The Divine Drama of Love: The Christian Narrative in Seven Acts


Book Description

Jim Fowler has cast the entire Christian message into a dramatic form with seven acts. Beginning in the inner sanctum of the loving interactions of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the drama procedes to consider the creation of the angelic and human orders, the fall of man, the redemptive and restorative acts of Jesus Christ, spiritual regeneration and eternal life.




The Scandal of Divine Love


Book Description

There is no more important topic for inquiry today than the meaning and message of Jesus, for in this quest lies the solution to human discontent and despair. Examining an array of titles for Jesus found in the New Testament, expressions ranging from rabbi and messiah to Wisdom of God, Word of God, and Lord, this study explores why Christology is not simply the study of Jesus Christ but also of the highest and best in us all. Who is Jesus Christ, and what is his significance for today? Was he fully human, the perfect human, God in disguise, or somehow all of these simultaneously? The key is to begin where the first Christians began, with their experience of Jesus, and then to press forward with the development of that understanding in our experience of Christ. While The Scandal of Divine Love is designed for Christian believers (survivors), it embraces skeptics and seekers alike, mindful that within each of us are multiple voices, sometimes affirming, sometimes questioning, occasionally even denying. Whether you consider yourself primarily as skeptic, seeker, or believer, this study encourages you to listen, appreciate, and cultivate each voice. This volume, ideal for individual and group study, will help you discover anew the magnificence of the life and person known to us as Jesus of Nazareth, as guide, exemplar, and Lord.




Acts


Book Description

In this new commentary for the Belief series, award-winning author and theologian Willie James Jennings explores the relevance of the book of Acts for the struggles of today. While some see Acts as the story of the founding of the Christian church, Jennings argues that it is so much more, depicting revolutionlife in the disrupting presence of the Spirit of God. According to Jennings, Acts is like Genesis, revealing a God who is moving over the land, "putting into place a holy repetition that speaks of the willingness of God to invade our every day and our every moment." He reminds us that Acts took place in a time of Empire, when the people were caught between diaspora Israel and the Empire of Rome. The spirit of God intervened, offering new life to both. Jennings shows that Acts teaches how people of faith can yield to the Spirit to overcome the divisions of our present world.




Introducing World Missions


Book Description

This overview considers issues involved in becoming a missionary, the process of getting to the mission field, and contemporary challenges a mission worker must face.




The Voice of God in the Text of Scripture


Book Description

A Development of the Doctrine of Scripture and Its Interpretation. In the case of engaging with Scripture in a way that allows it to speak to us we have a theological mandate to develop a doctrine of Scripture that recognizes both the written text and its divine authorship. The proceedings of the fourth annual Los Angeles Theology Conference focuses on the theological and doctrinal dimensions to the biblical texts, drawing on scholars of biblical studies and systematic theology in order to do so. The question that frames these discussions is, "How does the voice of God come to us in the text of Scripture?" The ten diverse essays in this collection include discussions on: Authorial intent. The reception and formation of the Bible as Christian Scripture. The relationship between Scripture and human identity. The hermeneutics of metaphor and theological method. Each of the essays collected in this volume engage with Scripture as well as with others in the field—theologians both past and present, from different confessions—in order to provide constructive resources for contemporary systematic theology and to forge a theology for the future.




Covenant and Eschatology


Book Description

In this innovative work in theological method and hermeneutics, Michael S. Horton uses the motif of the covenant as a way of binding together God's "word" and God's "act." Seeking an integration of theological method with the content of Christian theology, Horton emphasizes God's covenant as God's way of working for redemption in the world. Horton maintains a substantial dialogue with important philosophical figures and Christian theologians, ultimately providing scholars and serious students a significant model for approaching and understanding Christian theology.




I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die


Book Description

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.




Discerning the Divine


Book Description

An ideal introduction to Christian theology,Discerning the Divinepresents the doctrine of God as the most important subject in Christian believing and living. Chapters discuss the complex God question and the task of Christian theology. Includes a glossary of terms.




Approaches to Teaching the Works of Flannery O'Connor


Book Description

Known for her violent, startling stories that culminate in moments of grace, Flannery O'Connor depicted the postwar segregated South from a unique perspective. This volume proposes strategies for introducing students to her Roman Catholic aesthetic, which draws on concepts such as incarnation and original sin, and offers alternative contexts for reading her work. Part 1, "Materials," describes resources that provide a grounding in O'Connor's work and life. The essays in part 2, "Approaches," discuss her beliefs about writing and her distinctive approach to fiction and religion; introduce fresh perspectives, including those of race, class, gender, and interdisciplinary approaches; highlight her craft as a creative writer; and suggest pairings of her works with other texts. Alice Walker's short story "Convergence" is included as an appendix.




With Calvin in the Theater of God


Book Description

Stemming from the Desiring God 2009 National Conference, Julius Kim, Douglas Wilson, Marvin Olasky, Mark Talbot, Sam Storms, and John Piper invite us to sit with Calvin in the theater of God, marveling at his glory.