A timeless tale about the most important choice on your journey through life.

Carlisle, Alon, and Cassidon—known by all in the kingdom as the bravest and best knights who serve the king. But now the time has come to see who is truly worthy of the princess’s hand in marriage. As the prince tells the three knights about the king’s test, they understand the danger of the journey before them. And with only the king’s song to guide them and one companion, they must prepare for the adventure of their lives—an adventure that may cost them everything.

Who will the victor be? Carlisle the strongest, Alon the swiftest, or Cassidon the wisest?

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This Turning Point book surveys the development of science and its historic and current relationship to Christianity, and reintroduces believers to their rich intellectual heritage.

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God is telling a story. Are you listening?

We’re all searching for significance—something deeper, richer, and bigger than what we can see in our unremarkable, everyday routines. The greatest news we can hear is that God has a very real purpose for everything in this life. In The Story of Everything, Jared Wilson explores the redemptive story that God is telling in and through the world, helping us play our part in his ultimate plan to make all things new.

“The Story of Everything is one of the most accurately titled books I have ever read. Jared Wilson rightly diagnoses the desperately ‘truncated vision’ with which most of us live our daily lives, and The Story of Everything is just the needed tonic. Accessible, highly engaging, and humorous, this book brings home the overarching narrative flow of Scripture in a way that leaves the reader hungry for the happy ending yet also eager to get the most out of every page in between now and then. I have been waiting for years for someone to write this book!”
J. Alasdair Groves, Director of Counseling, CCEF New England

“If you need to hear some incredible news, read this book. It will change you. In his creative sovereignty, God’s plan makes sense of all the incomprehensible events in the world. In The Story of Everything, Jared serves as a wise, caring, funny, and insightful tour guide who explores the terrain of this promise. When you feel the haunt of futility or if you ever feel lost, it is important to know that God has a plan for everything.”
Justin S. Holcomb, Episcopal Priest; Professor of Christian Thought, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; coauthor, Rid of My Disgrace and Is It My Fault?  

“We serve a grand and glorious God who does indeed have a plan for this world. How do we fit into this plan? Dig in. Jared Wilson gives us a thought-provoking glimpse into the big questions of life and the greatest story of all—God’s story.”
Jacob Tamme, NFL® tight end

“It’s fitting that a book called The Story of Everything would weave together things like the cosmos and pets, Augustine and Plato, football and Ecclesiastes. In a truly accessible way, Jared Wilson helps us see that there is indeed something that links all this and more together.”
Michael Kelley, Director of Groups Ministry, Lifeway Resources Division

“Imagine going on a trip without having any idea as to your destination. You would end up confused, lost, and probably pretty scared. Knowing the starting place and destination is a crucial part of every journey. Too many Christians end up confused, lost, and even scared because they don’t know the beginning and end of the journey called ‘life.’ If you don’t know what God is up to, it’s hard to trust him when things seem out of control. In The Story of Everything, Jared Wilson uses the Bible as a map to take the reader from the beginning of time to the return of Christ. Wilson helps us see just what God is up to, in order that we might love God more, worship God, and live on earth as citizens of heaven.”
Stephen Altrogge, pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana, Pennsylvania; author, Game Day for the Glory of God: A Guide for Athletes, Fans, and Wannabes

“This book really made me think, well, about everything! Jared helped make sense of how my life and talents fit into God’s story of grace and glory!”
Daniel Seavey, recording artist; 2015 American Idol finalist

“Like a tour of life, Wilson takes the story of the infinite grace and glory of God colliding with the souls of man and shows how it relates to bacon, to sex, to work—to everything. As a former athlete, current husband, father, pastor, author, and bacon-eater (of whom I am the foremost), I needed this guided tour of life, this story of everything, and the grace beyond the sun that makes it matter.”
Jim Essian, Pastor, The Paradox Church; former professional baseball player; author, Like Father, Like Sons

“The Story of Everything is a small summa for our time. Wilson holds the multifaceted jewel of the world up to the light of the gospel, slowly rotating it, allowing the reader to see the present and future goodness of God reflecting and refracting in every part. Insightful, profound, simple, and witty. Wilson has the gift of writing with theological depth and precision while maintaining complete clarity and popular appeal.”
Steve Bezner, Lead Pastor, Houston Northwest Church

“We humans have bad memories when it comes to God’s redemptive work, which means we often don’t realize how God’s story of redemption impacts all of life—even the mundane parts. The Story of Everything reminds us that life should be lived differently because of God’s goodness in creation and redemption. Don’t miss this opportunity to (re)discover the wonder of the perfect God who has invited us into his story.”
Russell L. Meek, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, Louisiana College

“The Story of Everything is an engaging introduction to a comprehensive worldview where Christ is literally the center of everything and everything in life exists under his lordship. Wilson helps us see our place in history, live life in our present reality, and look forward to the blessed hope of Christ’s return. The book offers a well-written, funny, and relentlessly biblical framework for all of life.”
Bland Mason, Pastor, City on a Hill Church, Boston, Massachusetts; chapel leader to the Boston Red Sox

“Jared reminds us to joyfully live like there is a God who is good, powerful, and very much involved in this world. Cutting through the fog of our seemingly mundane, everyday lives, The Story of Everything trains our eyes to delight in this God who is at work to make all things new.”
Erik Raymond, Senior Pastor, Emmaus Bible Church, Omaha, Nebraska

“Abraham Kuyper famously said, ‘There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: “Mine!”’ In The Story of Everything, Jared Wilson has followed the biblical storyline to show that Kuyper was right. And he’s done it in readable prose for a new generation. Everything matters to God. Let Wilson help you understand what this means for you!”
Josh Chatraw, Executive Director of the Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement, Liberty University

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Throw away your flannelgraphs...

The prodigal son. The good Samaritan. The treasure hidden in a field. Most of us have heard Jesus’s parables before. Yet if these stories strike us as merely sweet, heartwarming, or sentimental, we can be sure we’ve misread them. In The Storytelling God, pastor Jared Wilson helps us to see how Jesus’s parables reveal profound spiritual truths about God, humanity, the world, and the future.

Discarding the notion that Christ’s parables are nothing more than moralistic fables, this book highlights how each one is designed to drive us to Jesus in awe, need, faith, and worship.

“Jared Wilson’s new book is a punch in the gut. Gone are the tame, bedtime-story versions of the parables we’ve been told in the past. Instead, Wilson invites us to see them afresh with all of their explosive, imaginative power.”
Mike Cosper, Pastor of Worship and Arts, Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, Kentucky

“In showing us the parables of Jesus for what they are (and are not), Jared Wilson invites us into a deeper understanding of their author and the kingdom he came to establish. The Storytelling God teaches us to read and reflect upon the parables with great care, and rightly so. The parables, and this book, point the way to life abundant.”
Scott McClellan, Communications Pastor, Irving Bible Church, Irving, Texas; author, Tell Me a Story: Finding God (and Ourselves) through Narrative

“My own bookshelf has precious few commentaries on the parables and this will definitely fit nicely into that gap. In fact, this book is actually two books for the price of one. Part devotional commentary and also doubling as a solid gospel tract. This book serves the gospel straight up on a plate. His chapter commenting on the gospel and the poor is worth the price of the book alone. Clear, straightforward, biblical, gospel-centered writing. Definitely recommended reading.”
Mez McConnell, Senior Pastor, Niddrie Community Church, Edinburgh, Scotland; Director, 20schemes; author, Church in Hard Places

“With a characteristic combination of wit and wisdom—humor and sobriety—Wilson grabs your attention, fixes it upon Christ, and keeps it there for the duration of the book. Readers in search of a pastoral introduction to biblical parables that is rich with real-life applicability can gladly make room for this volume on their bookshelf.”
Stephen T. Um, Senior Minister, Citylife Presbyterian Church, Boston, Massachusetts; coauthor, Why Cities Matter

1. Postcards from the Revolution
2. A Radical Refocus
3. Uncommon Knowledge
4. Three Times Found
5. Justice and Good Sinners
6. The Direness of Death After Death
7. Jesus is For Losers
8. The Parables Before the Parables
9. Jesus, The Living Parable
10. The Unstoppable and Unfathomable Kingdom

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For centuries, countless Christians have turned to the Westminster Standards for insights into the Christian faith. These renowned documents—first published in the middle of the 17th century—are widely regarded as some of the most beautifully written summaries of the Bible’s teaching ever produced.

Church historian John Fesko walks readers through the background and theology of the Westminster Confession, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism, helpfully situating them within their original context. Organized according to the major categories of systematic theology, this book utilizes quotations from other key works from the same time period to shed light on the history and significance of these influential documents.

Part of the Refo500 series.

“One of the ways of demonstrating the abiding relevance of our confessions is to understand the conversations and debates from which they emerged. John Fesko has done precisely this. Digging around each plant in the Westminster garden, Fesko exposes the rich soil that still nourishes our faith and practice. I picked up this book expecting to find a resource to be consulted, but found myself reading the whole work through with rapt attention. There is gold in these hills!”
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story

“Finally we have a solid analysis and an expert portrayal of the theology of the Westminster Standards in which the time of its writing and its direct influence are also described. John Fesko has gathered an enormous amount of information that makes this book a sourcebook par excellence. He does the church and its theology a great favor with this overview, helping us to understand the Westminster Confession and catechisms not only in their theological context, but also in their relevance for today.”
Herman Selderhuis, Professor of Church History, Theological University of Apeldoorn; Director, Refo500, The Netherlands

“Drawing upon a significant body of recent research, John Fesko has written an admirably clear and accessible study of the teaching of the Westminster Confession. By situating the successive chapters in their original seventeenth-century setting, he provides an informed exposition of their content and significance. This study will be immensely useful not only for theological students, but for all who require a better understanding of the most important Reformed confession in the English-speaking world.”
David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity and Principal, New College University of Edinburgh

“Seldom has an exposition of the Westminster Standards been as useful as John Fesko’s Theology of the Westminster Standards. Dr. Fesko understands the necessity of placing these monumental documents into their proper contexts. He has uncovered a massive amount of contemporary literature and expertly explains the theological statements of the Standards in the light of these works. For everyone interested in confessionalism, this is an essential volume. It will be a standard work for decades to come.”
James M. Renihan, Dean and Professor of Historical Theology, Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies

“Fesko’s volume is an outstanding and very welcome addition to the growing field of literature on the Westminster Confession of Faith. In these pages Fesko goes straight to the primary sources, skillfully mining relevant sixteenth- and seventeenth-century texts in order to explain the historical and theological developments leading up to the assembly. Moreover, he provides fresh and insightful analysis of the theology of the Confession itself. Do you want to grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Reformed faith in general, and the theology of the Westminster Confession in particular? If the answer is yes, then pick up and read this marvelous book. I heartily commend it!”
Jon D. Payne , Presbyterian Church in America church planter, Charleston, South Carolina; Visiting Lecturer, Reformed Theological Seminary; Series Editor, Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament

1. Introduction
2. The Historical and Theological Context
3. The Doctrine of Scripture
4. God and the Decree
5. Covenant and Creation
6. The Doctrine of Christ
7. Justification
8. Sanctification
9. The Law of God and the Christian Life
10. The Church
11. Worship
12. Eschatology
13. Conclusion

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Responding to the perennial temptation to “tame” the message about Jesus, eight prominent church leaders, including John Piper, John MacArthur, Al Mohler, and R. C. Sproul, challenge Christians to hold fast to the faith by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a pure and unadulterated view of the gospel.

Looking back at the New Testament and the church fathers and forward to the church’s continued mission of faithful biblical preaching and effective cultural engagement, the contributors draw on their extensive ministry experience to offer us a thoughtful plea for safeguarding the message of the gospel in the midst of our pluralistic world.

Part of the Together for the Gospel series.

1. The Church Is the Gospel Made Visible (Mark Dever)
2. The Defense and Confirmation of the Gospel (R. C. Sproul)
3. How Does It Happen? Trajectories toward an Adjusted Gospel (R. Albert Mohler Jr.)
4. Fine-Sounding Arguments: How Wrongly “Engaging the Culture” Adjusts the Gospel (Thabiti Anyabwile)
5. Sowing Seed and Sleeping Well (John MacArthur)
6. Did Jesus Preach the Gospel of Evangelicalism? (John Piper)
7. Did the Fathers Know the Gospel? (J. Ligon Duncan III)
8. Ordinary Pastors (C. J. Mahaney)

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Writing from a biblical perspective, Carol Cornish helps readers to discover how God is working in the midst of the deep distress of losing a spouse. She provides the reader with direction in finding true and lasting comfort in Christ. Cornish, who lost her husband of 38 years to lung cancer, encourages widows to use their widowhood for God’s glory. Ministry to widows needs to be a priority for Christian communities, and Cornish equips churches, families, and friends to come alongside those mourning the loss of a spouse.

The Undistracted Widow includes sections to help widows find renewed identity and purpose. Cornish helps readers trust in God, manage emotions, learn from both biblical and contemporary widows, rethink the past, present, and future, and prepare for what’s next. Pastors, churches, and others will benefit from practical appendices. Any woman who is grieving the loss of her husband, or who knows of someone in mourning, will find this to be a valuable resource.

“Most wives will taste the grief of widowhood. For those who have been blessed with a solid, lifelong marriage, the processes of loss will be especially varied, prolonged, and exquisitely painful. Yes, this is the probable future for most of us; in fact, many of you may already be there. Painful separation is expected. What isn’t expected is the sincere faith and profound devotion illustrated on these pages. Out of her deep grief and deeper faith, Carol has written a book that will comfort, guide, and encourage you as you face the day—alone, but not really alone. Yes, these pages are tear-stained, but more importantly, they are stained with the blood of a suffering Savior who is walking with you now. The Undistracted Widow will help you see him, will draw your gaze up to the One who has gone before you, and will help you trust again. I heartily recommend it!”
Elyse M. Fitzpatrick, counselor; speaker; author, Found in Him

“I read Carol's book because I knew her before Rollie died. I was confident that whatever she wrote about being a widow would be clear, practical, and filled with wonderful encouragement to keep turning to Jesus, and it was all that and more. My plan was to pass the book on to a widow, which I will still do, but now I will be sure to have a copy handy. It is a one-stop book that is as relevant to widowers as it is to widows. Neither my wife nor I are in those categories yet, but one of us will probably be there someday, and I want her book to be close by.”
Edward T. Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling & Education Foundation

“Carol Cornish has written more than a book about how to be a godly widow; Carol has compiled a comprehensive manual addressing all aspects of widowhood while maintaining a razor-like focus on the matchless insights found solely in the Word of God. For the widow searching through her grief for God, Carol becomes what she suggests every widow should look for: “a living road map,” pointing unswervingly to God’s wisdom and love as revealed in his unfailing Word.”
Patti McCarthy Broderick, Christian counselor; author, He Said, 'Press'

“Being acquainted with Carol for several years, I can say that the counsel she offers in The Undistracted Widow is that of painful yet faithful experience in the pursuit of Christ. The result of her experience, filtered throughout with biblical investigation, is practical and helpful counsel to women seeking to honor God in their widowhood. This is certainly a book every church will want to keep in its library.”
Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Reformed Baptist Church, Franconia, Pennsylvania

“In writing The Undistracted Widow Carol Cornish fulfills her desire to comfort others with the comfort she herself has received from the Lord. She offers hope, reassurance, and practical help to those grieving the loss of their spouse. The way she uses Scripture to dialog with the One who suffers with her and for her is especially compelling. This book is truly the fruit of an undistracted widow.”
Jayne V. Clark, Associate Dean of Students, Westminster Theological Seminary; author, Single and Lonely: Finding the Intimacy You Desire

“The Undistracted Widow is so full of godly wisdom my heart sang through each chapter. Carol has made her biblical encouragement and precious truths flow with the Lord's lavish grace and tender mercies. It is obvious that Carol is not theorizing, but sharing her own experiences of having the Lord walk with her and guide her through her grief. The book is a wonderful tool for the biblical counselor, for pastors, and for all disciples and disciplers. I was greatly comforted and uplifted by the entire book.”
Diane A. Tyson, counselor; teacher; contributing author, Women Helping Women

“As a pastor’s wife and biblical counselor, I am thankful to have this resource. The Undistracted Widow not only provides widows with practical, biblical instruction, but also affords preparatory insights to people who have not experienced the sharp trial of losing a spouse. I highly recommend this book for widows and for those who love and minister to them.”
Rachel Miller, conference speaker

“The Undistracted Widow is not only for women who have lost their husbands through death but also for those living without male leadership in their homes as a result of divorce or singleness. Carol helps us to turn our gaze, without distraction, to the lover of our souls, Jesus Christ, as she explores every emotion, challenge, and circumstance of living alone. This strongly biblical and practical look at widowhood is long overdue.”
Penny Orr, contributing author, Women Helping Women; women's ministry leader

“Carol offers not simply consolation but direction. This is truly a book for the Christian widow.”
Sally Miller, Lansdale, Pennsylvania

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Wouldn't you love to be wise and know the God who is Wisdom himself? This 10-week study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon mines the Wisdom Literature not only for wise principles for living, but also for the wise person these books point to through their drama, poetry, proverb, and song—Jesus.

Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie provides clear commentary and contemporary application of biblical truths found in the Wisdom Books regarding:

• how God guides us
• how we can make sense of our suffering and our dissatisfaction in life
• how to deal with our uneven emotions, our need for security, and our longing to be loved

Gain a fresh perspective on the Wisdom Literature, a broader understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture, and much more, when you join with Guthrie on this incredible journey to see Jesus in the Old Testament!

Part of the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series.

* A leader’s guide is available as a free download at SeeingJesusInTheOldTestament.com and a supplemental DVD of Nancy’s teaching is also available for purchase.

“In an age where too many ‘Bible’ studies fail to open the Bible—or, if opened, fail to touch on the actual themes in the text itself—Nancy Guthrie immerses us in the wisdom of the Word. How refreshing! With her keen observations, penetrating applications, and thoughtful, engaging questions, Nancy Guthrie’s latest study on the Old Testament Wisdom Books and the Psalms gets us to see and smell, taste and touch, and understand and apply the everyday wisdom of Christ—our creator and crucified Lord.”
Douglas Sean O'Donnell, Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Practical Theology, Queensland Theological College; author, The Beginning and End of Wisdom

“I love Nancy’s infectious passion for teaching the Old Testament in a relevant, practical, spiritual, and Christ-centered way. I’m confident that this book will ignite that same passion in many others—transforming lives, families, churches, and communities.”
David P. Murray, Professor of Old Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; pastor, Grand Rapids Free Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan; author, Jesus on Every Page and The Happy Christian

“In this study guide, Nancy Guthrie shows how the Old Testament Wisdom Books and the Psalms provide practical life lessons for Christians and stand as pointers to the supreme wisdom of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. With great skill she leads the reader to the heart of each book being studied, and demonstrates its place in Scripture as a testimony to Christ. Christian readers are encouraged to read the Old Testament Wisdom Literature in light of the relationship we have with Christ, who is the power and wisdom of God.”
Graeme Goldsworthy, Former Lecturer in Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and Hermeneutics, Moore Theological College

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Do you believe in miracles?

Walking on water. Multiplying the fish and the loaves. Raising Lazarus from the dead. The miracles of Jesus may be well known, but they’re often misunderstood. In The Wonder-Working God, pastor Jared Wilson wants to help us see that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the miraculous events recorded in the Gospels.

From the humble wonder of the incarnation to the blinding glory of the transfiguration, this book shows how Jesus’s miracles reveal his divinity, authority, and ultimate mission: restoring us and this world to a right relationship with God.

“Could it be that Jesus’s miracles were not the paranormal, but actually the true normal breaking into our world of paranormal sin corruption? Wilson gets to the biblical heart of why Jesus performed miracles—these harbingers of God’s mission to set right all that has gone so terribly wrong. Along the way, Wilson helps us hear what Jesus has to say to enlightened postmoderns, skeptics demanding apologetic proofs, and the paranormally fascinated. A soul-refreshing, gospel-drenched read.”
Jon Bloom, President, Desiring God; author, Not by Sight and Things Not Seen

“Jesus walked on water and healed the sick. He turned water into wine and raised men from the dead. How often we skim over these familiar stories, but as Jared Wilson writes, ‘Miraculous events in the Bible are God putting an exclamation point where he normally puts a period.’ The Wonder-Working God teaches us that these miracles aren’t meant only to amaze us, they are to point us to Jesus Christ himself. I’m convinced I will never read about Jesus’s life the same way again. Read it and think deeply about it as you glimpse the glory of Jesus—our Savior.
Trillia Newbell, author, Enjoy, Fear and Faith, and United

“Jared Wilson brings his characteristic wit and careful exegesis to the often-misunderstood passages on God’s miracles in a fresh and insightful way. The Wonder-Working God is a timely and necessary work for the church if we are going to better understand the workings of our great God in the present age.”
Matt Carter, Pastor of Preaching, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, Texas; co-author, The Real Win

“Finally, a treatment of Jesus’s miracles that presents them more as a ‘preview of coming attractions’ and less as God’s attempt to convince skeptics of his existence—as though God has ever ‘attempted’ to do anything. As Jared shows us, Jesus’s miracles are more normal than we realize—an indicator of the way things used to be, before sin and death invaded God’s story, and a precursor of the way things will be one day, when Jesus returns to finish making all things new.”
Scotty Smith, Teacher in Residence, West End Community Church, Nashville, Tennessee

“Into a world where naturalism is the prevailing philosophy, Jared Wilson casts a fresh vision for the wonder-working power of the God-man, Jesus of Nazareth. This biblically engaging, Christ-exalting, and never-boring book deserves your close and attentive reading.”
Sam Storms, Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

“Jared Wilson’s crisp, potent, and winsome style portrays the Savior whose worth is magnified by his miraculous power. If you’re holding this book, my advice is: Buy → Read → Wonder → Worship!”
Dave Harvey, Pastor of Preaching, Four Oaks Community Church, Tallahassee, Florida; author, When Sinners Say I Do and Am I Called?

1. Windows into Heaven
2. A Bottle of the Good Stuff
3. A Trail of Breadcrumbs
4. Walking Around Like He Made the Place
5. He Has Done All Things Well
6. The Way That Seeing Is Believing
7. The Conquest of the Dark Domain
8. Weeping and Waking
9. Get-Up Time
10. The Singular Miracle of the Eternally Begotten

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With so many Bible translations available, how do you make a choice between them? How do you even know what the criteria should be for making a choice?

As an expert in English literature and literary theory, Leland Ryken approaches the translation debate from a practical artistic viewpoint. He believes that many modern translations take liberties with the biblical text that would not be allowed with any other type of literary work. Also, what readers are presented with as biblical text is actually far from the original text. In literature, a simplified version of Milton's work is not Milton, and neither is an edition written in contemporary English. Anyone who is interested in Milton would find any version that changes his words unacceptable for serious study. Ryken argues that the same dedication to reproducing literature texts as closely as possible needs to be present in biblical translation. To do so it is necessary to take into account the difficulty of working with original languages. Only an essentially literal, 'word for word' translation of the Bible can achieve sufficiently high standards in terms of literary criteria and fidelity to the original text.

Ryken does not contest that many modern translations have been used for good, and believes that there is a place for a range of Bible translations, including children's Bibles and Bible paraphrases. His purpose is not to say that the only Bible available should be one that is essentially literal. Instead, he defines the translation theory and principles that would result in the best Bible for English-speaking people and serious students of the Bible, and also for the English-speaking church as a whole. He believes that an essentially literal translation is the natural result of following these principles.

Along with a short history of translation, Ryken evaluates presuppositions that impact translation theory. He also examines fallacies about the Bible, translations in general, and Bible readers that influence what translation decisions are made. Believing that those who undertake the serious work of translating God's Word have an obligation both to God and to others, he assesses the theological, ethical, and hermeneutical issues involved and surveys difficulties with modern translations. Ryken's literary expertise gives him the perspective needed to provide Christians with a standard for comparing contemporary Bible translations, as well as an understanding of why some translations may not convey the very words of God.

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“We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth.” (John 1:45)

In the Old Testament, God spoke to his people through prophets—men specially called to speak God’s Word to his people. The New Testament makes it clear that such prophets, whether chastising or comforting, testified to Israel’s final redemption and ultimate hope: Jesus the Messiah.

Over ten weeks of guided personal Bible study, relevant teaching, and group discussion, Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie will help you see the person and work of Christ in:

• Hosea's willingness to redeem his unfaithful bride from slavery
• Isaiah's divine King and suffering Servant, who will be punished for his people
• Daniel's stone, not hewn by human hands, that will crush every human kingdom
• Ezekiel’s vision of a city where we will enjoy Jesus’s presence forever

Gain a fresh perspective on the message of the Old Testament prophets, a broader understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture, and much more when you join Nancy on this incredible journey to see Jesus in the Old Testament!

Part of the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series.

*A leader’s guide is available as a free download at SeeingJesusInTheOldTestament.com and a supplemental DVD of Nancy’s teaching is also available for purchase.

“It’s not hyperbole to say, ‘It’s about time.’ While there are good books out there telling pastors how to preach Christ from all the Scriptures, there have been very few Bible studies for laypeople—especially for women—along these lines. Nancy Guthrie does an amazing job of helping us to fit the pieces of the biblical puzzle together, with Christ at the center.”
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story

“I am thankful to God to be able to offer Nancy Guthrie’s series Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament to the women of our church. For too long studies have led us only to see what we are to do. Now we can see through the pages of this series what Jesus has done! With Nancy’s help, the story of redemption jumps off the pages of the Old Testament, and the truths of the gospel are solidified in women’s hearts and lives.”
Jo Coltrain, Director of Women’s Ministry, First Evangelical Free Church, Wichita, Kansas

“Nancy takes us by the hand and the heart on an exegetical excursion to see Christ in the Old Testament. The beauty of Guthrie’s writing is that you are certain she has met him there first.”
Jean F. Larroux, Senior Pastor, Southwood Presbyterian Church, PCA, Huntsville, Alabama

“There are many great Christian books, but not many great Bible studies. Nancy is a master of getting the Word of God into the mouths, hearts, and lives of her students. I cannot wait to share this study with my people.”
Donna Dobbs, Christian Education Director, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

Week 1: An Introduction to the Prophets
Week 2: Jonah
Week 3: Hosea
Week 4: Micah
Week 5: Isaiah
Week 6: Habakkuk
Week 7: Jeremiah
Week 8: Daniel
Week 9: Ezekiel
Week 10: Malachi

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Now in paperback, this helpful volume by pastor and best-selling author John MacArthur guides readers in cultivating a biblical worldview on a wide range of issues.

What we think shapes who we are. That's why the Bible tells us, 'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind' (Romans 12:2a). In a world of differing voices competing for our allegiance, we must learn to 'think biblically' so we can distinguish good from evil. God is the Creator of this world; his voice-his Word-must guide our thoughts and our lives.

With the Bible in their hands, John MacArthur and other scholars and teachers from the Master's College confront the false worldviews that dominate our postmodern world. The authors provide models for cultivating a biblical mind-set on worship, psychology, gender, science, education, history, government, economics, and literature. This book will help anyone who is striving to think biblically in today's culture.

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Here is a call to holistic Christianity. A challenge to be thinkers, engaged and serious about knowing God. And to be feelers, pulsing with passion for Jesus and his gospel. And to be doers, endeavoring great acts of love for others.

Our Savior himself shows us that holistic Christianity is comprised of mind, heart, and hands. And he shows us that the Christian life is multidimensional—irreducibly and inseparably thinking, loving, and doing.

With contributions from Francis Chan, Rick Warren, Albert Mohler, R. C. Sproul, and Thabiti Anyabwile, Thinking. Loving. Doing. extends a thorough and compelling invitation to experience the fullness of the Christian life.

“I found this book to be a fascinating, challenging, insightful, practical, and surprisingly personal discussion of how Christians can grow in both knowledge and love.”
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary

“I know most of the contributors of this book pretty well. A couple of them I am glad to call friends. And a couple of them, to be honest, I have found myself at odds with on a few occasions. But that’s why I like this book. It shows the possibility for civil discourse, and it reminds us that it’s just as important to be nice as it is to be right. Allow it to move you closer to Jesus and closer to the poor. So read it and then—think. love. and act.”
Shane Claiborne, cofounder, The Simple Way; author, The Irresistible Revolution

Specifications

The chasm between the biblical vision of marriage and the common human conception is—and has always been—gargantuan. Reflecting on over forty years of matrimony, John Piper exalts the biblical meaning of marriage over its emotion, exhorting couples to keep their covenant as a display of Christ’s covenant-keeping love for the church. He aims to lift the church’s low view of marriage to something infinitely greater, namely, a vision of Jesus’s unswerving allegiance to and affection for his bride. This Momentary Marriage unpacks the biblical vision, its unexpected contours, and its weighty implications for married, single, divorced, and remarried alike. Now available in paperback with a freshly redesigned cover, Piper’s book on marriage holds even greater appeal.

'Theologically, this book exalts human marriage as a metaphor for the ultimate love story in Christ. Practically, it applies that glorious vision of grace to our daily experiences in marriage, singleness, parenthood, and the most universal of human realities-sin. This book opens our eyes and guides our feet with the grace of Christ.'
Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Lead Pastor, Immanuel Church, Nashville, Tennessee

'This book is a treasure in an era when the common perspective on marriage has been more shaped by sitcoms and self-help books than by Scripture. Dr. Piper lifts our hearts and minds to God's vision for marriage. Embracing God's design and purposes for marriage can make our homes tastes of heaven.'
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, author; radio host, Revive Our Hearts

'This is not a 'how to' book on marriage. Instead, this is a 'why to' book. And that's what this culture desperately needs.'
Dennis Rainey, President and CEO, FamilyLife; host, FamilyLife Today; author, Stepping Up

'Miss the radical message of this book and you'll miss the joyful point of marriage. Heed the surprising call of this book and you'll appreciate the sacred privilege of marriage that our culture fails to see.'
Larry Crabb, Jr., Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Colorado Christian University

'A highly original contribution to Christian teaching on marriage. A copy should be put into the hands of every couple preparing for lasting and loving wedlock.'
Charles Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview

'This book grew out of John Piper's forty years of experience in marriage and many years of parenting, pastoring, and studying Scripture. It is filled with rich, practical wisdom about the nature of marriage as a wonderful but temporary gift from God. I have taught about marriage for over thirty years, and I still found much that I could learn from this book.'
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary

'The reason this book is so delightful is that it sets marriage within the matrix of the Bible's fundamental themes: the glory of God, the outworking of justification, the relationship between this life and the life to come, how husbands and wives are to interact with each other this side of the cross, and much more of the same. This is not another little 'how to' book-yet if its God-centered and gospel-centered theology is genuinely absorbed, so many of the 'how to' questions will be robustly answered.'
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

'John Piper's new book on marriage is an instant classic. It is at once biblical and devotional, the fruit of seasoned theological reflection and four decades of 'momentary' marriage.'
Andreas J. Köstenberger, Senior Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

1. Staying Married Is Not Mainly about Staying in Love
2. Naked and Not Ashamed
3. God’s Showcase of Covenant-Keeping Grace
4. Forgiving and Forbearing
5. Pursuing Conformity to Christ in the Covenant
6. Lionhearted and Lamblike—The Christian Husband as Head: Foundations of Headship
7. Lionhearted and Lamblike—The Christian Husband as Head: What Does It Mean to Lead?
8. The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission
9. Single in Christ: A Name Better Than Sons and
Daughters
10. Singleness, Marriage, and the Christian Virtue of Hospitality
11. Faith and Sex in Marriage
12. Marriage Is Meant for Making Children . . . Disciples of Jesus: How Absolute Is the Duty to Procreate?
13. Marriage Is Meant for Making Children . . . Disciples of Jesus: The Conquest of Anger in Father and Child
14. What God Has Joined Together, Let Not Man
Separate: The Gospel and the Radical New Obedience
15. What God Has Joined Together, Let Not Man Separate: The Gospel and the Divorced

Specifications

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12

Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful, hardworking pastor begin to investigate mysterious events, they suddenly find themselves caught up in a hideous New Age plot to enslave the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race. The physical world meets the spiritual realm as the battle rages between forces of good and evil.

This Present Darkness is a gripping story that brings keen insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. Since its original publication more than 2.7 million copies have been sold. The companion volume, Piercing the Darkness, continues the story of the battle between spiritual forces.

'Frank Peretti kicked open the doors that all of us Christian novelists are passing through today. We owe him a huge debt.'
Jerry B. Jenkins, author, The Left Behind series

Specifications

This remarkable work offers an analytical exploration of the nature of divine eternity and God's relationship to time.

Specifications

Calvinist missionaries.

If you think that sounds like an oxymoron, you’re not alone. Yet a close look at John Calvin’s life, writings, and successors reveals a passion for the spread of the gospel and the salvation of sinners.

From training pastors at his Genevan Academy to sending missionaries to the jungles of Brazil, Calvin consistently sought to encourage and equip Christians to take the good news of salvation to the very ends of the earth. In this carefully researched book, Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson clear away longstanding stereotypes related to the Reformed tradition and Calvin’s theological heirs, highlighting the Reformer’s neglected missional vision and legacy.

Part of the Refo500 series.

“This book traces the story of evangelical Calvinism through several important episodes in the history of Reformed Protestantism. Long before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Christians, informed by Calvin’s missional theology, were planting churches and preaching the gospel in the country we now know as Brazil. This story has long been forgotten, suppressed, and even distorted by those who should have known better. I welcome this well-researched book, which sets the record straight.”
Timothy George, Founding Dean, Beeson Divinity School; General Editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture

“Does a belief in sovereign grace stymie missions and evangelism? If that belief is rightly understood and rightly applied, the answer is an emphatic no. Haykin and Robinson skillfully present John Calvin’s evangelistic zeal and channel it toward a new generation of Great Commission minded pastors, teachers, and evangelists. I’m grateful for these men and this book, and pray that God will use it for the greater advance of the gospel and a greater harvest of souls.”
Jason K. Allen, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and College

“This book sets the record straight once and for all—John Calvin was a man consumed with the global proclamation of the gospel, the salvation of souls, and the discipleship of all nations. With historical integrity and pastoral insight, Haykin and Robinson demonstrate the beautiful harmony that exists between Calvinistic theology and a robust biblical missiology. Here is a call for the church to share in that same passionate pursuit.”
Burk Parsons, Copastor, Saint Andrew’s Chapel, Sanford, Florida; Editor, Tabletalk magazine

“Among the many myths surrounding Calvinism is the idea that it’s anti-missions. Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson draw into one place the many sources that demonstrate the tradition’s missionary passion. They do so without defensive rhetoric—more out of a love for the Great Commission than for any party label. You don’t have to be a Calvinist to find this story inspiring.”
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story

“The rehabilitation of Calvin (and his robust theology of divine sovereignty) as a leading figure in global missions is overdue, and few authors are qualified to do it with such enthusiasm and expertise as Haykin and Robinson. In To the Ends of the Earth, the perennial assertion that Calvin(ism) is destructive of evangelism and missions is convincingly shown to be entirely false—theologically and historically. Indeed, the very opposite is the case: Geneva proved to be a center of missionary endeavor and expansion. Read this book and then purchase several more copies to give to your friends. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina; Robert Strong Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

“For all the attention given to John Calvin, it boggles the mind that something so essential to him has gone largely unnoticed and unappreciated. Thank you, Drs. Haykin and Robinson, for introducing us to Calvin’s missionary and evangelistic zeal. Let’s hope it’s contagious.”
Stephen J. Nichols, President, Reformation Bible College; Chief Academic Officer, Ligonier Ministries

“The modern missionary movement did not begin ex nihilo in the late eighteenth century. To understand the thrust of contemporary global gospel advancement, one need understand that behind Fuller and Carey there were Edwards and Brainerd. And Edwards was the last theological bridge to classic English Puritanism. And the Puritans have their headwaters in Geneva. In this fine volume, readers will have many questions answered and many more questions raised, but a wonderful discovery will take place that I pray stirs many hearts to action in taking the gospel to the world.”
Jason G. Duesing, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Assistant Professor of Historical Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Haykin and Robinson show convincingly that Calvinist commitment to the gospel of free grace has driven evangelism and missions for five hundred years. Not only does this book provide a much-needed reassessment of Calvin and missions, but it also extends its accounting through the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, and Calvinist Baptists. In doing this, Haykin and Robinson provide a valuable resource for the church and a tract to motivate us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth in our own time as well.”
Sean Michael Lucas, Senior Minister, The First Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Associate Professor of Church History, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

“Evangelism, missions, and prayer for the lost cannot long endure without a foundation in the doctrines of God’s glory and sovereign grace. Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson demonstrate through careful historical research that despite all claims to the contrary, Reformed truth has been a vital root feeding visionary and sacrificial efforts to reach the world with the gospel. May God use these thrilling accounts to magnify the glory of his grace, and to move many Christians to pour out their lives for the sake of Christ’s kingdom in all lands.”
Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

“Finally a book that not only removes the myth of a lack of mission incentive in the Calvinist tradition, but also solidly and enthusiastically stimulates those inside and outside that tradition to get the message out.”
Herman Selderhuis, Professor of Church History, Theological University of Apeldoorn; Director, Refo500, The Netherlands

1. “For God So Loved the World”: John Calvin’s Missional Exegesis
2. “A Sacrifice Well Pleasing to God”: The Dynamics of John Calvin’s Theology of Mission
3. “How Very Important This Corner Is”: The Calvinistic Missions to France and Brazil
4. “To Convert the World”: The Puritans and Being Missional in the Seventeenth Century
5. “Advancing the Kingdom of Christ”: Missional Praying—the Example of Jonathan Edwards
6. “An Instrument of Establishing the Empire of My Dear Lord”: Developing a Missional Passion—the Way of Samuel Pearce

Specifications

Does God belong in the public arena of politics, business, law, and education? Or is religion a private matter only-personally comforting but publicly irrelevant?

In today's cultural etiquette, it is not considered polite to mix public and private, or sacred and secular. This division is the single most potent force keeping Christianity contained in the private sphere-stripping it of its power to challenge and redeem the whole of culture.

In Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey offers a razor-sharp analysis of the public/private split, explaining how it hamstrings our efforts at both personal and cultural renewal. Ultimately it reflects a division in the concept of truth itself, which functions as a gatekeeper, ruling Christian principles out of bounds in the public arena.

How can we unify our fragmented lives and recover spiritual power? With examples from the lives of real people, past and present, Pearcey teaches readers how to liberate Christianity from its cultural captivity. She walks readers through practical, hands-on steps for crafting a full-orbed Christian worldview.

Finally, she makes a passionate case that Christianity is not just religious truth but truth about total reality. It is total truth.

This new study guide edition is filled with fresh stories, examples, and illustrations. Based on questions and comments raised by readers of the book, it is ideal for individual or group study.

'This book continues the Schaeffer-inspired project that Nancy Pearcey and Chuck Colson began in How Now Shall We Live?-awakening evangelical Christians to the need for a Christian 'worldview,' which Pearcey defines as 'a biblically informed perspective on all reality.' This is the rare long book that leaves one wanting to read more.'
Publisher's Weekly

On one level, this book is a lucid, easy-to-understand manual for worldview thinking. But it also breaks new ground in worldview analysis.'
World Magazine

'Pearcey is an outstanding writer with the ability not only to express deep thoughts in a very readable way, but one who also understands a biblically reformed world and life view. If you buy only one book this year, this would be at the top of the list.'
Equip For MinistryEquip For Ministry

'Pearcey helps readers see how many modern Christians unwittingly accept a sacred/secular split, which allows them to relegate faith to the private sphere of life. She then clearly puts forth a Scriptural picture of integrating all of life under the liberating Lordship of Christ and shows what that truth means for the areas of public policy, family life, science, business, law, education, and more.'
Covenant MagazineCovenant Magazine

Total Truth questions the modern American cultural attitude of keeping religion a private matter, claiming that Christianity's truth is best served by being brought into the public sphere to maximize its influence.'
Midwest Book Review

'Thoroughly researched, well-written and well-argued, Total Truth will prove to be a useful and easily accessible guidebook for many who seek to develop a comprehensive biblical worldview that affects not only beliefs but actions.'
CaliforniaRepublic.org CaliforniaRepublic.org

Specifications

Will there be sex in heaven?
Are miraculous gifts for today?
Does God ever change His mind?

Such difficult questions often intrigue us, readily confuse us, and sometimes disturb us. Drawing on nearly 40 years of teaching and ministry experience, pastor-scholar Sam Storms answers 25 challenging questions Christians are often too afraid to ask, addressing thorny issues ranging from the eternal destiny of infants to the roles of demons and angels.

The robust, thoughtful answers provided in this book offer a helpful alternative to relying on simplistic explanations, and will encourage you in the search for truth and clarity on such tough topics.

“Tough Topics offers every questioning person an opportunity to press thoughtfully into the Bible’s answers. Sam Storms is that rare guide we all are looking for—fair-minded, with no axe to grind. I cheerfully commend Tough Topics for your tough questions!”
Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Lead Pastor, Immanuel Church, Nashville, Tennessee

“Let’s face it, the church has not always done the best possible job at fielding the hard questions posed to it by both skeptics and members. In the case of the first group, skeptics end up discounting Christianity, dismissing it as irrational, head-in-the-sand religious fanaticism. In the case of the second group, members become frustrated with the Christian faith and often drift away from what they have found to be a shallow, inconsistent, and quite unsatisfying worldview. Sam Storms, is a leader whom has the Lord has wonderfully gifted not only to answer the tough questions, but also to provide an accessible resource for Christian leaders to be better prepared to engage skeptics and church members who wrestle with these issues rather than to rebuff them and discount their difficulties. Sam’s passion is to deal with twenty-five of the most challenging questions you will ever face, and do it in such a way that you become convinced of the answers and are prepared to offer help to others who face them as well. He accomplishes this goal, not by offering his own good ideas and the best of human counsel, but by relying on the wisdom of God as found in Scripture.”
Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Some questions about God and the Bible intrigue us. Others get completely under our skin and frustrate us. The chances are good that if a question is bothering you, you are not the first to ask it! Sam Storms draws on all his pastoral experience in this helpful book as he honestly answers questions some people like to avoid.”
Adrian Warnock, author, Hope Reborn and Raised with Christ

“Sam Storms’s Tough Topics is equally the work of a deeply concerned and caring pastor, and that of a thoughtful, seasoned, and biblically-saturated theologian. As I read this book, specific people kept coming to mind who would be helped greatly by one of more of its chapters—such wisdom, such balance, and such biblical clarity. Readers will likely differ at points with their pastor-theologian guide, but they will rise up and thank him for offering such wise counsel on such an array of difficult and important questions. There’s something here for everyone. Pick up and read, and see how faithful pastoral theology really does bless the church.”
Bruce A. Ware, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“People are inquisitive by nature. It is the way God made us. We have all kinds of questions about Him. When people learn that I teach theology for a living, the first thing they do is begin to ask questions—tough questions. Sam Storms has given us an incredibly useful resource in his book Tough Topics. He has braved the minefield of some of the most difficult questions people have concerning God, the Bible, Church, and Christianity in general. What I like about this work is not simply its accessibility, but Sam’s gentle and balanced scholarship. When we have questions about God, this is no casual thing requiring the opinions of sages on street corners. These are serious questions requiring someone who is well versed in the Bible. Sam has always been one who I go to when I have questions. Now I have the book! And, as Sam says, the answer to these questions do not drive us to be puffed up in knowledge, they drive us to worship.”
C. Michael Patton, Founder, President, and fellow, The Credo House, Edmond, Oklahoma

1. Is the Bible Inerrant?
2. What is Open Theism?
3. Does God ever Change (his Mind)?
4. Could Jesus have Sinned?
5. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Do not Judge that you be not Judged”?
6. What is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
7. Does the Bible teach the Doctrine of Original Sin?
8. Are those who Die in Infancy Saved?
9. Will People be Condemned for Not Believing in Jesus when they’ve Never heard his Name?
10. What can we know about Angels?
11. What can we know about Satan?
12. What can we know about Demons?
13. Can a Christian be Demonized?
14. Does Satan assign Demons to specific Geo-Political regions? Or, Is there such a thing as Territorial Spirits?
15. Can Christians lose their Salvation?
16. Does the Book of Hebrews teach that a Christian can Apostatize?
17. Will there be Sex in Heaven?
18. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?
19. What is Baptism in the Spirit and When does it Happen?
20. Should all Christians Speak in Tongues?
21. What was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
22. Is there Healing in the Atonement?
23. Why Doesn’t God always Heal the Sick?
24. What is Legalism?
25. Are Christians obligated to Tithe?

Specifications

God is the treasure of our lives. He is part of everything we do, think, act, and say-literally, he is a part of us. This precious heirloom of Christ himself must be passed on to future generations. But how?

Treasuring God in Our Traditions presents the importance of passing along Christ-centered traditions and a Bible-saturated legacy in Christ to future generations. Noël Piper helps her readers recognize how the 'everyday' routines of life and the 'especially' celebrations of holidays and dates can be practically passed down to future generations. When parents and grandparents seek to pass along the treasure of God to their children and grandchildren, they will develop and deepen their love for him.

When family traditions are rooted in the Bible, the next generations will see that the greatest treasure that anyone can have is the treasure of God.

Specifications

In these expository sermons Lloyd-Jones takes an in-depth look at Psalms 1 and 107. Sure to cause readers to reflect on the nature of true happiness.

Part of the Wisdom from the Psalms series.

Specifications

Daniel Heimbach examines the biblical teachings on sexual morality as well as four counterfeit views that have crept into our 'sexually revolutionized' society. He gives us an in-depth look at the moral relativism that has spread through our culture and opens our eyes to the effects that nonbiblical sexual choices have on individuals, the family, the church, and the culture.

'I have never seen anywhere this kind of compelling analysis. This may be the most important book written in our generation.'
Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

'This extraordinary book doesn't flinch or equivocate. It is comprehensive, practical and highly readable. What a breathtaking achievement!'
Fred Barnes, Co-founder and Executive Editor, The Weekly Standard, and Co-Host of FOX News Channel's 'The Beltway Boys'

'A very thorough study of biblical sexual morality and how it is twisted by the world.'
Elisabeth Elliot Gren, author, Through Gates of Splendor; widow of JimElliot

'Here at long last is a strong, biblical, prophetic, and courageous corrective to the sexual anarchy reigning in our culture. It will frame debate and equip Christians to battle for moral sanity and for souls.'
R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

'This book upholds high standards of biblical holiness, purity, beauty, and joy in clear contrast to the bankrupt, destructive immorality flooding our culture today.'
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary

'Here is an uncompromising explanation of the Bible's clear teaching on God's design for our sexuality. It will be an enormously effective weapon against the pagan sexuality emerging in our culture.'
Richard Land, President, Southern Evangelical Seminary

'This important work is comprehensive and thorough, and most importantly is biblically and theologically sound. It fills a void in current discussion and will be a standard resource for Christians in the years ahead.'
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

'Here is a classic Christian critique of our age-a sharp arrow in the Christian's quiver of essential weapons for spiritual warfare-a tour de force for biblical truth and practice.'
R. Phillip Roberts, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

'All who care about the true good of men and women, and the upholding of truth and scriptural teaching, will find in this book enormous instruction, insight, vision, and encouragement.'
Bruce A. Ware, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Specifications

What is man? What is wrong with the human race? Unless we answer these questions correctly, we cannot hope to solve the problems in our world—problems such as crime, exploitation, greed, poverty, pollution, and war. Obviously those who shape social policy today are offering the wrong answers. In this masterful apologetic for the gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones exposes these flaws in modern thinking, especially in the 'scientific approach.'

'It is a poor physician who treats the symptoms and complications only and ignores the disease' says the author. In this volume we see a doctor, as skillful spiritually as he was medically, make a penetrating diagnosis of the human condition and show decisively that the true remedy for our ills is in Jesus Christ—and Him alone.

Specifications

Francis Schaeffer was a well-known, extremely influential apologist and thinker who made his mark defending orthodox truth in the face of strong opposition. He was foremost in the vocation of apologetic ministry, and he was a brilliant man whom God used mightily during the decades of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

In Truth with Love, Bryan Follis explores the theology and thinking that fueled the ministry of Francis Schaeffer, from his Reformed position to his understanding of fundamentalism. Follis examines Schaeffer's apologetic argument and the role of reason in his discussions and writings. The position Francis Schaeffer took against modernism and its applicability in this day of postmodernism are studied as well.

This book is a beneficial resource for any Francis Schaeffer fan and any minister, teacher, or student who appreciates truth and its defense in the face of different kinds of opposition.

'Truth with Love powerfully demonstrates that while Schaeffer's thought stands up to scrutiny, it is his distinctive style that enabled him to herald the Christian message with such compelling power.'
William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

'More than a thoughtful assessment of Francis Schaeffer's apologetics. An encouragement to Christians to love people around them and to bear witness of the truth of the gospel.'
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

'By skillfully and graciously responding to Schaeffer's critics, Follis reveals how extraordinarily powerful and relevant Schaeffer's ideas are.'
Ranald Macaulay, Speaker, L'Abri Fellowship; Coordinator, Christian Heritage, Cambridge

'The best introduction to Schaeffer's apologetics. Follis captures the unity of commitment to the Christian message and a life that lives that message faithfully-a unity that characterized the ministry of Francis Schaeffer.'
Jerram Barrs, Resident Scholar of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute at Covenant Theological Seminary; author, Freedom and Discipleship and The Heart of Prayer

'The real Francis Schaeffer-Reformed apologist, youth evangelist, lover of God and of people-is here profiled and celebrated. The best appreciation of Schaeffer and his legacy yet written.'
J. I. Packer, Board of Governors' Professor of Theology, Regent College

Specifications

Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships.

'True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place.' This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness.

Only God's Word can unpack forgiveness. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice.

'Offenses will come. It's a given. Unpacking Forgiveness wisely prepares us for the aftermath. Grieving the loss of our six children in a van accident and then being reminded of that loss throughout thirteen years of subsequent battles forced us to search the Scriptures concerning the issue of forgiveness. Chris not only has confirmed answers that we had found but has thoroughly sorted out what it takes to be right with God and man. This is a diligent work with heart.'
Scott Willis

'Forgiveness of one another is one of the most important subjects in the Bible, and yet one so often misunderstood. Now Christopher Brauns has done a magnificent job in helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. Every Christian will profit from reading and applying this book.'
Jerry Bridges, author, The Pursuit of Holiness

'Here is a book that lives up to its title. Forgiveness remains a distant dream for many people precisely because they don't know what it means, where to begin or what to expect. Blending contemporary stories with the teaching of the Bible, Christopher Brauns unpacks forgiveness so that we can be set free from bitterness. I especially appreciated his emphasis on coming back to the character of God and learning to delight in him as the only way forward when we have been deeply hurt. A book to be read on your knees. It could change your life.'
Ray Pritchard, President, Keep Believing Ministries; author of Credo, Discovering God's Will for Your Life, The Amazing Journey of Faith

'There is no more common or urgent pastoral need in the church today than to cultivate the gospel practice of forgiveness. Christians need to know what the Bible teaches and live it out, radically. Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds is an engaging, convicting, but emphatically encouraging treatment of this hugely important (and sometimes mind-bogglingly challenging) part of life. Dr. Brauns writes from the standpoint of a faithful, wise, experienced, and caring pastor who has seen the heartbreak of an unforgiving spirit at work in the lives of people, but also the power of grace in the hearts of Christians who have learned to forgive and be forgiven.'
J. Ligon Duncan III, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

'There are few things more unnatural and few things more holy than forgiveness. Living as we do in a fallen world, we are given endless opportunities both to extend and to seek forgiveness. In Unpacking Forgiveness, Chris Brauns eschews the easy answers and looks to the Bible to provide God's wisdom on how and when we are to forgive. Relying on his experience as a pastor and his deep knowledge of Scripture, he provides what is a logical, well-illustrated book on the subject. With humor at times and appropriate gravitas at others, Brauns leads the reader first to understand and then to apply what the Bible teaches on forgiveness. Because it deals biblically with a subject of universal importance, any reader can benefit from reading Unpacking Forgiveness. I recommend that you do just that.'
Tim Challies, blogger, Challies.com

'Using the parameters 'forgive as God forgives,' this book describes something other than a cheapened, 'automatic' forgiveness. Dr. Brauns lays careful gridlines that are 'dripping with Scripture,' as he puts it, for working through complex and deeply painful situations. Unpacking Forgiveness offers a tender hand of guidance to those who ache to unpack what life has flung at them and awakens a longing for the happiness that only forgiveness can bring.'
Shannon Popkin, Speaker, Freelance Writer, Blogger

'In a culture that all too often embraces oversimplistic remedies for forgiveness and reconciliation, Brauns provides a truly helpful and honest discussion about biblical forgiveness. Unpacking Forgiveness will be an essential resource for small groups, students, and ministry leaders (seasoned or newcomers) because it wrestles with the intellectual, emotional, and biblical issues of living in redemptive relationships in a fallen world.'
Peter G. Osborn, Vice President for Adult Learning, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

'Unpacking Forgiveness is a must read for every believer. All my life I was told to forgive, and now Chris Brauns tells me how. This practical and powerful book paints a penetrating picture of the forgiving Christ, my model on how to forgive. I cannot escape the bold and beautiful biblical truths within these pages. As a Christ-follower, I know exactly how to respond to those who have hurt me, and each action response sets me free . . . indeed.'
Doug Fagerstrom, Executive President and CEO, Marketplace Chaplains USA

'Traveling through life cannot be done without 'unpacking forgiveness.' This is as good an explanation on what true forgiveness is and how it is accomplished as I have ever read. All interpersonal relationships and our relationship with God an be helped by reading this book. Unpacking Forgiveness is a compelling read.'
William K. Bernhard, Lead Pastor, Spring Creek Church, Pewaukee, Wisconsin; Chaplain, Milwaukee Bucks

'Biblical, accessible, thorough, and practical, Rev. Brauns builds from the Scriptures a solid model of forgiveness that is clear, engaging, and convincing. He tackles the issues, answers the questions, and provides the guidance needed to forgive even the hard cases in a Christ-honoring way. Highly recommended!'
John N. Day, Pastor, Bellewood Presbyterian Church, Bellevue, Washington; Author, Crying for Justice

'Chris Brauns has written a twofer. Unpacking Forgiveness not only challenges popular, therapeutic notions of forgiveness, but it also supplies practical, step-by-step instructions for those who aren't sure how to begin. Grounded in Scripture and sharpened by ministry to hurting people, Brauns's godly counsel will inspire many to shake off years of guilt and bitterness and begin the long, healing journey of forgiveness.'
Mike Wittmer, Professor of Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary; Author of Heaven Is a Place on Earth and Don't Stop Believing

'With pastoral realism, biblical conviction, and thoughtful reflection on wide reading, Brauns masterfully unpacks the complexity of Christian forgiveness. His humor and liveliness, with a striking story-telling gift, disarmingly navigate beyond the popular 'therapeutic model' into a deeper understanding of biblical forgiveness. From the opening quiz you know his approach is different, and you will likely find your questions both asked and answered by this powerfully practical book. Taken seriously it will revolutionize your life.'
Michael Quicke, CW Koller Professor of Preaching, Northern Seminary, Lombard, Illinois

Specifications

It’s easy to talk the spiritual talk. But how do we walk the Spirit-ual walk?

If you want to live the life of abundance promised by Jesus, you must learn what it means to walk with the Holy Spirit. Here is a wise, biblical, and practical guide to living life in the Spirit as outlined in Romans 8. Filled with real-life examples and engaging personal stories, Berding offers an invaluable message to many of us who either ignore, forget, or want to know more of the Spirit’s role in the Christian life.

“At last, a book that I can recommend to the average Christian about holiness, intimacy with God, and the power of the Holy Spirit! In more than 20 years of pastoral ministry I have learned that there is almost universal discouragement—at least at times—in our battle with sin. So many resources offer strategies of accountability or behavior change, but aren’t grounded in the deep truth that God alone has the power to transform us. Others seem to take a simplistic, “Let go, let God” approach that may sound good, but leaves us disheartened when we struggle to live it out. Still others are written at a level that is not readily accessible to all readers. Berding has given us a great gift in Walking in the Spirit in that his book is engaging, eminently practical, and most of all, profoundly biblical. If you want to grow deep in your walk with God and experience real power to be like Jesus you need to read this book.”
Robert Bishop, Senior Pastor, Whittier Hills Baptist Church; Adjunct Faculty, Bible Department, Biola University

“There is so much confusion among Christians about the Holy Spirit, and I am thankful that Berding has written a much-needed book in layman’s language. It is at once biblical, irenic, and charitable. I recommend it to pastors with the hope that they will give copies to their congregations.”
Lyle W. Dorsett, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

“Berding captures profound spiritual truths and shares them in a comfortable, down-home fashion that will make you smile, nod, and ponder. When you apply the principles of Walking in the Spirit, you will live life differently; you will experience more of the Spirit of God and be able to say with confidence as you approach the end of your life, “I know Him and am eager to meet Him!”
Dan LaGasse, missionary, Operation Mobilization; Missions Pastor, Venture Christian Church, Los Gatos, California

“How do I move from a place of confessing belief in the Holy Spirit to experiencing the Holy Spirit’s transforming presence in a more profound way? Walking in the Spirit offers us an array of practical insights that will help new believers as well as those who have been Christians for many years.”
Clinton E. Arnold, Professor and Chairman, Department of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

“It’s easy to talk the spiritual talk. But how do we walk the Spirit-ual walk? In this book, Ken Berding offers a practical, biblical, wise guide to life in the Holy Spirit, as outlined in Romans 8. Filled with real-life examples and engaging personal stories, Walking in the Spirit is as much a spiritual autobiography as it is an instructional Bible study. Straightforward, humble, and easy-to-read, Berding’s book is nevertheless a strikingly deep, important study—the sort of solid spiritual food an increasingly anemic generation should hunger for. Walking in the Spirit recalibrates our understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, providing an invaluable corrective to many of us who have either ignored, forgotten, or misunderstood the role of the Spirit in the Christian life.”
Brett McCracken, Managing Editor, Biola Magazine; author, Hipster Christianity: When Church & Cool Collide

“Ken Berding is a man who walks with God in the power of the Spirit. This walk is grounded in Scripture and through this book we are blessed by the insights of this godly man and first-rate scholar. Those wanting to know more of the Spirit’s work in their lives will be helped greatly by what this book offers.”
Erik Thoennes, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Chair, Biblical and Theological Studies Theology Department, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University; Pastor, Grace Evangelical Free Church, La Mirada, California

Specifications

Devotionals for your heart and your mind.

With a daily reading of Scripture alongside Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s insightful commentary on the passage, each devotional entry ends with a thought for meditation throughout the day—engaging both your heart and your mind. Each month focuses on one of the great doctrines of the faith, such as the love of God, the cross of Christ, or the kingdom of God—helping you to grow in your understanding of God and learn to apply the truth of His Word day by day.

Specifications

We may be diligent readers of the Bible and sincere in our desire to relate to its stories, but somewhere between our resolve and reality, we find a disconnect. Could it be that we often miss the forest for the trees? Could it be that we inadvertently try to make the narrative, the story, about us?

In one sense, the story is about us. It is about our creation, our fall into sin, our redemption, and our restoration. We are indeed part of the story, and God has given us each a role.

But, more than that, the Bible is a fascinating story about God—his work, his character, his plan, and his fame. It’s evocative, compelling, meaningful, and of greatest importance. It’s full of flawed characters, grand schemes of redemption, heartache, compassion, toil, and love. And we—all of us—are invited to take up and read the very Word of God.

Stephen Nichols helps us to experience the story and get more out of God’s Word. Here is a book that invites you to enter in, to participate, and to truly appreciate the very story of God.

“Welcome to the Story reads, well, like a story—full of many interesting and important characters. The reader will find intrigue and mystery, striking beauty and hideous ugliness, noble and courageous heroes along with wicked and contemptible villains, all depicting the richness and sweeping breadth of this story. Along the way, one encounters many testimonials from others who likewise have been involved in this story, and the reader is invited to consider how he or she also should enter this story. In the end, Nichols shows how this story is the Story of all stories, since its central character is none other than the King who is over all kings, the Creator and Author of the story in which He plays the leading part. I encourage you to read this story, enter the story, and join in making this Story—the Story above all stories—your story.”
Bruce A. Ware, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Nichols has written a delightful and inviting book on how to understand and live out the Bible. The storyline of the Scriptures is sketched in, and the book is full of wise advice on how to read and live out what God requires. I recommend the book with enthusiasm.”
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean of the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Specifications

John Wesley was one of the most important figures behind the founding of modern evangelicalism. From his crucial role in the Great Awakening to his inspiring a renewal movement within the Church of England, Wesley’s historical significance is undeniable and his legacy still challenges us today, regardless of our denominational affiliation or theological perspective. Offering an approachable introduction to Wesley's life and writings, Fred Sanders invites us to learn from Wesley’s reliance on the Spirit, passion for holiness, and zeal for the gospel in this winsome portrait of an extraordinary Christian leader.

Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.

“Fred Sanders feels the heartbeat of Wesleyan theology. His scholarship never lacks evangelical integrity or practical realism. Here is stimulating reading from a gifted teacher. Everyone who loves the gospel will resonate with the message of this book.”
Robert E. Coleman, Distinguished Senior Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“As Fred Sanders shows us in this accurate and edifying life and thought of Wesley, we all have much to learn from this godly evangelical founder. I pray that God will use this book to awaken his people again, filling us with his Spirit and renewing our hearts in love. I plan to use it with my students in both seminaries and churches. It is a great place for Christians to acquaint themselves with one of the most important leaders in all of church history.”
Douglas A. Sweeney, Professor of Church History, Director of the Jonathan Edwards Center, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“As usual, Fred Sanders brings out treasures of his research without making us do all the digging ourselves. Though respectful of John Wesley, I’ve never been what you’d call a fan. But that’s exactly why a book like this is so worthwhile. Challenging caricatures, Sanders offers a welcoming portrait of Wesley that is too even-handed and well substantiated to be his own fabrication. If the purpose of this series is to display the resources of the past for the present, then Wesley on the Christian Life is a home run.”
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story

“One of the symptoms of the contemporary malaise of the Methodist movement is a growing disconnect with the actual life and teachings of our beloved founder, John Wesley. Fred Sanders has given us a wonderful gift in this practical introduction to the life and thought of Wesley. Sanders shows us that Wesley’s thought cannot be summarized in terms of doctrinal distinctives, but is fully understood in the sanctifying winds of the Holy Spirit through the means of grace and a transformed heart. I recommend this book to all those ‘restless and Reformed’ brothers and sisters who need to understand this part of the church, as well as all those pastors and laity across the country who are longing for a guide to reintroduce Wesley to ‘the people called Methodist.’”
Timothy C. Tennent, President and Professor of World Christianity, Asbury Theological Seminary

“Whether one is an admirer or a critic, all must concede that the life and thought of John Wesley have had a decisive effect on later evangelical Protestantism. Yet few of us know much about his understanding of the Christian life beyond the rather vague terms often applied to his thought, Arminianism and perfectionism. Thus, even a hard-hearted Calvinist like myself feels a debt of gratitude to Fred Sanders for this delightful, readable, learned, accessible, and sympathetic treatment of the Methodist patriarch’s thinking on what it means to live as a Christian. A most lovely addition to a very fine series.”
Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary; author, The Creedal Imperative and Luther on the Christian Life

“Readers are in for a treat here. Lively and thoughtful, appreciative but not uncritical, this book shows compellingly why even those who would not call themselves Wesleyan have a great deal to benefit from John Wesley.”
Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology, Oxford, England; author, Delighting in the Trinity, The Unquenchable Flame, and Rejoicing in Christ

1. John Wesley as a Spiritual Guide
2. Born Again (and the Pastor Who Wasn’t)
3. Heart Religion
4. The Theologian of 1 John
5. The Lord Our Righteousness
6. Grace First, Then Law
7. The Means of Grace
8. Saved to the Uttermost
9. Catholic Spirit
10. The Trinitarian Theology of John Wesley

Specifications

What does the Bible say about heaven and hell?
How do I distinguish biblical promises from sentimental myths?
How can I be ready?

Exploring the wonders of heaven while taking an honest look at the realities of hell, pastor Michael Allen Rogers provides us with a clear and accessible summary of all things related to the afterlife. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to answer the crucial question of what happens after I die?

“Michael Rogers has given the church a fascinating study of the Christian hope of heaven. With pastoral skill, careful interpretation, and logical force, the ultimate destinies of the soul are portrayed. This engaging book will bless laymen and clergy alike. Highly recommended!”
Peter A. Lillback, Senior Pastor, Proclamation Presbyterian Church, President, Westminster Theological Seminary

“What happens after I die? Who has not asked that question? And very obviously believers want to know what the Bible says. Michael Rogers in this marvelous book has provided a thorough yet readable treatment of Scripture focused upon the triumph of Christ over sin and death. It is convicting and encouraging, challenging yet attractive in handling what the Scriptures say concerning the matters of eternity. It compiles and arranges what the Bible affirms and reveals yet avoids exotic speculation where the Bible is silent. This book is at one and the same time a great read and a great resource.”
Harry L. Reeder III, Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama

“Death is the great modern taboo, the thing which we all fear more than anything else and yet which is rarely mentioned, even in Christian circles. It is thus useful to have available a helpful book on the topic. Michael Rogers here addresses the issue head on with theological care and pastoral concern. This is a thoughtful and sensitive exploration of questions surrounding the afterlife and will repay the time spent reading it. Highly recommended.”
Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary; author, The Creedal Imperative and Luther on the Christian Life

“Though death, along with taxes, is for certain, surprisingly little has been written on the subject. And most of what is out there may actually be counterproductive. This book stands in the gap. Filled to the brim with keen biblical insight, sound theological engagement, and warm pastoral care, this book will be your first—and maybe only—stop for guidance on any and all issues related to death. Speaking personally, my family and I have been richly nourished by the pastoral ministry of Michael Rogers for fifteen years. I am delighted to see that wider audiences may now experience his edifying teaching.”
Stephen J. Nichols, President, Reformation Bible College; Chief Academic Officer, Ligonier Ministries

“After nearly forty years of fruitful pastoral ministry you would expect Michael Rogers to be wise in guiding believers through the challenging question, what’s next after this life? In What Happens After I Die? those expectations are exceeded. These pages reflect a depth of biblical reflection and practical help through which Dr. Rogers now extends his thoughtful understanding of Scripture to all who will read. What does the Bible say about heaven and hell? How will this world end? How can I be ready? These and many other questions are addressed with skill and Christ-centered hope. This is not dry eschatology; it is biblical truth that both challenges and encourages, enlightens and engages.”
Timothy Z. Witmer, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary; author, The Shepherd Leader and The Shepherd Leader at Home

“Is it pie in the sky when you die? Or is it seventy virgins? Or both? Or neither? Michael Rogers does an outstanding job of leading a search of the Scriptures to see what is true about the future destiny of God’s children—and of everyone else. This book will shape your prayers and your life so that both are more ‘conformed to the image of his Son.’ I commend it highly.”
Samuel T. Logan Jr., International Director, The World Reformed Fellowship

Part 1: Death’s Tyranny Overthrown by Christ
1. The Land of Deep Shade
2. Death’s Universal Reign
3. Death’s Power Destroyed
4. Because He Lives

Part 2: The Destiny of Unbelief
5. The Default Destination
6. The Strange Disappearance of Hell
7. What Jesus Taught about Hell
8. Does Hell Last Forever?

Part 3: One Minute after a Christian’s Death
9. The Immediate Heaven
10. Immortality is not Enough

Part 4: History’s Consummation
11. The Final Heaven Inaugurated
12. We Shall All Be Changed
13. The Day of the Lord
14. Are Christians Judged for Rewards?

Part 5: The Final Heaven
15. New Heavens and a New Earth
16. A Sabbath Rest for God’s People
17. In Emmanuel’s Land

Part 6: The Security of a Believer’s Hope
18. My Flesh Will Rest Secure
19. Precious in the Sight of the Lord
20. He Has Borne our Griefs
21. Is My Child in Heaven?
22. To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain!

Specifications

All parents want their daughters to marry godly young men. But which qualities, specifically, should they be looking for?

What will you say when that certain young man sits down in your living room, sweaty-palmed and tongue-tied, and asks your permission to marry your daughter? What criteria should he meet before the two of them join together for life? What He Must Be… If He Wants to Marry My Daughter outlines ten qualities parents should look for in a son-in-law, including trustworthiness, a willingness to lead his family, an understanding of his wife's role, and various spiritual leadership qualities.

Author Voddie Baucham follows up on his popular book Family Driven Faith with this compelling apologetic of biblical manhood. By studying the principles outlined in his book, parents who want their daughter to marry a godly man-as well as those who want their sons to become godly men-will be well equipped to help their children look for and develop these God-honoring qualities.

'Voddie Baucham believes that fathers have a significant responsibility to protect and guide their daughters as they prepare for marriage. One need not agree with everything in this book to benefit greatly from the practical wisdom contained in its pages. As the father of two teenage daughters, I am planning to keep this book close at hand.'
Andreas J. Köstenberger, Senior Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Specifications

Christians today define mission more broadly and variably than ever before. Are we, as the body of Christ, headed in the same direction or are we on divergent missions?

Some argue that the mission of the Church is to confront injustice and alleviate suffering, doing more to express God’s love for the world. Others are concerned that the church is in danger of losing its God-centeredness and thereby emphasize the proclamation of the gospel. It appears as though misunderstanding of mission persists.

Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert believe there is a lot that evangelicals can agree on if only we employ the right categories and build our theology of mission from the same biblical building blocks. Explaining key concepts like kingdom, gospel, and social justice, DeYoung and Gilbert help us to get on the same page—united by a common cause—and launch us forward into the true mission of the church.

“In what appears to be a growing tension over what the mission of the church encompasses, DeYoung and Gilbert bring a remarkably balanced book that can correct, restore, and help regardless of which way you lean or land on all things ‘missional.’ I found the chapters on social justice and our motivation in good works to be especially helpful. Whether you are actively engaging the people around you with the gospel and serving the least of these or you are hesitant of anything ‘missional,’ this book will help you rest in God’s plan to reconcile all things to himself in Christ.”
Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Dallas, Texas; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network; author, The Mingling of Souls

“Christ is the greatest message in the world, and delivering it is the greatest mission. But are we losing our focus? Are we being distracted, sometimes even by good things? Zealous Christians disagree sharply today over the church’s proper ministry and mission. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert bring us back to first things in an age of mission creep and distraction. Offering balanced wisdom, this book will give us not only encouragement but discomfort exactly where we all need it. It’s the kind of biblical sanity we need at this moment.”
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God's Story

“Among the many books that have recently appeared on mission, this is the best one if you are looking for sensible definitions, clear thinking, readable writing, and the ability to handle the Bible in more than proof-texting ways. I pray that God will use it to bring many to a renewed grasp of what the gospel is and how that gospel relates, on the one hand, to biblical theology and, on the other, to what we are called to do.”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

“DeYoung and Gilbert have put us in their debt with their clear, biblical, theological, and pastoral exposition of the mission of God’s people. That mission, which they rightly understand within the story line of the whole Bible, is summarized in the Great Commission and involves gospel proclamation and disciple making. This superb book will encourage its readers ‘to go into the world and make disciples by declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit and gathering these disciples into churches, that they might worship and obey Jesus’s commands now and in eternity, to the glory of God the Father.’”
Peter T. O'Brien, Former Vice-Principal and Senior Research Fellow and Emeritus Faculty Member, Moore Theological College, Australia

“A very timely and eminently engaging book for all those who care deeply about the church’s mission in our day. Again and again, I found myself nodding in agreement as the authors made a key point from Scripture or noted the missional relevance of a given biblical passage. I highly recommend this book, not just as food for thought, but more importantly, as a call to obedient, biblically informed action.”
Andreas J. Köstenberger, Senior Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert have written an important book on an important topic. Fair, keenly observant, startlingly honest, this book is replete with careful exegetical work. Verses are not merely cited; they are considered in context. The length of an idea is considered, all the way from its expression in the local church back to its source in Scripture. The result is a book that is nuanced and clear, useful and enjoyable to read, and that is no small gift from two young pastor-theologians who have already become reliable voices. Open this book and you’ll want to open your Bible and open your mind on everything from justice to capitalism, from mercy to love.”
Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC; President, 9Marks

“DeYoung and Gilbert clear the fog that has settled over the nature of the church’s mission. Their tone is gracious, the style is accessible, but most importantly this book is marked by fidelity to biblical revelation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The authors have succeeded in what they exhort us to do: they have kept the main thing as the main thing.”
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean of the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“DeYoung and Gilbert provide clarity to some of the most complex contemporary issues facing the church. Focusing us squarely on the redemptive nature of the gospel, they ultimately point us not only to the church’s mission, but to practical ways to understand and live it. The result is a book that will be of great help to pastors, missiologists, theologians, and practitioners.”
M. David Sills, Faye Stone Professor of Christian Missions and Cultural Anthropology, Director of the Doctor of Missiology Program and Great Commission Ministries, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Every generation is tempted to augment or diminish, even nuance or redefine the mission of the church. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert have provided a biblical corrective and protection for our generation in What is the Mission of the Church? With a gracious and kind spirit, this book reclaims the ecclesiastical concepts of mission, purpose, social justice, and the Great Commission from those who have redefined these words with a dictionary other than Scripture. Pastors should read this book with their elders, deacons, and leadership teams to wrestle with answers to the most pressing questions about the church in our day.”
Rick Holland, Senior Pastor, Mission Road Bible Church, Prairie Village, Kansas

Specifications

'If a mother can kill her own children, then what can be next?' Mother Teresa once asked.

What indeed?

Once the value of human life has been depreciated, as in Roe v. Wade and the Baby Doe Case, no one is safe. Once 'quality of life' is substituted for the absolute value of human life itself, we all are endangered. Already respected scientists are calling for a time period following birth (a week or so) to decide if newborns have 'sufficient quality of life' to be allowed to live. Already committees of 'medical professionals' would like to decide whether the 'quality of life' of the elderly or anyone seriously ill is high enough to allow them to go on living.

In this moving book, the renowned pediatric surgeon and Surgeon General of the United States, C. Everett Koop, M.D., joins with one of the leading Christian thinkers of our day, Francis A. Schaeffer, to analyze the widespread implications and frightening loss of human rights brought on by today's practices of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. They see the present as a crucial turning point. Choices are being made that undermine human rights at their most basic level. Practices once labeled 'unthinkable' are now considered acceptable. The destruction of human life, young and old, is being sanctioned on an ever-increasing scale by the medical profession, by the courts, by parents, and by silent citizens.

'But what can I do?' you ask. 'I'm just one person.' You can start by reading this book. Yes, it will shock you. And it will make you weep. But it will also help you see how you can actually make a difference.

Specifications

We all want to experience liberating, love-producing, risk-taking satisfaction in God. But the reality is that we often struggle to find, and hold onto, true and lasting joy—even when we have embraced the good news of God’s grace. So we face a crucial question: What should I do when I don’t desire God?

John Piper aims to help us find joy in Jesus that is so deep and so strong that it frees us from bondage to comfort and security, and impels us to live merciful and missional lives. Written with the radical hope that all Christians would experience the fullness of life in Christ, this book will help you fight for joy daily by leading you to rediscover the soul-satisfying glory of God.

Specifications

We live in a unique moment in history.

Right now, more people live in urban centers than ever before. This means that we have an unprecedented opportunity to influence the majority of the world through the church in the city.

Helping us to make the most of this moment, urban pastors Justin Buzzard and Stephen Um lay out a compelling vision for cultural engagement and church planting in our world’s cities.

If you’re looking for motivation to maintain a commitment to the city or for guidance as you consider going all in, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of urban life that informs, instructs, inspires, and answers questions including:

• Why cities are so important
• What the Bible says about cities
• How to overcome common issues and develop a plan for living missionally in the city

Instead of retreating from or taking from our cities, here is a call to make the cities our home, to take good care of them, and to participate in God’s kingdom-building work in the urban centers of our world.

“God is moving the human community into cities. How will the church respond to this need and opportunity? With fresh insight, a compelling vision, and biblical reflection, Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard provide resources and answers to how the church can respond to this need. I’m thankful for their thoughtful contribution to this important subject!”
Mark Reynolds, Associate Director, Redeemer City to City

“The Bible is the story of a journey from a garden to a city. In the middle of it, it’s the story of the journey of the gospel from the city of Jerusalem to the city of Rome, transforming them both. Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard helpfully trace the journey, and prophetically show how it’s possible to be part of the story.”
John Ortberg, author; speaker; Senior Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Menlo Park, California

“One can’t effectively plant or pastor a church in an urban context without first developing a theology of cities. This book will be an essential guide to discerning leaders who know that cities matter and want to engage those cities well.”
Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair for Church, Mission, and Evangelism, Wheaton College

“Recent years have witnessed a torrent of books on urbanization and on urban ministry. Many of these are specialist sociological studies; others are ‘how to’ manuals so comprehensive that the Spirit of God could walk out and we’d never miss him. What has been lacking is a short, reasonably comprehensive, impassioned, and simply written survey of the trends and issues, combined with unwavering commitment to the eternal gospel and a transparent love for the city. Whether or not you agree with all its details, this book supplies what has been lacking. Written by two younger pastors on opposite sides of the country who share their devotion to Christ and their years of fruitful ministry, this book is neither sociology nor manual (though it has some features of both), but a clarion call to Christians to look at cities with fresh eyes and cry, ‘Give me this mountain!’”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

“Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard have done the church a great service in providing a clear and compelling argument not only for the importance of cities in our times, but more especially why cities matter to the church. They do a terrific job in teasing out a rich biblical theology of cities that roots their cultural analysis in a thoughtful and faithful framework. After reading the book, I wanted to call a real estate agent and tell them to find me a place in the city. It is not only where the ‘cultural action’ is today, but also where there is such a desperate need for thoughtful, faithful, and vibrant ministry. Um and Buzzard show us that cities are not to be shunned but loved with the full breath of the Gospel. You will not be able to think about cities in the same old ways after reading this book.”
Richard Lints, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“If you care about your city, the gospel, and the future of Christianity, I highly recommend you read this insightful book by Justin Buzzard and Stephen Um. This book should be required text for anyone doing ministry in today’s world.”
Michael 'Stew' Stewart , Founding Director, Verge Network and Conferences

“It’s only a matter of time. If you’re a true follower of Jesus, very soon you will be a happy urbanite in a city called New Jerusalem. This book is a call to get a jumpstart on that civic future now, as we labor to secure an eternal city for others. We need Christians wherever there are people—rural, urban, and suburban—but urbanization is happening so quickly worldwide that the church is in need of a special summons to the cities. These two pastors from Boston and the Bay helped renew my sense of call to the Twin Cities, and likely will do the same for you in your locale—or be the catalyst for some new civic venture God is moving you toward in our increasingly urban world.”
David Mathis, executive editor, desiringGod.org; pastor, Cities Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota

“You don’t need to live in a city to read this book. You don’t even need to love the city to read this book. But you do need to know God loves the city, so the church should, too. Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard don’t shy away from the problems of the city as they offer a hopeful and compelling agenda for the church in our urban future.”
Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition; author, Blind Spots

“Why Cities Matter drips with passion, not for cities primarily, but for the gospel and its spread in this world. Teeming with people, cities are strategic contexts for gospel-living and gospel-spreading. While urban church planting is a growing trend in many quarters of American evangelicalism today, the influx of people to major cities is growing even faster. Through this book, urban pastors will be steeled and reinvigorated in their calling, many future church planters will make a run for a city, and some suburban churches (like mine, I hope) will take their next church plant downtown. But this book is not just for current city-lovers and future urban church planters—neither is it just for pastors. Whatever your present or future context, this book will challenge you to think more strategically about your dwelling, vocation, and church for the cause of Christ in this world.”
Ryan Kelly, Pastor for Preaching, Desert Springs Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Council Member, The Gospel Coalition

1. The Importance of Cities
2. The Characteristics of Cities
3. The Bible and the City
4. Contextualization in the City
5. The Storyline of the City
6. Ministry Vision for the City

Specifications

In the midst of a raging debate about the role of women in the church, Dan Doriani offers credible and concrete guidance for mobilizing women for ministry. He combines biblical teaching and practical counsel in this comprehensive and accessible book.

Doriani begins by explaining his own personal interest in the topic as a husband and a father of three daughters. Much of the book consists of analysis of the essential biblical data regarding the roles of men and women in the church. This analysis doesn't simply show what women can't do; it discusses all the ways in which women have effectively served in Israel and the church. He gives a biblical theology of gifts and calling and offers practical guidance about the many roles women can fill in the church today. This will prove a helpful guide for pastors, church leaders, and especially women who wish to use their spiritual gifts to advance God's kingdom.

Specifications

The role of women in the church is highly debated, with Christians on all sides using Paul’s teachings in 1 Timothy to justify their positions. Now in its third edition, this classic book edited by Andreas Köstenberger and Thomas Schreiner offers a robust exegesis of 1 Timothy 2:9–15, looking at the passage’s background, syntax, grammar, and enduring significance. Featuring updated essays and fresh contributions based on the latest research—including an in-depth discussion of the meaning of the phrase “exercise authority”—this volume stands as the most comprehensive exploration of this contested passage to date.

“A pivotal text behind a major problem deserves a major book. The pivotal text is 1 Timothy 2:9–15. The major problem is how men and women relate to each other in teaching and leading the Christian church. And the major book is Women in the Church. There is none more thorough or careful or balanced or biblical. The appearance of a third edition is added confirmation of the book’s abiding value.”
John Piper, Founder, desiringGod.org; Chancellor, Bethlehem College & Seminary

“In an age when ideological dogmatism and sheer speculative fancy often displace sober exegesis, it is refreshing to read a book that tries to wrestle with what the text is saying without cleverly domesticating it. This book needs to be read by all sides in the current controversy.”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

“Read it to the end! These chapters unfold the biblical text in depth; they connect us with a world of scholars on all sides; and they interact with a rapidly growing layer of women’s voices writing and speaking on the subject. I’m thankful for a book focused both on academic precision and on loving care for the church, Christ’s bride.”
Kathleen B. Nielson, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition

“The third edition of this outstanding volume of integrated essays about the ministry of women in the Christian church (particularly in relation to 1 Timothy 2) is the most comprehensive treatment to date on the subject. At significant points this series of grammatical, linguistic, exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological essays takes us beyond earlier editions and makes a fresh contribution to our knowledge. The contributors have interacted extensively and courteously with contemporary scholarship as they have sought to grapple with the teaching of God’s Word on this vital issue of women’s ministry and to work through some of its implications. Highly recommended.”
Peter T. O'Brien, Former Vice-Principal and Senior Research Fellow and Emeritus Faculty Member, Moore Theological College, Australia

“In an age when assertions abound concerning the meaning of this text, the contributors have not only presented the most thoroughgoing and decisive case for the traditional view of 1 Timothy 2:9–15 now available but have also provided a handbook of solid interpretive methodology. Whether or not one agrees with their conclusions, the reader will find the issues clarified, the evidence evaluated, and the text carefully analyzed and applied. I heartily recommend this book to all who are willing to confront and be confronted by the biblical text once again.”
Scott J. Hafemann, Reader in New Testament, University of St. Andrews

1. A Foreign World: Ephesus in the First Century
   S. M. Baugh
2. The Meaning of ΑΥΘΕΝΤΕΩ
   Al Wolters
3. A Complex Sentence: The Syntax of 1 Timothy 2:12
   Andreas J. Köstenberger
4. An Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9–15: A Dialogue with Scholarship
   Thomas R. Schreiner
5. Familiar Paths and a Fresh Matrix: The Hermeneutics of 1 Timothy 2:9–15
   Robert W. Yarbrough
6. New and Old Departures in the Translation of Aυ?θεντει?ν in 1 Timothy 2:12
   Denny Burk
7. Application: Round Table Discussion
   Theresa Wigington Bowen, Monica Rose Brennan, Rosaria Butterfield, Gloria Furman, Mary Kassian, Tony Merida, Trillia Newbell

Specifications

The Bible teaches that the church is called to a balanced ministry of both preaching the gospel in words and showing it with deeds. Yet the church has often found it difficult to find and maintain this balance. Today some are emphasizing deeds at the expense of words, while others hold fast to “talking” and forsake the doing. This is an imbalance that must be righted.

Standing at the helm of a leading Christian college, Duane Litfin has had a first-hand look at the issues students and alumni are talking about. Many Christians are excited to debate the importance of social justice and evangelism now more than ever before. Seeking to level the balance, Litfin steers the conversation toward the biblical harmony of word and deed, pointing out the church’s tendency to overcorrect—either cutting out the preaching of the gospel or forgetting the application of action.

An elder statesmen in the church, Litfin’s training in communication theory and in detailed exegesis is brought to bear on this important subject, bringing verbal proclamation in sync with the witness of one’s actions.

“Duane Litfin’s Word versus Deed addresses a topic of perennial importance for the church and pressing relevance for our own generation. Litfin is thoroughly convinced—on the basis of Scripture—that the gospel cannot be preached merely with deeds but must be proclaimed with words. He uses his extensive background in rhetoric and theology to explain why this is so and then employs his wisdom as a pastor to show the proper relationship between gospel words and gospel-worthy deeds in Christian life and witness.”
Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

“Duane Litfin has written a book that needs to find its way into every preacher’s briefcase or backpack—and quickly. With care and candor, he reminds us all of the Bible’s priority of verbal proclamation. Evenhanded and deeply biblical, Word versus Deed does indeed reset the biblical balance. I am very thankful for this book, and you will be, too.”
R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Today, as powerful voices inside and outside the church are insisting that the gospel is best proclaimed by deeds rather than words, Duane Litfin provides a wholly biblical answer that establishes the full primacy of proclamation together with the role of deeds in demonstrating the gospel to a watching world. Litfin’s answer is finely wrought and judiciously reasoned as he travels the ladder of abstraction and the range of biblical revelation in respect to the preaching of the gospel. And it is utterly compelling. Word versus Deed is sure to be read, reread, and much discussed. This is a wise and timely book that brings biblical clarity to a life and death debate.”
R. Kent Hughes, Visiting Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

“With interpretive skill and theological insight, Duane Litfin has given us a masterful treatment of the Bible’s teaching regarding the necessity of gospel proclamation and the importance of good works. Litfin’s thoughtful exegesis and pastoral wisdom provide helpful guidance that enables Christ followers to handle the difficult challenges associated with the themes of ‘word’ and ‘deed’ with greater responsibility. I am hopeful that this readable volume will point pastors, teachers, and church leaders toward a more informed understanding of God’s Word—resulting in faithful living and convictional proclamation.”
David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University

“Many people like to make us pick between word and deed as the best way to reflect our Christian call. It is choice we need not make. In a book that shows how both word and deed are important and necessary, Duane Litfin also reminds us how important having the Word is. It is a needed reminder that allows us to reflect on how to live our Christian lives in balance, both proclaiming and reflecting the truth that God is at work among us.”
Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement, Howard G. Hendricks Center, and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary    

“Getting the pendulum of truth to cease its drift from side to side is a perpetual challenge. For many decades in the not-too-distant past, the gospel was a proclamational priority with little emphasis on the gospel’s call to feed the hungry, care for the poor, and break the bonds of oppression. The social gospel was what those ‘liberals’ did. Many of us have now lived long enough to watch the pendulum swing to the opposite extreme with the deeds of the gospel being seemingly sufficient. Thankfully, my friend Duane Litfin has articulately and persuasively brought these issues of the gospel into balance. His fresh, intriguing treatment of key passages and his usual precision in developing an argument make a much needed contribution that leads us to empower the gospel with both word and deed.”
Joseph M. Stowell, President, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“There must be a sharp distinction between the gospel—the message about what God has done in Jesus, supremely in his death and resurrection—and how the Christian acts as an implication of the gospel. This book is a positive, helpful articulation of the importance of maintaining the distinction between the gospel preached (word) versus the gospel lived (deed).”
Ben Peays, Executive Director, The Gospel Coalition

Part 1: The Importance of Our Words
1. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
2. The Gospel Is Verbal
3. Evangelism Is Verbal

Part 2: The Importance of Our Deeds
4. Abstractions and Their Uses
5. Theology Applied
6. Gospel-Worthy Deeds
7. Living Wisely
8. Obeying the King
9. Serving the Kingdom
10. Adorning the Gospel
11. Stewarding the Creation

Part 3: The Importance of Handling Scripture Well
12. Rightly Dividing the Word
13. Three Key Passages

Specifications

A Practical Guide to Bible-Centered Ministry Among Women

The Bible is clear that women as well as men are created in God's image and intended to serve him with their lives. But what does this look like for women in the church?

Helping church leaders think through what a Bible-centered women’s ministry looks like, this collection of essays by respected Bible teachers and authors such as Gloria Furman, Nancy Guthrie, and Susan Hunt addresses a variety of topics relevant to women. Whether exploring the importance of intergenerational relationships, the Bible’s teaching on sexuality, or women’s roles in the church and the home, this book of wise teaching and practical instruction will become a must-have resource for anyone interested in bolstering the health and vitality of the local church.

Part of The Gospel Coalition series.

“Out of both biblical conviction and years of experience, these women think seriously about discipleship, evangelism, intergenerational mentoring, and compassion. Their strength is evident, their commitment to Scripture robust, their joy in the gospel intoxicating, their anticipation of the consummation providing a lodestar to their lives and service. Although this is a book by women to foster “Word-filled women’s ministry,” much of it will be read with equal profit by men. I hope that some of those men will be pastors who in consequence reflect on what they can do encourage such ministry in their own churches.”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

“Women’s ministry is ultimately not about women. Nor is it about programs. It’s about the glory of God and the health of his church. Word-Filled Women’s Ministry is a much-needed resource for both men and women to consider the necessity of ministry among women as well as the centrality of the Word for cultivating a church in which women flourish.”
Melissa B. Kruger, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Uptown Church, Charlotte, North Carolina; author, The Envy of Eve

“There is no question that the women in your churches will be discipled. The only question is whether they will be discipled by the world or the Word. That’s why I’m so excited about Word-Filled Women’s Ministry. It’s more than a book. These contributors represent a movement of teachers guiding women to find hope and freedom and salvation in the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Word. I couldn’t more highly esteem these writers, and I pray that you will take up their charge to take up the Word.”
Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition; author, Blind Spots

“Here is a book that focuses on the possibilities and not just the problems of ministry among women. It is written by women from a wide range of ministry contexts, but all with hearts that beat with a common gospel rhythm. Every chapter is grounded in Scripture and wonderfully practical. Women and men of the Word, read it and be encouraged by all the gospel possibilities.”
Jenny Salt, Dean of Students, Sydney Missionary and Bible College

“This is a significant subject that I have long been interested in, and the voices of my sisters in this book are as edifying as they are encouraging. Pastors, teachers, elders, and women’s ministry leaders alike will benefit from this Bible-based, gospel-centered, local church–focused work. I so resonate with their central thesis—“Profitable ministry among women is grounded in God’s Word, grows in the context of God’s people, and aims for the glory of Christ”—that I anticipate with joy the flourishing of this vision in the churches.”
J. Ligon Duncan III, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

“Word-Filled Women’s Ministry is written for the bustling daughters of Christ, who need God’s Word to train and sustain them in their various labors. It acknowledges the vast diversity of women’s ministries in different churches while calling them to a unified commitment to God’s Word. Women grow best as they learn from Scripture, first as it is preached to the gathered church and then as it is explored and explained in the company of other godly women. This book is an incentive to the latter, casting a vision for what can and ought to happen when the Bible takes its rightful place at the center of women’s ministry.”
Megan Hill, pastor’s wife; author, Praying Together; blogger, Sunday Women

“A marvelous resource for thoughtful Christians, male and female, who long to see the power of the gospel unleashed in their own lives, in the church, and throughout world.”
Colin S. Smith, Senior Pastor, The Orchard, Arlington Heights, Illinois

“Full of careful biblical teaching and many helpful applications, this book is an invaluable aid for all Christian women to think through their own ministry possibilities. But it is also a highly useful tool for pastors and elders to understand and then activate much-needed biblical opportunities for every ministry in the local church. I hope it will be on the must-read list of every church leader.”
David Jackman, Former President, Proclamation Trust, London, England

“Gloria Furman and Kathleen Nielson, along with a host of other talented writers, help us explore a vision-guided practice of our theology. Too often in church ministry, gender is received as a problem to be solved rather than as a beautiful gift from God to be explored. This book is a marvelous map to enjoy God, lead in God’s church, and explore God’s world, whether a woman is stepping into ministry for the first time or is a seasoned veteran.”
Daniel Montgomery, Pastor, Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Founder, Sojourn Network; author, Faithmapping and Proof

Part 1: The Heart of Women's Ministry

1. The Word at the Center: Hearing God Speak
   Kathleen Nielson
2. The Word on Women: Enjoying Distinction
   Claire Smith
3. The Word Passed On: Training New Leaders
   Carrie Sandom

Part 2: Contexts for Women's Ministry

4. The Local Church: Finding Where We Fit
   Cindy Cochrum
5. The World around Us: Practicing Evangelism
   Gloria Furman
6. The Ends of the Earth: Thinking Global
   Keri Folmar

Part 3: Issues in Women's Ministry

7. Older and Younger: Taking Titus Seriously
   Susan Hunt and Kristie Anyabwile
8. Sexual Wholeness: Affirming Truth with Compassion
   Ellen Mary Dykas
9. Gifts and Giftedness: Finding the Place to Serve
   Kathleen Nielson and Gloria Furman

Part 4: The End of Women's Ministry

10. Ultimate Goals: Heading for That Day
    Nancy Guthrie

Specifications

Words—so small, so powerful—engender and enable our very existence. How are we to receive them, use them, hear them, and unite them?

Critically acclaimed author Larry Woiwode explores the mysterious potential of words in this collection of 21 essays on the process and the significance of reading and writing.

Reflect on Woiwode’s masterful meditations and you will find yourself inspired not only to write and to read, but also to believe in the transforming power of words.

“Few writers can match Larry Woiwode for craft and care. Sentence by beautiful sentence he traces the lineaments of thought, feeling, and experience. He inhabits the roles that life has given him, as writer and critic, father and husband, and Christian, with a constant difficult grace. I admire his writing deeply; it is always gratifying to be in its presence.”
Alan Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of the Humanities, Honors College, Baylor University

“A book on craft, yes, but more a book on living, Larry Woiwode’s Words for Readers and Writers in my library sits between Flannery O’Connor’s Mystery & Manners and John Gardner’s On Becoming a Novelist. Not since O’Connor has a writer put the reader in such comfortable and uncomfortable places at the same time.”
G. W. Hawkes, Professor of English, co-director of Creative Writing, Lycoming College; author, Spies in the Blue Smoke and Playing out of the Deep Woods

“The word ‘words’ and the name ‘Woiwode’ are only similar sounding but are practically synonymous. Who better to parse the subject of words than Larry Woiwode, one of our country’s ultimate wordsmiths?”
John L. Moore, author, The Breaking of Ezra Riley, Take the Reins, and Bitter Roots

“I knew that I was in for a treat the moment I looked at the table of contents, which reads like a tempting menu of topics. When I started to read the essays I was captivated by the energy of Woiwode’s mind and even more by how widely read and broadly informed he is. To read this book is to receive a liberal education. I believe that this is one of Woiwode’s best books.”
Leland Ryken, Emeritus Professor of English, Wheaton College

“I loved it. I'd like to read it again this weekend. The way Woiwode phrased things humbled me completely… Lots of food for thought...”
Victoria, college student

“‘Metaphor is the meditative center of a writer’s inner universe.’ That's just too cool. This essay got me reading sections aloud to my parents because I needed to gush about it with somebody. Woiwode's essays have been a great encouragement—artistically and spiritually.”
Phoebe, college student

Part 1: Uses of Words
1. ABCs That Tend to Family Unity
2. Readers’ Literary Guide to Litigation
3. The Worded Flood, Rural to Academy
4. Autobiography, Biography, Fiction, and Fact
5. Using Words, a Continual Spiritual Exercise
6. Examining the Writer’s Image with IMAGE
7. Pooling Metaphors: On Words Overflowing
Part 2: Users of Words
8. A Fifty-Year Walk with Right Words
9. Getting Words Plain Right to Publish
10. Tolstoy’s Words March Right to Truth
11. Nabokov’s Words Not Fading to Nothing
12. Exchanging Words: Aural Northern Lights
13. With Inside’s Words inside SUNY Academy
14. Words at the Last from a Martyr Who Lives
Part 3: Realms of Users
15. A State Laureate’s Graduation Address
16. A Concern for the State of Indian Affairs
17. A View of the Ethics Related to Writing
18. A Turn in Aesthetics as a Century Turns
19. A Final Meeting at the Algonquin Hotel
20. A View on Writing from Another Country
21. A Writer’s Feel of Internal Bleeding, A to Z
About the Essays

Specifications

Bigger allowances. Better clothes. More toys.

Bigger, better, more is how the world determines who's special and who's not. It's a message your kids are hearing every day. But it's not God's message.

His truth is simple and never-changing: It's not what you have, it's Whose you are. And it's a truth that the lovable Wemmick, Punchinello, hears again at the knee of his creator in this faithful, fully illustrated sequel to You Are Special.

Punchinello's lesson in love will help you speak God's heart to the heart of every child: You are special, not because of the things you have, but because you are Mine.

Part of the Max Lucado's Wemmicks series.

Specifications

Every day the small wooden people called Wemmicks do the same thing: stick either gold stars or gray dots on one another. The pretty ones—those with smooth wood and fine paint—always get stars. The talented ones do, too. Others, though, who can do little or who have chipped paint, get ugly gray dots. Like Punchinello.

In this heartwarming children's tale from the best-selling pen of author Max Lucado, Eli the woodcarver helps Punchinello understand how special he is—no matter what other Wemmicks may think. It's a vital message for children everywhere: that regardless of how the world evaluates them, God cherishes each of them, just as they are.

This tale originally appeared within one of the chapters in the award-winning children's bestseller Tell Me the Secrets.

Specifications

In You Are Special, Max Lucado tells the story of Punchinello, the wooden Wemmick who believes that he isn't good enough because of what others say about him. When will Punchinello realize how truly special he is?

You Are Special is a beautiful story that reminds us that we are precious to God just the way we are. It is through spending daily time with him that we begin to see ourselves through his eyes. This is an important truth that children and parents need to know: God loves us even though we make mistakes and have flaws!

This best-seller has sold millions of copies and is now available in a limited, ten-year anniversary edition. The accompanying CD includes a special reading of the story by Max Lucado and music by Christian artist Phil Keaggy.

Specifications

One morning the people of Wemmicksville wake up to discover that they've all received gifts. Punchinello opens his gift to find a hammer; Lucia receives a paintbrush and set of paints; and Hans, the baker, gets a spoon. Nobody knows who sent the gifts, but each Wemmick receives the perfect gift: Punchinello likes to build, Lucia loves to paint, and Hans enjoys cooking.

When a family of Wemmicks needs help to reach Eli the woodcarver, Punchinello and his friends try to come to their aid. Unfortunately, nothing they do seems to work. Only when they realize that Eli gave them each a special gift are they able to use those gifts to make a difference.

This story will show kids how God has given them a special gift they can use to serve Him.

Part of the Max Lucado's Wemmicks series.

Specifications