Best of
Belief
2019
Postcards from Babylon: The Church In American Exile
Brian Zahnd - 2019
Early Christianity was subversive and dangerous-dangerous for Christians and a threat to the keepers of the old order. Most of all Christianity was countercultural. But what about contemporary American Christianity? Is it the countercultural way of Jesus or merely a religious endorsement of Americanism? In his provocative book, Postcards From Babylon, Brian Zahnd challenges the reader to see and embrace a daring Jesus-centered Christianity that can again turn the world upside down."In a bold and daring articulation, Brian Zahnd has sketched a 'Theology of the Cross' for our time and place in the United States of the twenty-first century. He does so in a way that deeply resonates with the primal claims of evangelical theology. He sees that the Gospel is inherently and inescapably countercultural because the God of the Gospel is in particular and passionate solidarity with the 'left behind.'"--Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary"If I had miraculous powers, I would interrupt the programming of every religious broadcast in America, then, as Jesus replaced water with wine, I would substitute the message from Brian Zahnd that you'll read in this book. Read it and you'll see why. I recommend that you buy two copies of this book. Immediately read one-underline it and extract quotes from it to share on Facebook and Twitter, and refer to it in sermons and casual conversations. Send the other to that friend or relative who likes to talk about God and country. Include a note asking if they'd be willing to talk with you about it after they read it. Then see what happens as these Postcards from Babylon do their work in you and in others."--Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration"This love letter from a concerned pastor will enrage contemporary Pharaohs and their false prophets who blaspheme by blessing everything that Christ came to free us from. Postcards from Babylon diagnoses the diabolical and invites us to become pilgrims on Christ's narrow road that delivers us out into life."--Jarrod McKenna, pastor, founder of First Home Project for refugees in Australia
Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image
Paul W. Brand - 2019
The resilience of skin, the strength and structure of the bones, the dynamic balance of the muscles--your physical being is knit according to a pattern of stunning purpose. Now Gold Medallion winners Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image have been completely revised and updated to offer a new audience timeless reflections on the body. Join renowned leprosy surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and bestselling writer Philip Yancey on a remarkable journey through inner space--a spellbinding account of medical intervention, pain and healing, and the courage of humanity. Discover here the eternal truths revealed by our seemingly ordinary existence. The human body is a window into the very structure of God's creation and a testament to God's glory.
A More Christlike Way: A More Beautiful Faith
Bradley Jersak - 2019
A More Christlike Way is a book for our time, where so much of what is called Christianity has been hijacked to serve agendas that are decidedly un-Christlike. In this sequel to A More Christlike God, Brad Jersak an award winning author, accomplished theologian, grounded in Scripture and Patristics, writes from decades of pastoral experience. A More Christlike Way is a book about Jesus Christ. Jersak lays out how Jesus Christ of Nazareth, in his fully human nature, forged the path for a new and true humanity. We’ll call it the Jesus Way. The author critiques four common counterfeits to the Jesus Way: 1 Moralism: When Morality Becomes Heresy 2 Partisan Amoralism: When Politics Trump Morality 3 Retributive Factionalism: Are You on the Spectrum? 4 Nationalism & Civil Religion He then describes seven facets of a more Christlike Way: Facet 1 – Radical Self-giving Facet 2 – Radical Hospitality Facet 3 – Radical Unity Facet 4 – Radical Recovery Facet 5 – Radical Peacemaking/Forgiveness Facet 6 – Radical Surrender Facet 7 – Radical Compassion/Justice Finally, Jersak closes with “A More Beautiful Vision: Abba’s ‘I have a dream speech’” A More Christlike Way sets forth a vision for following Jesus that is in keeping with the kind of faith that first turned the world upside down two thousand years ago.
What's After Life?: Evidence from the New York Times Bestselling Book Imagine Heaven
John Burke - 2019
Their heart stopped beating, their brain waves ceased, yet they claim they were more alive than ever. With improved medical resuscitation, more and more verifiable evidence indicates that life doesn't end with our last breath--it's just beginning.Drawing out the similarities found by studying over 1,000 accounts of near-death experiences around the globe, John Burke unfolds a compelling and comforting vision of a world where - we are free from pain- we feel fully known and accepted- we are greeted by loved ones- we encounter indescribable beauty- we discover a God of unconditional loveIf you've lost a loved one, if you've received a frightening diagnosis, or if you're just curious about what happens after death, this concise look at the life to come will bring you hope and reassurance. Content derived from the New York Times bestseller Imagine Heaven.
The Book of Hedge Druidry: A Complete Guide for the Solitary Seeker
Joanna van der Hoeven - 2019
This tradition will help you look to your ancestors, to the spirits of place, and to the fair folk for the guidance and inspiration they breath into your life. Explore the awen, the gods, the world tree, the four quarters, and much more. Develop your own practice with mystical meditations, prayers, and magical rites that will help you create balance and harmony in all that you do. Learn how to become a "hedge rider" who straddles the boundary between this world and the Otherworld, finding spiritual guides and companions whose insights will alter your own understanding of yourself and the world. Druidry is a powerful tradition that evokes the mystical spirit of times past. This book is a guide to the techniques of Druidry so that you can connect to a higher wisdom for the benefit of all.