In The Mosaic of Christian Belief Roger E. Olson thematically traces the contours of Christian belief down through the ages, revealing a pattern of both unity and diversity. He finds a consensus of te
In Delivered from the Elements of the World Peter Leithart reframes Anselm's question, "Why the God Man?" Instead he asks, "How can the death and resurrection of a Jewish rabbi of the first century .
The second century was a religious and cultural crucible for early Christian Christology. Was Christ a man, temporarily inhabited by the divine? Was he a spirit, only apparently cloaked in flesh? Or w
No function of the pastor is as visible and stress inducing as preaching. Being a good preacher requires learning the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical skills needed to effectively share God's
"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.'" (1 Samuel 17:45) Reflecting upon David's vic
Whether on the printed page, the television screen or the digital app, we live in a world saturated with images.Some images help shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us in positiv
The book of Acts is a remarkable fusion of the historical and theological, and its account of the early church has fascinated theologians and biblical scholars for centuries. Just who was the author o
Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) had a mission. The church had become weak, flabby and inconsequential. Being a Christian was more a cultural heritage than a spiritual reality. His mission—reintroduce th
The losses in our lives are both big and small, and cover a range of experiences. We leave home. We experience physical illness and disabilities. We struggle with vocation and finances. We may long fo
"I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth." This six-session study, based on Alister McGrath's book I Believe, introduces us to the Apostles' Creed and the essential truths abo
The church is political.Theologians have been debating this claim for years. Liberationists, Anabaptists, Augustinians, neo-Calvinists, Radical Orthodox and others continue to discuss the matter. What
Here in one place Wright now offers a comprehensive account and defense of his perspective on this crucial doctrine. He provides a sweeping overview of the central points in the debate before launchin
We live in a culture that values activity, achievement and accomplishment. Whether in our careers, churches, schools or families, busyness is the norm in our lives, and anything less makes us feel unp
While courses in Bible and theology typically require research papers, particularly at the graduate level, very few include training in research. Professors have two options: use valuable class time t
Missio Alliance Essential Reading List of 2015We can see the injustice and inequality in our lives and in the world. We are ready to rise up. But how, exactly, do we do this? How does one reconcile? W
"Who shall ascend the mountain of the LORD?" —Psalm 24:3In many ways, this is the fundamental question of Old Testament Israel?s cult—and, indeed, of life itself. How can creatures made from dust beco
Does God hear us? Does God speak? How can we connect with God when all seems to be lost? What is our role in listening? Through exploring both biblical characters and teaching, the ten studies in this
What happens when a diverse church glorifies the global God? We live in a time of unprecedented intercultural exchange, where our communities welcome people from around the world. Music and media from
In his nearly four decades of pastoral, parachurch and nonprofit ministry leadership Steve Macchia has come to understand his own brokenness. He writes:"I've experienced great success and a few embarr
Jesus sends us into the world just as the Father sent him. And yet thousands of years later Christians continue to disagree on what this involves. Some believe that the focus of Christian mission is e
Go and do. Jesus commands it, and the world needs it. Word and deed go together. One without the other is not enough. We follow Jesus into all the world, and we follow his example in all we do.Mission
You can be a missionary by crossing an ocean or by crossing the street.We now have unprecedented opportunities to meet people from every culture and nation. International study and global migration al
Every organization is made to flourish. But when problems arise, quick fixes and poor leadership training can drag it down. The key to a thriving team is to look below the surface at the hidden dynami
God's mission needs movement leaders.Jesus pioneered something completely new in human history—a dynamic missionary movement intent on reaching the world. His mission is as clear and as relevant today
The Gospel Coalition Top Books of 2015 in Christian LivingWhen Christians have same-sex attraction, how should the church respond?Pastor Ed Shaw experiences same-sex attraction, and yet he is committe
For many people, the word "theology" evokes something dry, academic, irrelevant and disconnected from the everyday concerns of life. We surely would not say that about God, so why is our talk about Go
The book of Joshua recounts the momentous events of Israel?s entry into Canaan, the promised land: Joshua?s commission and reassurance, crossing the Jordan river, the capture of Jericho and Ai, the gr
Rarely does a new theological position emerge to account well for life in the world, including not only goodness and beauty but also tragedy and randomness. Drawing from Scripture, science, philosophy
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditat
As society becomes more culturally diverse and globally connected, churches and seminaries are rapidly changing. And as the church changes, preaching must change too.Crossover Preaching proposes a way
Missio Alliance Essential Reading List of 2015Often as pastors we feel like we need to project strength and competency in order to minister effectively. That's why we go to conferences and emulate the
Toward the end of the twentieth century, Lesslie Newbigin offered a penetrating analysis of the challenges of pluralism that confronted a Western culture and society reeling from the dissolution of Ch
The Bible says that women should keep silent in church and that they should pray and prophesy. It calls wives the weaker partner and says that men and women are equal.When it comes to understanding wh
Enter the classroom of John Goldingay, one of today's premier biblical interpreters, and begin the adventure of exploring the Bible's First Testament.Some Old Testament introductions tell you what you
Being close to God means communicating with him—telling him what is on our hearts in prayer and understanding what he is saying to us. The second half of this conversation is so important—and so diffi
On the surface, the book of Ruth tells the tale of an unlikely marriage between a destitute Moabite widow and an upstanding citizen of a Judean village. The deeper import of the story, however, has to
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)Genesis 1:26-27 has served as the locus of most theological anthropologies in
Four women--widow Meg, graduate student Charissa, pastor Hannah, and wife and mother Mara--continue their spiritual journey despite the roadblocks that get in their way.
Looks at the nature of shame and how it affects all aspects of life, examining its neuro-biological roots and offering practical and Christian spiritual techniques for overcoming unhealthy shame in or
Muslims who come to Christ face momentous spiritual, psychological and social obstacles that drive many to abandon their faith. Often conversion and discipleship are framed by individualistic Western
