Coming to the Resource Center Early November

A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good (2011) Miroslav Volf

Debates rage today about the role of religions in public life. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, various religions come to inhabit the same space. But how do they live together, especially when each wants to shape the public realm according to the dictates of its own sacred texts and traditions? How does the Christian faith relate in the religious pluralism of contemporary public life? 

While Volf argues that there is no single way Christian faith relates to culture as a whole, he explores major issues on the frontlines of faith today: 1) In what way does the Christian faith come to malfunction in the contemporary world, and how should we counter these malfunctions? 2) What should a Christian's main concern be when it comes to living well in the world today? and 3) How should we go about realizing a vision for human flourishing in relation to other faiths and under the roof of a single state? 

Covering such timely issues as witness in a multifaith society and political engagement in a pluralistic world, this compelling book highlights things Christians can do to serve the common good.

Mistakes Leaders Make (2012) Dave Kraft

Anyone involved in leadership knows that it's tough and mistakes are bound to happen. But some mistakes are more costly than others and can result in the end of effectiveness, the loss of important relationships, and disqualification from ministry.

Using the story of a fictitious church team to demonstrate the problems, principles, and practice of finding solutions, leadership expert Dave Kraft uncovers the top 10 critical mistakes leaders make and shows you how to avoid them so you can have ministry and relationships that last.

Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business (2012) Wayne Grudem

Can business glorify God? We normally think of worship, faith,
evangelism, and other "spiritual" activities as glorifying to God,
but business? Wayne Grudem believes that by engaging in work and business we glorify God because we are emulating God's own creative work. This book is a thoughtful guide to imitating God during interactions with customers, coworkers, employees, and other businesses.

Meaning at the Movies: Becoming a Discerning Viewer (2010) Grant Horner

Hollywood produces, packages, and sells hundreds of movies every year. Many of these movies propagate a distorted sense of morality and ethics. Under the surface of immoral behavior and unlawfulness, however, there can be deeper problems in Hollywood's messages. What are these stories telling the viewer about life, relationships, and God? What worldviews and ideas do they espouse? If Christians are to tread carefully at the theater complex, they need resources to help them.

This book is just such a resource. By exploring the relationship between Christianity and art, the theology of biblical discernment, and a brief history of filmmaking, as well as through analysis of popular films, Meaning at the Movies equips readers for careful discernment in the cinema. The book does not simply list criteria for judging film art; instead it encourages Christians to develop biblical and critical discernment in regard to not only film, but all aspects of culture.

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering (2013) Timothy Keller

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering is the definitive Christian book on why bad things happen and how we should respond to them. The question of why there is pain and suffering in the world has confounded every generation; yet there has not been a major book from a Christian perspective exploring why they exist for many years.

The two classics in this area are When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, which was published more than thirty years ago, and C. S. Lewis’s The Problem of Pain, published more than seventy years ago. The great secular book on the subject, Elisabeth Ku¨bler-Ross’s On Death and Dying, was first published in 1969. It’s time for a new understanding and perspective, and who better to tackle this complex subject than Timothy Keller?

As the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Timothy Keller is known for the unique insights he shares, and his series of books has guided countless readers in their spiritual journeys. Walking with God through Pain and Suffering will bring a much-needed, fresh viewpoint on this important issue.

Coming to the Resource Center Late October

C.S. Lewis: A Life: Eccentric Genius. Reluctant Prophet. (2013) Alister McGrath

"McGrath's new biography of C.S. Lewis is excellent. It's filled with information based on extensive scholarship but is nonetheless extremely readable. It not only devotes great attention to the formation and character of Lewis, it offers incisive and balanced analyses of all his main literary works. I devoured Lewis's works in my youth. His impact on me was so profound and lasting, and McGrath clearly explains why so many can say the same thing." - Timothy Keller

The Screwtape Letters (1942) C.S. Lewis

This classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis give us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation - and triumph over it - ever written. (from the publisher)

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (2010) Ann Voskamp

One Thousand Gifts beckons you to leave the parched ground of pride, fear, and white-knuckle control and abandon yourself to the God who overflows your cup. As Ann Voskamp invites you into her own moments of grace, she gently teaches you how to biblically lament loss, turning pain into poetry; intentionally embrace a lifestyle of radical gratitude; and slow down and catch God in the moment. (from the publisher)

The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross (1918) A.W. Pink

The words Christ spoke from the cross can inform Christians of the purpose, the meaning, the sufferings, and the sufficiency of his death. After an introduction that discusses the nature of Christ's death as natural, unnatural, preternatural, and supernatural, Dr. Arthur W. Pink clearly illustrates the lessons that can be drawn from Christ's words-lessons on forgiveness, salvation, affection, anguish, suffering, victory, and contentment. (Goodreads)

Coming to the Resource Center Mid-October

Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book About a (Really) Big Problem (2013) Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung addresses the busyness problem head on in his newest book - and not with the typical arsenal of time-management tips, but with the biblical tools we need to get to the source of the issue and pull the problem out by its roots. Highly practical and super short, Crazy Busy puts an end to "busyness as usual."

Word Versus Deed: Resetting the Scales to a Biblical Balance (2012) Duane Litfin

"Provides a wholly biblical answer that establishes the full primacy of proclamation together with the role of deeds in demonstrating the gospel to a watching world - utterly compelling." - R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving, & Living God's Word (2011) Stephen J. Nichols

Stephen NIchols helps us to experience the story and get more out of God's Word. Here is a book that invites you to enter, to participate, and to truly appreciate the very story of God.


And a couple of DVD series:

Westminster Conference on Science & Faith: God and Materialism (2011)

What is the scientific evidence for a materialistic worldview? Does materialism help or hinder the operation of good science? And what impact has materialism had on culture, including Biblical studies and theology? Speakers include professor Vern Poythress, astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez, biologist Jonathan Wells and many more. 10 hours on 3 DVDs. 

Westminster Conference on Science & Faith: Science, Human Origins, & Human Dignity (2012) 

Does modern biology support or undercut human uniqueness? What does it really mean to be "created in the image of God?" And what are the social and ethical implications of our view of the human person? Speakers include psychologist Edward Welch, biologists Richard Sternberg and Ann Gauger, political scientist John West, theologian Vern Poythress and more. 12 hours on 4 DVDs.

Four Books Worth Your Time

Things have been so busy lately, I haven’t had time to properly review several of the good books I’ve read. Here’s a brief snapshot of a few that I’ve recently read, all of which are either in the Resource Center or will be soon.

Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church (2010) Kenda Creasy Dean

Dean’s book is based on the 2003-2005 National Study of Youth and Religion, examining why many American teens profess Christianity, yet seem so apathetic about it in their lives. Oxford University Press seems an odd publisher for this book, and the work does come across as somewhat academic at times, yet Dean fills each chapter with practical information as well as suggestions for prayerfully turning things around. 

Her strongest theme throughout is the concept of building “behind the wall” conversations with teens. The idea comes from 2 Kings 18-19, which recounts Jerusalem being surrounded by the Assyrians. The Assyrian negotiator taunts Israel and God while Israel’s leaders are behind the wall, having conversations with God’s people, reminding them of who God is and His faithfulness to them. 

Almost Christian is an essential read for youth leaders, church leaders, pastors and parents. 

Love Into Light: The Gospel, the Homosexual and the Church (2013) Peter Hubbard

I’ve read a few books on homosexuality and Christianity and perused several others. Most are not worth your time, but Hubbard’s short book manages to convey biblical truth with grace, gentleness and respect. Highly recommended.

Meaning at the Movies: Becoming a Discerning Viewer (2010) Grant Horner

You don’t have to be a movie fanatic (like me) to enjoy and learn from this book. Horner spends a good chunk of his introduction discussing movies, the concept of truth, the nature of our culture, and the authority of Scripture. This is essential for appreciating what he has to say about film and worldview. Meaning at the Movies has now become my “go-to” book on film and the Christian worldview. 

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World (2012) Bob Goff

Goff’s book may be a light, quick, often humorous hilarious read, but there’s a wealth of wisdom within its pages. Regardless of what we’ve been led to believe by the culture, love isn’t primarily about thoughts and feelings; it’s about doing. Here’s a book you can read in a day, but its lessons will stay with you for a lifetime. 

Coming to the Resource Center - Mid-September 2013

One to One Bible Reading (2011) David Helm

ISBN 9781921441981

“David Helm is deeply committed to the public exposition of God’s word and the training of preachers. Yet in this guide he advocates a deep-rooted culture of one-to-one bible reading in our churches. Surely the two go hand in hand, but many Christians don’t know where to start in this personal Bible reading ministry. This guide provides the inspiration for this desperately needed ministry revolution and the growth of the gospel vine into every corner of our communities.” - Colin Marshall

One Forever: The Transforming Power of Being in Christ (2012) Rory Shiner

ISBN 9781922206022

When the New Testament describes what it means to be a Christian, it uses a phrase that is everywhere in Paul’s letters but almost nowhere in our churches. Overwhelmingly, when the Bible wants to describe being a Christian, it says that we are in Christ. 

But what does it mean to be in Christ? And how does this important biblical idea help us understand what God has done for us through Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian? This short book by Rory Shiner sparkles withe clarity, wit and biblical wisdom on this vital and much-neglected topic. 

The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything (2009) Colin Marshall and Tony Payne

ISBN 9781581344301

“What Col and Tony have described here is exactly what I’ve been trying to do in my own life and in our congregation for years. According to this book, Christians are to be disciple-making disciples and pastors are to be trainers. Superb! This is the best book I’ve read on the nature of church ministry.” - Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capital Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC

Growth Groups: A Training Course in How to Lead Small Groups (1995) Colin Marshall

ISBN 9781875245406

Small groups for Bible study and prayer are now a well-established part of most Christian churches. And these groups tend to succeed or fail largely on the quality of their leadership. 

In churches across Australia and the UK, Growth Groups has become the standard leadership training course to meet this need. By using Growth Groups, churches have found that their small groups are better focused on Christian growth - both in maturity and in gospel outreach. 

Coming to the Resource Center - Late August 2013

Love into Light (2013) Peter Hubbard

ISBN 9781620202227

The church has often been afraid to talk about homosexuality. Many Christians feel confused and divided between the call to love and the call for truth. And many who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction feel alone and alienated by the church. The time is ripe for God's people to think and speak about same-sex attraction in a way that is both biblical and beneficial, seeing ourselves together in need of the grace of Jesus. Love Into Light is designed to move the church toward that end.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (2012) Dr. Megan Best

ISBN 9781921896613

“At last - a single volume examining beginning-of-life issues that is equally competent in biology, theology, philosophy and pastoral care. This is now the ‘must read’ book in the field, a necessary resource not only for pastors, ethicists, and laypersons who share her Christian convictions, but also for anyone who wants to participate knowledgeably in current bioethical debates.” - D.A. Carson

Science & Faith: Friends or Foes? (2003) C. John Collins

ISBN 9781581344301

Many believers worry that science undermines the Christian faith. Instead of fearing scientific discovery, Jack Collins believes that Christians should delight in the natural world and study it. God’s truth will stand against any challenge and will enrich the very scientific studies that we fear. 

Collins first defines faith and science, shows their relation, and explains what claims each has concerning truth. Then he applies the biblical teaching on creation to the topics of “conflict” between faith and science, including the age of the earth, evolution, and miracles. He considers what it means to live in a created world. This book is for anyone looking for a Christian engagement with science without technical jargon. 

Coming Soon to the Resource Center - Mid-August 2013 Edition

Name Above All Names (2013) Alistair Begg & Sinclair B. Ferguson

ISBN 9781433537752

Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names, the highest seat of honor, the right to reign and rule. Yet the busyness of our lives and the diversions of this world often distract us from knowing the most important person we could ever know. Perhaps we need some help to see Jesus afresh.

In this thoughtful study and worshipful reflection, two influential pastors draw on decades of pastoral experience in order to guide us through the whole sweep of Scripture and examine seven key qualities of Jesus's identity and ministry: Jesus as the True Prophet Jesus as the Great High Priest Jesus as the Conquering King Jesus as the Seed of the Woman Jesus as the Son of Man Jesus as the Suffering Servant Jesus as the Lamb on the Throne

Name above All Names helps us to see and meditate on the incomparable character of Christ--a spiritual exercise that enables us to readily respond to the exhortations of Scripture, to focus our gaze upon the King of kings, and to better understand just how great Jesus really is.

The Essential Jesus: Read the Gospel of Jesus for Yourself (2008) Tony J. Payne

ISBN 9781921441271

“We wanted to produce a give-away Gospel of Luke back in the late 90s for evangelistic use... In translation philosophy, it sits somewhere between the ESV and NIV, in terms of the trade-offs between formal and functional equivalence. We obviously wanted the text to be fresh and readable for a non-Christian person coming to it cold, without necessarily any church background. And yet we were determined to be faithful to what was actually there in the Greek text, and not to smooth out all the ambiguities, or to insert additional ideas/interpretations.... We have distributed more than a million copies of The Essential Jesus here in Australia since 2009, and the translation has been extremely well received as a fresh, readable and yet very faithful rendition of what Luke originally wrote.” - Tony J. Payne

Sex & Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies (2013) Paul David Tripp

ISBN 9781433536496

Pleasure. We live in a world obsessed with finding it, passionate about enjoying it, and desperate about maintaining it. Chief among such objects of affection are sex and money--two pleasures unequaled in their power to captivate our attention and demand our worship. In what is sure to become an instant classic, popular author Paul David Tripp pulls back the curtain on the lies of our flesh and the ways we distort God's good gifts, examining the insanity of our culture and exposing our tendency to fall prey to the hollow promises of this world. In exploring how God's grace frees us from futile pursuits, Tripp directs readers to the wisdom of God in Scripture and the liberating power of the gospel, offering practical guidance on finding true joy and enduring satisfaction.

After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World is Shaken (2011) Kent Annan

ISBN 9780830836178

In the wake of a historic earthquake in the fragile country of Haiti, Kent Annan considers suffering--from the epic to the everyday--as a problem for faith. Less than two weeks after the release of Kent's book about his work with Haiti Partners, he heard the news. Friends trapped under the rubble of buildings. Friends sprinting across the city looking for family. Churches--including one Kent often attended--turned to rubble. Suddenly Kent and his friends were part of an uncomfortable fellowship: people whose faith is shaken by crisis. Taking courage from the psalmists of old and the company of his grieving neighbors, Kent has found that there is solidarity in suffering. Others have followed life to the edge of meaning and have heard God even there, calling for honest faith. Are there questions or realities your faith can't handle? Kent wrote After Shock to help you find out.

Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love (2011) Mark Scandrette

ISBN 9780830836345

Take a casual survey of how people practice their faith, and you might reasonably conclude that Jesus spent his life going door to door offering private lessons, complete with chalkboard and pop quizzes. We think about God in the comfort of our own minds, in isolation from one another; meanwhile the world waits for a people to practice the way of Jesus together. Mark Scandrette contends that Jesus has in mind something more lively for us: not a classroom so much as a kingdom, where our formation takes place not only in our heads but in our hearts and our bodies, and in the company of one another, in a way that blesses the world we've been entrusted with.

Coming to the Resource Center in Mid-August

We're only eleven days into August and already it's turning into a great month at the Resource Center. We've got so many books, audiobooks and DVDs coming in, I'm not sure where John's going to put them all. (But I'm sure he'll find a way.)

Here are some of the books that should be arriving soon:

The Big Story: How the Bible Makes Sense Out of Life (2013) Justin Buzzard

ISBN 9780802408570

When strangers meet today they often ask not, "What do you do?," but "What is your story?" Everybody has a story. And everybody on the planet believes some larger story in order to make sense of the smaller story of their life. We want our lives to fit within a larger plot-complete with a sense of history, conflict resolution, forward movement, and future.

So, the better question to ask is, "What sort of story are you in?"

Most people believe false stories that leave them disillusioned, enslaved, and hopeless. Secular stories of chasing success and religious stories of doing good works can both leave us feeling exhausted and empty. Only Christianity, only the old and ongoing story of the Bible, offers a story that's big enough to make sense of both the beauty and brokenness in our lives and in our world. At the center of this story is a God who disturbs our life in order to set us free.

God’s Good Design: What the Bible Really Says about Men and Women (2012) Claire Smith

ISBN 9781921896392

Although Claire Smith was a young adult when she came to know Jesus, it wasn't until she went to theological college that she noticed parts of the Bible that challenged her feminist views. Studying these passages led to radical changes in her life. 

Too often we put these same passages in the 'too hard basket', or we make up our minds without taking a close look at them for ourselves. But we must let God's word determine these issues, and not the culture in which we live.

Claire takes us through the same process she went through herself, looking closely at seven key Bible passages about men and women and how they should relate together in God's purposes. Along the way she deals with many common objections, and applies the teaching of the Bible simply and practically to our relationships at home and in church. 

The warmth and simplicity of the book means it will benefit every Christian—whether you have looked at these passages a thousand times, or you've never thought about them in your life.

Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole (2013) Eric Mason

ISBN 9781433679940

The earthly crisis within manhood will be there until Jesus returns, but in Christ men are pointed toward the gospel as the vision for renewal.Manhood Restored by exciting new pastoral voice Eric Mason combines theological depth with practical insights, putting men in step with a gospel-centered manhood that will enrich every facet of their lives.

The Family Worship Book: A Resource Book for Family Devotions (1998/2012) Terry L. Johnson

ISBN 9781857924015

Do you struggle to provide enjoyable, meaningful and spiritual times of family devotions? Do you avoid the whole subject but have the nagging thought that you should be doing something? Let Terry & Family Worship equip you for leading your family in worship with the help of some key questions: What is family worship? What have other people done? Why Should I do it? How can I start? A Valuable resource which you will not exhaust in years.

God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist? (2011) David T. Lamb

ISBN 9780830838264

God has a bad reputation. Many think of God as wrathful and angry, smiting people right and left for no apparent reason. The Old Testament in particular seems at times to portray God as capricious and malevolent, wiping out armies and nations, punishing enemies with extreme prejudice. But wait. The story is more complicated than that. Alongside troubling passages of God's punishment and judgment are pictures of God's love, forgiveness, goodness and slowness to anger. How do we make sense of the seeming contradiction? Can God be trusted or not? David Lamb unpacks the complexity of the Old Testament to explore the character of God. He provides historical and cultural background to shed light on problematic passages and to bring underlying themes to the fore. Without minimizing the sometimes harsh realities of the biblical record, Lamb assembles an overall portrait that gives coherence to our understanding of God in both the Old and New Testaments.

Why I Watch Breaking Bad

This blog normally discusses news and reviews of books available in the church Resource Center, but I want to depart from that today. One of the reasons I started this blog was to get Christians to look beyond the doors of the church to the culture around us. Movies and television are an important part of that culture and Breaking Bad is one of the most talked about television shows in years, important enough that I felt I should discuss it here. The show may not be for you, and that's okay. But as I've mentioned before to many Christians, people in the arts (and I'm focusing mainly on television and film) who may not necessarily share the Christian worldview are asking some good questions, questions about morality, right and wrong, actions and consequences, and "Is there an order to the universe? To my life?" While Breaking Bad may contain some offensive elements to many Christians, I believe at the very least, it offers great opportunities for discussions among Christians and non-Christians on ideas, concepts and worldviews that really matter.

======================

People in my church know that I love movies, so they frequently ask me what I’ve seen lately. They know that I like to look for biblical concepts and Christian worldviews in movies that may seem completely foreign to such concepts, films like No Country for Old Men, orThe Dark Knight, for example. When I tell them that I’ve been watching a TV show called Breaking Bad, the conversation will usually go something like this:

Them: “I keep hearing people mention that show. What’s it about?”

Me: “Well, it’s about a high school chemistry teacher who has cancer and wants to provide for his family after he’s gone. He does this by making meth (methamphetamine) and selling it through one of his former students.”

Them: (Long blank stare) “Is that supposed to be funny?”

Me: “Well, yeah, sometimes it is. But usually it’s not.”

Them: (Another long stare, furrowed brow, possibly squinting eyes) “So, you actually enjoy this show?”

Me: “Yes, I do. It has a lot to say about the nature of evil, morality, rewards and punishment, justice, atonement. All of those things.”

Them: (Longest blank stare yet) “Yeah... Listen, I’ve gotta go. See you later.” I can envision this person walking over to the church Ministry Center to pick up an excommunication form, writing my name across the top and going from there. 

Of course, I exaggerate about the excommunication part. (At least I hope so.) But otherwise the conversation is fairly accurate.

Many Christians won’t watch Breaking Bad because the premise horrifies and/or disgusts them. Well, it is a horrifying/disgusting premise. But Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) does have terminal cancer and literally doesn’t know what else to do. He has a pregnant wife (Anna Gunn) and a teenage son (RJ Mitte) to provide for. And he’s supposed to provide for their futures on a high school chemistry teacher’s salary?      

Walter meets up with a former student named Jesse (Aaron Paul), who was a slacker in Walter’s class a few years previously and walks/talks/acts and probably smells like a thug. They concoct a plan to make (Walter’s part) and distribute (Jesse’s part) meth. Now Walt really isn’t a bad guy according to the standards of most 21st century Americans. (At least not yet.) He knows what he’s planning is both morally wrong and illegal, that he and his family will suffer immeasurably if he’s caught. But to him, it’s worth the risk.

The show takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which seems something of an odd setting at first. Although a state since 1912, New Mexico remains a symbol for the new frontier, one of the last places to have a presence of law and order. Yet law and order feature prominently here; it’s even in the family, as Walt’s brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris) is a DEA agent who may uncover Walt’s entire operation at any time.  

Breaking Bad is an exceptionally well-written and produced show that’s filled with tension, suspense, action and drama. It’s also filled with graphic depictions of drug culture, violence, lying, death, deception and flat-out bad people. 

Really. Bad. People. 

I understand why some Christians would not want to watch Breaking Bad. And I’m a firm believer that Christians should not violate their own consciences. If you think it’s sinful to watch certain programs and shows, you should not watch them. But if you can watch it, Breaking Bad may turn out to be one of the most powerful shows ever on fallen human nature and the gradual descent into darkness. One thing that becomes clear early on is the idea that ultimately, no one gets away with anything. In the midst of Walt’s downward spiral of evil, it becomes easier and easier for him to rationalize the wrongness of his actions. But actions have consequences and they are beyond human control.   

Breaking Bad is also a superbly written show with fascinating characters, played to perfection by an extremely talented cast. The unsung hero in this show is Anna Gunn, whose range of emotion, thought and expression is simply stunning to behold. Yet the transformation of Walt from a pretty decent guy to a power-hungry empire builder is a monumental performance, worthy of every award Cranston has won. (If you want to get an idea of what King Saul in the Old Testament might have been like, just watch the story of Walter White.)

The final eight episodes of Breaking Bad start this Sunday night. I’ve been speculating with one of my co-workers on how the series will end. Creator Vince Gilligan has so many plot elements going on that almost anything could happen. Trying to figure them out is part of the fun, but one thing seems frighteningly clear, both in Breaking Bad and in life:

Actions have consequences. 

What? More Books???

Just a quick teaser for some of the books coming to the Resource Center very soon!

Coming in Early August to the Resource Center

Resolving Everyday Conflict (2011) Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson

ISBN 9780801013867

Everyone encounters conflict--whether it be with a coworker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. "Resolving Everyday Conflict" is a practical, biblical, concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life that can turn tumultuous relationships into peaceful ones.

Embracing Obscurity: Becoming Nothing in Light of God's Everything (2012) Anonymous

ISBN 9781433677816

Ironically, the trouble with me and you and the rest of humanity is not a lack of self-confidence but that we have far too much self-importance... As pride creeps in, we are tempted to want more: more recognition, more admiration, more influence, more, more, more. Few have ever given thought to wanting less. That’s why we need Embracing Obscurity.... When we stop imitating the world and instead choose to embrace obscurity, real life -- chock full of significance, purpose, and renewed passion -- begins.

A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home (2013) Jason Helopoulos

ISBN 9781781912034

Pastor Jason Helopoulos calls parents and church leaders to reclaim the practice of family worship. This indispensable means of grace directs our children to seek Christ daily, preparing them to go out into the world as fully functioning Christian adults, who love Christ and see all of life in relation to Him.

Coming Soon to the SPEP Resource Center

Several new books and four more DVD sets are coming to the Resource Center soon! By popular demand, we've purchased more DVD sets for individual and small group use. The picture's a little small, so here are some of the DVDs that will show up soon:

Forever: Why You Can't Live Without It - Live conference with Paul David Tripp

Your Walk with God is a Community Project - Live conference with Paul David Tripp

Two Ways to Live: Know and Share the Gospel

The Prodigal God: Finding Your Place at the Table - Timothy Keller

The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (2000) Vern S. Poythress

The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (2000) - Vern S. Poythress

P&R Publishing

Trade paperback, 213 pages 

ISBN 9780875524627

Retail price: $14.99

Many pastors avoid preaching on it. (Even John Calvin didn’t write a commentary on it.) Many Christians know they should study it, but aren’t sure where to turn or how to get started. But Vern Poythress, professor of New Testament interpretation at Philadelphia’s Westminster Theological Seminary, says a child could understand the Book of Revelation. 

In fact, a 12-year-old boy once told Poythress that he read Revelation and understood it. “I read it just like a fantasy,” the boy said, “except that I knew it was true.” 

Poythress states, “Revelation is a picture book, not a puzzle book. don’t try to puzzle it out. Don’t become preoccupied with isolated details. Rather, become engrossed in the overall story. Praise the Lord. Cheer for the saints. Detest the Beast. Long for the final victory.”

Poythress also shows that the apostle John’s writings were most likely not confusing at all to his original audience. The reason is that his audience was steeped in a knowledge of the Old Testament, which is necessary for a proper understanding of Revelation. In fact, it seems there’s actually very little in the Bible’s final book that hasn’t been referenced throughout the Old Testament. 

Then what gets people bogged down? Dragons and beasts and angels? Seven seals and seven trumpets? The white horse? The 144,000? The sea of glass? The little scroll? The 42 months? 

Yes, all of the above. In other words, the details. People want to know what every single detail means, so they obsess over them, missing the big picture, which is actually pretty simple: 

Jesus wins. 

There, I’ve just told you the whole story of Revelation. But there’s much more to it than that. 

Poythress lays out the big picture (which is very big), then breaks down the big picture into large (but manageable) rocks, not pebbles. You won’t have every question answered (we never will in this life, anyway), but you’ll have a good, basic understanding of the themes and structure of Revelation. Poythress provides many helpful Scriptural references, especially those referring back to important sections of the Old Testament. One annoyance, however, is the frequent use of “See ‘Schools of Interpretation below’” for example, when that section is actually not below, but in another chapter. This is a small frustration, but when you’re already going back and forth in your Bible, this is a serious challenge to keeping your focus. Why not just give us a chapter number or a page number?

If you’ve kept the Book of Revelation at a distance up until now, it’s time to pick it up and start reading. Poythress’ book can be a great help in helping you to understand and enjoy (yes, enjoy!) the Book of Revelation.  

4/5