Outline: DOMESTIC ABUSE How to Help Couples who publicly sit at peace in church pews can secretly be at war. How do you help the victim of domestic abuse? And doesn't the perpetrator of the violence also need our help? Three counselors reveal ways to clearly communicate God's grace to the victims of violence. They demonstrate how to minister with confidence and humility to the afflicted. They…
Outline : In this updated and expanded edition, the author invites professors of communication and media to reflect on each chapter in light of our current cultural challenges and technological advancements over the past two decades. The collection of voices and conversations offer a discerning introduction to communication theory that guides readers through an interesting, creative, and biblic…
Outline : I hate it. I love it. Sometimes our desires can be cruel lovers. We think we should be rid of a particular desire, but we feel stuck. "What's the use in trying to rid my life of this desire?" we ask ourselves. "I've tried, but there's just no way out for me." Or is there? The problem may be more complicated than just being stuck. Might there be a path to true change? (If so, would …
Outline : Easy distractibility or forgetfulness Mouths, arms, hands, and legs that run ahead of thinking Impulsive decisions, chronic difficulties meeting deadlines, mistaken notions of one's own abilities ... behaviors often associated with Attention Deficit Disorder. What is ADD? What are the strengths and weaknesses of ADD children? What can be done about this puzzling disorder? Noting b…
Outline : Personal Change Often, in our busy world, our lives feel like one long "to-do" list. It's easy to get so busy that we don't even notice how exhausted and anxious we are. Do you find yourself saying yes to activities you don't have time for? Have you ever said, "If I don't do it, who will?" An overloaded schedule and an inability to rest are signs of approaching "burnout." Instead of …
Outline: LOST AMBITION. Emotional numbness. Fear and withdrawal. Fatigue. Marks of what is commonly called depression. If you are one of the many people suffering from depression, there is hope and there is help - a way up when you are down. Even if you don't feel like doing anything, this booklet provides manageable steps for getting started on the path that leads out of depression. Edward T. …
Outline : Medical and Psychiatric Issues If you're struggling with a sexual addiction of any sort, you understand that feeling of being trapped, out of control, and afraid of being found out. No matter what you try, it seems impossible to break free from the lure of illicit sexual thoughts and practices. Author David Powlison encourages those who want to overcome their compulsive sexual behavi…
Outline : "GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE." Sounds nice, but is it enough? Is there more to God's love? Describing unconditional love as detached "blanket acceptance" and "benign affirmation," David Powlison challenges our common assumption about the nature of God's love. Although wonderfully accepting, divine love is also intrusive, intimate, personal, and active. Instead of simply loving us as we a…
Outline: How hard it is to see God's goodness in the face of tragedy and suffering! Feeling abandoned, we cry out to him, question him, turn away from him, perhaps even curse him. It may seem like he's cheated us - we've done our part following him, but he's let us down. Paul David Tripp helps hurting people see their circumstances from an eternal perspective. Gently uncovering the wrong motive…
Outline : WHAT HOPE IS THERE WHEN A LOVED ONE'SMARRIAGE IS ABUSIVE? One spouse seeking to control and dominate the other is a prevalent problem, and even Christian marriages are not safe from it. But how can counselors and concerned family and friends know how to approach it... or even recognize it? Experienced Christian counselor Darby Strickland demonstrates how to recognize and uncover oppre…
Outline: "HOMOSEXUALITY is the hot issue of the day," says Edward T. Welch in this booklet. "Even more than abortion, it will confront the church throughout this generation, forcing us to listen, study, and respond wisely." How can we answer claims that the Bible does not prohibit committed homosexual relationships? Or that science proves that homosexuality is genetic, not a chosen lifestyle? W…
Outline : Closely entwined with the educational revolution of early modernity, the Reformation transformed the pedagogical landscape and culture of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Embracing a broad understanding of the Reformation this volume examines the confessional dynamics which shaped the educational transformations of early modernity. Going beyond conventional emphases on the rol…
Outline: Parentings Many teenagers are struggling to navigate adolescence successfully. Often, even though they have lots of material things clothes, electronics, spending money-they can be stressed, sad, and feel that life is without purpose. For an increasing number of teenagers, their struggle to manage pressures and expectations leads them to consider suicide as their only means of escape.…
Outline : Amandus Polanus (1561-1610) has often been described as a highly significant theologian, but also a neglected one. Stephen B. Tipton shows how Polanus' understanding of God's essence and attributes is built upon the ground of scripture, arranged with the aid of logical arguments and reasoning, and aimed at the worship and glory of the Triune God. Tipton defends this conclusion against…
Outline : While Isaac Watts is best known for his significant legacy as a hymnographer, he also functions as a key transitional figure between the English Puritans and the Evangelicals during eighteenth-century English dissent. As a pastor, theologian, philosopher, and literary mainstay of his era, Watts' influence grew well beyond his early work in hymnody to impact scores of Christians on bot…
Outline: DISTORTED IMAGES of sex bombard our children from every angle. Where can they find a healthy view of their sexuality? How can parents and youth leaders teach kids the life-transforming truths that expose the counterfeits for what they are. Paul David Tripp unearths the premises that underlie popular views of sex and notes several characteristics that make teenagers especially vulnerabl…
Outline : WHAT CHARACTERIZES YOUR MARRIAGE? Marriage is a place for sacrificial giving-so a spouse who uses it to gain power and control is violating God's design. If you are being oppressed, you are probably feeling isolated and alone.., but you're not alone. Scripture has much to say about your experience, your safety, and God's heart for you-he does not blame you for your suffering and does …
Outline : Parenting The kids are hungry, dinner is late, evervone's tired and on edge, and then it happens-you lose control and blow up at them again. Is losing control with our children inevitable in our busy world? Or is there a better way? Learn from William P. Smith a better way to relate to your children than with irritation, anger, and harsh words. Drawing on his counseling and parenting…
Outline: Marriage Anger...fear...despair...guilt...shame...when your marriage is broken by adultery, the core struggles of your heart are revealed. But although you and your spouse may be experiencing many of the same emotions, you are standing on opposite sides of a deep abyss-one of you has profoundly hurt the other. Is it possible to bridge the gap between you and heal your marriage? Robert…
Outline: Are you having suicidal thoughts and feelings? Perhaps you are convinced that life is not worth living. Your life seems hopeless, like a black hole with all love, hope, and joy sucked out. David Powlison describes the various reasons you might be feeling hopeless and explains that God is not surprised or put off by your feelings of despair. Your life is precious to God. He knows everyt…
Outline: Singleness You know you're in love-you always want to be together, and you think about each other all the time-but does that mean you're ready to get married? How do you decide if your relationship is strong enough for marriage? William P. Smith gives you a series of questions based on biblical principles that you can use to assess your relationship's strengths and weaknesses. Answeri…
Outline : Die hier vorliegende Gesamtdarstellung der Theologie Calvins istder Versuch, auf dem Stand der gegenwärtigen, insbesondereauch der in Deutschland weniger bekannten angelsächsischenForschung ein Bild ihrer ausgebreiteten Wirkung und ihrerQuellen zu entwerfen. Sie bezieht sich deshalb nicht allein aufdie Institutio (1559), sondern zieht als gleichrangige Quellenseine exegetischen und …
Outline : Medical and Psychiatric Issues You are bored or stressed or hurt. Something is hard in life and you want a break. What do you grab for that you hope will protect, soothe, and comfort? Whatever it is shopping, overeating, drinking, drugs-promises relief, but never delivers. Instead, you are left feeling empty, anxious, guilty, and wanting more. David Powlison shares that God made us f…
Outline : Medical and Psychatriatic Issues You've tried to stop more times than you can count. Now you've given up. Can someone who can't "just say not really change? There is hope-if you are willing to look deeper than your addictive behavior, Edward T. Welch helps you face what fuels your addiction and takes you straight to the heart of what your addiction reveals about you and your relation…
Outline : Medical and Psychiatric Issues As a chronic fatigue sufferer, life as you once enjoyed it has ceased. Fatigue can be brought on by a myriad of physical, emotional, or spiritual issues. But, whatever the cause, your entire world is now affected by your diminished physical strength. David Powlison understands how debilitating and demoralizing a constant state of fatigue can be through …
Outline : Personal Growth Are you living under a cloud of guilt that you can't seem to shake no matter what you do? Do you feel guilty about everything, all the time? We all have different ways of dealing with our guilty feelings, but none of them work for very long. Timothy S. Lane explains that our strategies for dealing with guilt don't work because guilt is not just a bad feeling. It's a r…
Outline: Medical and Psychiatric Issues The event occurred in the past, possibly many years ago, but you still carry it with you wherever you go. Some days the memory keeps replaying over and over again in your mind. You feel angry, jumpy, maybe even guilty or ashamed, You want to move on with your life and wonder why you can't just "get over it." With wisdom and compassion gleaned from many y…
Outline : Relationship Resources for Singles Your last relationship didn't work out, and you got hurt and maybe you also hurt someone else. Now what? Perhaps you are thinking about starting over with someone new, but you're nervous and wondering if you are really ready for another relationship. William P. Smith tackles head on the issues you need to face as you think about starting a new rela…
Outline : Personal Growth If we're honest, most of us can remember eating more than we need, More often than we might care to admit, we finish a meal knowing we've had too much. Why do we push the limits of our food consumption? Does God have anything to say about this struggle? Counselor and physician Michael R. Emlet walks us through the many reasons we may overeat and reminds us of biblical…
Outline: Parenting. How do you blend two separate families into one house-hold? Family traditions, values, interests, and parenting styles are often so far apart that simple questions like, "Who takes out the trash?" or "Where shall we go for Christmas?" can quickly become flashpoints of conflict. Winston T. Smith provides a road map to the unique challenges that each member of a stepfamily f…
Outline : PEOPLE ARE COMPLEX. There is behavior that we see and motives that we don't. Behind the "what we do" of our lives is the "why we do it." Edward T. Welch challenges us to peer more closely into the "why." He insightfully reveals that, according to God's Word, the heart is the source of all human motivation. Our hearts contain motives such as - Pleasure - Happiness - Meaning - Power Co…
Outline: Men's Issues. Your cancer diagnosis comes as a surprise - and not a pleasant surprise. It is a hard and threatening jolt. Perhaps you are still in shock. Still trying to wrap your mind around the new reality of your diagnosis and what is means for your present and future. Is it possible to walk by faith on this difficult journey? David Powlison, speaking both as a counselor and as so…
Outline: Resources for Personal Change Someone you know and love has died. You feel the emptiness and sorrow of loss. That alone is extremely hard. But suicide adds many other painful reactions to the heartache that death brings. Common reactions are feelings of anger, guilt, betrayal, and many, many unanswerable questions. This is one of life's broken, dark experiences in which you need help …
Outline: Someone you care about has been impacted by schizophrenia. Maybe you are just coming to terms with the diagnosis and wonder what it means for your loved one, for you, and for your family. What is the way forward? How do you live with hope and compassion in the middle of this struggle? Todd Stryd helps you, as a caregiver, to understand the effects of schizophrenia and offer compassiona…
Outline : ANGER. We all experience it, some more than others. When is it righteous and when is it not? How can we control our anger and not get caught in a maze of rage when things don't go our way? David Powlison takes a close look at anger. to help us understand what it is and why we have He exposes three common misconceptions that leave us powerless to overcome anger. Using the illustration …
Outline : Resources for Personal Change Everyone has their own style of dealing with conflict. Some people try to win at all costs and will do or say anything to get their own way. Others hate conflict and will do or say anything to avoid or end it. Sadly, neither fighting nor avoidance leads to genuine peace or restored relationships. Is there a better way? Timothy S. Lane, pastor, counselor,…
Outline: Relationship Resources for Singles "If we're in love, what's wrong with having sex before marriage? Why should we be the only ones who wait?" If you have ever thought or said things like this, you have a lot of company. Many people believe that, at least in some circumstances, premarital sex is okay. But do you know what God says about this issue? Timothy S. Lane clearly explains God'…
Outline: Resources for Medical and Psychiatric Issues Everyone feels better some days than others-but some people struggle with exaggerated and unrestrained mood swings. These kinds of mood swings have come to beknown as mania, manic-depression, or bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is confusing and difficult both for those who struggle with it and for those who care for them, Edward T. Welch …
Of all the crises postmodernity continues or itself generates, the identity crisis tends to be considered symptomatic. The search for identity was an imperative in modernism, culminating in the literature of existentialist influence. In postmodernism, the individual’s cutting off from transcendence, the loss of essence and meaning of existence itself are no longer considered a tragedy. He tur…
Carl Bangs, a noted Arminius scholar, suggests that James Arminius should rightly be regarded as one of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformers. He argues that Arminius’s teaching on salvation falls within the bounds of sixteenth-century Protestant theology; that Arminius’s view of “sin and grace are in general agreement with the sola gratia—sola fide emphasis of the Reformers.”1 H…
Christians believe and confess that God in His chosen time sent His son incarnated in human flesh for the salvation of humans and all creation. This 'carnation’ idea has been equated with the Indian Hindu religious idea of ‘Avatar’ by Indian Christians to inculturate the Gospel message in Indian terms. The Hindus, on the other hand, have used it to challenge Gospel proclamation. The autho…
Much attention has been drawn to Jacob Arminius’s (1560-1609) views on predestination, especially given the eventual rejection of those views by the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). However what some may not realize is that Arminius’s doctrine justification, especially as it relates to the role and function of faith, was also a source of contention. Historically Reformed theologians viewed faith …
Japan is one of the nations having an extensive historical culture, as well as the system of faith or religion. The existence of religion, as a part of their life, has been streaming from the ancient time (pre-modern) up to present. The implementation of their religious life is very unique and fascinating. Other remarkable issues is about the tight relationship among the religions especially Sh…
Outline: The biblical story begins and ends with God as king. Human beings rebel, however, rather than fulfill their royal calling to rule creation on behalf of their Sovereign - and the world became enslaved to the rule of a serpentine lord. In this volume of IVP Academic's Essential Studies in Biblical Theology, Stephen Dempster traces the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture, …
Outline : "The most important and, indeed, exciting bookon the resurrection to have emerged in half a century" In this book, Murray Rae explains that the resurrection is the turning point of history and the decisive clue to what is going on in the world. Rae investigates what it means to participate in the resurrection life made possible through encounter with the risen Lord.
Outline : The last fifty years of Pauline scholarship have provided numerous insights to both the academy and the church. Some of those most important discussions have related to the question of Paul's view of Christ with respect to his divinity. While the landscape is rich with scholarly findings, it can be overwhelming to navigate the complex lines of argumentation and the interactions betwee…