Outline : Should Christians be embarrassed by the book of Revelation? The Revelation of John has long confused and disturbed readers. In The Apocalypse of John among Its Critics, leading experts in Revelation confront the book's difficulties. Each chapter wrestlers honestly with a question raised by the book's critics: Was John a misogynist? Does Revelation delight in violence? Can the book eve…
Outline : The fresh riches of biblical poetry for communities of faith A New Song brings together a diverse roster of Jewish and Christian scholars to explore biblical Hebrew poetic texts within the context - and for the benefit - of communities of faith. Edited by Stephen D. Campbell, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Richard S. Briggs, A New Song includes nine essays on the hidden intricacies of …
Outline : The Lord Jesus Christ provides a fresh and robust guide to understanding Jesus and his work of salvation : Jesus is the divine Son of God, who has taken on human nature in the incarnation to lead his people in a new exodus. Author Brandon D. Crowe writes from a confessionally Reformed perspective in dialogue with the great creeds of the church.
Outline : Probing the mystery of Satan's messenger Paul's enigmatic "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians has baffled interpreters for centuries. Many offer suggestions as to the identity of Satan's messenger; others despair that the puzzle is unsolvable. In Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: New Clues for an Old Problem, Kenneth Berding reopens the case. He follows a trail of clues that includes anci…
Outline : Isaiah's Servant Songs reveal a true and better Adam. In Charged with the Glory of God, Caroline Batchelder provides a synchronic, theological, and canonical reading of Isaiah's four Servant Songs, offering fresh insights for understanding God's true image and its idolatrous counterfeits. Isaiah reveals a coherent message when it is read as a compositional unity in its Old Testament …
Outline : You are allow to experience deep joy in following Jesus. God has given humans freedom and permission to play--to fully enjoy life's moments as he intended, with no ulterior motive. The Christian life without play becomes malformed, and believers can miss aspects of the abundant life Jesus came to give. In A Theology of Play, Kevin Gushiken builds a case for getting serious about pla…
Outline : Make every moment with God count! Written for girls on the go, this 5-Minute, 180-day Faithgirlz devotional helps a busy girls slow down and take time to grow closer to God. Short, sweet devotions applicable to everyday life are paired with relevant Scripture and focus on the ups and downs of tween-hood-friendships, peer pressure, bullying, boys, and self-confidence-all while showing …
Outline : Over the last fifty years, the apostle Paul’s theology has come under immense critical examination. One important issue prompted by recent scholarship is the correct translation of the Greek phrase pistis Christou as “faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). Many English-speaking scholars now interpret this Greek phrase as the “faithfulness of Jesus Christ.” This new transla…
Outline : How can we read the text of scripture well, rightly, and faithfully? Challenges abound when it comes to reading Scripture, including not only the variety of actual interpretations of the Bible but also the plurality of reading cultures, each with its own preferred frame of reference. A cynical observer might say that Christians have never agreed upon how to interpret the Bible, or eve…
Outline: Friendship is one of the greatest gifts from God! So when Zeke struggles with missing old friends and making new one, he must find someone new to depend on. With help from his mom and consistent prayer, Zeke develops a new and surprising friendship, along with a stronger reliance on Christ. Jesus and the Gift of Friendship will spur hope and comfort in the lives of kids ages 3 - 6, tea…
Outline: Bringing alive the lost world of the Middle Ages - From the fall of Rome and the conversion of the Germanic tribes to the dawn of the Reformation, here is a rich and concrete exploration of the religious life ways and spirituality of medieval peasants and artisans, warriors and clerics, wives and children, and even the dead, in their daily interactions with each other, the church, the …
Outline: The Ezra-Nehemiah narratives report how the hand of YHWH directed several Persian kings, thousands of Hebrew exiles, and a few Hebrew leaders, including Ezra and Nehemiah, to commit their lives to the difficult task of restoration; restoring people to Judah, worship in Jerusalem, the temple, the wall around Jerusalem, and the people's spiritual commitment to the essential theological p…
Outline : The first volume of Gary Habermas's magnum opus, On the Ressurection : Evidences represents the culmination of fifty years of research on the probability of Jesus's resurrection. Using his "minimal facts argument," Habermas demonstrates why we ought to trust the biblical and historical testimony of Scripture regarding the resurrection. This book is a must-read for pastors, students, a…
Outline : Editor Brandon Smith and a stellar cast of theologians demonstrate that trinitarian theology derives directly from Scripture and should produce both right doctrine and right living. The Trinity in the Canon is an appeal for the church to incorporate the Trinity into our preaching, our liturgies and worship, and our interactions with those outside the church. Pastors, scholars, profess…
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 : 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 : How should we read the book of Revelation? Interpreting Scripture faithfully is a challenge with regard to any text and for any reader of the Bible. But perhaps no text confronts and confuses readers as much as the book of Revelation. With its vivid imagery and rich prophetic language, John's Apocalypse provokes and stirs our imaginations. Some have viewed it primarily as a first-cent…
Outline : What does the epistle to the Hebrews mean when it calls Jesus "Son"? Is "Son" a title that denotes his eternal existence as one person of the Trinity? Or is it a title Jesus receives upon his installation on heaven's throne after his resurrection and ascension? In this volume in IVP Academic's Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture (SCDS) volume, which promotes fresh understandin…
Outline : In The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, bestselling author and dad Kevin DeYoung takes kids on a Genesis-to-Revelation journey that demonstrates how all the parts of Scripture fit together. Using clear, kid-friendly language, he introduces big sections of the Bible, like the Gospels, and then provides engaging retellings of individual stories, ending each one with a short prayer. With p…
Outline: In The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, bestselling author and dad Kevin DeYoung takes kids on a Genesis-to-Revelation journey that demonstrates how all the parts of Scripture fit together. Using clear, kid-friendly language, he introduces big sections of the Bible, like the Gospels, and then provides engaging retellings of individual stories, ending each one with a short prayer. With po…
Outline : When we read Scripture, we enter the divine classroom for sanctifying instruction. In Taught by God, Brandon D. Smith contends that Scripture is not simply a collection of historical facts or moral rules; it is an encounter with the living God. Engaging with figures such as Origen, Justin, Hugh of St. Victor, Aquinas, and Luther, Smith illustrates how a premodern way of reading Script…
Outline: John Calvin's understanding of works-righteousness is more complex than is often recognized. While he denounces it in some instances, he affirms it in others. This study shows that Calvin affirms works-righteousness within the context were faith-righteousness is already established, and that he even teaches a form of justification by works. Calvin ascribes not only a positive role to g…
Outline: Presbyterianism has a rich, robust, resilient history. Since Presbyterianism began in Scotland in the early 1560s, its adherents have spread to Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. In some locales and ears, Presbyterians have flourished; in others, they have struggles. Today an estimated 35 million Presbyterians live in dozens of countries. Th…
Outline: Arab and Indian traders brought Islam to the coastal trading ports of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java between the 11th and 15th centuries, assimilating Hinduism and various animist sects that practices the supernatural. Over the centuries Southeast Asian Muslims became known for their tolerance of religious beliefs, including those of European colonists and laborers brought from…
Outline: This anthology invites Christians to find resources for faithful, creative thinking in the riches of the church's theological heritage and its worship traditions. Contributors include Robert Barron, Timothy George, Stanley Hauerwas, Alasdair MacIntyre, Mark Noll, and N.T. Wright, among others.
Outline: Five hundred buildings by Frank Llyod Wright were built during the architect's extraordinary seventy-year career. But as difficult as it is to believe, one-fifth of them have been demolished, burned, or destroyed by neglect. Lost Wright tells the compelling story of these special buildings - how they came to be, what they looked like, and how they met their end. Each tale documents gen…
Outline: Nurture and strength from fifty-two Christian devotional classics for individual study and group use - from RENOVARE, a movement committed to spiritual renewal. These fifty-two selections have been organized to introduce readers through the course of one year to the great devotional writers. The readings have been edited by James Smith, and each is accompanied by an introduction and me…
Overview: This Fetschrift to Douglas J. Moo is unique in several ways. Since Doug has been a key proponent to the Old Perspective on Paul, the reader will be interested in reading the essay by N.T. Wright in which he reflects on the phrase "the righteousness of God" in Romans 3. And where else can you read an essay by James D.G. Dunn on "What's Good about the Old Perspective on Paul" and by S…
Outline: Old Testament Use of Old Testament by Gary Edward Schnittjer surveys hundreds of Old Testament allusions within the Old Testament and provides hermeneutical guidance for interpreting these interrelated Scriptures. The handbook takes an easy-to-navigate, book-by-book approach. Schnittjer provides a list of scriptural allusions for each book and follows with an interpretive profile of ho…
Outline: How do you feel about how you feel? Our emotions are complex. Some of us seem able to ignore our feelings, while others controlled by them. But most of us would admit that we don't always know what to do with how we feel. The Bible teaches us that our emotions are an indispensable part of what makes us human - and play a crucial role in our relationships with God and others. Exploring …
Outline: Faithful Men "It's normal." "Everyone does it." "Nobody gets hurt." These are some commonly held beliefs about sexual fantasy and masturbation, but are they really true? Are sexual fantasies and masturbation harmless ways to dealing with sexual frustattion? Marriage and family counselor Winston T. Smith uses his counseling experience and biblical knowledge to show how these seemingly …
Outline: Personal Change. Prickly, defensive, nasty, volatile, withdrawn, miserable ... aren't these days when you fell surrounded by difficult people? How do you cope? You can try avoiding them, gossiping about them, or giving them a piece of your mind. But wait! Don't your reactions make you hard to love too? William P. Smith explains that learning how to deal with difficult people starts wi…
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 : 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: 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 : 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: 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…
The Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible is a reference tool that introduces readers to key names, theories, and concepts in the field of biblical interpretation. It discusses these approaches and evaluates their helpfulness in enabling Christians to hear what God is saying to the church through Scripture. The contributors come from a variety of backgrounds, and the dictionary…
There were few phenomena in the history of Byzantium which mobilized more people, wealth, and artistic creativity than did pilgrimage. Within a few generations of the foundation of the Empire by Constantine the Great, the east Mediterranean had come alive with pious travelers. Among the first was Constantine’s own mother, Helena, who, according to Eusebius, journeyed to the Holy Land at her s…
An exploration of the relationship between the rise and development of a mystical element in Islam, known as Sufism, and the mysticism that was already to be found within the Christian Church of the Near and Middle East.
Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide was prepared to assist Christian leaders in their day-to-day counseling ministry. The first four chapters of Christian Counseling are designed to give an overview of counseling and may be read consecutively. The remaining twenty-seven chapters deal with specific problems, and since each chapter stands alone, they can be read in any order. Each chapter…
Socrates was born in Athens in 469 B.C.E. Although he wrote nothing of any significance and had no students in anything like the ordinary sense of that term, he became one of the most influential philosophers in western civilization. During his own lifetime, his philosophical activities, which were carried on in public settings and private homes, together with his idiosyncratic demeanor, gained…
God is Infinite, but language finite; thus speech would seem to condemn him to finitude. In speaking of God, would the theologian violate divine transcendence by reducing God to immanence, or choose, rather, to remain silent? At stake in this argument is a core problem of the conditions of divine revelation. How, in terms of language and the limitations of human understanding, can transcendence…
By championing the ideals of independence, evangelism, and conservatism, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has grown into the largest Protestant denomination in the country. The Convention's mass democratic form of church government, its influential annual meetings, and its sheer size have made it a barometer for Southern political and cultural shift. Its most recent shift has been starboar…
The rise of modern science and the proclaimed “death” of God in the nineteenth century led to a radical questioning of divine action and authorship – Bultmann’s celebrated “demythologizing”. Remythologizing Theology moves in another direction that begins by taking seriously the biblical accounts of God’s speaking. It establishes divine communicative action as the formal and materi…
Which are the major theologies in vogue in our time? And how are they to be evaluated by evangelicals who want to be on the cutting edge of the Christian faith, but remain faithful to the authority of Scripture? A Handbook of Contemporary Theology answers both of these questions in detail. David L. Smith provides an extensive overview of the current traditional and nontraditional theologies…