Church Theology

For five hundred years, Latina/o culture and identity have been shaped by their challenges to the religious, socio-economic, and political status quo, whether in opposition to Spanish colonialism, Latin American dictatorships, US imperialism in Central America, the oppression of farmworkers, or the current exploitation of undocumented immigrants. Christianity has played a significant role in that movement at every stage. Robert Chao Romero, the son of a Mexican father and a Chinese immigrant mother, explores the history and theology of what he terms the "Brown Church."

Robin Meyers, a rising star of liberal Christianity, restores the true mission of the faith that captures the heart of Jesus's concern for people over "right belief." Saving Jesus from the Church will resonate deeply with those who enjoy the works of John Shelby Spong, Marcus Borg, and John Dominic Crossan.

In Thom Rainer's latest book, he sets out to discover how churches that were once healthy but had stagnated in growth have broken out to become great churches impacting lives and entire communities.

What is the way forward for the church? Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches―from Willow Creek to Harvest, from Southern Baptist pastors to Sovereign Grace churches. Respected author and theologian Scot McKnight and former Willow Creek member Laura Barringer wrote this book to paint a pathway forward for the church.

April 18th, 1521. Martin Luther was on trial for believing the Scriptures were the ultimate authority for the Christian, rather than dogma developed by men. He is quoted as having said, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God” when asked to recant his writings. I’ve taken part of Luther’s statement as my title because while I am thankful to God for myriad men in the Reformed Baptist world that have taught me much, I cannot claim full allegiance to a document written in the 17th century; it beingmostly right. The Word of God – alone! – demands and warrants our full ...

Salvation for Sale!Secrets. We love a good mystery, don’t we? What aren’t preachers telling us about their demands for tithes and their requests for offerings? The short answer is we’re being deceived, bullied, and manipulated. The longer answer is this book. Millions of Christians are under the impression that the salvation they received freely “by grace through faith” actually costs a non-negotiable lifetime fee of ten percent of their gross income. Preachers (usually) don’t explain it this way, and Christians don’t (usually) think of it this way. But when all is said and ...

One of the most fiercely debated topics in modern Christianity centers on the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities into the full life of the church. Dozens of scholars have stepped forward, seeking to make a compelling case for LGBT+ inclusion based on their contextualized reading of the six traditional passages that refer to homosexuality in Scripture. But these arguments alone fall short of providing a comprehensive framework for radical inclusion of LGBT+ people.

Despite Jesus' prayer that all Christians "be one", divisions have been epidemic in the body of Christ from the beginning to the present. We cluster in theological groups, gender groups, age groups, ethnic groups, educational, and economic groups. We criticize freely those who disagree with us, don't look like us, don't act like us, and don't even like what we like. With a personal touch and the trained eye of a social psychologist, Cleveland brings to bear the latest studies and research on the unseen dynamics at work that tend to separate us from others.

We live in confusing times. Our society has shifted on its moral axis, and many are asking whether Christianity needs to be reinvented - or even reimagined - in order to save it. In Saving Christianity?, Dr. Michael Youssef explores this train of thought and its pitfalls. He describes how similar discussions in Christianity's recent past explored the very same question. Saving Christianity? will help you discern what is going on within the church while it reviews the essentials of the Christian faith as described in the Bible.

Brendan Roberts, author of five books and co-author of "Worth the Chase: Finding Love God's Way" challenges the reader to deepen their knowledge of history and deepen their understanding of their faith. Is the Catholic Church really hung up about sex? This book can give you insight into why America actually chose Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton. Clinton endorsed abortion up to birth, including partial-birth abortion. Read the philosophy behind such a crazy notion. Also read why the Church is so pro-life and will stand up for the dignity of the helpless. You can discover in-depth the ...

This incredible work is the book Chronicles of Repentance written by Rev. Fr. Yousef Asaad, in which he tells some of the amazing stories of repentance. The original work titled,“يوميات تائب” (yawmiyāt tāʾib) was released as three separate books in Arabic. Upon receiving permission from Fr. Asaad's family, the books were translated and combined in this volume. The three books contain short stories and meditations numbered sequentially. Fr. Youssef Asaad (1944 - 1993) was a very influential priest in Egypt during the late 20th century. He was ordained in 1967 and had labored...

When was the last time you had an honest, heartfelt, yet kind and productive conversation with someone about depression, mental illness, substance abuse, pornography, premarital sex, racism, divorce, abortion, LGBT issues, or politics? If you're tired of avoiding tough conversations, Challenging Conversations is the book you've been waiting for. With straightforward answers to some of the most challenging moral issues disrupting the church, this book will help you build your confidence using three simple steps to becoming a conversant Christian.

Prepare to step into the mind of one of Christianity’s most influential thinkers, Clement of Alexandria. This book is your gateway to understanding how one man’s genius shaped the course of Christian thought, merging the profound wisdom of classical philosophy with the emerging teachings of the early Church. Unlock the Secrets of Ancient Wisdom Clement wasn’t just a scholar; he was a visionary. By delving into this book, you’ll discover how he deftly wove together the threads of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine, creating a rich tapestry that has endured for centuries. ...

Part of the furor in the Middle East is the identity of Israel. Various sects of Christianity try to tackle its relationship with the nation, kingdom, and homeland of the Jews. With that in mind, this book aims to answer the following question Biblically: Why is the Church not and never will be Israel? Discover: The five main views of the relationship between the Church and Israel The difference between the New Testament and New Covenant (It's not what you think) Why passages that seem to imply that the Church is Israel doesn't actually say so The question is explored in many angles, and...

This is a basic workbook on different topics related to the Bible such as Christian Ministry or Ministerial Formation, Old & New Testament, History of the Christian Church, Systematic Theology, Biblical Greek: Pronunciation and Leadership in the Local Church. You will have a general biblical knowledge of the different topics discussed in the book. Enroll in our Bible studies courses at: https://biblestudy.gnomio.com/

Gavin Ortlund draws from both his scholarly work in church history and his personal experience in ecumenical engagement to offer a powerful defense of the Protestant tradition. Retrieving classical Protestant texts and arguments, he exposes how many of the contemporary objections leveled against Protestants are rooted in caricature. Ultimately, he shows that historic Protestantism offers the best pathway to catholicity and historical rootedness for Christians today.

In The Baptist Foundation: Foundations for Faith and Practice, Marvin McKenzie presents a clear and concise study of the core beliefs that shape Baptist Christianity. This comprehensive resource delves into foundational doctrines, distinctives, and difficult theological topics central to the Baptist tradition. With clarity and biblical accuracy, the author equips readers with a deeper understanding of Baptist faith, making it an invaluable resource for pastors, students, and believers. The first section explores the central doctrines of Baptist faith, beginning with the authority of ...

In this short, accessible account of the Eastern Orthodox Church, John McGuckin begins by tackling the question "What is the Church?" His answer is a clear, historically and theologically rooted portrait of what the Church is for Orthodox Christianity and how it differs from Western Christians' expectations.

In The Mission of God's People, Wright argues that having a strong biblical theology that shapes our thinking and behavior must be in place before answering the call of the Great Commission. Wright first steps back and answers some of the biggest questions of God's story and our place within it. Part of the Biblical Theology for Life series, this practical and robust audiobook will help you and your church ground your witness-bearing purpose and worship on the solid foundation of biblical understanding and reflection.

A clear, concise introduction to the holy book that guides the lives of 1.6 billion people on our planet, this brief volume opens the world of the Qur'an to interested listeners who want to know where this scripture came from and how it has achieved a profound influence in today's world. Writing in an accessible question-and-answer format, Jane McAuliffe, one of the world's foremost scholars of the Qur'an, introduces listeners to this important text by discussing its origins, structure, themes, interpretations, and what it has to say about a host of critical contemporary issues.