It’S a Sin to Be Boring


Book Description

Its a Sin to Be Boring is a biographical-historical fiction that unravels the complexity of a family, where the actions of one touch the lives of others. The main character, Rebelle Palatine, born in Ohio, marries her high school sweetheart during World War II. While she yearns for the war to be over, she achieves her perfect jobmodeling at a major department store in New York City. Only one thing throws a roadblock to her happinessspecifically the Battle of the Bulge. The contemporary political influences that constrain and mold the environment burrow like worms into the everyday workings of life. The family story unfolds. The Progressive movement, a political cancer that eats away at the American dream of liberty and freedom, runs parallel to the actions of those individuals who understand and protect the Constitution. Through the shadows of destruction rises a life of success, self-reliance, responsibility, and love. Its a Sin to Be Boring opens a window on history and a reminder that actions have consequences.




Mystery of the Magi


Book Description

"The perfect Christmas gift for anyone interested in the historical background behind the birth of Jesus of Nazareth." — Robert J. Hutchinson, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible, The Dawn of Christianity, and Searching for Jesus. "Utterly refreshing and encouraging." — Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther "The best book I know about the Magi." — Sir Colin John Humphreys, Ph.D., author of The Mystery of the Last Supper Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche. For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy? In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod. In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world. The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment—confirmed by computer models—that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king. The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.




It's All in How You Tell It


Book Description

Pastors are continually looking for resources to make their preaching more powerful and culturally relevant. Old-school models based on three-point outlines do not resonate with today's churchgoers, who are accustomed to media-driven modes of expression. It's All in How You Tell It provides the tools and insights necessary to help both veteran and novice preachers move from ineffective habits into adrenaline-pumping, dramatic sermon delivery. They will learn to preach by retelling a scriptural account from the vantage point of a biblical character-combining the power of drama with God's Word. Nationally known preaching expert Haddon W. Robinson and his son, Torrey, examine issues such as exegeting a text for a first-person approach, structuring a narrative sermon, determining how to portray biblical characters, and staging and delivering the sermon itself. With this book seminary and Bible college students have the opportunity to build foundations for engaging, story-filled preaching ministries. The end result will be more preachers who "love to tell the story" and more church members who are hungry to hear it.




Edwards on the Christian Life


Book Description

Jonathan Edwards is widely hailed as the greatest theologian in American history. In Edwards on the Christian Life, Dane Ortlund invites us to explore the great eighteenth-century pastor's central passion: God's resplendent beauty. Whether reflecting on the nature of love, the preeminence of Scripture, or the glory of the natural world, the concept of beauty stood at the heart of Edwards's theology and permeated his portrait of the Christian life. Clear and engaging, this accessible volume will inspire you to embrace Edwards's magnificent vision of what it means to be a Christian: enjoying and reflecting of the beauty of God in all things. Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.




The Heart of Christianity


Book Description

World-renowned Jesus scholar Marcus J. Borg shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today's world by practicing the vital elements of Christian faith. For the millions of people who have turned away from many traditional beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible, but still long for a relevant, nourishing faith, Borg shows why the Christian life can remain a transforming relationship with God. Emphasizing the critical role of daily practice in living the Christian life, he explores how prayer, worship, Sabbath, pilgrimage, and more can be experienced as authentically life-giving practices. Borg reclaims terms and ideas once thought to be the sole province of evangelicals and fundamentalists: he shows that terms such as "born again" have real meaning for all Christians; that the "Kingdom of God" is not a bulwark against secularism but is a means of transforming society into a world that values justice and love; and that the Christian life is essentially about opening one's heart to God and to others.




God, Technology, and the Christian Life


Book Description

What Does God Think about Technology? From smartphones to self-driving cars to space travel, new technologies can inspire us. But the breakneck pace of change can also frighten us. So how do Christians walk by faith through the innovations of Silicon Valley? And how does God relate to our most powerful innovators? To build a biblical theology of technology, journalist and tech optimist Tony Reinke examines nine key texts from Scripture to show how the world's discoveries are divinely orchestrated. Ultimately, what we believe about God determines how we respond to human invention. With the help of several theologians and inventors throughout history, Reinke dispels twelve common myths in the church and offers fourteen ethical convictions to help Christians live by faith in the age of big tech. Biblical, Informed Look at Technology: Written by the author of 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You and Competing Spectacles: Treasuring Christ in the Media Age Gathers Ideas from Industry Experts and Theologians: Interacts with Christian and non-Christian sources on technology and theology including John Calvin, Herman Bavinck, Wendell Berry, and Elon Musk Educational: Discusses the history and philosophy behind major technological innovations




The Child's Story Bible


Book Description

Stories from the Bible rewritten for children.




How the Bible Became a Book


Book Description

For the past two hundred years biblical scholars have increasingly assumed that the Hebrew Bible was largely written and edited in the Persian and Hellenistic periods. As a result, the written Bible has dwelled in an historical vacuum. Recent archaeological evidence and insights from linguistic anthropology, however, point to the earlier era of the late-Iron Age as the formative period for the writing of biblical literature. How the Bible Became a Book combines these recent archaeological discoveries in the Middle East with insights culled from the history of writing to address how the Bible first came to be written down and then became sacred Scripture. This book provides rich insight into why these texts came to have authority as Scripture and explores why Ancient Israel, an oral culture, began to write literature, challenging the assertion that widespread literacy first arose in Greece during the fifth century BCE.




Teach Like Jesus


Book Description

No one ever taught like Jesus. When we learn from Him we truly are learning from the Master Teacher. Josh Hunt is uniquely qualified to help us teach like Jesus because these are the practices he has personally used for years! Anyone who wants to become a better teacher must have this book! Allan Taylor Author, Sunday School in HD I have had the pleasure of hearing Josh teach this material in person and I can assure you that it always has an impact on the audience. It is both entertaining and informative. It will challenge you to communicate more effectively. It is biblically based and practically oriented. Your teaching will be improved if you follow the suggestions included in these pages. Here's the good news. The book is as entertaining and informative as the live presentation! Buy it! Read it! Teach like Jesus! Ken Hemphill Author, The Prayer of Jesus If you want to be the best teacher you can possibly be, Teach Like Jesus. That is not only a wonderful title for a book on how to teach, that is the secret to becoming the greatest teacher you can become. Anyone who wants to have a greater ministry in teaching, should read this book. Elmer Towns Co Founder, Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia When it comes to teaching the Bible, nobody knows his stuff any better than Josh Hunt. Josh's new book, Teach Like Jesus, is a must read for every pastor, Sunday School director, minister of education, and Sunday School teacher out there. Josh combines years of experience, biblical analysis, and spiritual insight to provide a resource for teachers in the 21st century. But Teach Like Jesus is not just a book about theory. Woven throughout the book are practical ideas of how to put concept into reality. Bob Mayfield Sunday School and Discipleship Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma I read everything Josh has to say about teaching, group life and discipleship. This is his very best! Every member of our staff will be reading this and I am planning to get a copy for the majority of our volunteer teachers. It will make them better! Josh provides literally hundreds of applicable ideas, reminders, tips and "how-to's" to help your teaching be "the best"! Jeff Young Prestonwood Church, Dallas, TX This study is not an examination of what Jesus taught. It is an examination of how Jesus taught. In this book, you will learn. . . • Why is story such an effective way to teach? Where to find great stories. It is easier than it has ever been. What makes a great story? • How many times did Jesus ask questions? I was shocked by the answer. • What did Jesus expect of his disciples and how does expectation affect teaching? • Jesus wasn't always meek and mild and if you want to teach like Jesus you should raise your voice from time to time. • Teaching is not just about teaching. It is also about relationship. Love like Jesus. • Jesus teaching was not always clear. We are still fighting about it today. Why is that? Why wasn't Jesus clearer when he taught? • Jesus often taught in apparent contradiction. He told us to let our light so shine before men and to be careful not to do our acts of righteousness before men. He made these two statements in one sermon. What do we learn about teaching from that? • Jesus teaching was shocking to his original audience. Sometimes it shocks us. This book is born out of a careful study of the life of Christ taken from the gospels in the original Greek. Background information is from respected commentaries as well as the latest brain science on how we learn. This book has one simple goal: Teach like Jesus.




Transforming Bible Study


Book Description

The Word of God is alive—dynamic and powerful. Do you want a Bible study method that will bring Scripture to life in your personal study and in your group studies? With both biblical expertise and cultural awareness Bob Grahmann clearly introduces the inductive method of Bible study and offers a variety of exercises to help you put it into practice right away.