How could a loving God send people to hell? Will people have a chance after they die to believe in Jesus and go to heaven? With a humble respect for God's Word, Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle address the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. They've asked the same questions. Like you, sometimes they just don't want to believe in hell. But as they write, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue." This is not a book about who is saying what. It's a book about what God says. It's not a book about impersonal theological issues. It's a book about people who God loves. It's not a book about arguments, doctrine, or being right. It's a book about the character of God. Erasing Hell will immerse you in the truth of Scripture as, together with the authors, you find not only the truth but the courage to live it out.
· 2021
First published in 1525, Luther’s masterpiece was written in a unique style that combines deep spirituality and humor, while powerfully displaying man’s depravity and God’s sovereignty. Focusing on the key issue of whether man can save himself vs. salvation being the work of divine grace, this is an essential text for understanding the primary doctrines of the Reformation.
· 2003
Traces the role of Judaism and the Jewish people in God's plan for the salvtion of mankind, from Abraham through the Second Coming, as revealed by the Catholic faith and by a thoughtful examination of history. It will give both Jews and Christians a deeper understanding of Judaism, both as a religion in itself and as a central component of salvation history. The book examines the unique and central role Judaism plays in the destiny of the world. It documents that throughout history attacks on Jews and Judasim have been rooted, not in Christianity, but in the most anti-Christian of forces. Areas addressed in depth include: the Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scripture; the very anti-Christian roots of Nazi anti-Semitism; the links between Nazism and Arab anti-Semitism; the theological insights of well-known Jewish converts; and the role of the Jews in the Second Coming.
· 2022
The Book of Mormon is a profound religious text that serves as a cornerstone of the Latter-day Saint movement. Written in a unique scriptural style, similar to the King James Bible, it chronicles the spiritual and temporal journeys of ancient American civilizations. The narrative is structured in a historical format, spanning centuries and weaving complex themes of faith, prophecy, and redemption. The book asserts the visitation of Jesus Christ to the Americas, emphasizing the universality of His teachings, while also offering insights into the moral dilemmas faced by its diverse characters, illuminating questions of divine grace and human agency. Joseph Smith, the book's translator and the founder of the LDS Church, was a 19th-century religious leader driven by visions and prophetic revelations. His own experiences with religious fervor and dissatisfaction propelled him to seek new spiritual truths, leading to the translation of the gold plates he claimed to have discovered. This personal quest, rooted in the religious revivalist climate of early America, shaped Smith's visionary work, aiming to present a narrative that resonates with both ancient and contemporary audiences, challenging existing theological paradigms. The Book of Mormon invites readers into a transformative spiritual journey, urging them to explore their personal beliefs within a broader religious context. Its rich narrative and doctrinal depth offer profound insights for those seeking not only historical understanding but also spiritual awakening. This book is essential for scholars of religion and seekers of truth alike, promising revelations that transcend geographical and temporal boundaries.
· 2012
The wood. The thorns. The nails. Christ's sacrifice has defined the very essence of mankind's faith for the past 2000 years. And now, Max Lucado invites you to examine the cross, contemplate its purpose, and celebrate its significance with He Chose the Nails. With his warm, caring style, Max examines the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion, revealing the claims of the cross and asserting that if they are true, then Christianity itself is true. The supporting evidence either makes the cross the single biggest hoax of all time, or the hope of all humanity
· 2009
A comprehensive survey of the doctrine and practice of baptism in the first five centuries of Christian history, arranged geographically within chronological periods.
· 2011
A provocative study that cuts to the very heart of Christian thought, The Nonviolent Atonement challenges the traditional, Anselmian understanding of atonement along with the assumption that heavenly justice depends on Christ s passive, innocent submission to violent death at the hands of a cruel God. Instead J. Denny Weaver offers a thoroughly nonviolent paradigm for understanding atonement, grounded in the New Testament and sensitive to the concerns of pacifist, black, feminist, and womanist theology. While many scholars have engaged the subject of violence in atonement theology, Weaver s Nonviolent Atonement is the only book that offers a radically new theory rather than simply refurbishing existing theories. Key features of this revised and updated second edition include new material on Paul and Anselm, expanded discussion on the development of violence in theology, interaction with recent scholarship on atonement, and response to criticisms of Weaver s original work. Praise for the first edition: The best current single volume on reconstructing the theology of atonement. S. Mark Heim in Anglican Theological Review Weaver provides an important contribution to atonement theories by seriously inserting the contemporary concerns of pacifist, feminist, womanist, and black theologians into the centuries-old christological conversation. . . . A provocative but faithful proposal benefiting any student of christology. Religious Studies Review A noteworthy contribution to the literature on the atonement. Weaver provides a useful critique of the history of atonement motifs; he does a fine job of placing Anselm s theology in its historical context; he creatively fuses a singular biblical vision from the earthly narrative of the Gospels and the cosmic perspective of the Apocalypse; and he attempts to relate discussions of the atonement to Christian social ethics. Trinity Journal This is a superb succinct survey and analysis of classical and contemporary theories of the atonement, ideal for students and general readers. . . . A clearly written, passionately expressed introduction to current debates on the atonement. . . . Excellent resource. Reviews in Religion and Theology
Scholars from around the world offer a comprehensive, ecumenical survey of the history and development of deification.
· 2017
John Barclay explores Pauline theology anew from the perspective of grace. Arguing that Paul's theology of grace is best approached in light of ancient notions of "gift," Barclay describes Paul's relationship to Judaism in a fresh way. Barclay focuses on divine gift-giving, which for Paul, he says, is focused and fulfilled in the gift of Christ. He both offers a new appraisal of Paul's theology of the Christ-event as gift as it comes to expression in Galatians and Romans and presents a nuanced and detailed consideration of the history of reception of Paul, including Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Barth.
· 2015
Offers teachings intended to inspire readers to accept God's calling and engage in prophecy on His behalf.