For the first time in human history, the majority of people around the world now live in cities â " and urban culture and values, communicated by electronic means, profoundly influence the lives of everyone on earth.In this stimulating and challenging volume, David Smith explores the history and nature of this development, identifying both its potential for good and the possibility that it might result in catastrophe. Drawing on a range of academic disciplines, he describes today's urban world, before offering an extended study of the theme of the city in the Bible, relating this to the challenges confronting cities in the twenty-first century.Smith outlines key theological themes and enables Christians to understand the globalized, urban world within which their faith must be confessed. He argues that this context presents world Christianity with a unique opportunity to share its vision of an alternative human community. He appreciates the insights of urban specialists, who are invited into a conversation concerning the biblical, God-centred vision of the city â " a vision which can provide fresh imagination and hope for the century that lies ahead.
We have more access to knowledge than ever before but, paradoxically, we are still searching for truth - for a way to make sense of our questions. The questions don't stop when we become Christians, and so the 2014 Keswick Convention addressed the theme: Really? Searching for Reality in a Confusing World. During the three weeks of Convention we looked at the truth the gospel offers, how the Bible addresses the big questions of life, and how we can grow as disciples in an uncertain world. This Year Book includes a selection of talks given during the 2014 Convention: Bible teaching from Roger Carswell, Ian Coffey, Jonathan Lamb, Ruth Padilla de Borst, Becky Manley Pippert, Ivor Poobalan, Vaughan Roberts, David Robertson and Chris Sinkinson to help ground your faith in the life-transforming reality found in Jesus.
The Keswick movement has revolutionized hundreds of thousands of lives and has had a radical impact on churches and communities. In Knowing God Better, Jonathan Lamb introduces the big priorities that shape the movement, priorities that are essential for the well-being of Christians and local churches around the world today.
Many Christians ignore the doctrine of the Trinity, assuming it to be irrelevant for daily life. But it is a mystery worth grappling with, because it's central to our beliefs and fundamental to the working out of our faith â " the Trinity is the heartbeat of Christianity.The theme for the 2013 Keswick Convention was The Transforming Trinity: Knowing the Triune God. During the three weeks of Convention we looked at the saving purposes of God the Father, how we can follow the Son and walk in the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. We explored what it means to participate in the mission of the Trinity as individuals and as church communities. Â This Year Book includes a selection of talks given during the 2013 Convention: Bible teaching from Charles Price, John Risbridger, Paul Williams, Mike Hill, Paul Mallard, Richard Condie, Rico Tice and Peter Baker which showcases the inexhaustible riches of the Trinity and gives fuel for our faith. Â Â This title is brought to you by Keswick Ministries. Find out more at https: //www.keswickministries.org
How can you be an effective leader-maker/leader-making church? There s a critical need right now for new leaders in churches - this should never be the preserve of the elite few. This book will help you identify, encourage and keep new leaders, planning for maximum effectiveness in the long-term future. Extract from Chapter 1 1. GOD LOVES YOUR CHURCH Main principle: God wants to build up your local church, and he provides gifts of spiritual leadership to help the flock grow. Communities of Christians come in many shapes, sizes and flavours. God is using large and small churches, multicultural and mono-cultural churches, churches with lively worship styles that appeal to the young, and churches that prefer solid older hymns, to witness to neighbourhoods and to the world. Bible-believing churches may exhibit many surface differences, but one thing is true of them all: God loves local churches. He wants to see them built up and flourishing. Local churches are God's idea, not human institutions. The Bible describes them as the household of God. It says that God lives in the middle of these communities of disciples, through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). Jesus revealed just how important churches are to God. He promised God's spiritual provision and protection as we participate in God s plans and purposes when he said, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is committed to building his church around the world. And in case you are still in any doubt about how valuable churches are to God, he says in Ephesians 1 that he has made Jesus head over everything in the whole universe for the church. Just imagine that - Jesus is exerting his ruling power in heaven for the good of your church here on earth. Maybe you are part of a church where this reality feels a long way from your current experience, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. God wants your church to thrive. That might not mean spectacular growth in numbers, but it will mean all the believers knowing and enjoying God and falling deeper and deeper in love with Jesus Christ.
In this systematic text, Douglas Groothuis makes a comprehensive apologetic case for Christian theism. He defends objective truth, presents the key arguments for God from natural theology and makes a case for the credibility of Jesus, the incarnation and the resurrection, assessing alternative views along the way.
Imagine Church offers hope, wisdom and real-life examples for churches seeking to make disciples for all of life
How does the Bible as a whole fit together?How should we read it theologically - and as literature?Are the manuscripts reliable? How do they relate to archaeology?When and how was the canon of Scripture formed?What is the Septuagint?How does the New Testament quote from and interpret the Old Testament?Such questions are the focus of this collection of concise studies on the nature and content of the Bible. Useful as both a general overview and as a tool for more specific reference and training, this volume will help readers to grow in their understanding of Scripture and their ability to apply it to their lives. Pastors, church leaders, students, and other Christians engaged in studying and teaching Godâ⿬⿢s Word will benefit from these studies, originally featured as articles in the ESV Study Bible and written by notable contributors, including John Piper, J. I. Packer, David Powlison, Vern Poythress, Peter J. Williams and Roger Beckwith.
This book will serve as a boost for those wishing to deepen their understanding of how to share their faith. Balances practical advice on using evidence and constructing arguments with a more general account of what Christians have believed down through the centuries. Useful also as an introduction to Christian philosophy, archaeology, history and theology.
Volatile. Cowardly. Slow on the uptake.As a follower of Jesus, Peter didn't have a lot going for him. Yet he became a passionate preacher and an extraordinary leader, and the rock on which Christ built his church.Bishop Ken Clarke believes that Jesus works the same kind of transformation in his followers today.In this warm-hearted and deeply encouraging book, he draws out lessons from Peter's life for us today. He equips enthusiastic disciples and growing leaders to keep their focus, handle failure and fulfil their potential in God's service.
A good understanding of Christian teaching is important for pastors, missionaries and other church leaders and workers. However, newer Christians, especially those not from church backgrounds, also need grounding in basic beliefs. This reader-friendly guide provides a clear and concise introduction to key Christian beliefs. Twenty chapters cover a range of biblical topics, with practical application to Christian living. Some historic confessions of faith and suggestions for further reading are also included.
Ideas, resources and encouragement for small-group leaders.Ever since New Testament times small groups of Christians have met to learn, to worship and to grow together. An effective group enables its members to thrive in their Christian life and make an impact in their world.This guide equips small-group leaders to steer a group with confidence and competance. Written by experienced authors with much wisdom it will give you the vision you are looking for.Chapters explore: - What makes a good leader- Prayer and worship in a homegroup setting- Troubleshooting- Reaching out to others...and much more.Essential reading whether you're starting a housegroup, taking an existing group forward or revitalizing a group that has gone a little flat. This practical guide will transform your vision, develop your skills, focus your aims and enable you to lead your group with panache.
Many are longing for historical connectedness and for theology that is 'not tied to the whims of contemporary culture, but to apostolic-era understandings of Christian faith and practice.' They also yearn for rhythms and routines that build spiritual health. Still others are responding to a call to participate in worship rather than merely sitting back and looking at a stage. Liturgy offers all of this and more. Todd D. Hunter bucked the trend by joining the Anglican church. He traces his remarkable journey from an upbringing in the Jesus Movement, to spearheading Vineyard ministries in the US, through heading up Alpha USA and now embracing a liturgical church, where he is now bishop. His compelling story is told with humility and humour.
The truth that Christians live by is that the best life possible is one that's lived in the presence of God; a life that is up close and personal with the mighty creator who made everything. Becoming a Christian isn't just about being saved from something but for something. The moment you say 'yes' to Jesus, you start out on the greatest adventure of your life and you discover something utterly priceless; a life lived side by side with God forever. Are you ready to RISE to that challenge?
Being a Christian is not just about future salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus. In this enthralling book Chick Yuill explores how followers of Jesus can also grow in the community of believers while constructively engaging with the culture of our times. Packed with stories and illustrations, this book explores how Christians can live life to the best.
Fireman and storyteller Mitch shares his passion for Jesus, who keeps on changing lives, snatching them from the fire.
The country was on the brink of a devastating invasion. Famine threatened. Violence and social injustice filled the land. Habakkuk the Old Testament prophet had every reason to sink into despair. Where was God in these turbulent times? D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was one of the twentieth century's foremost preachers and Bible teachers. The parallels he draws between the message of Habakkuk and the crisis-ridden West are still powerfully relevant to our own times. Here is the secret of the problem of history. No event, however catastrophic, fails to find a place in God's loving purpose for humanity. Habakkuk's great assertion of faith, in the midst of enormous personal upheaval and emotional strain, can be ours: 'Yet I rejoice in the LORD…The Sovereign LORD is my strength.'
Guidance and wisdom for maintaining good practice and avoiding temptation in preaching. With insight and wisdom, Derek Tidball reviews a selection of idols to which preachers are particularly vulnerable, under four headings: the self, the age, the task and the ministry. His aim is not to condemn, but to alert.
Is 'newer' really 'better'?We often assume so, but if we do treat the past as inferior we will ignore the legacy of history, and thus will find ourselves stranded on the tiny desert island of our own moment in time.In particular, this applies to Christian theology, which should be thought, and lived, corporately by the church down through the ages.The remedy to 'chronological snobbery' is, as C. S. Lewis put it, 'to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds'. Such is the motivation behind Michael Reeves' introduction to a selection of influential or significant Christian theologians. Furthermore, by 'sitting on the shoulders of giants ... our glance can take in more things and reach farther than theirs' (Bernard of Chartres).This accessible and informative companion volume to The Breeze of the Centuries covers Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth.Each chapter begins with a brief biography and some background, then surveys each theologian's major work or works, gives a timeline for historical context, and ends with guidance for further reading.
Revolutionise your walk with God through discovering Paul's prayers as a model for your own prayer life
This unique textbook by Gerald Rau surveys the six predominant models currently used to explain the origins of creation, of life, of species and of humans. Alongside his judicious account of the debate as a whole, Rau equips students with critical tools for evaluating the individual philosophies of science in play.
Pure' was developed and written against a background of increasing promiscuity and godlessness in twenty-first century Britain. It offers an alternative to swimming with the tide. It looks at God's plan for creation, the impact of the fall, our wrong motives, and how we can live in harmony with God, which means of course living pure lives.
Christians throughout history have been strengthened by their confidence that God knows everything about the future.
A study of how Christians can effectively present a case for Christ.
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