Church Theology

"This is a book I will refer back to time and again throughout my ministry. For any pastor seeking an engaging, scripturally sound guide, you've found it here!"-- Amazon reviewer Cross-denominational and cross-cultural Engaging Comprehensive Grounded in Scripture Practical and inspirational Options and best practices, not prescriptions Addresses mainline, evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal issues Translated into seven languages and counting, Dr. Wentz’s book has trained thousands of pastors around the world. It is the textbook for the 3-credit course MIN 315 offered by Christian ...

In Part Two of this series, Rev. John goes deeper into his UU faith. Through fresh sermons, honest reflections, and bold new teachings, he shows what it means to live our faith out loud: to anchor our lives in shared values with Love at the center, to wrestle with our evolving principles and sources, to build the Beloved Community Dr. King dreamed about — right here, right now. Drawing wisdom from history, pop culture, and his own journey as a Black Unitarian Universalist minister, Rev. Crestwell invites new UUs, longtime members, and spiritual seekers alike to remember that this is a ...

In our quest to renew the church, Christians have walked through seeker-friendly, emergent, missional, and other movements to develop new expressions of the body of Christ. Now, in the post-Christian world in North America, we're asking the question again: Is there a way to be the church that engages the world, not by judgment nor accommodation but by becoming the good news in our culture?

In a series of personal letters to his sons, Omar Saif Ghobash offers a short and highly listenable manifesto that tackles our current global crisis with the training of an experienced diplomat and the personal responsibility of a father. Today's young Muslims will be tomorrow's leaders, and yet too many are vulnerable to extremist propaganda that seems omnipresent in our technological age.

This book brings together scientists, theologians, biblical scholars, and scholars of religion to explore the relationship between Pentecostalism and science with respect to miracles. The chapters cover a broad range of issues, such as how to frame the relation between science and religion; the compatibility of miracles and modern science; the best way of understanding signs and wonders in light of biblical texts; to what extent healing prayer should be studied scientifically; how the miraculous has been portrayed in modern cultural imaginarium; and the implications of all the above for ...

The Word ‘tsumi’: A Japanese Problem in Translating and Understanding. (Series. Bridges ‘Me a criminal? No way!’ This shocking reply is at the core of this unique book—unique, because there is no other English book on the subject of tsumi , and its alternates and its unfortunate meaning of criminally guilty in Japanese. Unfortunately, it does not encompass the meaning of sin against God. Four hundred years have passed, and this deplorable translation is still used in Japanese churches today. These are some of the topics that are covered in this informative book: How Japanese ...

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 ...

What if, suddenly, Jesus appeared on the streets of your city? That's the scenario of Jesus Is Here, Charles M. Sheldon's sequel to his classic novel In His Steps, the book that introduced the world to WWJW: "What would Jesus do?"

The Hybrid Congregation explores how technology has become an integral part of our daily lives and how it is impacting religious practices in unexpected ways. With the rise of online platforms, including social media and video conferencing tools, the concept of a physical church space is being redefined. The virtual world is now an extension of our physical reality, blurring the lines between what is considered "real" and what is not.

Christian identity is in moral and political crisis. Lee Camp writes “that one major reason Christianity in America has been made into a bad public joke is our failure to rightly understand what Christianity is.” Scandalous Witness provides a way forward. Although refusing to reduce Christianity to any partisan agenda, he reminds us that the gospel is inherently political and that we are called to be political witnesses.

“I’m deconstructing.” Yet another social-media post announces departure from the Christian faith. The cause could be sex, race, politics, social justice, science, hell - or all of the above. For many, Christianity is becoming implausible, even impossible to believe. While it might be tempting to leave the church in order to find answers, Before You Lose Your Faith argues that church should be the best place to deal with doubts.

To attempt to study Scripture without studying its law is to deny it. To attempt to understand Western civilization apart from the impact of biblical law within it and upon it is to seek a fictitious history and to reject 20 centuries and their progress. The Institutes of Biblical Law has as its purpose a reversal of the present trend. it is called "Institutes" in the older meaning of that word--i.e., fundamental principles, here of law, because it is intended as a beginning, as an instituting consideration of that law that must govern society.

From Old Testament to New Testament, and through to the present day, Scarlet and White illuminates the ways in which the gospel story is the story of God redeeming sinners to create a Bride for Himself. It seeks to lead the listener along the scarlet tapestry woven throughout Scripture, continually pointing to Christ’s plan to secure His Bride through His own blood. By focusing primarily on one biblical metaphor—that of the Bride of Christ—Scarlet and White is able to help listeners understand the biblical, historical, and practical implications of this doctrine.

Ralph Neighbour repeatedly says, “Theology must breed methodology.”Joel Comiskey has arrived at the same conclusion. Biblical truth is the only firm foundation for anything we do. Without a biblical base, we don’t have a strong under-pinning upon which we can hang our ministry and philosophy. We can plod through most anything when we know that God is stirring us to behave biblically.

Yes, I know that memorizing the Faith is no substitute for living a holy life, but even devout people can't live by truths and precepts they don't remember. That's why, over 700 years ago, St. Thomas Aquinas perfected an easy method for his students to memorize most any information, but especially the truths taught by Christ and His Church. Now thanks to Memorize the Faith!, you can easily keep all these in mind by tapping into the power of the classical memory system that helped St. Thomas become the Church's preeminent theologian.

John Dickson provides an easily digestible and inviting Bible primer for anyone interested in informing themselves about the most widely read book in the history of humanity. By presenting the whole of the Bible as an account of God's promise to restore humanity to Himself, and humans to one another and to creation, Dickson allows believers and skeptics alike to gain insight into why the Bible has been a compelling, life-changing, and magnetic force throughout the ages—and why it still matters.

Fellowship among believers is more than just talking over coffee after church service. Biblical fellowship in New Testament times - or koinonia - had rich and varied meanings, including covenant relationship, partnership in the gospel, communion with God and others, and the sharing of earthly possessions. In True Community, best-selling author Jerry Bridges guides you through koinonia and its implications for today’s church.

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/

Understanding Judaism—and the way in which Judaism and Christianity became separate religions—is essential for a rich and holistic Christian identity. As a follower of Jesus who was raised in a Jewish home and who continues to live a Jewish life, Jennifer Rosner has seen firsthand how a Christian faith can become impoverished when divorced from its Jewish roots. Finding Messiah follows Rosner's own journey in rediscovering the role of Judaism and God's covenant with Israel in Christian life and practice.

Alone among the creatures of the world, man suffers a pang both bitter and sweet. It is an ache for the homecoming. The Greeks called it nostalgia. Post-modern man, homeless almost by definition, cannot understand nostalgia. If he is a progressive, dreaming of a utopia to come, he dismisses it contemptuously, eager to bury a past he despises. If he is a reactionary, he sentimentalizes it, dreaming of a lost golden age. In this profound reflection, Anthony Esolen explores the true meaning of nostalgia and its place in the human heart.