Search results for ""christian faith""

Trusted Theologian Presents a Case for Christian Faith in Easy-to-Understand Language Seminary professor and bestselling author teams with a seminary-trained apologist and teacher to give readers basic, solid evidence for the Christian faith. This book is ideal for both teens and adults. Lay leaders and teachers as well as students will be equipped to explain the basics of Christianity to unbelievers and new believers. The accessible and topically organized book is easy to understand and use.

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The Old Testament constitutes the majority of the Christian Bible and provides much of the language of Christian faith. However, many churches tend to neglect this crucial part of Scripture. This timely book details a number of ways the Old Testament is showing signs of decay, demise, and imminent death in the church. Brent Strawn reminds us of the Old Testament's important role in Christian faith and practice, criticizes current misunderstandings that contribute to its neglect, and offers ways to revitalize its use in the church.

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In this edited and translated edition of Christian Scholarship, Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck explores how the Christian faith benefits higher learning, particularly religious studies, natural sciences, and the humanities.

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A practical book about prayer, the bedrock of Christian faith, for youth.

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Theology can be difficult to understand and challenging to navigate. This concise introduction to biblical doctrine distills complex topics so both scholar and layperson alike can treasure the unchanging pillars of the Christian faith.

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This accessible handbook on the Christian faith will serve as a go-to guide for new believers, helping them better understand what it means to follow Jesus with their heads and their hands.

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A doctrinal handbook for those who want to get an overall grasp of the main teachings of the Christian faith, divided into clear sections for reference and study, with full bibliographies.

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This book explores the doctrine of the incarnation—the central fact of history and the greatest mystery of the Christian faith—highlighting implications for all of Christian theology, including the atonement and the church’s worship.

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Late theologian J. I. Packer gives readers a road map for studying the essentials of Christian faith, with quick, in-depth explanations of essential topics including the Apostles' Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments.

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Apologetics in a punchy, easy-to-read style Jesus, Right Where You Want Him covers some of the core objections to the Christian faith: Hasn’t religion been the cause of appalling violence? Aren’t Christians a group of intolerant hypocrites? How can a loving God allow so much suffering? Why doesn’t God end racism? How can there only be one true religion? Isn’t the Bible full of myths and contradictions? The text is an ideal companion that will sit well alongside introductory courses to the Christian faith, providing a starting point for those who want to address key issues. It would also serve well as a gift to an inquiring friend.

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This student’s guide explores how the Christian faith impacts our understanding of science, arguing that the Christian worldview stands as the best foundation for scientific investigation. Part of the Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition series.

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Following the success of his widely acclaimed The Pope Francis Agenda, renowned theologian Donal Dorr returns with a topical new work that explores the interplay between an ecological spirituality and traditional Christian faith at this critical juncture. Rather than seeing ecological spirituality as an adjunct to Christian doctrine, Donal Dorr views it as central to the understanding of Christianity today and integral to understanding our relationship with the natural world. Stressing the importance of our ‘new earth awareness’, the author lays out a compelling vision for how we should live at both a spiritual and practical level in terms of our Christian faith and our attendant role as stewards of the Earth.

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A visually engaging exploration of apparent contradictions within the Christian faith. One of the significant challenges in the Christian faith is the number of apparent contradictions the Bible presents. These paradoxes and mysteries can be difficult to understand. In Both–And Ross Cunningham takes 23 pairs of seemingly contradictory truths and concisely and clearly explains how they can co–exist. The book is divided into three main sections – apparent contradictions in the divine nature; apparent contradictions in the experience of salvation; and apparent contradiction in the characteristics of being in Christ. Ross Cunningham, who has a background in creative design, has introduced each chapter with an attractive graphic representation of the paradox in question.

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This box set contains the charmingly illustrated stories of five heroes of the Christian faith – C. S. Lewis, Gladys Aylward, Lottie Moon, John Knox and Charles Spurgeon. These hardback books will delight 4–7 year–old children.

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The Apostles' Creed is a treasure trove of basic Christian beliefs and wisdom that helps ensure the integrity and orthodoxy of our faith. Sadly, modern churches have often hesitated to embrace the ancient creeds because of our "nothing but the Bible" tradition. In What Christians Ought to Believe Michael Bird will open your eyes to the possibilities of the Apostles' Creed as a way to explore and understand the essential teachings of the Christian faith.Bringing together theological commentary, tips for application, and memorable illustrations, What Christians Ought to Believe summarizes the basic tenets of the Christian faith using the Apostles' Creed as its entryway. After first emphasizing the importance of creeds for the formation of the Christian faith, each chapter, following the Creed's outline, introduces the Father, the Son, and the Spirit and the Church. An appendix includes the Apostles' Creed in the original Latin and Greek.What Christians Ought to Believe is ideally suited for both the classroom and the church setting to teach beginning students and laypersons the basics of what Christians ought to affirm if they are to be called Christians.

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Well known manual of doctrine for all those requiring an introduction to the Christian Faith.This edition contains the addition of scripture proofs in full & notes by Roderick Lawson. The Westminster shorter catechism has been an effective tool for teaching the Christian faith to young and old for over 300 years and is still used in Presbyterian and other reformed churches to this day.This is one of the most popular editions as it contains proof texts to aid a parent or teacher in their instruction.

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The Bible is the book at the heart of the Christian faith; all over the world people are eager to explore what the Bible says. Delve into a mine of information in this thorough exploration of these ancient books, the customs of the time, the key stories, the teachings. Illustrations, photographs, maps and timelines guide the readers through, book by book. An invaluable source of reference to the origins of the Christian faith. Ideal for Sunday Schools, or parents, looking to cover great amounts of the Bible with ease, this new book takes you on a book-by-book journey through the Bible, and illustrates not only what happened, but what the times and places were like back then.

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A firm understanding of our faith is increasingly important in a world of differing beliefs and perspectives. If we do not have the knowledge to underpin our beliefs we are in danger of appearing shallow to unimpressed onlookers. What we really need is the building blocks of faith. We need a sense of how what we believe will work out in practice. This accessible yet thought-provoking book equips us with the key building blocks of the Christian faith. From these strong foundations, an authentic and robust Christian faith can thrive as we live and work in the secular arena. Discover solid biblical foundations to live out a confident faith in an ever-changing context.

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Addressing problems of objectivity and authenticity, Sabine MacCormack reconstructs how Andean religion was understood by the Spanish in light of seventeenth-century European theological and philosophical movements, and by Andean writers trying to find in it antecedents to their new Christian faith.

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Objections to the Christian faith are not new. The ability to boldly proclaim the old faith to a post-Christian culture is. In an era where access to objections and arguments is easier than ever, everyday Christians need to be prepared with strong, clear responses. In Everyday Apologetics, readers will be equipped with answers to some of Christianity's most difficult objections: Why is the God of the Old Testament so violent? Are science and faith in fundamental conflict with one another? The contributors take up these questions, and more, helping Christians be strengthened in their faith, while also providing powerful answers to opponents of the Christian faith. With a clear, inviting, winsome style, Everyday Apologetics is for everyone: Christians, skeptics, seekers, and everyone in between.

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The renowned scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author widely considered to be the heir to C. S. Lewis contemplates the central event at the heart of the Christian faith—Jesus’ crucifixion—arguing that the Protestant Reformation did not go far enough in transforming our understanding of its meaning.In The Day the Revolution Began, N. T. Wright once again challenges commonly held Christian beliefs as he did in his acclaimed Surprised by Hope. Demonstrating the rigorous intellect and breathtaking knowledge that have long defined his work, Wright argues that Jesus’ death on the cross was not only to absolve us of our sins; it was actually the beginning of a revolution commissioning the Christian faithful to a new vocation—a royal priesthood responsible for restoring and reconciling all of God’s creation. Wright argues that Jesus’ crucifixion must be understood within the much larger story of God’s purposes to bring heaven and earth together. The Day the Revolution Began offers a grand picture of Jesus’ sacrifice and its full significance for the Christian faith, inspiring believers with a renewed sense of mission, purpose, and hope, and reminding them of the crucial role the Christian faith must play in protecting and shaping the future of the world.

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Noted Bible scholar J. I. Packer examines each phrase of the Apostles' Creed, inviting readers to dive further into the essentials of the Christian faith.

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McKinley challenges new and nominal Christians to take a deeper look at their Christian faith. This book addresses five key criteria to evaluate one’s standing before God.

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Many have used the term 'tragic' to refer to African American religious and cultural experience. After a studied meditation on and articulation of the 'tragic vision,' Johnson argues that African American Christian Consciousness is an expression of the tragic and a tragic expression of the Christian Faith.

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If God exists, why doesn't he eliminate suffering and evil? Does evolution disprove Christianity? Can religion be explained by cognitive science? People have grappled for ages with these kinds of questions. And many in today's academic world find Christian belief untenable. But renowned philosopher Stephen Davis argues that belief in God is indeed a rational and intellectually sound endeavor. Drawing on a lifetime of rigorous reflection and critical thinking, he explores perennial and contemporary challenges to Christian faith. Davis appraises objections fairly and openly, offering thoughtful approaches to common intellectual problems. Real questions warrant reasonable responses. Examine for yourself the rationality of the Christian faith.

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Pilgrim is a major new teaching and discipleship resource from the Church of England. It will help enquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Jesus Christ. A Christian course for the twenty-first century, Pilgrim offers an approach of participation, not persuasion. Enquirers are encouraged to practice the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer, exploring key texts that have helped people since the earliest days of the Christian faith. Believing that the Christian faith is primarily about relationship, Pilgrim aims to lay a foundation for a lifetime of learning more about God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ and what it means to be his disciple. Assuming little or no knowledge of the Christian faith, Pilgrim can be used at any point on the journey of discipleship and by every tradition in the Church of England. Pilgrim is made up of two parts: Follow and Grow. Each consists of four short courses and a leaders’ guide. Follow introduces the Christian faith for complete beginners, while Grow aims to develop a deeper level of discipleship in those who have turned to Christ. Each short course contains six-sessions, supported by online audio-visual resources. All sessions combine a simple framework prayer, reflection on the Bible in the lectio divina style, an article by a modern writer, and time for questions and reflection. The first book in the Follow Stage, Turning to Christ, explores the questions candidates are asked when they decide to become followers of Jesus.

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Christian Zen is a ground breaking book for all Christians seeking to deepen and broaden their inner lives. Providing concrete guidelines for a way of Christian meditation that incorporates Eastern insights, it is a helpful book that can open new spiritual vistas and reveal profound, often undreamed-of dimensions of the Christian faith.

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Is faith rational? Some respond by providing proofs for God's existence. Others hold that no reasons for the Christian faith can be given. This book discusses different ways of accounting for faith, i.e. classical apologetics, the transcendental view that faith is part of human nature, and the view that argues for the rationality of faith on the basis of direct perceptions of God that appear to be objective. The author subsequently proposes a rational accounting for the Christian faith in our secularized and religiously pluralistic society. His starting point is the lasting religious experience of believers in everyday life. He also discusses the question of how this accounting for faith can function in a world of both secular worldviews and other religions. Religious experience is not subjective or arbitrary but rational. In these experiences human beings are involved with God. Religious experience can be described phenomenologically as an experience that transcends our capacities. God reveals himself to people primarily in narratives. Narratives have a rational structure and the Gospel narratives provide, in narrative form, arguments for faith. The assent to faith involves the whole person and stamps his life story and conduct. Assent to faith is thus affective, but that does not exclude its being rational. The positive reason for faith lies in experience itself. There are no reasons for faith outside the faith itself, but this does not mean that there are no points of contact in human existence for the Christian faith.

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What's the Bible really about? What's God like? And what does all this mean for how I live?Especially when you're new to the Christian faith, these questions surface again and again.Brand New is a brief and practical 40-day devotional for new believers to help you reflect on and answer these questions for yourself. You'll learn the basics of the Christian faith: the story of the Bible, the character of God, and the practices of the Christian life.Each day you'll dig into an an important topic and read Bible passages that shed light on it. Reflection questions help you respond to what God might be showing you. Each devotion ends with a prayer paraphrased from the Bible so you can learn how to use God's word in your own prayers.With Brand New you'll launch into an exciting adventure of trusting God and growing in faith!

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What do Christians believe about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the church, salvation, eternal life, and more? This contemporary classic from theologian R. C. Sproul provides a matchless introduction to the basics of the Christian faith.

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Norman Geisler and Frank Turek argue that Christianity requires the least faith of all worldviews because it is the most reasonable. A valuable aid to those interested in examining the reasonableness of the Christian faith.

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Takes us deeper into the prayer experience through a series of meditations leading into practical exercises in affirming the Presence of God. This book features meditations that are based on the eternal certainties of the Christian faith.

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The Heidelberg Catechism is introduced as one of the worlds foremost and prevailing (not only Reformed, but) Christian faith documents throughout the centuries, due to its intellectual clarity as well as personal style. At the same time, the book invites the reader to engage the HC in conversation with contemporary Christian faith (Busch) while Learning Jesus Christ through the Heidelberg Catechism (Barth), understanding the HC as a book of Comfort and Joy (Kuyvenhoven) as well as a guide to Christian living (Rozema).In that sense, the tone of the book is not neutral, but rather theological/confessional. Portraying the HC throughout as Schoolbook Prayer book Lectionary Confession Compendium is aimed not only at describing its traditional uses in churches so far, but also at engaging the reader on different levels, and eventually enabling him or her to begin answering the vital question: But why are you called a Christian? The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the worlds foremost and prevailing Christian faith documents throughout the centuries, due to its intellectual clarity as well as personal style. At the same time, the book invites the reader to engage the Heidelberg Catechism in conversation with contemporary Christian faith.Margit Ernst-Habib aims not only at describing the traditional uses of the HC in churches so far, but also at engaging the reader on different levels, and eventually enabling him or her to begin answering the vital question: But why are you called a Christian?

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A Practical Christianity: Meditations for the Season of Lent is a devotional book that challenges readers to take up “practical Christianity”—proposing Christian faith as something we do, not something we merely believe in. The starting point for Christianity lies within its practice, says the author, and not in the blind acceptance of a chunk of undigested doctrine. The book samples fiction, poetry, art and music, combined with the wisdom of scripture and theology, to help pilgrims make sense of faith in the context of everyday life. Shaw reconsiders the central doctrines of Christian faith through the lens of how we practice them. She explores five themes: dust, forgiveness, time, doubt and love—devoting a chapter to each. This thematic approach is a way of presenting (covertly, since it’s not revealed until the end of the book) the doctrines of Creation and Sin, Forgiveness, the Trinity, Salvation, and finally Love.

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Is the Trinity Unbiblical, Unbelievable, and Irrelevant? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Searching Issues. Nicky tackles questions around the Trinity, as it is one of the most challenging doctrines of the Christian faith and one of the most common questions asked on Alpha. This is an ideal take away for an Alpha guest who is struggling with this topic or anyone curious to find out more.Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.This resource is written in Spanish.

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'This resource provides careful teaching in the very best traditions of SPCK. It is both detailed and readable, and provides a comprehensive introduction to the Christian faith as lived out through the Church. I commend it to all those seeking to establish deep foundations on which to build their faith.' John Sentamu, Archbishop of York 'One of the joys of being a bishop is to preside at a confirmation. The joy is greater when the candidates have been well prepared and are full of expectancy and a desire to grow in faith. Faith Confirmed will help produce confirmands like that. It is a wonderful resource. ' Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester and President of Affirming Catholicism Faith Confirmed is an introduction to what Anglican Christians believe. It is written for those preparing for confirmation in the Anglican Church and for all those who want to know more about the essentials of the Christian faith. This revised edition has been completely updated for the twenty-first century.

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On theological grounds, Ingolf U. Dalferth argues the case for taking a critical stance towards the current leave-taking of secularization and the fashionable proclamation of a new post-secular religious epoch. Right from the start, the Christian faith has made a decisive contribution to the secularization of the world, the criticism of religion, religions and religiosity. Christian faith is concerned with God's presence in all areas of life, often beyond the usual religious forms and in distinction towards them. The orientation towards this ultimate presence and therefore towards antecedent transcendence in the immanence of a secular world leaves the alternative between religious and non-religious life behind. In this work, the author examines the new distinctions which this Christian life orientation demands.

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Rowan Williams takes you to the heart of what Christianity means for those who practise it, and the hope it offers to the world at large. A book for all who wonder what the Christian faith is all about, and what difference it really makes.

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The Christian faith is something people practice. The Church prays, listens to the Scriptures, celebrates the sacraments, cares for the suffering, and liberates the oppressed. This is where the task of theology begins. In "Love Makes No Sense", each chapter engages central issues of theology but remains focused on the Christian life. Although it is a book about doctrine—Christian teaching—it insists that one cannot present a doctrine of the Trinity, or Incarnation, or anything else in the abstract. Teaching divorced from everyday life is not Christian teaching. This does not mean this book is primarily 'practical' as opposed to 'theological'. It is an invitation to Christian theology that refuses to separate the two. The aim of this book is not to satisfy the intellect, but to train its readers through approachable theological teaching to live the love that Christian theology proclaims. Suitable for people looking to explore Christian theology more deeply, be they life-long Christians who want a deeper understanding of their faith, new Christians, or those who are interested in the Christian faith and looking to find out more.

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How do Christians keep from losing their faith when they discover that other faiths are as justified as their own? Mark McLeod-Harrison draws on his training in analytic philosophy and his knowledge of Christian mysticism to provide a compelling analysis of, and unique solution to, the problem religious diversity poses for Christians. In Repairing Eden, McLeod-Harrison describes this dilemma as an existential problem internal to the Christian faith. He suggests that Christian humility and Christian mysticism can provide a joint path toward a kind of metaphysical certainty - the mystic path, the path of bearing one's own cross - that can become a means of more deeply knowing God. Repairing Eden weaves theology, philosophy, and pastoral concerns into a spiritual-philosophical solution to a deeply important challenge to Christian faith.

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As you explore the Christian faith, you will soon encounter some challenging words: Trinity, Sacrament, Reconciliation, Sin, Incarnation, even the word 'Christ' itself. It isn't Jesus's surname! It is a title with a meaning and history.Sooner, or later, these words, and the ideas behind them, must be addressed and understood. It is simply not possible to be a Christian without understanding sin and forgiveness, knowing what a sacrament is, or accepting Jesus as the Christ.This book is here to help. It explores and explains many of the key concepts and ideas that underpin the Christian faith."I had assumed that someone else had already written a book like this. It seemed such an obvious thing to do. But while I could find weighty tomes on the topics explored here, I couldn't find a book which covered all these things in ways that were accessible, comprehensive and friendly: a simple book about complex things, one which just about anyone could read and find helpful. So, I wrote one." - Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

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Does the Christian faith lack intellectual, moral and experiential credibility? These are the three most common accusations made against the Christian faith today. Brian Harris examines each of these arguments in turn by outlining the issue, looking at evidence against the claim before evaluating the argument as a whole. This book explores these questions in a rigorous but accessible way. It doesn't offer easy, solve-everything answers, but it does build a cumulative case based on reason, history and experience to suggest that God probably exists, and that the Christian understanding of God could well be valid. Content Benefits: By offering a serious look at the evidence that counters the growing assumption that the Christian faith lacks intellectual, moral and experiential credibility, this book allows the reader to make an informed decision about Christianity. Provides a counter argument to the claims made by the New Atheists Tackles the accusations that Christianity is intellectually vacuous, morally suspect and experientially empty Harris does not try to 'prove' beyond all doubt, but presents cumulative evidence to make a rational and informed decision Builds a cumulative case for Christianity Ideal for anyone who has doubts in their faith Perfect for anyone who wants to know if Christianity is true Suitable for anyone who wants to explain their faith to others Ideal resource for anyone studying apologetics Binding - Paperback Pages - 160 Publisher - Paternoster

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Focuses on anthropological analyses of and engagements with Christian faith-based organizations (FBOs). Examines the varied and shifting meanings of religiosity, volunteerism, "doing good," development, charity, and justice Calls for a greater understanding of the macro-level promises and pitfalls of increasing reliance on FBOs to design and deliver social services and development Redresses the imbalance of anthropological studies that have focused on the role of secular NGOs

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From "Why am I here?" to "What's next?" in this international bestseller, Alpha pioneer Nicky Gumbel addresses some of the foundational questions that challenge us all. Questions of Life is a step-by-step guide to the basics of the Christian faith by one of the world's most respected Christian leaders. This book contains the talks that are given on Alpha, and in it Nicky explores key themes, questions, and objections to faith, leading us on an engaging, personal journey of discovery.Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way.Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

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From the early days of the Christian faith, the relationship between the twin realities of Jesus' historical particularity and universal presence has been a theological puzzle. The apparent dichotomy of the two leads Christ-followers to ponder some difficult questions: Who is Jesus is to those who do not know him? Who are those who do not know him to those who do? Do "we" who follow Jesus meet him in "those" who do not?Contemporary debates concerning Christian theology of religions have been profoundly shaped by Alan Race's threefold typology of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. Scholars increasingly recognize the insufficiency of this typology, and a consensus about how to replace it remains elusive. With The Unique and Universal Christ, Drew Collins argues that an alternative theological approach to the relation between the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the universality of God's presence can be gleaned from the theology of Hans Frei and his fivefold typology of Christian theology. With Frei's model as an interpretive lens, Collins examines the various ecumenical movements of the twentieth century and their conversations around theological authority in connection to Christianity's relationship with other faith traditions. A new paradigm emerges for conceptualizing Christian faith amid the rich diversity of our world. Reconsidered in this light, the Christian theology of religions ceases to be a combative venture that pits a Christian faith committed to the scandalous particularity of Jesus Christ's identity as the Son of God against a faith open to the possibility of encountering the divine presence in the world at large. Instead, it becomes a mode of exploration, hoping for such encounters with the universal presence of Christ because of the uniqueness of Jesus.

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Sumptuously illustrated with hundreds of gorgeous photographs, artifacts, and maps, The Story of Christianity focuses on the rich social and cultural history of Christianity through the ages, from its roots in Palestine to its triumph as a global movement, told through a series of dramatic turning points and unforgettable people. Beginning with the story of Jesus' life, author Isbouts expertly sets key turning points in the story of Christianity in context, from the conversion of Constantine to Martin Luther's protest; from the Crusades to the ministry of Mother Teresa. Using the dramatic art and architecture of the Christian faith as visual touchpoints and highlighting inspiring quotes and stories with resonance to the modern era, Isbouts writes with a deep respect for both Catholic and Protestant traditions and provides an excellent introduction to the complex and compelling world of the Christian faith.

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From original sin to eternal life, the function of prayer to the role of the church, renowned theologian Keith Ward offers a comprehensive survey of the diversity of Christian thinking in this introduction to the world’s largest faith. By presenting three different interpretations for over fifteen key doctrines, he invites anyone interested in the contemporary spiritual landscape to consider the Christian faith from a new and refreshing perspective.

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A guide to the Christian faith, which takes a broad sweep from the big bang through the Old Testament to the New and beyond into the history of the faith and modern theological thinking. It explores contemporary strands of Christian thinking and relates them to world faith and non-faith viewpoints.

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