Biblical Theology

A significant tension exists between the modern scientific picture of the universe and the Biblical one. On the standard scientific picture, the universe started in a ‘Big Bang’ ‒ the explosion of a speck of highly concentrated matter 14 billion years ago. According to the Bible, God created the universe in six days about ten thousand years ago. On the scientific picture, the universe has evolved and continues to develop under the operation of fixed laws and chance. According to the Bible, God acts in the universe in providence and judgment, human beings are responsible for their ...

This audiobook offers a critique of common spiritual warfare practices including binding Satan, renouncing curses, spiritual mapping, and exorcisms. Using scripture, and scripture alone, Pastor Jim Osman shows that true spiritual warfare is not a battle over territory, but a battle for the truth. A biblical approach to spiritual warfare recognizes the Bible as the sole authority, rejects unbiblical and man-made methods, and rests in Christ and his finished work for victory.

Uncover the transformative power of laughter with "The Laughing Pulpit - Using Humor to Enhance Preaching." This groundbreaking guide illuminates the profound yet often overlooked relationship between humor and preaching. With this essential resource, preachers can learn how to leverage laughter to communicate spiritual truths more effectively, create a deeper sense of community, and make their messages more memorable and impactful. A Harmonious Blend of Theology and Comedy: Explore how humor can illuminate spiritual truths, deepen religious understanding, and open hearts to profound ...

It would be logical for one to think that those who call themselves Christians would have a biblical worldview, but that is not the case. Statistics show that only 9% of those who identify as Christians think biblically about the issues of the world. That means that 91% of Christians have a secular or unbiblical worldview, which proves that they've been taken captive by the world's philosophies instead of taking them captive “according to Christ” (Col. 2:8). Worldview Matters covers six major worldviews from 30,000 feet, giving Christians a big picture view of the world today. Along the...

How can Christian men and women live faithfully in a world confused over sexuality and gender? Surely we must be reminded of what Scripture teaches. Yet as God’s design for sexuality is being suppressed and denied in the modern world, we need to hear it articulated in a fresh and accessible way. God’s Good Design presents the historic, biblical view of sexuality in a manner that is appealing even to those who have been conditioned to believe it is scary or oppressive.

Who was Jesus? Historical sources portray a person who was complex, multi-layered, and often contradictory to the tidy portrait that much of modern Christianity paints him as. Even the gospel accounts render him as both judge and healer, teacher and temple, servant and savior. A Doubter's Guide to Jesus is a persuasive and often challenging investigation into the historical figure found in the earliest sources. These sources, which include references both direct and indirect - from Roman, Jewish, and Christian accounts - offer us more than simple evidence that Jesus existed.

There is a quest going on to reduce Jesus to a mythic legend or to nothing more than a mere man. Scholars such as Elaine Pagels and James Tabor are using recent discoveries like the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Thomas to argue that the Christ of Christianity is a contrived figure and that a different Christ—one human and not divine—is the "true" Christ. Both research professors, Bock and Wallace set out a vigorous defense of Christianity against a popular trend that they dub "Jesusanity", where Christ was simply a human teacher.

Baptisms are down, church doors are closing, and once-faithful Christians are leaving their faith. This issue has puzzled many for years. Some suggest focusing on discipleship and Christian education, while others create programs to help the Gospel “stick.” However, the problem lies in the Gospel proclamation itself. The solution isn’t a new Gospel but a bigger, historical, and more comprehensive one. The Gospel is Bigger than You Think offers a thorough approach to the biblical Gospel, broadening the listener's perspective and creating lasting Kingdom impact.

Almost every pastor feels the pressure to get people in the doors. Often, in their zeal for fruit and growth, pastors and church leaders adopt worldly mechanisms for church growth that end up undermining the very call God has given them. Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, was a pastor to well over 5,000 people in a day long before "mega-churches" were the norm. In Spurgeon the Pastor, Geoff Chang shows how Spurgeon models a theological vision of ministry in preaching, baptism and the Lord's supper, meaningful church membership, biblical church leadership, and more.

In this compelling book, Jason Garwood unpacks the theological depth and practical application of the Disciples' Prayer, teaching believers how to pray with God's glory, kingdom, and will as the foundation. Rooted in Reformed theology and infused with pastoral insight, this book explores the richness of each petition—from daily dependence on God's provision to the transformative power of forgiveness and the ultimate victory over evil through Christ. Designed to inspire heartfelt worship and obedient living, The Disciples' Prayer invites readers to align their lives with God's purposes and...

In his insightful follow-up to the best-selling book, The Power of God's Names, Dr. Tony Evans introduces you to Jesus in ways you may have never seen Him before. Jesus is anticipated from the very beginning of the Bible and is mentioned many times up until He finally arrives on the scene in Bethlehem - yet never in the Old Testament is He called Jesus. Rather, He has many names that reflect all the different aspects of His character. And there are even more names in the New Testament to explore as well!

This study examines Christian Scripture and proposes the Biblical Text as the source for understanding and implementing values for individuals to build long-term trust-based relationships with others. Those who implement these values in their daily life are more likely to have the cultural agility needed to recognize and effectively deal with the societal-cultural influences that affect their organization’s culture. Societal culture influences an individual’s cognitive processes and style of leadership.

Leading Strategic Community Change explores the dynamics of leadership and strategic community change for churches and faith-based organizations. In doing so, it incorporates principles and practices from the fields of strategic planning, leadership, and organizational development. At the end of chapters there are exercises designed to reinforce the concepts discussed in the chapter. The appendices also include activities for churches and faith-based organizations to use with their congregations, boards, and executive ministry teams to develop a more effective plan for engaging the ...

This Very Short Introduction provides both the believer and non-believer with a balanced survey of the central questions of theology. David Ford's approach draws us in to considering the principles underlying religious belief, including the centrality of salvation to most major religions; the concept of God in ancient, modern, and postmodern contexts; the challenge posed to theology by prayer and worship; and the issue of sin and evil. He also probes the nature of experience, knowledge, and wisdom in theology, and discusses what is involved in interpreting theological texts.

There are few subjects known to mankind that has drawn more interest, exploration, and publication than the nature of God and our relationship to Him as human beings. Many approaches to the study stand wholly on a platform of religious doctrine and dogma. Other approaches are secular in nature and rely solely on rational and philosophical arguments. Dr. Ken Bryson brings to the field an approach that applies a balance between these two extremes. As a Christian, Ken bases his arguments in biblical theology and then builds upon this foundation with reason and philosophy drawn from many of the...

In Christ Alone: Audio Lectures, Stephen Wellum considers Christ's singular uniqueness and significance biblically, historically, and today, in our pluralistic and postmodern age. Each lesson examines the historical roots of the doctrine, especially in the Reformation era, and shows how the uniqueness of Christ has come under specific attack today. Then, learners will walk through the story line of Scripture, from Christ's unique identity and work as prophet, priest, and king, to the application of his work to believers and our covenantal union with him.

Creation Care: Audio Lectures bring together expertise in biblical studies and science, as Doug and Jonathan Moo trace key themes through Scripture in an effort to situate the created world within biblical theology. Lessons offer reflection on the biblical mandate to embody and live out God’s perspective on the created world.

The Spiritual Development and growth in the modern church is diminishing due largely to a lack of understanding about the way church leadership is to function. This lack of knowledge is common to all levels of the church. This book is an expositional analysis of servant leadership that is based upon the biblical model of Matthew 20:20-34. The text draws church leadership to the understanding that the biblical model of servant leadership helps us not to preach human authority, power, and control, but rather creates an opportunity for mutual respect, genuine love, and strong, healthy ...

At the very heart of God’s plan for the world stands an extraordinary city. Beginning with the garden of Eden in Genesis and ending with the New Jerusalem in Revelation, the biblical story reveals how God has been working throughout history to establish a city filled with his glorious presence. Tracing the development of the theme of city in both testaments, T. Desmond Alexander draws on his experience as a biblical scholar to show us God’s purpose throughout Scripture to dwell with his redeemed people in a future extraordinary city on a transformed earth.

Mary, to me, has always been an interesting figure on the Christian landscape. She plays an important role in key accounts in the Gospels, but she is very divisive among Christians. This always puzzled me. Some Christian families of religions, such as Catholicism, revere (not worship) her, while other Christians families go as far as to shun her and reject any role that she might have played in the redemptive process. Whenever a puzzle like this appears, I like to find a solution in going back to the original texts. I love the Biblical languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and I try to ...