Search results for ""Christian Faith""

Introduce little ones to the faith-affirming virtue of courage with this accessible and engaging board book for babies and toddlers. Even the youngest child experiences fear—fear in the face of new things, new people, and new situations. With this sweet and engaging board book, little ones will begin to understand how courage can become an important part of their lives and lead them to act bravely in the face of fear. 'Baby Courage' works for good even when it's hard to do. She stands up for what she believes in. She trusts God will protect her when she is feeling afraid. Baby Courage is bold and unstoppable.  The Baby Virtues series introduces babies and toddlers to the fundamentals of Christian faith and biblical virtues. Each book in the series personifies a virtue as a lovable character and uses action-oriented language and recognizable settings to explore the importance of the virtue in an accessible manner appropriate for the y

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The staggering story of the most influential Chinese political dissident of the Mao era, a devout Christian who was imprisoned, tortured, and executed by the regimeBlood Letters tells the astonishing tale of Lin Zhao, a Chinese poet and journalist arrested by the regime in 1960 and executed eight years later, at the height of the Cultural Revolution. Alone among the victims of Mao's dictatorship, she maintained a stubborn and open opposition during the years she was imprisoned. She rooted her dissent in her Christian faith--and expressed it in long, prophetic writings done in her own blood, and at times on her clothes and on cloth torn from her bedsheets.Miraculously, Lin Zhao's prison writings survived, though they have only recently come to light. Drawing on these works and others from the years before her arrest, as well as interviews with friends, family, and classmates, Lian Xi paints an indelible portrait of courage and faith in the face of unrelenting evil.

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A collection of three key lost books of the bible, offering insight into the origins of early Christianity. In the early days of the Christian faith there were many writings, only some of which became part of the canonical Bible. But what of the other books, known as apocryphal texts...which of those are worth reading? One of the most influential and well-known of these apocryphal texts is The Books of Enoch, a collection of three ancient Hebrew texts that contain teachings about angels, demons, the great flood, as well as mystical prophecies. This collection also includes two other important apocryphal books. The Book of Jasher, meaning upright or righteous describes the world's creation up until Moses' death and is referenced throughout the Hebrew bible. The Book of Jubilees is an ancient Jewish religious text that offers a retelling of the books of Genesis and Exodus. Compiled together for modern readers, these three apocryphal texts offer insight

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The central Christian belief in salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ remains one of the most intractable mysteries of Christian faith. Throughout history, it has given rise to various theories of atonement, many of which have been subject to critique as they no longer speak to contemporary notions of evil and sin or to current conceptions of justice. One of the important challenges for contemporary Christian theology thus involves exploring new ways of understanding the salvific meaning of the cross. In Atonement and Comparative Theology, Christian theologians with expertise in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and African Religions reflect on how engagement with these traditions sheds new light on the Christian understanding of atonement by pointing to analogous structures of sin and salvation, drawing attention to the scandal of the cross as seen by the religious other, and re-interpreting aspects of the Christian understanding of atonement. Together, they illustrate the possibilities for comparative theology to deepen and enrich Christian theological reflection.

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This book proposes the parallel concept that authentic faith development both presupposes and facilitates authentic human development. Thomas Aquinas posited a reciprical relationship between nature and grace: grace both presupposes or builds on nature, and perfects nature. Translated into developmental terms, this would mean that religious and spiritual growth takes place on the foundation of healthy human growth and, reciprically, the authentic religious development facilitates development towards the goals of authentic human growth. This study attempts to investigate the validity of this reciprical relationship as it applies to human and religious growth. A dialogue is constructed between the views of four Christian thinkers (Kierkegaard, Barth, Bultmann, and Tillich) on the dynamics of the Christian faith experience and four psychological theorists (Alsler, Fromm, Allport, and Frankl) on the dynamics of human growth.

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An outreach edition of the New Testament, using the ESV translation in British English – perfect for church groups and to give away at events. Passing on the Christian faith is at the heart of our calling, and this outreach edition of the New Testament means that there is a cost-effective way to share the Gospel, using a translation you can trust. Created by a team of more than 100 Evangelical Bible scholars, the ESV is the fastest-growing translation, and is the go-to Bible for church leaders and ministries around the world. More evangelical churches than ever before are using the ESV. Now you can reach out beyond your church with this attractive and affordable New Testament, bringing the life-giving Gospel to your friends and neighbours

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Pastor and trusted Bible teacher Dr. Tony Evans answers fundamental questions about the Christian faith to help children understand who God is and why they can trust Him with their lives. Is there a child in your life who needs to learn about God? Dr. Tony Evans provides easy-to-understand answers to the most important questions about Christianity, so that kids can come to know and trust the Lord. Topics include: Who is God and what is He like? Where did the world come from? How can I follow God? Why do bad things sometimes happen? How am I part of God’s plan? My Biggest Questions About God is a valuable resource for parents and youth leaders who want to help children build a firm foundation of faith.

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Was the identity of the Holy Spirit as a personal agent already obvious in the expressions of faith at the pre-literary stage of Christianity? This book traces the evolution of the expression of the early Christian faith in relation to the notion of pneuma (spirit). It shows that, first of all pneuma, as long as it can be traced from three passages in antithesis with sarks (1 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 3:18,22 and Rom 1:3-4) reflecting the Christian theology prior to the early New Testament writings, referred to the spiritual condition to which Christ had access as a result of his resurrection, in contrast to his previous earthly condition. Then in a more in-depth examination of Rom 1:4 from the angle of identifiable redactions, it continues to show how the passage/transition from this representation of the pneuma-condition to that of the pneuma (Spirit) designating the Holy Spirit took place.

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The central tenet of Christian faith, namely, that God, through the incarnation, has immersed Godself in human history and undergone its terrors, does not dispel the mystery of the world's pain and may indeed make the mystery that much more profound. This volume examines both the implications of the doctrine of incarnation for the understanding of human suffering and the attempts to provide a theologically responsible account of this article of faith. It combines biblical and systematic-theological reflection with a thoroughgoing survey of the panorama of responses to human suffering developed during the course of Christian history, ranging from the early Christian martyrs, across the medieval mystical tradition and the Reformation, and into modernity. Moreover, it examines late- and postmodern attempts to come to terms with human suffering, by means of either retrievals, or thoroughgoing revisions, of traditional theological conceptuality, and considers non-Christian attempts to address the perennial problem of human pain and death.

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Understanding my own faith: a desire which many people have. But at the same time a lot of Christians are not able to explain their faith because there is a lack of understanding. The Heidelberg catechism from 1563 was relevant for a lot of Christians in earlier times, but today it seems to have lost its significance. Georg Plasger combines both things: The understanding of faith for people of the 21st Century with the help of the Catechism of the 16th Century. The Catechism itself is constructed in dialogue - as well is the book. Plasger reflects basic questions and issues of Christian faith in fourteen chapters. He thereby shows that the Heidelberg Catechism is helpful to understanding ones faith. Questions like "How can we really speak of God? " and "Is man bad? " as well as key issues (including creation, Jesus Christ, Church, Holy Spirit, sacraments, hope and prayer) are considered. The result is a modern doctrine of faith.

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Why and How Should I Read the Bible? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the thirteenth talk on Alpha. Nicky Gumbel discusses how telling others about our faith can be a natural part of our relationship with God. This booklet may be given to a guest who missed this Alpha talk.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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What About Other Religions? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Searching Issues. Nicky tackles questions around other religions, as it can be a barrier to 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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In distinctive voice and tone, cultural commentator Glenn W. Olsen presents his latest work on the place of Catholicism in American history. Here he clarifies the meaning of American modernity for Catholics and shows the conflicts and tensions confronting the religious person today. The essays take up such questions as the possibility of a neutral public order, the desirable relation between church and state, the spiritualities suitable to our historical situation, the form the principle of subsidiarity might take, and the range of hopeful possibilities for the future. Olsen defines the current challenge for religious persons as how to be “in” but not “of” the world. Addressing some aspects of being in the world, he traces the historical roots of the idea of Catholic incarnational humanism and analyses the problems specific to Christian faith existing within a larger society of non believers. Olsen suggests that how we address such issues affects the religious and non religious alike, especially in a country of diverse religions.

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n this book – an expanded version of his 2014 University of Dallas Aquinas Lecture – Father Robert Spitzer audaciously combines the intellectual legacies of two Catholic priests, St. Thomas Aquinas and Monsignor Georges Lemaître. Living in the thirteenth century, Thomas Aquinas ardently believed that, as he wrote in the Summa contra gentiles, “truth which human reason is naturally endowed to know cannot be opposed to the truth of the Christian faith.” But human reason has made many advances since Thomas’s days. One of them is the Big Bang theory, which Georges Lemaître, professor of physics at the Catholic University of Louvain, discovered in 1927. According to this theory, the universe as we know it began billions of years ago with an unimaginably powerful explosion. Is Thomas’s metaphysical vision of the universe, which includes the existence of a Creator who made and ordered the cosmos, compatible with contemporary cosmology? That is the question which Father Spitzer addresses in this book.

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Natural theology, in the view of many, is in crisis. In this long-awaited book, Alister McGrath sets out a new vision for natural theology, re-establishing its legitimacy and utility. A timely and innovative resource on natural theology: the exploration of knowledge of God as it is observed through nature Written by internationally regarded theologian and author of numerous bestselling books, Alister McGrath Develops an intellectually rigorous vision of natural theology as a point of convergence between the Christian faith, the arts and literature, and the natural sciences, opening up important possibilities for dialogue and cross-fertilization Treats natural theology as a cultural phenomenon, broader than Christianity itself yet always possessing a distinctively Christian embodiment Explores topics including beauty, goodness, truth, and the theological imagination; how investigating nature gives rise to both theological and scientific theories; the idea of a distinctively Christian approach to nature; and how natural theology can function as a bridge between Christianity and other faiths

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Indigenous breadsellers riot over a Spanish monopoly scheme; Spanish authorities plan to remove native people from the city; indigenous people struggle to construct a splendid church; the city's inhabitants fight over elections and witness hangings, epidemics, and eclipses. All this and more a Native American writer of Puebla, Mexico, reported in the late seventeenth century in a set of annals in his own language, Nahuatl, telling his people's local history from the coming of the Christian faith down to his own day. These records were part of a corpus of such annals produced in the Tlaxcala-Puebla region during this period. These writings by native peoples for their own posterity provide the most direct access to the indigenous perspective on the postconquest centuries that we are ever going to find. Here in This Year for the first time brings two sets of Nahuatl annals—the other one being from a more provincial locale—to the English-speaking world, presenting the original Nahuatl with facing, very readable translations.

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Christianity Today 2024 Award of Merit (Academic Theology) Doctrine is central to Christian discipleship and maturity. Unfortunately, it is often sidelined in churches' teaching ministry as irrelevant or impractical. Countering this, leading church historian Douglas Sweeney defines doctrine as church teaching intended for the shaping of daily faith and practice. The Substance of Our Faith addresses introductory issues in the study and application of historical doctrine, incorporating a unique global and catholic perspective. It addresses the Spirit's role in the rise of doctrine in the early church, the authority of Scripture and tradition in the development of doctrine, the challenges of doing global historical theology, the nature and purpose of doctrine, and implications for teaching the faith today. Specifically, Sweeney advocates that those who teach the Christian faith in all churches do so in communion with the saints who have come before. A future volume by the author will narrate the actual history of doctrinal teaching around the world.

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Learning how to live in today''s new social and cultural environment will require examination, trial and error, and adaptation over time. But there are ways to live with integrity and follow Christ today, even in a negative world.From a peak in church attendance in the mid-20th century, Christianity has been on a trajectory of decline in the United States. Once positive toward Christianity and Christian moral teachings, cultural shifts toward the mid-90s led many to adopt a more neutral tone toward the Christian faith, seeing it as one option among many in a pluralistic public square. Today, however, Christianity is viewed negatively, and being known as a Christian often means a lower social status in elite society. Christian morality is openly repudiated and viewed as a threat to the new moral order.In Life in the Negative World, author Aaron M. Renn looks at the lessons from Christian cultural engagement over the past 70 years and suggests s

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One woman’s husband confessed to a secret life of multiple affairs and addiction. Another woman’s daughter died of leukemia shortly after her adoption was finalized.Awash in their grief, Cortney Donelson and Becky Huber would have been justified in living a life of anger, bitterness, and sorrow after going through what can only be described as a wife’s—and mother’s—worst nightmares. But as Christians, these women were called to live set apart, to choose unexpected responses despite their heart-wrenching circumstances. And they chose wisely. For every Christian, faith can often feel uncomfortable. Fighting for hope is hard, and being set apart for God’s glory may feel isolating. Indeed, most aspects of the Christian life can be downright messy. In The Outlier's Choice, authors Becky Huber and Cortney Donelson make an inspiring case to choose the unexpected—to go against popular beliefs and walk through struggles in discomfort, becoming bold outliers for God’s glory.

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Bite–sized biographies of inspirational Christian women. Spanning two millennia and multiple continents, these stories will introduce you to great women in the history of the Christian faith. From Mary in first century Judea, to Catherine Booth in nineteenth century Britain, to Gladys Aylward in twentieth century China. Perpetua and Jane Grey lived brief lives cut short by their conspicuous and brave fidelity to Jesus, while Corrie ten Boom, although no less courageous, lived a long life that testified to God’s compassion and forgiveness. For all their differences, each one of these women has left an indelible legacy on our collective intergenerational Christian consciousness. Each are worth knowing. To know someone’s story is a privilege. We hope you’re encouraged in your Christian walk as you read of theirs. The women whose stories are included in this book are: Mary Perpetua Catherine of Siena Jane Grey Anne Hutchinson Anne Dutton Selina, Countess of Huntingdon Catherine Booth Gladys Aylward Corrie Ten Boom

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We’ve all heard the arguments that Christianity is irrelevant, irrational and even immoral. But what if the Christian faith makes sense of all that matters? In this thoughtful, engaging book, Simon Edwards challenges the assumptions that may lead us to reject a faith and doubt something that we’ve never really had the chance to understand in the first place. From our need for meaning and significance, to our desires for truth, goodness, love and hope, he explores the things that matter to us as human beings and shows us why the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ might just make sense of them all. The Sanity of Belief is a fresh take on apologetics, faith and doubt, that will leave you with a stronger understanding of Christian belief and how it relates to today’s world. It is ideal for anyone looking for a clear, down-to-earth introduction to Christianity, or for those wanting to reaffirm the foundations on which their faith is based.

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How can someone, committed to a Christian view of life, reason concerning ethical issues ? That is the main question of this book, which seeks to contribute to an understanding of morality as a human phenomenon. A central question in this respect is how it is possible to understand human beings as persons having free will and moral responsibility. It emerges from the analysis that Christian faith contributes to ethics in three different ways: first, it provides a perspective on human life and its setting, second, it offers an understanding of human beings as personal subjects, while, third, the Christian tradition supplies us with edifying narratives containing patterns of good human life. In the final chapter, one particular case of applied ethics is analysed: How should the acceptable level of accidental death within a given context be established ?

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John Donne discussed as an original religious thinker, drawing on his extant sermons for evidence of his personal theology. John Donne is here treated as an original religious thinker; the evidence for the distinguishing features of his theology is drawn primarily from his extant sermons studied in context, beginning with an exploration of what is forDonne the fundamental belief for regulating Christian faith and practice, the doctrine of the Trinity. Building on this theological groundwork, Johnson goes on to examine such topics as Donne's understanding of common prayer; thepre-eminence of sight and spectacle, in terms of religious self-fashioning and the iconoclastic controversy; the doctrine of repentance, in conjunction with Donne's own sense of clerical calling; and the doctrine of grace, including Donne's views regarding the controversy over the Lord's Supper. JEFFREY JOHNSON is Professor of English at Northern Illinois University.

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A highly readable introduction to Christian apologetics that joins contemporary analytic philosophy with modern biblical scholarship.In this book, Paul Herrick presents the basics of classical Christian apologetics in the form of an inference to the best explanation argument that builds from the book's first chapter to its last. Drawing on contemporary philosophy, logic, and biblical scholarship, Herrick incorporates thoughts from Socrates, Plato, Thomas Aquinas, and C. S. Lewis, as well as scholars such as William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland, Richard Swinburne, and Craig Blomberg, to present a multifaceted argument for the Christian faith. With sections on the Socratic method, the Christian examination of conscience, the Big Bang, miracles, the historical reliability of the New Testament, the resurrection of Christ, and more, this book promises to be useful intellectually and spiritually for seekers, doubters, and those already in the faith.

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What does Christianity stand for in the 21st century? How can we believe it? Why do we need it? In this modern classic, bestselling author Tom Wright invites you on a journey into the heart of Christianity and shows you how it can be lived authentically today. Taking the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question, Simply Christian offers compelling explanations for even the most hardened sceptics, while leaving believers spiritually refreshed and exhilarated. ‘How can one find the words to describe a book so beautifully and skilfully written, so inspired, so full of generosity and genius?’ Anne Rice ‘Absolutely wonderful, radical and very powerful.’ Antony Flew ‘An invaluable guide for seekers and doubters as well as believers.’ Os Guinness ‘Exceptional. . . it is hard to think of a parallel since Lewis.’ Church Times

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How Can I Resist Evil? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the twelfth talk on Alpha. Reading the newspaper we see evil all around us. This booklet sheds light on how to resist evil. It may be given to a guest who missed this Alpha talk. 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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New York Times Bestseller! In Jesus on Trial, David Limbaugh applies his lifetime of legal experience to a unique new undertaking: making a case for the gospels as hard evidence of the life and work of Jesus Christ. Limbaugh, a practicing attorney and former professor of law, approaches the canonical gospels with the same level of scrutiny he would apply to any legal document and asks all the necessary questions about the story of Jesus told through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. His analysis of the texts becomes profoundly personal as he reflects on his own spiritual and intellectual odyssey from determined skeptic to devout Christian. Ultimately, Limbaugh concludes that the words Christians have treasured for centuries stand up to his exhaustive inquiry—including his examination of historical and religious evidence beyond the gospels—and thereby affirms Christian faith, spirituality, and tradition.

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This major reference work is offered as a resource for today's church in its life, worship, and mission to the world. It aims to enable readers not merely to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ against attack, but also to commend it positively. The Dictionary addresses the main intellectual objections to the Christian faith, and puts the case in its favour from a wide variety of perspectives. But since apologetics is the task of the whole person, the contributors also consider how the truth of the church's message can be demonstrated within the diverse elements of contemporary culture. Christian students and scholars in all major disciplines, pastors and lay leaders of local churches, and anyone actively involved in evangelism or social outreach will be empowered by this dictionary to witness more effectively to Christ, in word and deed.

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The Persuasion of Love examines the implications of believing that `the meaning of the universe is love’. It is axiomatic that the Christian faith is about the love of God, but John Blakely seeks to delve behind this easy assertion by proposing that all human love has God as its source, even if marred by human failings, and by exploring what it might mean for God to have created out of love. Viewing theodicy through the lens of love, the book finishes with a lyrical reflection on the fact that suffering is built into the universe because of its source in the love of God, and that we live in the `now and not yet’ - in tension between the glory of creation and the agony of the cross, before the future glory of the new creation.

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This book explores the threat of Christian conversion to Islam in twelve early modern English plays. This book explores the threat of Christian conversion to Islam in 12 early modern English plays. In works by Shakespeare, Marlowe, Massinger, and others, conversion from Christianity to Islam is represented as both tragic and erotic, as a fate worse than death and as a sexual seduction. Degenhardt examines the stage's treatment of this intercourse of faiths to reveal connections between sexuality, race, and confessional identity in early modern English drama and culture. In addition, she shows how England's encounter with Islam reanimated post Reformation debates about the embodiment of Christian faith. As Degenhardt compellingly demonstrates, the erotics of conversion added fuel to the fires of controversies over Pauline universalism, Christian martyrdom, the efficacy of relics and rituals, and even the Knights of Malta.

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Find answers to your biggest questions about the Bible and Christian faith.We all have questions about the Bible--whether we have read it or not. Join the more than half a million people who have looked to The Complete Bible Answer Book for answers about the Bible, Christian beliefs, life problems, and what God''s Word says about current issues.In this comprehensive guide you will find answers to more than 210 of the top questions people have asked Bible teacher and theologian Hank Hanegraaff, aka the Bible Answer Man, over the last 40 years. Topics include:  creation and our existence spiritual gifts the secret to effective prayers religions and cults the resurrection and afterlife and many more issues vital to a better understanding of God and living a spiritually nourishing life.  Each question is answered in Hanegraaff''s scholarly yet approach

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Is it really possible to talk to God? Does he listen to us? How do we know what to say? Will it make any difference if we pray? Prayer is central to Christian faith and life, and such questions are fundamental. While much teaching on prayer addresses practical issues and is experience-orientated, Graeme Goldsworthy's conviction is that good practice comes from a foundation of good biblical understanding. Using a biblical-theological approach, he examines the principles that lie behind particular texts in Scripture, and maps out the 'progress' of prayer from Genesis to Revelation. He explains the basis for prayer, its role in our fellowship with God, and what is involved in Christian prayer. Above all, his desire is to encourage Christians in their praying, through a better understanding of, and reflection on, the 'big story' of the whole Bible.

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Faith Foundations from A-Z Your family will love this unique board book! Using colorful, engaging artwork, We Believe introduces little ones to foundational Christian theology, including baptism, communion, the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed, the Trinity, and more. Children will delight in the beautiful illustrations as they learn the alphabet and the essentials of Christian faith. You will appreciate the artistic design, theologically sound content, and helping your little one form a firm spiritual foundation built on biblical truth. ***Baby Believer® primers are designed to grow with children, from early infancy through elementary school. In addition to basic Bible theology, Baby Believer® board books are filled with quotations from the Bible, creeds, hymns, church fathers, and other articles of faith to help reinforce the content and provide intellectual handholds for older children who possess a greater capacity for learning and memorization.

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Conversations matter. Yet, recently, good conversations about faith have been increasingly squeezed out of the public sphere. Seeking to reopen the debate, Justin Brierley began to invite atheists and sceptics on to Premier Christian Radio to air arguments for and against the Christian faith. But how has ten years of discussion with atheists affected the presenter's faith? Reflecting on conversations with Richard Dawkins, Derren Brown and many more, Justin explains why he still finds Christianity the most compelling explanation for life, the universe and everything. And why, regardless of belief or background, we should all welcome the conversation. 'Beautifully written, brilliantly argued, Justin's book will thrill Christians and challenge atheists.' R. T. Kendall, author and pastor 'Justin has that happy knack of being able to get people of diametrically opposed opinions debating the big issues.' John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics, University of Oxford

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'It has been slowly dawning on me over many years that there is a fundamental problem deep at the heart of Christian faith and practice as I have known them . . . we have all forgotten what the four Gospels are about.' With that surprising assertion, Tom Wright launches this ground-breaking work in which he helps us to see the gospel story in radically a new light, and to acknowledge that, for many generations, the Church has been avoiding its full impact and holding back from proclaiming its full meaning. 'Classic Wright: clear, accessible, robust, engaging and challenging.' Paula Gooder in Third Way 'Scholarly, accessible, insightful and provocative.' Christianity 'Wright argues compellingly that the twin themes of kingdom and cross are inseparably linked. . . This is a much-needed reorientation. The book makes its case for 'rethinking' cogently and deserves widespread attention.' Theology

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The Alpha Guide is a companion to either the Alpha Film Series or Alpha with Nicky Gumbel. This guide is divided up by session with an easy-to-read outline so that guests can follow along during each talk. With simple bullet-point organization and plenty of room for notes, the guide functions as an invaluable resource to the guest during Alpha, and as a reference tool for individual reflection long after Alpha. It is considered an essential resource for Alpha guests as well as the host and helpers on Alpha.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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Contemporary Western society is in a state of internal disorder. Stimulated by progressive politicians and radical identity activists, and enforced through legal sanctions based on slanted juridical decisions contrary to an originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, the rise of identity ideologies has adversely affected all aspects of the public arena. Long-established Judeo-Christian principles founding the classical liberal democratic traditions of both Western culture and civilization are under threat of elimination. The consequent political, cultural, legal, and philosophical confrontations are all mere expressions of the real conflict, which is that of the Judeo-Christian faith pitted against powerful secular humanist and "new age" neo-pagan ideologies in a struggle for the soul of humanity. This existential contest has its origins in primordial times, and indeed at the beginning of creation. The outcome, in the words of C. S. Lewis, is that "human history reflects the long, terrible, story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy." This book recounts the essence of that "terrible story.

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In a time of remarkable but selective amnesia in the West reflected perhaps most dramatically in the denial of the Christian roots of Europe in the first drafts of the European constitution, ""Understanding Europe"" is as relevant today as it was on its first appearance in 1952. Christopher Dawson wrote of the uneasiness that characterized twentieth-century Western civilization in the aftermath of two disastrous global conflicts and the attempt to build a new secular civilization on impersonal economic forces. He desired a unified Europe, but one unified by a common Christian religion.Recognizing the emphasis on economic utility and mass productivity in European culture, Dawson argued that a renewed study of Christian faith and culture was essential in order to recover the deeper sense of European unity. In ""Understanding Europe"", Dawson expresses a desire for Europe to rediscover and renew its foundational Christian sources in order to recover a deeper sense of integrity.This edition includes an introduction by George Weigel. Other volumes in the Works of Christopher Dawson series include ""The Making of Europe"", ""Medieval Essays"", and ""Progress and Religion"".

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

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On Morals or Concerning Education is an exhortation on the importance of education by the prolific late-Byzantine author and statesman Theodore Metochites (1270–1332), who rose to the aristocracy from a middle-class background but fell from favor late in life and died as a monk. As a manual of proper living and ethical guidance, the treatise offers unique insights into the heightened roles of philosophy and rhetoric at a time when the elite engaged intensely with their Hellenic heritage, part of a larger imperial attempt to restore Byzantium to its former glories.On Morals probes hotly disputed issues in fourteenth-century Byzantine society, such as the distinction between the active and contemplative life and the social position of scholars. Metochites’s focus on the character and function of Christian faith also reflects ongoing debates regarding the philosophy of religion. Occasional autobiographical digressions offer fascinating glimpses of Metochites’s distinctive personality.This volume provides the full Byzantine Greek text alongside the first English translation of one of Metochites’s longest works.

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Edwin, the deposed king of Northumbria, seeks refuge at the court of King Raedwald of East Anglia. But Raedwald is urged to kill his guest by Aethelfrith, Edwin's usurper. As Edwin walks by the shore, alone and at bay, he is confronted by a mysterious figure - the missionary Paulinus - who prophesies that he will become High King of Britain. It is a turning point. Through battles and astute political alliances Edwin rises to great power, in the process marrying the Kentish princess Aethelburh. As part of the marriage contract the princess is allowed to retain her Christian faith. But, in these times, to be a king is not a recipe for a long life : This turbulent and tormented period in British history sees the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon settlers who have forced their way on to British shores over previous centuries, arriving first to pillage, then to farm and trade - and to come to terms with the world view of the Celtic tribes they have driven out.

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Christine Bryden was 46 years old when she was diagnosed with dementia, and in this book she describes her remarkable emotional, physical and spiritual journey in the three years immediately following. Offering rare first-hand insights into how it feels to gradually lose the ability to undertake tasks most people take for granted, it is made all the more remarkable by Christine's positivity and strength, and deep sense, drawn in part from her Christian faith, that life continues to have purpose and meaning. Originally published in Australia in 1998, the book is brought up-to-date with a new Foreword, Preface and Appendix, in which Christine explains how the disease has progressed over the years, and how she is today. It also contains many previously unseen photographs of Christine and her family, from around the time of her diagnosis up to the present day. Inspirational and informative in equal measure, Who will I be when I die? will be of interest to other people with dementia and their families, as well as to dementia care professionals.

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Moscow Is Furious—and Plotting Revenge Tensions are at a breaking point. The Western markets that once relied on Russian gas have turned to Israel for their energy needs. Furious, Russia surreptitiously moves to protect their interests by using their newfound ally, Iran, and Iran’s proxy militias. As Israel’s elite fighting forces and the Mossad go undercover, they detect the Kremlin is planning a major attack against Israel. Hunting for clues, Mossad agents Nir Tavor and Nicole le Roux plunge themselves into the treacherous underworld of Russian oligarch money, power, and decadence. With each danger they face, le Roux’s newfound Christian faith grows stronger. And battle-weary Tavor—haunted by dreams from his past—must confront memories and pain he’d sought to bury. In this electrifying thriller, hostilities explode as Tavor and le Roux fight to prevent a devastating conflict. Will they be able to outwit their enemies, or will their actions have catastrophic consequences? And how can Tavor’s Kidon team possibly survive when forces beyond the Mossad’s control step in and turn the whole operation upside down?

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Amid the crisis of authority in our modern and postmodern era, Christians need to be able to point to God's revelation in the natural world in addition to defending God's unique revelation in the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ.Classical apologetics takes a two-step approach to commending the Christian picture of reality. First, arguments for the existence of God, such as those of natural theology, are employed to create common ground with people outside the household of the Christian faith and to provide intellectual support for Christians. Second, classical apologetics defends key items of Christian revelation, including the reliability of the Bible, the identity of the historical Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.In the Knowledge of God in the World and the Word Workbook, designed to be used alongside the Knowledge of God in the World and the Word textbook by authors Douglas Groothuis and Andrew I. Shepardson, students are guided through learning exercises that introduce them to classical apologetics and to innovative defenses of natural theology.

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In spring 2006 David Latimer’s church, First Derry Presbyterian, was paint bombed yet again. David’s usual reaction was to keep his head down and say nothing, but this time he decided to go public. Live on BBC Radio Foyle he appealed to Martin McGuinness for help, believing that he was the only man in the city who could stop the attacks. Little did David realise that within a few hours of the broadcast Martin McGuinness would be at the church, and that this first meeting would mark the beginning of a remarkable friendship, one cemented by a shared Christian faith and a joint commitment to peace building and improving the lives of young people. In this powerful memoir, David talks frankly about his close friendship with Martin – the criticism and opposition it provoked as well as the great comfort and encouragement it brought them. Most of all, this extraordinary book is testament to the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, and proof that real change and reconciliation are possible when you take a leap of faith.

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Far from being solely an academic enterprise, the practice of theology can pique the interest of anyone who wonders about the meaning of life. This introduction to Christian theology – exploring its basic concepts, confessional content, and history – emphasizes the relevance of the key convictions of Christian faith to the challenges of today's world. Part I introduces the project of Christian theology and sketches the critical context that confronts Christian thought and practice today. Part II offers a survey of the key doctrinal themes of Christian theology, including revelation, the triune God, and the world as creation, identifying their biblical basis and the highlights of their historical development before giving a systematic evaluation of each theme. Part III provides an overview of Christian theology from the early church to the present. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition of An Introduction to Christian Theology includes a range of new visual and pedagogical features, including images, diagrams, tables, and more than eighty text boxes, which call attention to special emphases, observations, and applications to help deepen student engagement.

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“Whether you are new to the Christian faith, or have been a believer for many years, this book will inspire and equip you to return to the heart of discipleship. I found myself equipped by this message, to make big changes in lots of small, simple, practical ways that anyone can do.” Pete Greig, International Director 24–7 Prayer, Senior Pastor Emmaus Rd, GuildfordLife, God, and faith contain endless “Terra Incognita”, or uncharted territory, just waiting to be discovered. You were made to believe, think, and act with a Newlandic spirit, and to live in a Newlandic way. Regardless of whether you greet new things with enthusiasm or a hint of scepticism, God is Newlandic. He wants to lead you to wide open spaces, to break down barriers that limit you, to broaden your horizons. Boppi identifies four Newlandic territories: our image of God, our own hearts, our relationships, and our interaction with the world. As we let go of fear and begin to apply God’s Newlandic principles, we will begin to see a breathtaking panorama.

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What are the Seven Deadly Sins? Are they still acknowledged breaches of morality and ethical norms in our Western societies in the Third Millennium? The Seven Deadly Sins present an ethical catalog, a moral mirror for princes and rulers that originates in Catholic Christianity. This little book, however, is not primarily about religion, on the contrary: It respects the Greek origins of Western thought that have survived beyond Christian faith, praises the scientific achievements of the Enlightenment, and looks at our contemporary world with critical eyes. It is a unique blend of scientific analysis, analysis of Western contemporary culture and, lastly, satire. The authors, a group of friends living in Europe, present diverse views on a wide range of topics. Their principal intention is to open a debate about ethics, science, scepticism, and hypocrisy. A thought-provoking and inspiring readabout the present as well as the future.

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