Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age


Book Description

5 Classic Lectures from J. I. Packer Defending the Truth of the Gospel against Humanism, Universalism, and More Christians today confront complex opposition to the gospel from intellectuals, skeptics, and pluralists who deny the divinity of Christ. But these are not new issues; the first-century church encountered similar challenges to their faith. How did the apostle Paul address these questions and doubts to effectively spread God's word? In these lectures, originally given at Reformed Bible College and Moore College in 1978, renowned theologian J. I. Packer tackles common objections to Christianity—including secular humanism, pluralism, and universalism. By studying the evangelistic efforts of Paul and the early church, Packer skillfully preaches the glory of Christ crucified and helps students, pastors, and believers share their faith in an age of skepticism. 5 Vintage Lectures: Covering topics including Jesus's humanity and divinity, substitutionary atonement, and the truth of Christ's resurrection A Great Resource for Pastors and Thoughtful Christians: Provides gospel-centered answers to different worldviews including universalism, secular humanism, and pluralism From J. I. Packer: Prolific theologian and bestselling author of Knowing God




Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age


Book Description

"In the first-century church, Paul defended the gospel against the intellectual assertions of his day. Jews required signs, Greeks sought wisdom, and skeptics denied the dual nature of the God-Man Jesus Christ. Two thousand years later, J. I. Packer pulled these same Christological weeds, defending the truth of the gospel against kenosis, secular humanism, pluralism, universalism, and more. How did Paul and Packer attack these invasive intellectual species? They preached Christ crucified. They told the story of the gospel: the many-stranded story of the eternal Son of God who died for sinners in the most wonderful exchange the world has ever seen. No other name but Jesus, no other truth but the Cross of Christ, can save sinners in any age"--




The Gospel in a Pluralist Society


Book Description

INSPIRATIONAL




Proclaiming Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit


Book Description

How may the church claim that Christ is the only Savior in a world in which tolerance and relativism are prized and societies are increasingly religiously plural? How does the Spirit empower believers and communities in their daily life and work as they face formidable cultural and ideological challenges? Such questions these essays answer. Half originated at "Proclaiming Christ in the Face of Challenges," the 2018 Scholarsʼ Consultation of Empowered21, a global network of Spirit-empowered churches and communities. This Consultationʼs location in Johannesburg accounts for eight essaysʼ focusing on distinctively African concerns; another four center on Asia and the Global South and three on Europe. Others address Western concerns of modernism, postmodernism, secularism, and pluralism, while several probe biblical and historical-theological foundations of Christian faith and its Spirit-empowered proclamation. Readers will benefit from exploring the universality of the Christian gospel from its fi rst proclamation and its proven adaptability to the cultural pluralism that is todayʼs global reality, a flexibility that is faithful to Godʼs revelation and effective in imparting divine life where proclaimed and believed.







Liberty for All


Book Description

Christians are often thought of as defending only their own religious interests in the public square. They are viewed as worrying exclusively about the erosion of their freedom to assemble and to follow their convictions, while not seeming as concerned about publicly defending the rights of Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and atheists to do the same. Andrew T. Walker, an emerging Southern Baptist public theologian, argues for a robust Christian ethic of religious liberty that helps the church defend religious freedom for everyone in a pluralistic society. Whether explicitly religious or not, says Walker, every person is striving to make sense of his or her life. The Christian foundations of religious freedom provide a framework for how Christians can navigate deep religious difference in a secular age. As we practice religious liberty for our neighbors, we can find civility and commonality amid disagreement, further the church's engagement in the public square, and become the strongest defenders of religious liberty for all. Foreword by noted Princeton scholar Robert P. George.




Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World


Book Description

Religious pluralism is the greatest challenge facing Christianity in today's Western culture. The belief that Christ is the only way to God is being challenged, and increasingly Christianity is seen as just one among many valid paths to God. In Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World, four perspectives are presented by their major proponents: Normative Pluralism: All ethical religions lead to God (John Hick) Inclusivism: Salvation is universally available, but is established by and leads to Christ (Clark Pinnock) Salvation in Christ: Agnosticism regarding those who haven't heard the gospel (Alister McGrath) Salvation in Christ Alone: Salvation depends on explicit personal faith in Jesus Christ alone (R. Douglas Geivett and W. Gary Phillips) This book allows each contributor to not only present the case for his view, but also to critique and respond to the critiques of the other contributors. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.




The Joy of the Gospel


Book Description

The perfect gift! A specially priced, beautifully designed hardcover edition of The Joy of the Gospel with a foreword by Robert Barron and an afterword by James Martin, SJ. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus… In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.” – Pope Francis This special edition of Pope Francis's popular message of hope explores themes that are important for believers in the 21st century. Examining the many obstacles to faith and what can be done to overcome those hurdles, he emphasizes the importance of service to God and all his creation. Advocating for “the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned,” the Holy Father shows us how to respond to poverty and current economic challenges that affect us locally and globally. Ultimately, Pope Francis demonstrates how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small.” Profound in its insight, yet warm and accessible in its tone, The Joy of the Gospel is a call to action to live a life motivated by divine love and, in turn, to experience heaven on earth. Includes a foreword by Robert Barron, author of Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith and James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage




Contradict


Book Description

Tolerance and co-existence are both great! In fact, they are necessary. If we are to live together in peace without hating each other, or physically harming each other over differences in race, culture, sexual orientation, political views, and religious beliefs, we must have tolerance. However, we must also recognize that every belief can't be equally valid. If two beliefs directly contradict each other, both of them cannot be true, no matter how "tolerant" we become. This means it is false to say that every religion is true, or that every religion leads to God. When people make such claims they show that they have not taken the time to study the world's religions, because a brief reading of the sacred texts of only a handful of religions quickly reveals contradictions on the most fundamental levels. Religious Contradictions Reincarnation (Hinduism and Buddhism) contradicts the belief that this is your only life before eternity (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). Salvation from sin (Christianity) contradicts the belief that there is no sin to be saved from but simply pain that can be escaped through enlightenment (Buddhism). Jesus Christ is the incarnate, Son of God (Christianity), contradicts the teaching that he is just a prophet (Islam) or that he was a false prophet (Judaism). In light of these contradictions alone, all religions can't be true. They could all be false, but they can't all be true. Are any of them true? This is the most important question anyone can ask. Recognize religious contradictions. Embrace them. Test them. Seek the truth. www.contradictmovement.org




Encountering Religious Pluralism


Book Description

Harold Netland traces the emergence of the pluralistic ethos that challenges Christian faith and mission, interacting heavily with philosopher John Hick and providing a framework for developing a comprehensive evangelical theology of religions.