Search results for ""inter-varsity press""

Beginning with the basics, Stanley Grenz leads his readers into a theological engagement with moral inquiry. In a concise yet reliable fashion, 'The Moral Quest' sets forth the basics of ethics, considers the role and methods of Christian ethics in particular, and examines the implicit and explicit ethical approaches of the Old Testament, the Gospels and Paul. Grenz goes on to introduce the foundational theological ethics of Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther and the Reformers, then continues with an evenhanded discussion of modern and contemporary Christian ethicists, including Albrecht Ritschl, Karl Barth, Paul Ramsey, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King Jr., Gustavo Guti rrez, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Stanley Hauerwas, Carl F. H. Henry and Oliver O Donovan. The book concludes with Grenz's own constructive proposal of comprehensive love, rooted in the life of the Trinity and worked out in Christian community. Clearly written and well apprised of relevant literature, 'The Moral Quest' is a first-rate introduction to Christian ethics. It will serve students, pastors and interested laypersons alike.

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What would it be like to have Christ come into the home of our heart? Moving from room to room with him, we discover what he desires for us. Are we prepared to meet with him daily in our living room? in our recreation room? in the study? What about that dark closet that needs cleaning out? These studies will take you through six of the rooms of your heart, helping you to see aspects of your Christian life as Jesus sees them. You will be stretched and enriched by your personal meetings with Christ in each study.

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Michael Green gives excellent practical advice to help Christians approach and talk naturally with their friends about the Good News. From that first faltering conversation, to following up, he shows us how introducing a friend to Christ is the most worthwhile and fulfilling ministry any Christian can have.

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A reasoned response to the contemporary moral debate about homosexuality, taking into account the latest medical and social scientific research, and thoroughly examining biblical and theological concerns.

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Timothy Dudley-Smith presents an anthology of the best from John R.W. Stott. It is a rare blend of godly wisdom and spiritual truth--theology in the finest sense--not to be devoured in haste but to be savored, pondered, remembered and shared.

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Rethinking apologetics in a changing world, where there are new needs and new opportunities, and where out approach has to be person-centred. A resource for evangelism and mission.

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Conversion is an amazing miracle and being involved in it is an exciting privilege. But many of us find evangelism intimidating! How do we get to the point of discussing Jesus Christ with our friends? With strangers? How can we overcome our fears and insecurities about sharing the gospel? This study guide, centred on the example of Jesus and the early evangelists, will encourage us to communicate our faith creatively and clearly.

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Do you say 'yes' to requests when really you mean to say 'no'- Do you feel permanently trapped by your 24/7 lifestyle- While offering practical help to busy Christians, Tim Chester also opts for root-and-branch treatment: you need to deal radically with the things that are driving you. If you're busy because of the following: 'I need to prove myself' 'Otherwise things get out of control' 'I like the pressure/money' think again! At the root of our 'slavery' are serious misunderstandings, often reinforced by our culture. If we want to be free, then we need to counteract them with God's word. It's important to manage our time, but it's more important to manage our hearts. God has promised his rest to all who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). It's up to us to accept it

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‘Give thanks to YHWH, for he is good, for his covenant faithfulness endures for ever’ (Ps. 136:1; a.t.) There are now numerous models that seek to explain how the biblical covenants relate to one another. In an attempt to evaluate these models, James Hely Hutchinson mines the rich seams of the book of Psalms. After covering the key data on covenant relationships in Books 1–3 of the psalter, Hely Hutchinson considers the perplexity expressed in the pivotal Psalm 89: in the face of the exile, the promises to David appear to be null and void. The building blocks of the response lie with the first five books of the Bible, and chiefly with the inviolable character of the promises to Abraham (Book 4 of the psalter). However, if the Abrahamic covenant is to reach fulfilment, the problem of sin must be dealt with once and for all, and a glorious new-covenant regime must be established in which a host of covenants converge in their fulfilment. Central to this regime, which lies beyond the exile, is the eternal rule of David’s superior, righteous seed and son who is also a perpetual priest and a suffering servant (Book 5). Identifying new-covenant newness as ‘eschatological satisfaction (fulfilment)’ and ‘transcendent inauguration’, Hely Hutchinson tackles a range of matters that contribute to our understanding of the contours of redemptive history. The overall aim is to enhance readers’ grasp of God’s breath-taking salvation plan, ability to handle Scripture aright and worship of the Master.

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The Trinity is foundational to Christian theology, with immense relevance for practical living. This volume offers trinitarian readings of each New Testament corpus and focuses on the importance of the doctrine for Christian life and ministry.

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The Bible begins and ends with God dwelling with his people, from Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, to the great multitude in the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation. At each step, God gathered his people together, to speak to them, hear from them, and change them to be more like him. God assembling his people, whom he loves, is what the Bible calls 'church'. The church should aspire to be a group of vibrant, loving, risk-everything people who are passionately committed to living out the values of God's Word and looking forward to the new creation. Churches and their pastors and leaders need to hear what the Bible says about who they are and what they are to do. Chris Green takes 'the message of the church' to mean, first, that the church has a message, which is that God has saved his people through Christ; second, that the church is the created and saved result of that message; and third, that the church is a message, which is that he has saved broken people like us, and by belonging to his people we are trying to respond to him in the ways he requires. His stimulating and insightful exposition begins with a survey of the church 'from eternity, to Eden, to exodus, to exile, to eternity', and then focuses on various dimensions of the church's life and ministry, including its worship, unity, maturity, servants, gifts, holiness, boundaries and future.

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After decades of trying to feel good about ourselves, why do we still hunger for meaning and significance? Glynn Harrison argues that self-esteem ideology has led us down a psychological cul-de-sac that risks causing more harm than good, and today’s culture of narcissism and entitlement is the pay-off. Healthy psychological development and fulfilment come from seeing the self as part of something bigger. To achieve the sense of significance that we long for, we need a worldview capable of generating meaning and purpose. The Christian gospel calls us beyond the goal of self-esteem, encouraging us to stop judging ourselves, embrace our identity in God’s big story and look outwards to the pursuit of his glory. This is the only sure foundation for biblically based optimism, confidence and personal resilience. ‘An important and timely book.’ Christopher Ash

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How does the Bible as a whole fit together? How should we read it theologically - and as literature? Are the manuscripts reliable? How do they relate to archaeology? When and how was the canon of Scripture formed? What is the Septuagint? How does the New Testament quote from and interpret the Old Testament? Such questions are the focus of this collection of concise studies on the nature and content of the Bible. Useful as both a general overview and as a tool for more specific reference and training, this volume will help readers to grow in their understanding of Scripture and their ability to apply it to their lives. Pastors, church leaders, students, and other Christians engaged in studying and teaching God’s Word will benefit from these studies, originally featured as articles in the ESV Study Bible and written by notable contributors, including John Piper, J. I. Packer, David Powlison, Vern Poythress, Peter J. Williams and Roger Beckwith.

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Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan P. O'Dowd provide an informed introduction to the Old Testament wisdom books Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. Establishing the books in the context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and literature, the authors move beyond the scope of typical introductions to discuss the theological and hermeneutical implications of this literature.

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'A very thoughtful, balanced and practical approach.' - J.John, Evangelist Worry has reached epidemic proportions. Many are suffering in silence, unsure if psychological solutions are appropriate for them, or if biblical teaching can lead them to freedom. The Worry Book offers a fresh solution: seeing the process of worry as the problem, rather than getting stuck into individual concerns. We can often use worry to create a sense of certainty and control, but the illusion is temporary, and we generate even more problems in the process. Here we learn about the factors behind worry, and how to disable the cycle of worry and tolerate uncertainty - principles we can apply to every situation. This is a journeyman's guide through the comedy and heartache of discovering worry's function, and so removing its power. Good theology and psychology combine here to offer new perspectives and real hope. You will find real lives and real people, and solutions which are both practical and doable.

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The story of the making of the New Testament is one in which scrolls bumped across cobbled Roman roads and pitched through rolling Mediterranean seas, finally finding their destinations in stuffy, dimly lit Christian house churches in Corinth or Colossae. There they were read aloud and reread, handled and copied, forwarded and collected, studied and treasured. And eventually they were brought together to make up our New Testament. This revised and expanded edition of The Making of the New Testament is a textbook introduction to the origin, collection, copying and canonizing of the New Testament documents. Like shrewd detectives reading subtle whispers of evidence, biblical scholars have studied the trail of clues and pieced together the story of these books. Arthur Patzia tells the story, answering our many questions: * How were books and documents produced in the first century? * What motivated the early Christians to commit teaching and narrative and vision to papyrus? * How were the stories and sayings of Jesus circulated, handed down and shaped into Gospels? * What do we know about ancient letter writing, secretaries and â€~copy shops’? * Why were four Gospels included instead of just one? * How were Paul's letters, sent here and there, gathered into a single collection? * Who decided - and by what criteria - which documents would be included in the New Testament? Explore these questions and more about these Scriptures whose everyday, gritty story rings true to their extraordinary message: the palpable mystery of the Word made flesh.

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You know,' I whispered, 'if you really want to go and be with God, it's OK. We will manage; don't worry about us.' For nine and a half years Cara had been her family's heartbeat. But one morning in late summer she was gripped by an epileptic seizure from which she didn't recover. Her struggles were over and she was free. This is a mother's story of the journey undertaken by Cara's family, a journey of suffering and injustice, but also 'of the way in which God moved in our lives and of the way in which our hope and trust in him kept us going through some unbelievably hard times'.

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Though few church squabbles today come close to matching the intensity and seriousness of what Paul faced in the commercial and hedonistic hotbed of Corinth, his strategies and pastoral wisdom in confronting the problems there can still serve as a helpful model for us in responding to a culture marked by individualism and materialism. In Linda Belleville's careful study of 2 Corinthians, readers will find an introduction to the letter's occasion and purpose, authorship, and other background information, as well as its important theological themes. Passage-by-passage commentary follows that seeks to explain what the letter means for us today as well as what it meant for its original hearers. Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand Paul's message for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

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(Extract from) Chapter 1 1 Rock bottom `Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.' (John 14:27 Nkjv) It was the morning of Sunday 21 July 1991, a warm summer's day. The wind-battered hilltop was today pleasantly bathed with a sunny glow. I was living in a Buddhist monastery, north of London, England. In bad weather it often felt like a bleak place, dotted with the wooden huts in which we lived. The huts had a temporary look about them, built above the ground, which seemed to encourage nasty gusts of chilled air to blow underneath. The trees and shrubs we had planted in the field were still very young, but were beginning to add a bit more greenery to the surroundings. We hadn't had the meal yet, but I wasn't hungry that day. I had other things on my mind. I was one of the few ordained members of the community left at the temple. Nearly everyone, including the lay people and guests staying with us, had departed early in the morning to attend an ordination ceremony at our other monastery in the south of England. This was one of the highlights of the year, our biggest ceremonial event - the one day when suitable men and women could take the higher ordination. I had relished seeing new people ordain. It was exciting and full of meaning for me. Ordinarily I would not have missed it. But this year I didn't want to be there. I had asked for permission not to go. I had lived in a Buddhist temple for eight years, most of that time in England as a nun (although I spent the first six months in a forest temple in Thailand before ordaining). I had taken two ordinations, initially as a novice and then as a Buddhist nun (known as a ten-precept nun). I was searching deeply for truth, and had strongly believed that Buddhism could take me there. I had given up everything that was necessary to follow the Buddhist way. Some people may consider it an extreme way to live. The life of a Buddhist nun was strict and disciplined. It involved many ascetic practices which had the aim of giving up the pleasures of the world in search for truth. They were designed to simplify life and help us detach from earthly things. Living like this was often very tiring, but it had become normal for me and very much part of me. We slept little, ate only one meal a day and experienced much sensory deprivation. We didn't listen to the radio or television, and so at some level were cut off from the world. I was known for my strong faith in Buddhism and hadn't ever really doubted the purpose of living like this. Until now. Something had changed dramatically. I had begun seriously to doubt Buddhism. This had never happened before and I was inwardly shaken and somewhat bewildered as a result, none of which I liked. I wanted and needed to be sure. I didn't know what was happening to me or where the strong persistent faith that I once had was disappearing to: it felt like sand slipping out of my fingers. Today I was at a peak of confusion and inner turmoil. I don't know where I was when I made the decision to go out of the temple. Suddenly I found myself, with my shaven head and dark brown robe, running down to the traditional Anglican church in the nearby village. It was totally spontaneous. I didn't know who or what I would find there. I just found myself tearing out of the monastery and rushing down the hill. I was aware as I went that I had asked no-one's permission to leave. This was more urgent than etiquette! I just fled. My head was in a spin. I thought, `I've got to talk to somebody, I've got to understand what's happening to me.' I felt deep down that someone in the church would have the answer, but I had no idea who or why. ...

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In Galatians, the apostle Paul makes his most passionate and direct appeal for a gospel free of ethnic or ritual exclusion. Paul's gospel is that of salvation through Christ alone - in him there is 'neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus'. By placing Paul's discussion firmly within its historical context, R. Alan Cole illuminates the potency and power of Paul's message to the Galatian church.This classic commentary has been completely retypeset and presented in a fresh, vibrant new large paperback format, with new global branding.

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In the book of Acts, the story of Jesus begun in the Gospel of Luke broadens into the story of the Holy Spirit, guiding the fledgling church to proclaim the saving reality of Jesus. While attentive to Luke's roles as a literary artist and theologian, I. Howard Marshall focuses primarily on Luke's role as a historian. He provides the reader with an accurate, balanced and holistic picture of the church's monumental first years as it sought to fulfil Christ's mandate to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.This classic commentary has been completely retypeset and presented in a fresh, vibrant new large paperback format, with new global branding.

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"I was in the act of throwing away my family's rubbish while holidaying on a beautiful island when I heard God speak. I could easily have missed it, but an inner whisper asked, "How do you think I feel about what you are doing to my world?" Since the day God challenged him, Dave Bookless has been on a mission: to share with others the compelling biblical case for caring for the planet God made for his glory and his people's enjoyment. This is not another book on green issues to make you feel guilty. The message is that there is hope. God can take your small and insignificant efforts and multiply them in his great plan. Dave takes us right into the heart of his family and shows how living simply, besides honouring God, can be an exciting adventure.

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The Cross is the universal symbol of the Christian faith. But what does the Cross mean? Why did Jesus have to die? In this magisterial and best-selling book, John Stott unpacks the significance of Christ's cross and answers objections commonly brought against biblical teaching on the atonement. Stott will help you discover how Jesus himself understood the cross, and how 'Christ in our place' is at the heart of its meaning. Understand what the cross achieved, and learn what it means to live under the cross. This modern classic combines excellent biblical exposition, and a characteristically thoughtful study of Christian belief, with a searching call to the church to live under the cross.

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Friendship is one of the best things ever created. It is unparalleled as a building block of society, a universal theme in great literature and film, and has a huge impact on our mental health, wellbeing and happiness. But many of us are lonely or feel suffocated by the pressures of life and quantity of relationships we have to maintain. Now, more than ever, we need better, deeper friendships. We need the best of friends. Full of practical advice, humour and wisdom, Phil Knox shows us how to choose our friends wisely and maintain lasting and meaningful relationships.

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Learn the Key Teachings of the Bible that Every Christian Should Know. Now Revised and Updated. Over 300,000 Copies Sold! Not every Christian needs to go to seminary, but there are key teachings of the Bible that every Christian should know. Whether you're a relatively new believer in Jesus or a mature Christian looking for a better understanding of basics of the faith, Christian Beliefs is for you. This simple and clear guide to twenty basic Christian beliefs condenses respected pastor's Wayne Grudem's award-winning book Systematic Theology, prized by pastors and teachers everywhere. He and his son, pastor Elliot Grudem, have created a reader-friendly guide for everyday Christians. Each brief chapter concludes with questions for personal review or group discussion. In this revised and updated edition of Christian Beliefs, you will learn about: The Bible and its authority for our lives The characteristics of God The importance of prayer Angels and the reality of spiritual warfare What it means that we are created in the image of God What God has done for us in Christ The purpose of the church What will happen when Christ returns The biblical understanding of heaven And much more Christian Beliefs is the ideal book for every Christian who wants a solid foundation for understanding the most basic and essential teachings of the Bible.

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Explore Answers to Life's Most Important Theological Questions. Over 175,000 Copies Sold! How do we know the Bible is God's Word? What is sin and where did it come from? How is Jesus fully God and fully man? What are spiritual gifts? When and how will Christ return? If you've asked questions like these, then systematic theology is no abstract term. It's an approach to finding answers every Christian needs to know. The second edition of Bible Doctrine by respected theologian Wayne Grudem takes a widely used upper-level textbook on systematic theology and makes it accessible. Abridged from the second edition of Wayne Grudem's award-winning Systematic Theology, Bible Doctrine covers the same essentials of the faith, giving you a firm grasp on seven key topics: The Doctrine of the Word of God The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Man The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Future. You don't need to have had several years of Bible college or seminary training to reap the benefits of Bible Doctrine. It's easy to understand and packed with biblical answers to your most pressing theological questions. This new edition now includes: New, thoughtful critiques of open theism, the new perspective on Paul, Molinism (or "middle knowledge"), "Free Grace" theology, and the preterist view of Christ's second coming Completely revised, stronger chapter on the clarity of Scripture Completely revised, stronger chapter on creation and evolution. New discussion of how biblical inerrancy applies to some specific "problem verses" in the Gospels Additional material respectfully explaining evangelical Protestant differences with Roman Catholicism (with extensive interaction with the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church), Protestant liberalism, and Mormonism Completely updated bibliographies All Scripture quotations updated from RSV to ESV An explanation of why monogenes in John 3:16 and elsewhere should be translated as "only begotten" rather than merely "only" An extensive discussion on the eternal submission of the Son to the Father A discussion of recent criticisms of the penal substitutionary view of the atonement Numerous other updates and corrections that have be prompted by letters and emails from people around the world and by interaction with the students Wayne has taught over the last 26 years both at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and at Phoenix Seminary

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In his New Testament letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle Paul is concerned with church order, defending correct doctrine and passing on the faith. In this thorough introduction and commentary to both letters, Osvaldo Padilla sets them in their distinct context of Paul's later ministry and draws out their pastoral wisdom. With thoughtful, applied commentary he shows how the lessons Paul imparts to Timothy and Titus are still relevant to us today and how we can learn from them in our own walk with Christ. A new volume in the Tyndale New Testament commentary series, The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary examines the text section-by-section – exploring the historical background in which the letters to Timothy and Titus were written, providing a detailed commentary on their content, and then unpacking their theology. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of what the pastoral epistles say and how they are structured, as well as a better understanding of their meaning for both the original recipients and modern Christians. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are ideal bible commentaries for students and teachers of theology, as well as being an excellent resource for preachers and individual Christians looking to broaden their knowledge and explore the riches of Scripture more deeply. Clear and compelling, Osvaldo Padilla’s introduction to Timothy and Titus will give anyone looking for comprehensive but accessible commentaries on the pastoral epistles a renewed appreciation for the wisdom in these two letters and what they can teach us.

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The Book of Ezra recounts the return of the Judeans to Israel after the Babylonian exile, and the rebuilding of the Temple. The Book of Haggai speaks about the rebuilding, where work ceased because of external opposition and internal failure of nerve. In this valuable study, Robert Fyall guides us through The Message of Ezra and Haggai, exploring how it is enhanced by reading these two books together rather than separately. With clear, compelling and accessible scholarship, he shows the continuing relevance of how Ezra and Haggai emphasise building for God, as well as the need for obedience to his Word and openness to his Spirt. Ezra is a vital and stimulating book in its revelation of God's purposes, and together with Haggai's brief prophecy offers encouragement to God's people in dispiriting times – encouragement that still speaks to the Christian life today. A revised volume in the trusted Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Ezra and Haggai offers a thoughtful exposition of these two books, unpacking their meaning for both the original audience and for Christians in the twenty-first century. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture as it was first written as well how it can be applied to modern life. This beautifully redesigned edition has been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text. The Message of Ezra and Haggai is perfect for anyone looking for commentaries on Ezra and Haggai that will help delve more deeply into the riches of these two books of the Old Testament.

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Discover John Stott's writings on creation care, brought together for the first time in this definitive collection for the global church. Compiled by R. J. Sam Berry and Laura Yoder, this brilliant anthology demonstrates both Stott's passion for the environment and its place in Christian discipleship. Showcasing his unique way of explaining the Bible simply and clearly, John Stott on Creation Care traces Stott's own process of coming to embrace creation care as a vital part of the Christian life - and in turn shows us how creation care must have an integral place in our own discipleship. Commentary by noted scientist R. J. (Sam) Berry connects Stott's writings together and illuminates how his wisdom still speaks to us today. Alongside reflections from others that Stott inspired and discipled, John Stott on Creation Care is the perfect resource for every Christian looking to understand biblical teaching on the environment and how creation care should form part of their discipleship. It is also an ideal biblical and theological resource for those involved in creation care ministry. Published as part of the John Stott Centenary celebrations, proceeds from John Stott on Creation Care will go to A Rocha International, a charity that carries community-based conservation projects in response to biodiversity loss around the world. John Stott viewed creation care as an inevitable implication of the biblical message, and as a grounding for Christian engagement in environmental commitments. This collection will give you a deeper, more thorough understanding of his writings and how his views developed, and will leave you motivated and inspired to look again at your discipleship and how you approach creation care.

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What’s gone wrong with the church? If you’ve been feeling that something vital has gone missing from our spiritual lives, you’re not alone. But from scandals involving celebrity preachers, to busy programmes that have little sense of God and struggling to find time to pray, what is it that lies behind the church is crisis? Is it possible that we’ve forgotten to put Jesus at the centre of everything? And if so, what can do we about it? In Smuggling Jesus Back into Church Andrew Fellows shows us with a sharp eye how secularism has reshaped church culture, changing the way many Christians and churches live and worship without being noticed. Both provocative and practical, he challenges us to live with radical Christ-like distinctiveness - distinctiveness that requires both reformation by the church and revival by the Holy Spirit. Timely and prophetic, Smuggling Jesus Back into Church is essential reading for anyone concerned about the effects of secularism on Christianity and modern church culture, or for anyone who struggles with Church and wants to understand why. Filled with passion and vision, it will point you back towards Jesus and revitalise your understanding of what Christian discipleship should be. It’s time to remember what lies at the heart of our faith. It’s time to smuggle Jesus back into church and back into the centre of our lives.

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The Bible Readings Hope in Jesus: Psalms - Christopher Ash Hope because Jesus rules (Psalm 2) Hope because Jesus was saved (Psalm 3) Hope because Jesus wept (Psalm 6) The Seminars Our Future Hope - Michael Reeves Hope and Grief - Joanna Jackson Hope and Lament - Rico Villanueva Evening Celebrations Why Hope? Grace! (2 Thessalonians 2:13–17) Mike Cain How Can I Hope? New Birth! (1 Peter 1:3–5, 22–25) Andy Prime How Can I Hope? The Scriptures! (Romans 15:1–13) Amy Orr-Ewing Our Hope: The Appearing of Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11–14) Graham Daniels Our Hope: The Glory of God! (Romans 5:1–5) Jeremy McQuoid

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Faithfulness is fuelled by a renewed imagination for God’s world and our place in it. The Book of Revelation has often been treated as a futuristic prophecy - a road map of a bizarre future to be inflicted on the world by an angry God. Ian Paul invites you explore how the book’s author draws on a style of writing familiar to Jesus and his first followers, and encourages God’s people to stay faithful despite the world’s pressures to compromise. This fascinating six-session guide with its blend of insightful mini-features, timely notes and skilful questions will help you approach this book with fresh eyes. You’ll gain a richer understanding of God’s world and a fresh confidence to reimagine your place in it.

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Fully revised and updated edition. This companion volume to Craig Blomberg's widely-appreciated Jesus and the Gospels covers the rest of the New Testament, from the Acts of the Apostles to the book of Revelation. It surveys the most crucial matters of introduction in sufficient detail to provide the necessary background for correct interpretation of these New Testament texts. Mindful of the needs and interests of twenty-first-century students, the authors also deal with the structure and contents of each book, and the distinctive exegetical issues, and give pointers to contemporary application. The clear, accessible and up-to-date text includes numerous figures, maps and bibliographies. From Pentecost to Patmos enables readers to come to a better understanding of first-century Christianity and its literature that came to be treated as uniquely authoritative. This will lead to a greater appreciation of the Lord Jesus Christ, worshipped by the early church, often in hostile circumstances and in the face of difficulties remarkably similar to those the church experiences today throughout the world.

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In a climate of disunity and doctrinal deviation, the apostle John called his first readers to live in the love and truth of God. David Jackman has no doubt that John's letters are a vital, powerful word from the Lord to the church today around the world. So often we take extreme positions, leading to a fragmentation of both churches and individuals. This book will help us to respond afresh to the apostle's call to love one another and live in the light.

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A new and better society has been the constant dream of men and women. Responding to this dream, John Stott has been attracted back again and again by Paul's letter to the young church at Ephesus. It portrays a new society of Christ's making that stands out in bright relief against our colourless world of oppression, heartache, separation and division. Paul's letter, with its exultant vision of a renewed human community, has, says John Stott, 'stirred me deeply'. John Stott expounds Paul's theme of uniting all things in Christ by uniting his church and breaking down all that separates us from God, one ethnic group from another, husband from wife, parent from child, master from slave. Paul's insights are for all who want to build the church into the new society God has planned it to be.

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What happens to us when we die? Will heaven be a place of fluffy clouds, angels and cherubs playing harps? Is the Christian faith just about securing a place in heaven when we die? In What on Earth is Heaven? James Paul explores the radical truth of what the Bible says about heaven and the afterlife, and its relevance for your life here and now on earth. Unpacking the biblical story of the separation and reunion of heaven and earth, he shows that heaven isn’t a place somewhere ‘out there’ but a dimension of reality – the dimension where God's will is done. The Good News isn't that we get to escape to heaven, but that God invites us to be a part of his plan to bring the kingdom of heaven to our square inch of the earth. Insightful and accessible, What on Earth is Heaven? is a book for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the Bible’s teaching on heaven, or anyone who has wondered about the true meaning of finding heaven on earth. Life-affirming and uplifting, this book will fire your imagination as to how you can be a part of bringing heaven to the world around you.

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For most people Artificial Intelligence is the dream of sci-fi writers or the scaremongering of popular authors who suggest AI will soon surpass human intelligence. The rapid increase in computer power coupled with the availability of vast amounts of personal data has resulted in the widespread deployment of AI around the world. This significant uptake of current technology across a large range of industry and commerce, as well as by public institutions and healthcare, has created a range of ethical dilemmas. These include data privacy and freedom, the influence of AI on our personhood through to the use of human-like digital agents, the assignment of moral agency to self-drive vehicles, and the impact on work. Our response to these ethical issues will determine whether we become slaves to or masters of this technology. Masters or Slaves? lays a theological and ethical foundation for our response by considering what the Bible teaches about our being made in God’s image, moral responsibility, the dignity of work, and idolatry. A framework for evaluating the impact of AI is proposed, starting with a taxonomy of applications reflecting different influences and challenges to humanness. A virtue approach is used for determining our responses, as individuals and as a society. The book concludes with a number of propositions as a ‘Christian manifesto’ for AI.

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Times were hard for the first readers of the letter to the Hebrews. Many had been exposed to fierce persecution. They had been assaulted, their homes had been plundered, and some had been cast into prison. To such people this letter came as an encouragement. The writer of the letter turns their eyes to Christ, and shows how he fulfils the hope expressed in the Old Testament sacrifices. He calls his readers to a steadfast faith that will take them through the hard times they now face. Such encouragement and challenge is never without relevance to Christians. Raymond Brown demonstrates this clearly in his passage-by-passage exposition.

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Can we be sure of God? Do we trust his purposes and promises? Biblical confidence doesn't mean we won't ever shed tears or have doubts. It certainly doesn't mean that we'll grow in popularity or assertiveness. But it does mean that we can trust God's character and his Word. Trusted Bible teachers Alistair Begg, Steve Brady, Raymond Brown, Andrew Dow, Jonathan Lamb, Alex Motyer, Hugh Palmer, Vaughan Roberts and Keith Weston unpack this theme. See that God is who he says he is, and that what he says, he means, even on our darkest days. So, even when we suffer, or our prayers appear unanswered, or it feels like God isn't in control, we can still trust him. Our confidence is rock solid, whatever life throws at us.

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'You don't honestly believe all that stuff in the Bible!' Challenged by her friends, and later as a student by theological teachers, Amy Orr-Ewing was determined to leave no stone unturned in her eagerness to prove that the Bible was unique and wholly reliable. Her passion drove her to complete an in-depth study of the answers to ten of the most frequently raised objections she encountered, including: * Isn't it all a matter of interpretation? * Can we know anything about history? * Are the original manuscripts reliable? * What about the canon? * What about other holy books? * Isn't the Bible sexist? * What about all the wars? * Isn't the Bible out of date on sex? * How can I know? Sensitively yet convincingly, the author addresses the issues and the arguments, showing that we have every reason to trust the Bible today.

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The Book of Acts is vital not only for its vivid historical record, but also for the inspiration which it brings to us now. Today's church can seek to recapture something of the early confidence, enthusiasm, vision and power of the church of the first century. Despite all its imperfections and troubles, the young church clearly had been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, who thrust it out to witness. The experiences of the early church have lots to say about issues that concern Christians today. What can Acts tell us about extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit? How should churches structure themselves - with elders, deacons, pastors or all three? And, of course, how should the church reach out into a lost world, with the glorious message of salvation? As John Stott concludes: 'The Acts of the Apostles have long ago finished: the acts of the followers of Jesus will continue until the end of the world.'

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John Stott would never have called it 'mentoring', but, throughout his life, he instinctively drew alongside younger men and women from across the world, gently pastoring them within the context of a warm, genuine and healthy "Paul-Timothy" friendship. Why aren't these intergenerational friendships more common in the Church today? In Transforming Friendship, John Wyatt acknowledges that recent serious scandals and suspicion prevalent in our culture have made people more cautious about these kinds of relationships. The church, therefore, needs to lead the way in seeing friendship transformed into something safe, life-giving and Christlike. Wyatt shares the transformative experience of being Stott's close friend. Using examples from the Bible, Christian history and the church today, he makes the case for a model of "Gospel-crafted" friendship, with a particular emphasis on the need for more Paul-Timothy type relationships like the one he enjoyed with Stott.

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The letter of 2 Corinthians is important, Paul Barnett believes, for its magnificent message that God's power is brought to people in their weakness, not in human strength. This momentous theme emerges in a dramatic real-life situation. The apostle confronts shadowy opponents who had recently come to Corinth and formed an alliance with some of the church leaders and members. His letter is a fascinating record of that conflict. Paul Barnett argues that this heated debate between apparent power and apparent weakness is still with us today. His aim in this exposition has been to allow the timely message of 'God's fool' to be clearly heard.

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When Edith was stillborn without warning, the authors were both stunned and confused. Where should they turn for help? Who would answer their burning questions? One in in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage; one in 200 in stillbirth. And yet, while the church offers resources to cope with suffering more generally, there is often an echoing silence when it comes to the trauma of baby loss. 'When we lost our daughter Edith, say the authors, 'it was painful indeed to find the lack of biblically rooted and pastorally sensitive resources.' Nothing really hit the mark, so, though tears, they wrote their own book. This little volume comes to you, or to someone close to you, with a massive hug. It is Jonny and Joanna's passion and prayer that you will be amazed by our great God as you connect with deep biblical truths, bringing healing to your heart, mind and soul.

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How do we know God? Can we know God as he is in himself? These longstanding questions have been addressed by Christian theologians throughout the church's history. Some, such as Thomas Aquinas, have argued that we know God through both natural and supernatural revelation, while others, especially Karl Barth, have argued that we know God only on the basis of the incarnation. Contemporary discussions of these issues sometimes give the impression that we have to choose between a speculative doctrine of God driven by natural theology or metaphysics and a Christ-centred doctrine of God driven by God's work in the history of salvation. In this volume in the Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture series, Steven J. Duby casts a vision for integrating natural theology, the incarnation and metaphysics in a Christian description of God in himself. In addition to reasoning from Holy Scripture, Duby incorporates insights from the catholic theological tradition, including patristic and medieval authors and also the Reformed orthodox.

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Wisdom literature is one of many kinds of writing we find in the Bible and all play different roles in shaping our minds, our hearts, our imaginations, and our actions. Know-how, as Proverbs teaches us so clearly, is for all of life: for daily decisions and long-term plans, for relationships in family and community, as well as in work and in trade. In this six-session guide, Antony Billington’s astute questions, pertinent applications and mini-features will help you discover Proverbs’ many riches for your own challenges and contexts – Monday through Sunday. They’ll encourage growth in wisdom that is rooted in relationship with God, shaped by his ordering of the world, and that ends its ultimate expression in Christ. Session 1: A Lord to Honour (Proverbs 1:1-7) Session 2: A Path to Take (Proverbs 2:1-22) Session 3: A Choice to Make (Proverbs 9:1-18) Session 4: A Life to Pursue (Proverbs 15: 16-33) Session 5: A Way to Speak (Proverbs 10,11,25 & 26) Session 6: A Model to Follow (Proverbs 31: 10-31)

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The stories of Samuel, Saul and David are among the most memorable in the Old Testament. Yet the lives of these individuals are bound up in the larger story of God's purpose for his people. V. Philips Long explores the meaning of the biblical history of Israel's vital transition from a confederation of tribes to nationhood under a king. He shows how attending to the books of Samuel repays their readers richly in terms of literary appreciation, historical knowledge and theological grounding.

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How can Christians effectively engage today's world while staying true to Scripture? Calling us to listen well to both the Word and the world, John Stott shows how Christianity can preserve its authentic identity and remain relevant to current realities. With the God's Word for Today series, pastor Tim Chester has updated Stott's classic and bestselling book The Contemporary Christian and made it accessible to new generations of readers. In The Gospel, Stott declares that Christianity is not a religion but God's good news for the world. To present the gospel faithfully, we must emphasize both the human need for true freedom and the historical work of Christ. Beginning with the question "What does it mean to be human?" Stott explains a biblical perspective on the human paradox: our dignity and our depravity. He then considers common objections to the gospel message, the importance of Jesus' physical resurrection, and what affirming that Christ is Lord means for all of life. The gospel is truth from God that has been committed to our trust. The Gospel offers a trustworthy guide for readers to understand the essence of the Christian faith and share the good news in a way that connects with people around us. Chapter 1: The human paradox looks at what the Bible teaches and what our experience endorses: the glory and shame of our humanness, both our dignity as creatures made in God's image and our depravity as sinners under his judgement. Chapter 2: Human freedom: what is traditionally called 'salvation', seen in terms of 'authentic freedom'. Chapters 3 and 4: The central themes of the death and resurrection of Jesus, securing our freedom. This section also looks at a number of objections and denials. Chapter 5: The far-reaching implications, both for faith and for life. Radical indeed is the discipleship which takes all of this and Christ's lordship seriously. It's nothing short of a life-changing message.

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