You’re aware that today’s world will test your children’s Christian faith—but do you know the specific challenges, how to talk about them, and what that means on a day-to-day basis? Crain’s guide prepares you for essential conversations about Jesus’ identity, teachings, death, and resurrection—and the difference each one makes. Adaptable to any age.
Why do the first generation still act like that? Why can’t we try some new ideas? Why are the second generation so lazy? Why are the second generation so disrespectful? Isn’t it a shame how the church is split between the two generations? These and many more questions reflect the tangled conflicts within the Asian American church. Cultural differences have led to many misunderstandings and conflicts. Conflicts have created bitterness and churches have split apart. How can these tangled threads be rewoven into a beautiful tapestry of God’s grace? What would it take for the Asian American church to reflect God’s grace? In Tapestry of Grace, Dr. Benjamin C. Shin and Dr. Sheryl Takagi Silzer apply their years of study and teaching to explain how the cultural complexities that occur between the different generations of the Asian American church can be untangled. Taking lessons from their own spiritual journeys, they show how each generation can experience the amazing grace of the Gospel.
McKinley explores and evaluates several models that have been developed of Christ’s impeccability and temptation. His pneumatological account maintains that Jesus was truly tempted in ways that are closely relevant to the temptations common to us. Thus Jesus provides true help as the credible example to follow and truly sympathetic ally in the fight against sin.
If most pastors were pressed to describe an average day of ministry, they’d have trouble doing it. In a single day, a pastor may fill many different roles in quick succession, from counselor to theologian to student to CEO to custodian (well, let’s hope there’s usually someone else available to perform that last role). Some roles come more naturally than others, but every pastor wants to perform each role to the best of their ability. In The 10 Key Roles of a Pastor, church consultant Gary L. McIntosh shows pastors how to understand and juggle their many essential roles, prioritize their time and energy, manage their people’s expectations of them, and empower others to take up the vital work of the church body
If most pastors were pressed to describe an average day of ministry, they’d have trouble doing it. In a single day, a pastor may fill many different roles in quick succession, from counselor to theologian to student to CEO to custodian (well, let’s hope there’s usually someone else available to perform that last role). Some roles come more naturally than others, but every pastor wants to perform each role to the best of their ability. In The 10 Key Roles of a Pastor, church consultant Gary L. McIntosh shows pastors how to understand and juggle their many essential roles, prioritize their time and energy, manage their people’s expectations of them, and empower others to take up the vital work of the church body
How do we engage Muslims in a winsome, attractive, even-handed, but incisive way? How do we penetrate such an all-consuming worldview permeating every aspect of a devout Muslim’s life? What is our strategy? What are our tactics?Alan Shlemon, STR’s resident expert on Islam, has devoted much of his life to addressing these very questions. The son of Iraqi immigrants and well-schooled in Islam, Alan believes we need a very specific plan of engagement, and in this booklet he has provided that strategy in concise, convenient, and usable form. The Ambassador’s Guide to Islam is a vital resource to prepare you with the knowledge and wisdom to be a better ambassador for Christ to Muslims, a skill that will be especially valuable in addressing the changing world at our doorstep.
They believe in God. They believe in Jesus. They read the Bible and attend church every week. But are Mormons Christians? It’s time for some clear thinking on this question and The Ambassador’s Guide to Mormonism provides just that. This little tool will clarify the key issues and help you engage your Mormon friends and family with the truth.
Until the last few decades, homosexuality was never celebrated as natural, moral, or healthy. But times have changed. Now Christians find themselves in a fight they did not choose–facing overwhelming odds and fierce opposition–with a culture demanding we abandon the Bible on homosexuality and instead “celebrate diversity.” Unfortunately, as with most controversial issues, misunderstanding abounds on this topic. And as good ambassadors, we want to provide solid, reliable information. But we also want to give insight, too–an awareness of how to maneuver with tactical wisdom and with grace. Homosexuality is among the most emotionally-charged and hotly debated topics you will encounter. The Ambassador’s Guide to Understanding Homosexuality will equip you to be both thoughtful and considerate as a Christian ambassador in the face of opposing views.
This volume presents a collection of studies by international experts on various aspects of ancient Israel’s society, economy, religion, language, culture, and history, synthesizing archaeological remains and integrating them with discussions of ancient Near Eastern and biblical texts. Driven by theoretically and methodologically informed discussions of the archaeology of the Iron Age Levant, the 47 chapters in The Ancient Israelite World provide foundational, accessible, and detailed studies in their respective topics. The volume considers the history of interpretation of ancient Israel, studies on various aspects of ancient Israel’s society and history, and avenues for present and future approaches to the ancient Israelite world. Accompanied by over 150 maps and figures, it allows the reader to gain an understanding of key issues that archaeologists, historians, and biblical scholars have faced and are currently facing as they attempt to better understand ancient Israelite society. The Ancient Israelite World is an essential reference work for students and scholars of ancient Israel and its history, culture, and society, whether they are historians, archaeologists, or biblical scholars.
Biola University Contributor:
Charlie Trimm – “Warfare and Intelligence Gathering in Ancient Israel”
The Apologetics Study Bible helps today’s Christians better understand, defend, and proclaim their beliefs in this age of increasing moral and spiritual relativism. More than one-hundred key questions and articles placed throughout the volume about faith and science prompt a rewarding study experience at every reading. Highlights of this thinking person’s edition of God’s Word include the full text of the popular HCSB translation, an introduction to each Bible book focusing on its inherent elements of apologetics, and profiles of historic Christian apologists from Justin Martyr to C.S. Lewis.
Who were the Apostolic Fathers? What did they care about? Why did they write what they wrote? The Apostolic Fathers: A Narrative Introduction is the most engaging introduction to Apostolic Fathers you will ever read. Imagine what it would be like to ask Polycarp about the documents that were composed during his lifetime. You don’t have to imagine any longer. Situated during the final week of Polycarp’s life, these fictional dialogues will introduce you to the earliest Christian documents after the time of the apostles. You will come to know Clement, Ignatius, Hermas, Papias, and others. Freshly translated excerpts from the writings themselves are included after each chapter.
This extensive encyclopedia is the most complete and practical work ever published on the art and craft of biblical preaching. Its 11 major sections contain nearly 200 articles, comprehensively covering topics on preaching and methodology. Entries are characterized by intensely practical and vivid writing designed to help preachers deepen their understanding and sharpen their communication skills. The contributors include a virtual Who’s Who of preaching from a cross-section of denominations and traditions, such as Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, Rick Warren, Warren Wiersbe, Alice Mathews, John Piper, Andy Stanley, and many others.
