For many people, the word 'theology' evokes something dry, academic, irrelevant and disconnected from the everyday concerns of life. We surely would not say that about God, so why is our talk about God any different?In this engaging and accessible introduction, Keith Johnson takes a fresh look at theology. He presents the discipline of theology as one of the ways we participate in the life of the triune God. Without suggesting it should be removed from the academy, Johnson argues that theology has to be integrally connected to the traditions and practices of the church. If academic theology is to be genuinely theological, then it has to be carried out in obedience to Jesus Christ and in service to the church. Unlike other introductions, Theology as Discipleship avoids the usual overview of doctrines according to the creed, which traditionally move from the Trinity to eschatology. Instead, Johnson explains the content of theology by describing the Christian life - being in Christ, hearing God's Word, sharing the mind of Christ. Theology not only leads to discipleship, but is itself a way of following after Christ in faith.
Leading a simple life can help us focus on what's truly important. The disciplines of simplicity and fasting can clear our mind of clutter so that we can become hungry for the things that really matter.
Over the last century many sceptical 'lives of Jesus' have been written. Paul Barnett argues that their authors have used wrong historical methodology, ignoring some of the early evidence about Jesus Christ and failing to account for the first Christians' beliefs about him.
Preaching matters. It is a God-ordained means of encountering Christ. When the Bible is faithfully and relevantly explained, it transforms hearts, understandings, and attitudes, and draws us into a living relationship with God through Christ. This is a book to ignite our passion for preaching, whether we preach every week or have no idea how to put a sermon together.
"Wherever ethnic rivalries are destroying societies, the book of Galatians calls Christians to express the truth of the gospel in communities where there are no ethnic or social or gender divisions." With this strong admonition, Walter Hansen introduces his IVP New Testament Commentary on Galatians.Unlike many other commentaries, Hansen's volume highlights not only the individual dimensions of justification by faith but also its social implications. His bold, careful interpretation challenges students and teachers of this important Pauline letter to move beyond merely the question "How can I, a sinner, be right before a just and holy God?" and to find in Galatians a healing word addressed to the ongoing tensions of race, class and gender--a word worked out in the life of the whole church.
Discipline. Endurance. Perseverance. The Christian life is like a racecourse, a marathon, set out before us. There is a reward in running well but particularly in finishing. Christians agree that this is a consistent pattern of New Testament teaching.But is the prize an extra bonus, a reward for having finished well? Or is the prize salvation itself? And if the prize is salvation, can it be lost? Or is everyone who has signed up and started the race guaranteed a share in the prize - even if they quit before the end or follow a different course?Do the warnings in Scripture tell us that it's up to us to succeed or fail in the race? If so, is there no assurance of our salvation? Or can we be assured that 'once saved, always saved, ' and only a difference in rewards awaits us? Are there other ways of looking at these issues? These questions of perseverance in the Christian life and assurance of salvation have puzzled Christians for generations.In this exploration of biblical theology of perseverance and assurance, Thomas Schreiner and Ardel Caneday weigh and consider all of the relevant New Testament texts. Applying sound principles of biblical interpretation and conversing with recent evangelical thought, they give us a foundational study with profound spiritual implications for Christian living and pastoral ministry.
There is a growing consensus that religious-cultural pluralism is weakening the fundamental existent truths on which all religious traditions have relied. Faith and commitment are awash in a sea of competing claims.In this wide-ranging study, Harold Netland examines pluralism historically, theologically and philosophically. As he rightly points out, the Christian faith emerged in a religiously plural context, but Western Christendom tried to insulate itself against other religions. Over the past three centuries modernity has eroded much of this protective intellectual and cultural structure that Christendom had devised and the future of Christian faith in the West promises to be in an environment of vigorous pluralism.
A theology of preaching. This training manual for aspiring and active preachers illuminates a neglected area, with illustrations from the past.
Jesus' work on the cross not only won our redemption but also stands as the test and pattern of all Christian ministry today. This exposition will challenge and encourage church leaders and their congregation.
A handbook of Christian doctrine, designed to deepen understanding and encourage application to daily living.
Because God calls his people to be a living witness to him, morality is mission. Conversely, immorality is 'anti-mission', a failure to give true testimony or witness. This, in essence, is the theme of this stimulating and challenging volume. The whole life of the people of God, not just verbal proclamation, testifies to the church's faith - or lack of faith - in her Lord.The contributors explain that mission and ethics are intricately and necessarily interwoven, and explore why this is so by unpacking the biblical and theological roots of 'missional ethics', probing its limits and exploring its possibilities through examination of some foundational themes and a selection of specific issues.Intended primarily for pastors and church leaders, this volume encourages reflection and conversation that will feed the life of the body of Christ. 'Missional ethics' concerns all the ways in which Christian ethical practice flows out of, supports and advances the wider mission of the church to proclaim the gospel.The contributors are Brian Brock, M. Daniel Carroll R., Jonathan Chaplin, Guido de Graaff, Sean Doherty, Andy Draycott, Joshua Hordern, Matt Jenson, Grant Macaskill, Nathan Moser, Jonathan Rowe, Sarah Ruble and Christopher J. H. Wright.
As a young church in a hostile environment, Peter's first readers found in his first letter encouragement, not just for facing suffering, but for living responsibly in the world as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Christians today will also find in Peter's letter a wealth of practical counsel on how to conduct themselves in family and social life, as well as in relation to a society that makes it tough to follow Jesus Christ.
"More than any other book of the Bible, Ephesians displays the great purpose and plan of God for the church," Walter Liefeld writes. "It provides a perspective that is unique: God's--and the believer's--view from the 'heavenly realms.'"For those who long to delve into the mind and purposes of God, few books are more helpful than Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Here the apostle paints in broad strokes the great plan of God for his church, centered on its head, Jesus Christ, and living out its calling in praise of God's glory. Beginning with doxology, Paul calls on the church to support its words of praise with deeds to match. Christians today will find here inspiration and insight that will confirm their allegiances and shape their lives.
The Gospel of Mark is widely regarded today as the first Gospel to be written. Until recent decades, its fast-paced, seemingly straightforward presentation led most readers to overlook its subtle theological sophistication.Probing its depths, Ronald Kernaghan invites readers into a fascinating exploration of Mark's Gospel as a parable, an open-ended story that invites us on a lifelong journey of discipleship. Throughout, Kernaghan explains what the gospel meant to its original hearers and its application for us today.
Our Father in heavenHallowed be your name ...'When Jesus' disciples asked him for help with prayer, he gave them a beautifully simple but spiritually profound outline known as the Lord's Prayer. This utterly extraordinary prayer has been cherished by Christians everywhere and always. In it, our Saviour has brilliantly summarized the kinds of requests that God most delights to answer. Jesus knew that, when we struggle to pray, we need, far more than techniques and challenges, a fresh appreciation of God. We need to glimpse his magnificent character and plans. As we see the Father described in Jesus' prayer, we find ourselves lifted in wonder to delight in him. Our cold hearts are warmed and our stifled tongues released to pray. The Lord's Prayer, and so this book, is all about enjoying God. Says the author, 'I find the Lord's Prayer exhilarating. It has been a lifeline from God, dragging my proud heart to him. I couldn't survive without it.'
Jesus came to bring life in all its fullness and yet often Christians behave as if he is only really interested in the so-called 'spiritual' bits, like church, Bible study and evangelism. Everything else - work, leisure, culture and so on - are relegated to second place.>Previously published as 'Glory Days', this second edition has been updated throughout and contains two brand new chapters on glorifying God during dark days and the environment.
Perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Public Theology. Do you want to understand public theology and its place in modern society? These stimulating analyses will enable readers to come to a clearer view of what Public Theology is, and how we may apply it. What is 'public theology'? Does it mean the arts? Public policy? Party politics? The answer is: probably all of these. In 'A Higher Throne' we are dealing with a rather ill-formed topic, on which there has not been a consistent viewpoint. 'A Higher Throne' is based on the Eleventh Oak Hill Annual School of Theology, and it offers a conversation among those who represent a consistently orthodox evangelicalism, who see public life in relation to the Christian gospel in quite different ways, but who are committed to thinking biblically about the matter and coming to a common mind. Daniel Strange lectures in Public Theology at Oak Hill College. He gives a summary of the state of the debate, with both historical and contemporary viewpoints.
It used to be that a woman's choices were fairly simple: she went to school, got married, stayed married to the same man - for better or worse - and raised children. Standards of conduct and morality were widely accepted, and generally we knew what was expected.This is no longer the case. Today we can have a career, full-time or part-time, at home or away from home, or we can focus our energy and time solely on family and volunteer work. We can get married or stay single, have children - the 'regular way' or through adoption - or not. But choices do not necessarily make life easier - they often make life more difficult, because they produce guilt, self-doubt and stress.With compassion and insight Ruth Haley Barton identifies the pressure exerted on Christian women - by church, culture and from within - and the radical call of Christ to each of us to be free. Exploring eleven freedoms available in Jesus, she shows how Christian women can respond to the genuinely liberating call of Christ on their lives.
This devotional book traces the course of David's life through his autobiographical Psalms. With warmth and insight, the author draws out the lessons David learned in his turbulent life with the Lord and the rich gems he has bequeathed to followers of God today.
Airports are in chaos as a terror plot is uncovered. Suicide bombers bring cities to a standstill. Schoolchildren are massacred in their classrooms.The rules of war are changing. Across the globe, terror strategies strike cold fear into the hearts of ordinary citizens, as innocent people become legitimate targets for bloodshed. George Bush and Tony Blair have launched their counter-attack, but for many the 'war on terror' throws up troubling questions: Crucially, how can God's message of love and reconciliation be heard?Nick Solly Megoran combines an acute political knowledge with a rich appreciation of the Bible and true stories of hope to demonstrate how Christians can live courageously through the war on terror.
An articulation of a vital doctrine for Christianity.
Provides an introduction to Edwards and his relevance to the contemporary church and world.
Spirituality' is hot. There are numerous voices telling us how to be spiritual people. But what does it really mean to be spiritual? Who can we trust to show us the way?Here's an opportunity to see what Jesus said about finding true spirituality. This discussion guide is a safe place to explore these and other questions on your own or with a group. You'll take a closer look at Luke's narrative to discover Jesus' principles for the true way to live, and what that may mean for your life.This guide is full of historical information, challenging issues and thought-provoking quotes, but it won't answer all your questions. In fact it may bring up new ones. What it will do is get you started on your journey toward faith.
When people meet Jesus Christ exciting things happen. In these Bible discussions we see Jesus encounter a powerful Roman military officer and a poor widow. We see him relate to a righteous religious leader alongside a former prostitute. We hear the conversations that unfolded and discover how surprising and powerful it is to meet Christ.This discussion guide is a safe place to explore what it would mean for us to encounter Christ as well. If you have already done some study of Scripture with others, then these discussions in Luke and John offer an opportunity to go deeper in responding to Jesus. Although it is full of historical information, challenging issues and thought-provoking quotes, this guide won't answer all your questions. In fact it may bring up new ones. What it will do is move you along on your journey toward faith.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them' (Genesis 1:27). Genesis 1:26-27 has served as the locus of most theological anthropologies in the central Christian tradition. However, Richard Lints observes that too rarely have these verses been understood as conceptually interwoven with the whole of the prologue materials of Genesis 1. The construction of the cosmic temple strongly hints that the 'image of God' language serves liturgical functions. Lints argues that 'idol' language in the Bible is a conceptual inversion of the 'image' language of Genesis 1. These constructs illuminate each other, and clarify the canon's central anthropological concerns. The question of human identity is distinct, though not separate, from the question of human nature; the latter has far too frequently been read into the biblical use of 'image'. Lints shows how the 'narrative' of human identity runs from creation (imago Dei) to fall (the golden calf/idol, Exodus 32) to redemption (Christ as perfect image, Colossians 1:15-20). The biblical-theological use of image/idol is a thread through the canon that highlights the movements of redemptive history. In the concluding chapters, Lints interprets the use of idolatry as it emerges in the secular prophets of the nineteenth century, and examines the recent renaissance of interest in idolatry with its conceptual power to explain the 'culture of desire'.
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