Outline : Jesus and the Manuscripts introduces readers to the diversity and complexity of the ancient literature that records the words and deeds of Jesus (or at least purports to record them). This diverse literature includes the familiar Gospels of the New Testament, the much less familiar literature of the rabbis and of the Qur’an, and the extracanonical narratives and brief snippets of ma…
Outline: The European reformations meant major changes in theology, religion, and everyday life. Some changes were immediate and visible in a number of countries : monasteries were dissolved, new liturgies were introduced, and married pastors were ordained, other were hidden. Theologically, as well as practically the position of the church in the society changed dramatically, but differently ac…
Outline: What is sanctity? Devotion, culture, art, theology, liturgy, history: through fascinating selected case studies, Profiling Saints offers a fresh kaleidoscopic perspective on sanctity as it developed and was understood and represented in the Early Modern global world up to the post-revolutionary period. The authors, drawing on their expertise in a rich array of disciplines, will lead re…
Outline: Religious texts of various literary genres reveal the transforming expressions of piety from medieval times to the early modern period. Focused on prayer books and addressing a worldwide readership, this bi-lingual volume contextualizes a specific genre, devotional literature, within a broad geographical and chronological framework, bringing together local and global to define the plac…
Outline: Were early modern religious conflicts wars 'of religion', 'between religions', or 'about religion'? The ways in which war was waged and peace was agreed in the 'long sixteenth century' were strongly influence by, had a deep connection with, and produced a lasting impact on, the religious divide of Latin Christianity in the wake of the Reformation. This collection of essays seeks to ana…
Outline: At the Synod of Dordrecht, deep questions of grace, justification and faith were at stake. In this volume lines are drawn to the historical, theological and political context during that period. Patristics, Middle Ages, metaphysical questions and the church polity of Dordt are discussed as well as with some hermeneutical reflections.
Outline: This book investigates what the obligation to care for the poor meant in a Lutheran context, how this obligation was carried out in Nordic countries, and how the obligation transformed in the nineteenth century with the modernization and democratization which produced the Nordic welfare states.
Outline : This work examines John Calvin's understanding of the relationship between Jews and Christians at a fundamental level. After reviewing the status of Jews and Hebrew studies in Europe in in the late Middle Ages, the author turns specifically to Calvin's interpretation of Scripture. Several important questions are addressed: How did Calvin understand the relationship between Jews and Ch…
Outline: The formula simul iustus et peccator is a shorthand for the nucleus and heart of the Reformation. The concept of simul takes readers directly to the heart of Lutheran theology, justification by faith alone; at the same time it constitutes a thought pattern which is a characteristic feature of much of Lutheran theology. The concept, which implies a tension or even a paradox, appears to …
Outline: This edited volume explores neglected aspects of the history, theology, and literary contribution of the Genevan reformer Theodore Beza (1519 - 1605). The contributors to this volume are an accomplished group of scholars who specialize in the religious and social history of 16th century reformed Protestantism. Theodore Beza at 500 celebrates the 500th anniversary of the reformer's birt…
Outline: The essays in this volume aim at a clarification of the church in the 16th century : What did the reformers think about the essence and origin of the holy, apostolic and catholic church? Can human beings see the true church or not? Does it have one existence in this world and another in the world to come? The concept of church is indissolubly connected with the theological concepts of …
Outline : As an international Synod, Dort had a significant impact on the definition of Reformed orthodoxy for decades and centuries to come. Despite its tremendous influence, the decisions of Dort remain a mystery to many today and are subject to false stereotypes about disturbing Calvin's pure theology. This volume seeks to shed light on various aspects of the Synod of Dort in order to inform…
Outline : The bilingual, interdisciplinary volume offers groundbreaking contributors on social, economic, cultural, and church historical aspects of the early modern era in the Carpathian Basin. In doing so, it challenges and completely reevaluates previously held research opinions on the history of tolerance in Transylvania.
Outline : This volume presents the collection of papers presented at the 12th International Congress on Calvin Research that took place in Philadelphia in 2018. The plenary papers focus on Calvin's political context and religious liberty, while the selection of short papers provides a window into current research on a wide range of topics in Calvin studies.
Outline : Peter Sammons examines a doctrine often misunderstood by many non-reformed advocates, the doctrine of reprobation. While the fully formed doctrine, with the entirety of its nuances and distinctions, was not articulated until the Synod of Dort, nevertheless most of the elements were present long prior to the Synod of Dort. In this volume, Sammons traces the development of the doctrine …
Outline : This volume presents collected essays from scholars around the world on various aspects of Petrus van Mastricht (1630 - 1706) theology, philosophy, and reception in the context of his time. The status of theology and philosophy in the wake of the Enlightenment had many of the same problems we see in theology today as relating to the use and appropriation of classical theology in a 21s…
Outline: How can a Christian historian be faithful to the discipline of history as well as their own religious commitments? Arnold Dallimore, a Canadian church-historian, wrote an extensive two-volume biography of George Whitefield, among others, in which he exemplifies a theology-oriented historiographical approach. Ian Hugh Clary's study examines Dallimore's historiography focusing on questio…
Outline: In the lead up to the Synod of Dort, William Ames (1576 - 1633) established himself as a champion of Reformed orthodoxy through a series of polemical writings against Arminianism. While his best-known work, The Marrow Theology, is widely studies, these Latin anti-Arminian works have long been neglected by scholars. This book provides the first extensive study of these polemical works. …
Outline: On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the German monk and reformer Martin Luther posting his theses in 1517, the contributors of this volume invite us to expand our understanding of "the Reformation" by an examination of aspects of Reform which are lesser known than Luther to probe some less-explored corners of the Reformation. To be sure, Martin Luther himself receives attention…
Outline : Richard Hooker (1553/4 - 1600) was the premier theologian of the early church of England, and has been treated in the past by scholars primarily as the architect of "Anglicanism." The contributors to this volume facilitate new perspectives on Richard Hooker's theology. A wide range of scholars consider Richard Hooker's theology within the full context of late 16th- and early 17th-cent…
Outline : Theology of ministry seems to be in vogue these days. There is a growing awareness that questions about the legitimacy, content and structure of church ministry need to be thought through to enable churches to meet their missional challenges. Moreover, these challenges are not only limited to some churches or denominations. There is a growing awareness that the search for an appropria…
Outline: Jesus according to Scripture shows that a coherent portrait of Jesus emerges from the Gospels when they are taken seriously as historical documents. The second edition has been substantially revised and updated and includes three new chapters.
Outline : 'Twas the season of Lent, when for forty whole days. God's people were trying to think of new ways. To be more like Jesus - to love, care, and give - In hopes that they'd choose the right way to live. Begin a Lenten tradition, exploring the life, words, and works of Jesus, with this beautiful picture book. 'Twas the Season of Lent takes readers on a 40-day journey, following Jesus as …
Outline : Baptized in the water, Held in God's great care, One family joined together, Young and old, everywhere. Baptized in the water, Like Jesus long ago. God's Holy Spirit dances, As waters gently flow. Come celebrate the holy and special gift of baptism - when we become part of God's great family through water and the Holy Spirit.
Outline : A very small boy was flying his kite on the beach near his house. He looked up at Moon. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have the moon as a friend? Follow one little boy who notices a sad Moon in the sky. He flies kites to her, even writes notes to Moon, promising he will come see her someday. Then one day, when he has studied and learned enough, he goes up, up, up in a…
Outline: 'Twas the season of Advent, when all through the earth, People were pausing to ponder Christ's birth. Begin a new Advent tradition with this beautiful celebration of the season. Stories from the Old and New Testaments highlight the promise of Christ's birth while the heartwarming reflections and prayers help each family member prepare for his great coming. Spend precious time with your…
Outline : You are different, but that's not bad. It's beautiful. When the popular girls invite Kiki to try out for the school's talent show with them, she's excited to be part of their group. But after a successful audition, Mom tells Kiki she can't sing the song the girls chose. Now Kiki has a big choice to make: stay with her new friends and ignore the bad feeling in her stomach, or take a ri…
Outline : Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story―the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only insulates…
Outline: What is the chief end of man? In fifty-two simple devotions on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, three pastors teach us how Reformed theology affects our daily lives. Great for individual and family use for all who desire to "glorify and enjoy God forever."
Outline : A values-based, shame-free, pleasure-positive discussion of Christian sexual ethics in response to a range of pressing issues in the digital age - including online pornography, dating apps, sexting, virtual-reality hookups, and sex robots.
Outline : The Bible attractively displays the all-surpassing excellence of the good news of Jesus, The love of God compels this gospel to be heard, and Washer details its essential content, showing how it has remained the same throughout history and how the same gospel of Jesus Christ has preeminence in revelation, salvation, sanctification, study, proclamation, and our glory. While our human t…
Outline : 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. Since 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 Christ…
Outline : This volume brings together an ecumenical team of scholars to provide a historical overview of how worship developed in three major Christian traditions: Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant - including Reformation traditions, evangelicalism, and Pentecostalism. The first book in the series, Theological Foundations of Worship, presented key theological concepts related to …
Outline : What are progressive Christians progressing toward, and what are they leaving behind? In Against Liberal Theology, professor and theologian Roger E. Olson warns progressive and mainline Christians against passively accepting the ideas of liberal theology without thinking through the consequences. He examines the basic beliefs of the Christian faith, the main ideas of liberal theology,…
Outline : GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL. This truth has been especially precious to Christians in times past, and for good reason. When it comes to knowing and serving God, the significance of this doctrine is hard to overstate. Yet do we truly understand what God’s sovereignty means and how it ought to impact our lives? In this accessible little book, noted theologians discuss God’s sovereignt…
Outline : Developing from Girolama Zanchi's exegetical labors through Ephesians, Spiritual Marriage draws readers into the rich theological of doctrine of union with Christ. Following the lead of the apostle Paul, Zanchi demonstrates how our earthly marriages fulfill their truest purpose by drawing our attention toward the spiritual marriage between Christ and His Church. By paying attention to…
Outline : Francis Robers, like other Puritans, believed Christians can and should have a deep assurance of their salvation. He was also convinced that 1 John contains more marks of being a true believer than any other book in the Bible, making it "a rich treasury for Christian assurance," In Believer's Evidences for Eternal Life, Robers curates this precious repository of comfort and exhibits i…
Outline : Biblical theology is the study of the whole Bible on its own terms. Invitation to Biblical Theology provides a thorough overview of the discipline that is accessible for those new to the topic but substantial enough for advanced study. Authors Jeremy Kimble and Ched Spellman guide readers through their insightful approach to the shape of Scripture, built on the framework of the canon,…
Outline : The story of Joseph is prominent in the book of Genesis and yet is rarely mentioned in the rest of Scripture. How then do we understand Joseph's significance in redemptive history? When Christians have addressed this question, the conversation invariably turns toward typology : is Joseph a type of the Messiah? Messianic interpretations of the Joseph narrative have often lacked method…
Outline : How did the apostles understand the Old Testament? Although relatively few in number, the New Testament's explicit summaries of the Old Testament story of Israel give readers direct access into the way the earliest Christians told this story―that is to say, into the way they did biblical theology. This stimulating New Studies in Biblical Theology volume examines the passages in the…
Outline : In a world defined by division, what would it mean to see people the way Jesus sees them? As a pastor, Terry Christ is committed to building deep relationships with people whose experiences are different from his own - people whom much of society rejects. Why? Because those relationships are where we see Jesus at work. Drawing fresh insights from the story of Jesus and the Samaritan w…
Outline : Alvin Plantinga is the contemporary world’s most influential Christian philosopher. His work over the past six decades has paved the way for Christian thinkers in the fields of epistemology, metaphysics, and science. In this accessible overview and analysis of Plantinga's work, philosophy professor Greg Welty examines his approach to faith and reason, the problem of evil, theistic a…
Outline : The authors of the New Testament regularly quote and allude to Old Testament passages that point to the presence, person, and work of Jesus. Jesus himself claimed that Moses wrote about him (John 5:46). And on the road to Emmaus, Jesus instructed the disciples from "Moses and all the prophets" regarding himself (Luke 24:27). Though Christians affirm that the Old Testament bears witnes…
Outline : The Old Testament is rife with controversial passages and events that raise questions about its continued significance for today. Often our solutions have tended toward the extremes--ignore problem passages and pretend they don't matter or obsess over them and treat them as though they are the only thing that matters. Now Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman confronts pressing quest…
Outline : Flavel explores the glory of Christ becoming a man "to qualify and prepare Him for a full discharge of His mediatorship, in the office of our Prophet, Priest, and King." "Salvation," says Flavel, "is revealed by Christ as a Prophet, procured by Him as a Priest, applied by Him as a King. In vain it is revealed, if not purchased; in vain revealed and purchased, if not applied." Flavel…
Outline : In 'Contending for the Faith', Joel Beeke and William Boekestein help children understand the struggle for reformation in England and how the Westminster Assembly sought to further the Reformation in that land. In this book, children will learn about the five documents that became key standards of Presbyterianism: the Form of Church Government, the Directory of Public Worship, the Con…
Outline : We're being formed by our devices. Today's digital technologies are designed to captivate our attention and encroach on our boundaries, shaping how we relate to time and space, to ourselves and others, even to God. Our natural longing for relationship makes us vulnerable to the "industrializing" effects of social media. While we enjoy the benefits of digital tech, many of us feel trou…
Outline : The Bible was written within collectivist cultures. When Westerners, immersed in individualism, read the Bible, it's easy to misinterpret important elements―or miss them altogether. In any culture, the most important things usually go without being said. So to read Scripture well we benefit when we uncover the unspoken social structures and values of its world. We need to recalibrat…