on UK and European contexts. Whether you are church planting, in a well-established and thriving church, or looking to turn around a church in decline, Brown provides biblically grounded wisdom along with change management principles for long-term health. When we reapply God’s priorities to the church, we unleash new life and energy in following Christ in community.

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