Search results for ""Inter-Varsity Press""

The doctrine of Scripture is of vital importance for Christians, and continues to be debated by theologians. Furthermore, differing views can be found among those who describe themselves as evangelical . A. T. B. McGowan engages with the issues, debates and terminology, and reconstructs and re-expresses an evangelical doctrine for the current context. This stimulating and informative volume offers a valuable contribution to our understanding and articulation of the nature of Scripture and its significance for today.

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This devotional book traces the course of David's life through his autobiographical Psalms: From triumphant boy hero to persecution in the court of Saul. From gifted musician to compromised adulterer and murderer. From his exile on the run to his coronation as the leader of God's people. The King's songs are a treasure-chest of jewels, telling not mere history but timeless truths about the King of Kings himself, David's magnificent God. With warmth and insight, the author draws out the lessons David learned in his turbulent life with the Lord and the rich gems he has bequeathed to followers of God today.

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Islam presents new challenges and new questions to Christians and to the West in a post-9/11 context. However, in many situations in the world, where Christians and Muslims live peacefully side-by-side as neighbours, political considerations are not uppermost. Challenging us to examine our own attitudes, Colin Chapman considers the issues involved in Christian engagement with Muslims and Islam. He explores, ultimately, how Christians can effectively bear witness to Jesus. This revised and updated edition incorporates brand new material on 'Islamic Terrorism', 'What is Islam?', 'The Qur'anic View of Christians' and 'Explaining Christian Beliefs About Jesus'. It will equip Christians to better understand Muslims and Islam in a rapidly changing world.

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Every Christian needs dependable role models to whom one can look for teaching and example. Many of the greatest role models have departed from this life, but their legacy lives on. Believers of this day and age can learn much about a godly life from saints of the past. Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen are three such saints. Each stood for the truth of God's Word in the face of opposition-all out of a deep love for Christ and a desire for people to know God as he truly is. Popularity was not a concern, and they took no joy in controversy for argument's sake. However, these men were willing to suffer for the sake of guarding the sanctity of the gospel. Many threats, years of exile, deaths of loved ones, opposition from friends and authorities, sickness and pain-none of these setbacks could keep these three from maintaining their efforts for the furthering of Christ's Kingdom or quench their zeal for Christ himself. John Piper's Contending for Our All gives us biographies of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen-bishop, pastor, and seminary founder. In the life of each one, personal holiness was emphasized publicly and privately despite suffering. They were true soldiers for the sake of the cross, and each man offers life lessons for Christians today

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Among Christians, discussions continue about the roles of men and women in the home, the church and society at large. Although some of these debates generate more heat than light, the issue directly affects every member of the Christian community. Our view of the Bible's teaching on these matters shapes the life and ministry of our churches in significant ways. Further reflection and dialogue are required. In this volume twenty-three evangelical scholars, firmly committed to the authority of Scripture, explore the whole range of issues relating to gender relations. They offer historical, biblical, theological, hermeneutical and practical perspectives to dispel many of the myths surrounding biblical equality, and to promote discussion. Their sound, reasoned case affirms the complementarity of the sexes without requiring a hierarchy of roles.

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Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). The Holy Spirit empowers us, guides us, and enables us to grow and endure in our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. Often the most misunderstood member of the Trinity, the person of the Spirit continues to attract attention today amidst church revivals and renewals. In this new edition of his classic Keep in Step with the Spirit, J. I. Packer seeks to help Christians reaffirm the biblical call to holiness and the Spirit s role in keeping our covenant with God. Packer guides us through the riches and depth of the Spirit s work, assesses versions of holiness and the charismatic life, and shows how Christ must always be at the centre of true Spirit-led ministry. A new chapter explores Christian assurance. With abiding relevance and significance, Keep in Step with the Spirit sets forth vital knowledge for healthy and joyous Christian living, through understanding and experience of God the Holy Spirit. Here is a book for every serious believer to read and re-read.

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The 'great fish' has probably made Jonah the best known of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. The book bearing his name, comprising just 48 verses, has tantalized and intrigued its readers throughout the ages. However, undue preoccupation with the fish may cause us to miss what is actually going on in this narrative. Although the story of Jonah seems fairly straightforward on the surface, Rosemary Nixon explores its fascinating complexity to show how the author grapples with conflicting perceptions of God. While we might question some of the story's extra-ordinary features, we ourselves are also questioned by the God who called Jonah, and challenged to hear His word afresh. The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture. These revised editions are redesigned inside and out and have been sensitively updated with contemporary language and Bible translations to help you follow, study and teach the Bible in today's world.

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David Prior's The Message of Joel, Micah and Habakkuk has been redesigned and sensitively updated to help you follow, study and teach the Bible in today's world.

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The chequered story of the Kings, lasting nearly five centuries, ended disastrously in 587 BC with the sack of Jerusalem, the fall of the monarchy, and the removal to Babylonia of all that made Judah politically viable. It was a death to make way for a rebirth. This study of the closely related books of Ezra and Nehemiah charts the Jews' return from exile to Jerusalem and the beginnings of that rebirth. As the drama unfolds, above all and through all, we see the good hand of God at work. The Tyndale Old Testament Commentary is designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting and purpose. Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Additional Notes provide fuller discussion of particular difficulties. In the new Old Testament volumes, the commentary on each section of the text is structured under three headings: 'Content', 'Comment' and 'Meaning'. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain.

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1 & 2 Chronicles are, first and foremost, a sermon meant to foster a right relationship between God and his people. With great perception, the Chronicler shows how the records of Israel reveal the pattern of God's hand in the events of his nation’s history and how, within that pattern, the Lord's constant mercy, love and faithfulness shine through. In this readable and thoughtful commentary, Michael Wilcock explores how once that purpose is grasped, the message of 1 & 2 Chronicles comes alive. The Chronicler’s sermon is a final and momentous look back over the entire Old Testament, and the countless persons named are part of one people of the living God. With perceptive insight, Wilcock guides us through the two halves of the Chronicles, paralleling them the vibrancy, contrast and drama of the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, and showing how the Chronicles make vivid to us the truths by which the Lord's people in every generation are to live. Part of the loved and trusted The Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of 1 & 2 Chronicles offers an accessible and thorough exposition of the Biblical text as well as pastoral exploration of the lessons it can teach Christians today. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who are looking to delve more deeply into the riches of Scripture. This beautifully redesigned edition has also been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text. The Message of 1 & 2 Chronicles is perfect for anyone looking for commentaries on Chronicles that will help them understanding its meaning both in its original context and for modern Christians.

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The revelation of God in Jesus Christ ignites desire to live his way in the world. Resurrection power fuels it. Part of LICC’s Gateway Seven series, this small group study explores how Mark, the shortest of the gospels, invites you to immerse yourself in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and consider his life-changing announcement that the kingdom of God has come. Set out in six easy-to-follow sessions, this is a brilliant Bible study on Mark that is packed full of astute questions, mini-features and contemporary stories which will draw you into Mark’s remarkable account of the astounding person of Jesus and help you dig deeper into the radical implications of his joyful news for all of life today. Mark is an ideal Bible study for small groups looking to really get the most out of the beloved gospel, but it can also be used individually to support your discipleship in everyday life. It can be read on its own, or it can be used alongside the other volumes in LICC’s Gateway Seven series to open up the riches of all of Scripture for the whole of life. Hope-filled and healing, disruptive and demanding, love-growing and fear-beating, this is the way of King Jesus you’re invited to live, Monday through Sunday.

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Do you want to study your Bible for yourself, not just receive pre-packaged answers? God has given us his Word as a vital means of encountering him, and the ESV Search the Scriptures Bible gives you the questions to go deeper in knowing him. The Search the Scriptures Bible reading plan offers guidance for daily Bible study and aims to make it a delight as well as a source of strength. Using a question-and-answer approach, it helps you discover God's truth for yourself. Its built-in flexibility and clear presentation allow you to adapt the course to your own needs. The studies are undated so you can set your own pace working through them. - Questions to help you explore the entire Bible, integrated with the ESV Bible text - Follow the reading plan to cover the Bible in three years, or follow your own path and pace - Concise introductions to each book of the Bible as you meet it - Meaning and application for each daily passage Search the Scriptures has been used and appreciated by many thousands of readers for over half a century. Now combined with the ESV Bible text for the first time, it gives you all you need for studying God's Word in depth in one integrated package.

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Based on the latest text of the NIV, this updated commentary reflects the most current scholarship. This updated and revised Pillar commentary seeks to clearly explain the meaning of John's letters to teachers, pastors, and general readers looking for a reliable and trusted resource for personal study. Colin Kruse introduces the important issues involved in interpreting the Johannine letters, gives verse-by-verse comments, and provides extensive discussion of John's major theological themes, including the real humanity of Christ, atonement, the role of the Spirit, Christian assurance, the meaning of koinonia, Christian love, and eternal life. Designed both for serious students and for general readers of the Bible, the Pillar New Testament Commentary volumes seek to make clear the meaning of the text of Scripture as we have it. The scholars writing these volumes interact with the most important, informed contemporary debate yet avoid undue technical detail. Their ideal is a blend of rigorous exegesis and exposition, scholarship and pastoral sensitivity, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and to the contemporary relevance of the Bible.

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The message of Peter's first letter turned the world upside-down for his readers. He saw the people of the young church of the first century as strangers, aliens who were only temporary residents, travellers heading for their native land. Peter speaks to our own pilgrimage when he tells of suffering now and glory to come. Stormy seasons of persecution were beginning for the church in Asia Minor. These storms rage on in the modern world. Edmund Clowney believes that no true Christian can escape at least a measure of suffering for Christ's sake. Out of his firsthand knowledge as an apostle of Christ, Peter shows us what the story of Jesus' life means for us as we take up our cross and follow him.

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Most of us get hope all wrong. We hope for better health, a generous pay rise or good grades for our children. Our wishful thinking may or may not have a good outcome, but when it does, it never leaves us satisfied. This 30-day devotional in the Food for the Journey series shows us that Christian hope, by contrast, is guaranteed and eternal, dealing with certainties: Christ's death for us, his forgiveness of sin and our hope of heaven when we die. Covering passages from Matthew, 1 Peter, Romans, 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians and Revelation, in this devotional some of the Keswick Convention’s most beloved preachers – including Don Carson, Ray Ortlund and Jonathan Lamb – unpack the Bible’s teaching on hope. In self-contained daily devotions they show us how we can enjoy the pleasures of earth knowing that they point to the far greater delights we'll experience one day in God's presence. In a small, easily portable format, Hope is perfect for carrying around with you on the go. Like all the Food for the Journey books, its undated format means you can start and finish at any time of the year, and work through it at your own pace. Whether you are looking to renew your own sense of hope and wonder at God’s goodness, or want to dig more deeply into what the Bible teaches us about hope, this little devotional is packed full of wisdom that will help strengthen your faith in your walk with Christ. 'The hope set before us' is far greater than we can ever imagine. This devotional shows the glorious contours of our inexhaustible hope, offering encouragement and reassurance, whatever our present circumstances may be.

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Where is God when the world falls apart, when he doesn’t seem to care? Ezekiel brought God’s word to his people at the lowest point in their history, suffering the trauma of exile. But with exile comes the opportunity to renew their faith and hope in God himself. Although God had judged his people, he would also restore them and dwell with them forever – promises which find their ultimate fulfilment in Christ. Antony Billington’s six-session guide, with his astute mini-features, skilful questions, and timely notes, will help you explore how Ezekiel’s message of challenge and comfort speaks today, enabling you to live in the light of God’s presence, Monday through Sunday – whatever you're facing.

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At first sight the Gospel of Mark is a simple account of the ministry of Jesus with lots of stories, plenty of action, a large amount of human interest, and some very straight and searching questions, mostly from Jesus himself. Yet underlying the Gospel is the cross and the cost of discipleship, focusing the question of who Jesus was, and how people should respond to him. Donald English's exposition picks up Mark's focus on faith as a risky, total commitment to Christ, and on its mysteries - pre-eminently, why some people believe, and others do not, even to the point of opposition.

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Reading the Bible is one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can engage in. Why is Bible study so significant? How can our attitude and approach affect what we get out of our reading? Learning to immerse ourselves in God's thoughts through study and meditation allows us to go deeper into God's Word and live in a more Christlike way. This six-session LifeBuilder Bible Study from Jan Johnson helps us do just that. Previously published as part of the Spiritual Disciplines Study Series

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An adulterous woman repeatedly spurns the love of her youth, while her betrayed husband offers forgiveness and seeks to win her back and restore the intimacy of their first love. With this bold and uncomfortable imagery, Hosea tells the story of God and his people. The message is made more poignant as God calls the prophet to embody this divine suffering and redeeming forgiveness in his own marriage. Hosea’s own story thus sets the stage for his message of God’s faithful and enduring love, his righteous judgement and also his continuing offer of reconciliation and a new beginning. Robin Routledge’s commentary explores the historical, cultural, literary and theological dimensions of the book, and offers a guide to its continuing message of judgement, hope and restoration.

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We all go through times of trouble and suffering. Sometimes we look at our lives or our world and wonder what good could possibly come out of it. That's exactly what we find in the book of Isaiah. Here you'll see how the prophet raises a cry for revival in the midst of a rotting society and you'll find comfort for your own troubled times. This revised LifeBuilder Bible Study features additional questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, together with expanded leader's notes and a "Now or Later" section in each study.

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Learn from Elijah about living in an increasingly threatening world. A series of 8 studies for small groups or individuals from the bestselling Lifebuilder range. A topic that's right for our times also features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, as well as a "now or later" section in each study.

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Many Bible studies of the book of Ruth focus on the life and character of Ruth herself. Ruth takes a more comprehensive view of the book as a whole. While the book is named for Ruth, and she is prominent in the action, other significant players populate the drama: Naomi, Elimelek, Mahlon, Kilion, Orpah, Boaz, an unnamed guardian-redeemer, reapers, elders, neighbors. All have their share of importance in the historical narrative.What does the book of Ruth have to do with us today? Although Ruth and Boaz are mentioned in the New Testament only in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), Christians have long seen in the book of Ruth a foreshadowing of our redemption through Christ. As Ruth and Naomi were destitute, with no status and no hope, we were in spiritual poverty and could not rescue ourselves. Like them, we were in need of a guardian-redeemer who would come to our aid. As Boaz in love intervened and took responsibility to save Ruth and Naomi, Christ in love has become our ultimate Redeemer who assumes the burden of our need and gives us a place in his kingdom.

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A permissive society, a power-hungry people, a nation without God – Daniel’s situation in Babylon sounds something like our own. In the midst of secular forces, how can we remain true to biblical values? How can we have a positive impact on those around us? Daniel is a great role model – a man who rose to prominence without compromising his beliefs.

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Lydia shows us how to influence the people around us. Elizabeth's life challenges us to care for others. Other women like Herodias and Sapphira warn us against turning away from God toward bitterness and dishonesty. In meeting each of these women, you will grow deeper in your understanding of what it means to be a disciple. This revised title features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, as well as a "now or later" section in each study. This book contains ten studies and in addition to the women above includes sessions on Mary, Mary and Martha, Euodia and Syntyche, and Priscilla.

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Truth is a tricky thing. Today, ‘the truth’ is not just hard to swallow; it is something we refuse to swallow. Truth is too certain, too divisive, too arrogant. In response, today’s truth is often one of relativism: what’s true for you might not be true for me. But if it’s sometimes true, and sometimes not, is it really truth at all? Jesus claimed to be ‘the way and the truth and the life.’ But can we really accept this ultimate truth in an age of questioning, uncertainty, relativism and scepticism? In More Truth, young philosopher Kristi Mair explores whether Christians can be confident in the ‘truth’ in our anything goes age.

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Evangelical Christians around the world have debated for years the extent to which they should be involved in ministries of social action and concern. In Evangelicals and Social Action Ian J. Shaw offers clarity to these debates by tracing the historical involvement of the evangelical church with issues of social action. Focusing on thinking and practices from John Wesley, one of the architects of eighteenth century evangelicalism, to John Stott’s work in the second half of the twentieth century, he explores whether evangelism and social action really have been intimately related throughout the history of the church as Stott contended. After an overview of Christian social action prior to Wesley, from the early church through to the eighteenth century, Evangelicals and Social Action explores in detail responses from the evangelical church around the world to eighteen key issues of social action and concern – including poverty, racial equality, addiction, children ‘at risk,’ slavery, unemployment, and learning disability – encountered between the 1730s and the 1970s. Drawn from a wide range of contexts, these examples illuminate and clarify how Evangelical Christianity has viewed and been a part of ministries of social action over the last three centuries. With an assessment of the issues raised by this historical survey and its implications for evangelicals in the contemporary world, Evangelicals and Social Action is a book that will help better inform the debates around the evangelical church and social action still happening today. This is a book for anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge of the history of the evangelical church, and anyone wanting to better understand Christian social action from an evangelical perspective.

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Of course the Bible matters. It is God’s word to us. But how do we engage with its message? Tim Chester creates a sense of expectation, causing our reading of the Bible to become a living experience in which we encounter God. Amazingly, this God of the universe speaks to us each day! Here is a personal, clear, intentional and sufficient message for our lives. The Bible is truly unique; it speaks into a myriad of situations and brings us back to the deep joy of the gospel. ‘Will enrich your encounter with God as you engage with his word.’ Elaine Duncan ‘This is more than useful; it’s inspiring.’ Julian Hardyman ‘Tim Chester is one of the clearest, most useful and reliable Christian writers in the UK today . . . He comes alongside the reader to instruct and to apply his teaching to life in the modern world.’ Peter Lewis ‘Inspirational, profound, realistic . . . If you can buy only one book on the Bible, buy this one.’ Tricia Marnham ‘Buy, read, recommend, lend, give away!’ James Robson

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The gospel of Jesus Christ is always situated within a particular cultural context: but how should Christians approach the complex relationship between their faith and the surrounding culture? Should we simply retreat from culture? Should we embrace our cultural practices and mindset? How important is it for us to be engaged with our culture and mindset? How might we do that with discernment and faithfulness? William Edgar offers a biblical theology in the light of our contemporary culture that contends that Christians should -- and indeed, must -- engage with the surrounding culture. By exploring what Scripture has to say about the role of culture and gleaning insights from a variety of theologians -- including Abraham Kuyper, T. S. Eliot, H. Richard Niebuhr and C. S. Lewis -- Edgar contends that cultural engagement is a fundamental aspect of human existence. He does not shy away from those passages that emphasize the distinction between Christians and the world. Yet he finds, shining through the biblical witness, evidence that supports a robust defence of the cultural mandate to 'be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it' (Genesis 1:28). With clarity and wisdom, Edgar argues that we are most faithful to our calling as God's creatures when we participate in creating culture.

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Family life has undergone revolutionary changes in Western society in the last sixty years, posing both theological and ethical challenges for the contemporary church. This book responds with wide-ranging essays on sexuality, marriage, family life, singleness, same-sex relationships, violence against women, anthropology, gender and culture. These chapters are essential reading for anyone concerned with Christian teaching on marriage and the family. They balance a clear loyalty to the church’s historic and biblical teaching with a recognition that all doctrine is contextualized. There is a growing gap between the ethics of many Christians and those of wider society. So Christians have to be counter-cultural. But the church also has to be self-critical, differentiating between biblical revelation and cultural development. And it must know how to present unchanging Christian convictions to a constantly changing society. The contributors are Andy Angel, Daniel Block, Rosalind Clarke, Barry Danylak, Andrew Goddard, Stephen Holmes, David Instone Brewer, A. T. B. McGowan, Nicholas Moore, Onesimus Ngundu, Oliver O'Donovan, Ian Paul, Andrew Sloane, Katy Smith, Elaine Storkey and Sarah Whittle.

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‘God wants people to become like Christ,’ said international preacher, writer and teacher John Stott in a public address at the end of his long life. Peter Lewis is similarly passionate about the Bible’s message – that God has a plan which centres on Jesus and includes each one of us. In this accessible and helpful book, he focuses on the: source of Christlikeness model of Christlikenesshelps to Christlikeness contradictions of Christlikeness an dtriumph of Christlikeness Here, the reader who wants to become like Christ will find radical – sometimes challenging – teaching, practical wisdom and warm reassurance.

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On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg - the starting gun for the Reformation. Five hundred years later, the issues debated at the Reformation are still urgent. In this clear, incisive and accessible survey, Michael Reeves and Tim Chester show how the Reformation helps us answer questions like: How do we know what’s true? Can we truly know God? How does God speak? What’s wrong with us? How can we be saved? Who am I? At its heart, the Reformation was a dispute about how we know God and how we can be right with him. At stake was our eternal future – and it still is.

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The world is changing fast, and digital technology fastest of all. The growth of social media and increasingly innovative digital advancements raises questions for every Christian. How should we understand the new digital age? And how can we live well within it? These technologies hold awesome potential for good. But when we engage unthinkingly with the online world, there is a danger that we begin to become increasingly like the technologies we use, relating and thinking without human connection. We fall short of what we were made to be. We are virtually human. Whether you are an early adopter, a sceptic, or just content to go with the flow, this book will help you navigate the digital world in a way that honours Christ and leads to your growth and the growth of those around you.

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On the surface, the book of Ruth tells the tale of an unlikely marriage between a destitute Moabite widow and an upstanding citizen of a Judean village. The deeper import of the story, however, has to do with the internal boundaries that define the people of God. Is Israel a closed community, held together exclusively by bonds of kinship, or a nation that welcomes faithful outsiders into its sphere of belonging? Ruth appropriates marriage as the symbolic vehicle of a transformation in Israel's self-understanding - from a community articulated by Naomi's declaration that her daughters-in-law marry within their own people, to the acclamations by the people of Bethlehem that endorse Boaz's marriage to a Moabite. L. Daniel Hawk undertakes a detailed narrative analysis of Ruth that goes beyond the description of its content and stylistic features to illumine its deep structure and use of metaphor. Informed by contemporary studies on ethnicity, he discovers a work of remarkable sophistication that employs a story of intermarriage to address opposing ideas of Israelite identity. Hawk's meticulous attention to patterned structures, stylistic devices and characterization reveals the strategy by which the narrator constructs a vision of Israel that looks beyond rigid internal boundaries to the welcome of faithful foreigners as agents of blessing.

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100% Christianity is the only thing that can change a person from the inside out. Jago captures the power of personal transformation that the gospel offers, as well as the big picture of a gospel that changes everything. Reading '100% Christianity' leaves you with the clear conviction that Jago not only believes this, but he has experienced the power of Christ's grace, and having experienced it, his passion is to see others capture the 'bigness' of what Christianity actually means. The greatest challenge is this: as Jago reminds us, God has given us 100%, and now God asks us for 100% of our lives. This book hits the ball into our court: what we do with God's glorious grace and the message of the cross is the big question each of us must answer. --Malcolm Duncan, Founder and Director of Church and Community and lead pastor of Gold Hill Baptist Church I'm delighted to commend this book by Jago Wynne for two reasons. Firstly, it makes the letter to the Romans accessible, when so often people find it is not. And secondly, it shows why we need the whole letter to live biblically-balanced lives. I think it's a huge help to Christians and non-Christians alike in terms of commentating on what the Christian life is really like. --Rico Tice, Associate Minister at All Souls Church and co-author of 'Christianity Explored'

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The Bible is a story; the gospel is a message. But how does one lead to the other? Raiding the Lost Ark shows how covenants hold the key, and demonstrates how the gospel of salvation by grace alone grows naturally out of the story God tells. At the centre of Israel's worship was the tabernacle. At the centre of the tabernacle was a box: the Ark of the Covenant. Within the box was a covenant. Covenant dominates the Bible's story from start to finish, shaping the gospel, the church and the day-to-day experience of God's people. But for many of us, covenant is a lost concept. Raiding the Lost Ark seeks to recover the great news of Jesus Christ as Covenant King, demonstrating the natural flow from the story God tells to the gospel of grace. Along the way, it addresses hot topics, such as baptism in the Spirit, predestination and water baptism, showing how they all fit together in one covenant story to bring God's people into fullness of life under the Covenant King.

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My heart is stirred by a noble theme ...' (Psalm 45:1) The Old Testament prophets spoke oracles from God - but the theology of the Psalms arises from the daily lives of his people. The New Testament apostles expounded the death and resurrection of Christ through sermon and epistle - but the Christology of the Psalms is expressed in poetry. The Gospels show us Jesus in the flesh, teaching, healing, dying and rising. In the Psalms we are invited to accompany him on his journey of suffering, trust and vindication. What are we to do with such unique theology? How should we hear it as Christians? How can it shape our life together, and our lives as individuals? The goal of this stimulating volume, based on the 2012 Moore College School of Theology, is to help us hear the message of the Psalms - as a story, as prophecy, as theology, as poetry, as praise - and to explore its application for the people of God today, whether in joy or pain, perplexity or persecution, politics or mission. The contributors are Greg Anderson, Kit Barker, Andrew Cameron, James Hely Hutchinson, Seumas Macdonald, David Peterson, Andrew Shead, Andrew Sloane, Tara Stenhouse, Mark Thompson, John Woodhouse and Dan Wu.

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Studying the Bible in an academic institution can be very different from studying it in a church service or house group, but for all Christian readers the fundamental task is the same: to understand, and to live out, the meaning of the text as fully as possible. Nevertheless, formal courses in universities and theological colleges will require students to learn information and evaluate opinions that can appear to be of little consequence for most other readers of the Bible. Furthermore, Christians can be confronted with essentially non-Christian worldviews that conflict with their basic convictions; evangelicals will grapple with other Christian perspectives, or with tough questions within their own presuppositions about the nature and content of the Bible. This collection provides an introduction to academic study of the Bible, with the particular needs of evangelical students in mind. These essays are intended to complement standard texts and lecture courses, and offer accessible, up-to-date surveys of key issues, along with valuable orientation and advice.

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In a society whose moral fabric is rent can the church recover its moral character enough to make a difference? This compelling critique of the influence of modernity on Evangelical moral values today is by the highly regarded author of God in the Wasteland and No place for truth.

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Few biblical texts are more daunting, and yet more fascinating, than the book of Job - and few have been the subject of such diverse interpretation. For Robert Fyall, the mystery of God's ways and the appalling evil and suffering in the world are at the heart of Job's significant contribution to the canon. This study offers a holistic reading of the book, with particular reference to its depiction of creation and evil, and find significant clues to its meaning in the striking imagery it uses.

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An excellent Bible study booklet ideal for group or individual use.

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This world is no friend to grace. God has given us some resources, however. As we grow in character qualities like hope, patience, repentance and joy, we ill grow in our ability to persevere. The biblical passages in these studies offer encouragement to continue in the path Christ has set forth for us.

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Thanksgiving is a recurring theme in Paul's letters and yet has been neglected in major studies of his thought. David Pao makes up for this lack in an excellent analysis which demonstrates how, for Paul, thanksgiving is an important link between theology and ethics.

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Jesus' work on the cross not only won our redemption but also stands as the test and pattern of all Christian ministry today. This heartwarming exposition will challenge and encourage church leaders and their congregations.

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A handbook discussing the books of the New Testament against their first-century background: literary, political, social, economic and religious. With illustrations and index.

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When we strip away what is superficial, cultural or traditional, what is the essence of genuine Christianity? John's letters focus on the three most important aspects of the Christian life. With power and simplicity, he helps us focus our attention on what really matters - both now and for eternity. 12 studies for individuals or groups. This revised Lifebuilder Bible study in the new revised format features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, as well as an extra "Now or Later" section in each study.

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Ted Turnau introduces readers to the major themes of his in-depth Oasis of Imagination by collaborating with Ruth Naomi Floyd. Floyd brings her distinctive experience as a Christian artist to make this a practical guide that distils the "why" and "how" of embracing Christian creative cultural engagement. Why does the church need to pay more attention to the imagination? How can we, in this day and age, best enter our cultural conversations for the common good? How can the local church better support its creatives, enriching its own imaginative life and building bridges to their neighbours and the wider culture? Whether you are a Christian artist or creative yourself, or an everyday Christian searching for a path beyond the culture wars and Christian bubble, Imagination Manifesto will give you biblical foundations, practical pointers, discussion starters, and inspiration for "planting oases" in today's culture.

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What does an Old Testament book have to say to us in the twenty-first century? Discover the message of a Bible book for yourself by using tools which help you 'dig deeper'. In the authors' own words, 'We want to share with you why we think it means what it does, how we came to our understanding of the verses, what discoveries we made. Rather than a Hollywood movie, this is going to be more like the how-they-made-the-movie footage.' 'I have never seen a burning bush, have never suffered a plague of boils (even as a seventeen-year-old the acne wasn't that bad), have never parted my bathwater and walked through the middle, have never been to Mount Sinai, let alone heard God speaking from thunder on the top of it,' says Andrew Sach. 'What possible relevance does the book of Exodus have to me?' We set about discovering the message of a Bible book for us today using various tools (first introduced in Dig Deeper). The Repetition tool helps us to see that God's name is a big deal. The Context tool shows us why it was important to beat the Amalekites. The Quotation/Allusion tool uncovers a miniature garden of Eden where we least expect one. And so on.

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