The Way Up Is Down


Book Description

For writer, professor, and activist Marlena Graves, formation and justice always intertwine on the path to a balanced life of both action and contemplation. Drawing on the rich traditions of Eastern and Western Christian saints, she describes the process of emptying herself that allows her to move upward toward God and become the true self that God calls her to.




The Radical Jesus


Book Description

The Radical Jesus is a brief examination of Christ's life, teaching, death and resurrection. Everything about Jesus is absolutely radical; the One the Scriptures reveal as anything but tame. Without a clear understanding of who Jesus is, we can never hope to be the disciples we were meant to be in this fallen world. The twofold purpose of this book is to exalt the radical Jesus by presenting a fresh glimpse of who He is and to reveal the high calling that true believers are to live.




12 Radical Teachings of Jesus


Book Description

The 12 Radical Teachings of Jesus pamphlet takes all of Jesus' key teachings and condenses them to 12 easy-to-understand overviews with cross references, application questions, and key points. From forgiveness to unconditional love, dive into the radical gospel of Jesus at the turn of a page with this slimline pamphlet. Between parables, proverbs, and the commandments, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of the Bible's teachings. Most of these lessons are counter-cultural and difficult to apply in a world that chases prosperity and power. How can we be transformed by them if it feels like there are so many to grasp? Jesus makes all of these important principles clear and practical with his teachings and his life, and you can find them all in this slimline pamphlet that fits in the back of your Bible! The 12 Radical Teachings of Jesus pamphlet shares a dozen of Jesus' teachings that were radical for the disciples and hearers at that time, and are still impactful for us today. Discover what Jesus said and how to apply it in today's context. Each of the 12 teachings of Jesus covers-- Key verse & cross referencesThe world's teachingJesus' radical teachingKey pointsLife application and discussion questions 14 fold out panels, unfolds to 33 inches long. The Radical Teachings of Jesus Pamphlet is Perfect for Christian Discipleship You already know that Jesus' teachings are challenging to a culture steeped in self-promotion and material gain. Sometimes they are sugar-coated in church or in the media, where being kind to those you love is enough. But what about loving your enemies or putting others first? Whether you are a new believer or are discipling others, this pamphlet is a must-have for those serious about growing in their faith, knowledge of the Bible, and becoming more like Jesus. Enjoy Jesus' teachings about -- The Grace of Jesus The humble shall be exaltedThe last shall be first, and the first shall be lastand more Faith & Love of Jesus Loving your enemiesUnconditional love & forgivenessCaring for "the least of these" The Kingdom of God Putting God firstBeing obedient and child-likeand more! 4 Key Features of This Radical Teachings of Jesus Pamphlet 1. Easy-to-Understand: Get a Clear Overview of the Radical Gospel of Christ Enjoy clearly seeing 12 of the key teachings of Jesus at a glance! Easily compare the world's teaching with Jesus' teachings side-by-side. Deepen your knowledge of the Scriptures and your understanding of faith with this easy-to-use pamphlet! Perfect for individual study, small group, homeschool, or your church library. 2. Quick & Easy: Easy-to-Use Layout Shows Key Information at a Glance Save time flipping through huge commentaries and theology books when you can have key Christian beliefs in an easy-to-read layout at your fingertips! Get a simple overview of the most important teachings of Jesus including loving your enemies, forgiveness, and much more! Each teaching covers-- Key verse & cross referencesThe world's teachingJesus' radical teachingKey pointsLife application and discussion questions 3. Bible-Based: Includes Key Verses and Scripture References Packed with dozens of key verses and Scripture references, easily navigate through the teachings of Christ with this quick-reference pamphlet. It's never been easier to know what you believe and why you believe it. The quick reference format makes teaching and learning simple and clear. 4. Practical Applications and Discussion Questions to Live a Radical Christian Life Don't just read the gospel. Learn to live out the 12 radical teachings of Jesus with engaging life application questions to bring your faith into today's context. Click here for bonus study questions!




The Radical Teaching of Jesus


Book Description

The Radical Teaching of Jesus carefully and thoughtfully invites the reader into an understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus. Both his life and teachings are radical in that Jesus intended those who observed his life and heard his teachings to make a major change in their lives by fully receiving the power and presence of God. The implications of this transformation would result in a life of loving God with heart and mind and one's neighbor without condition. This volume underlines that to have a full understanding of the implications of the radical teaching of Jesus requires a careful reading of the history--of the Gospel records, of the circumstances in which Jesus lived, and of Jesus' sense of vocation. This understanding makes possible a more credible and nuanced grasp of the style and content of the life and teaching of Jesus and its extraordinary relevance for our rapidly changing and troubled global context. The book speaks poignantly both to those within the Christian family who find traditional categories regarding Jesus increasingly difficult to affirm, and to those of other faith traditions or religious unaffiliated who seek an authentic spiritual way.




Jesus the Radical


Book Description

Some sought his death. Others left everything to follow him. Who was this Jesus, this son of a carpenter turned wandering teacher? Why did he provoke such extreme reactions? And why does he still do so today, more than two thousand years after his death? Jesus the Radical highlights the impact of Jesus against the backdrop of life in first-century Judea, with its customs, its Messianic hopes, its multi-faceted Judaism and its Roman overlords. Here are many fascinating insights into the story you thought you knew. "Sensitive and compelling . it confronts the reader with Jesus and lets him decide what responses to make." -Christianity Today R. T. France has taught at London Bible College and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, from 1989 to 1995. He is the author of Matthew in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series, The Evidence for Jesus, The Living God, and Jesus and the Old Testament.




Zealot


Book Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” (Los Angeles Times) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus, from the host of Believer Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity. Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus’ life and mission. Praise for Zealot “Riveting . . . Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account.”—The New Yorker “Fascinatingly and convincingly drawn . . . Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere Jesus as the peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, true son of God depicted in modern Christianity, even as he knocks down that image.”—The Seattle Times “[Aslan’s] literary talent is as essential to the effect of Zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. . . . A vivid, persuasive portrait.”—Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.”—San Francisco Chronicle “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power “Compulsively readable . . . This superb work is highly recommended.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)




Jesus Outside the Lines


Book Description

Whether the issue of the day on Twitter, Facebook, or cable news is our sexuality, political divides, or the perceived conflict between faith and science, today’s media pushes each one of us into a frustrating clash between two opposing sides. Polarizing, us-against-them discussions divide us and distract us from thinking clearly and communicating lovingly with others. Scott Sauls, like many of us, is weary of the bickering and is seeking a way of truth and beauty through the conflicts. Jesus Outside the Lines presents Jesus as this way. Scott shows us how the words and actions of Jesus reveal a response that does not perpetuate the destructive fray. Jesus offers us a way forward—away from harshness, caricatures, and stereotypes. In Jesus Outside the Lines, you will experience a fresh perspective of Jesus, who will not (and should not) fit into the sides.




A Beautiful Disaster


Book Description

Interweaving biblical insights and personal narratives, this eloquently written book shows how God often uses suffering and desert experiences to form us into Christ's image. Marlena Graves shares her experiences of growing up poor in a house plagued by mental illness as a means to explore the forces God uses to shape us into beautiful people in the midst of brokenness. This book offers a window into suffering through the motif of desert spirituality, revealing how God can use our painful experiences to show himself faithful. While no one welcomes suffering, God often uses desert experiences--those we initially despise and wouldn't wish on anyone--to transform us into beautiful souls who better resemble Jesus. Graves shows how God can bring life out of circumstances reeking of death and destruction, whether those circumstances are crises or daily doses of quiet desperation. Readers who have experienced suffering and question God's purpose for it will benefit from this book, as will counselors, pastors, professors, and mentors. It includes a foreword by John Ortberg and Laura Ortberg Turner.




Jesus for President


Book Description

Jesus for President is a radical manifesto to awaken the Christian political imagination, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in Jesus and the incarnation of the peculiar politic of the church as a people 'set apart' from this world. In what can be termed lyrical theology, Jesus for President poetically weaves together words and images to sing (rather than dictate) its message. It is a collaboration of Shane Claiborne's writing and stories, Chris Haw's reflections and research, and Chico Fajardo-Heflin's art and design. Drawing upon the work of biblical theologians, the lessons of church history, and the examples of modern-day saints and ordinary radicals, Jesus for President stirs the imagination of what the Church could look like if it placed its faith in Jesus instead of Caesar. A fresh look at Christianity and empire, Jesus for President transcends questions of 'Should I vote or not?' and 'Which candidate?' by thinking creatively about the fundamental issues of faith and allegiance. It's written for those who seek to follow Jesus, rediscover the spirit of the early church, and incarnate the kingdom of God.




An Introduction to the Parables of Jesus


Book Description

A clear and thorough introduction to the best known of Jesus' teachings, this much-needed text examines what parables are, why Jesus taught in parables, and the purpose and place of parables in the Gospel narratives. Invaluable for the beginning seminary or college students and for church study groups, this enlightening work reveals the meaning of the parables when they were first given, their meaning for the Gospel writers, and their meaning for us today.