But are those answers reliable?In this systematic text, Douglas Groothuis makes a comprehensive apologetic case for Christian theism--proceeding from a defense of objective truth to a presentation of the key arguments for God from natural theology to a case for the credibility of Jesus, the incarnation and the resurrection. Throughout, Groothuis considers alternative views and how they fare intellectually.

    In this book, you will find thoughtful meditations on prayer in the life of the believer, as well as ample encouragement to cultivate this spiritual discipline in your own life. If you want to be more devoted to prayer, or simply want to assess the health of your prayer life, read this book. It provides both a helpful examination and a needed tonic for those concerned about growing in godliness. Table of Contents: 1. Who Should Pray? 2. Pray in Christ's Name 3. Pray Believingly 4. Pray Privately 5. Pray Submissively 6. Pray Humbly 7. Pray Boldly 8. Pray Waiting upon God 9. Pray Intercedingly 10. Pray Perseveringly 11. Pray Thankfully 12. Wrestling in Prayer 13. Waiting for Answers to Prayer 14. Pray with Appetite 15. Pray for Laborers 16. Pray Watchfully 17. Pray Sincerely 18. Pray by the Spirit 19. Pray and Work 20. Pray Reverently 21. Pray Fervently 22. Pray Constantly 23. Pray Dependently 24. Unfulfilled Prayer 25. Lust-Driven Prayer 26. Pray Openly and Unworthily 27. Pray against besetting Sins 28. Pray for Contentment 29. Pray with Scripture 30. Pray Thoughtfully 31. To Those Who Cannot Pray Appendix: 31 Marks of True Prayer

    A passionate expositional commentary, Isaiah is a valuable resource for pastors, teachers, and personal Bible study.

    He was arrogant and stubborn. He called his opponents derogatory, racist names. He legitimized slavery and silenced women. He was a moralistic, homophobic killjoy who imposed his narrow religious views on others. Or was he? Randolph Richards and Brandon O'Brien explore the complicated persona and teachings of the apostle Paul. Unpacking his personal history and cultural context, they show how Paul both offended Roman perspectives and scandalized Jewish sensibilities. His vision of Christian faith was deeply disturbing to those in his day and remains so in ours. Paul behaved badly, but not just in the ways we might think. Take another look at Paul and see why this "worst of sinners" dares to say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

    In the Bible's seemingly disconnected stories you'll discover one grand, unfolding epic---God's story from Genesis onward, and your own story contained within it.To understand the Bible, says author and pastor Randy Frazee, you need bifocal lenses, because two perspectives are involved. The Lower Story, our story, is actually many stories of men and women interacting with God in the daily course of life. The Upper Story is God's story, the tale of his great, overarching purpose that fits all the individual stories together like panels in one unified mural.In 31 chapters, The Heart of the Story will open your eyes to God's master-plan unfolding in the lives of the Bible's characters---and in your own life. Discover the heart of God's Upper Story, and the joy that comes as you align your story with God's.

    What's more, you'll learn why the Bible can be trusted and how to answer common criticisms of the Bible.Used in conjunction with Tim Challies and Josh Byers' bestselling book, Visual Theology, this unique resource helps you connect the truth of the Bible to your life, showing how God's eternal truth leads to life change and transformation.A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible:Is written by authors Tim Challies and Josh Byers, each of whom have a deep desire to convey the deepest truths of the Bible in a fresh, beautiful, and informative wayWill help you develop a plan to read and study the ScripturesIs a follow-up to Visual Theology and expands on the timeless, historic, biblical truths presented in that bestselling bookWill help you grow in godliness by practicing what you learnIs perfect for new believers, long-time Christians, students, small groups, pastors, church leaders, and anyone else interested in seeing the Bible afresh

    This book explores how Christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the Gospel of Thomas, rediscovered in Egypt in 1945.When her infant son was diagnosed with fatal pulmonary hypertension, Pagels' spiritual and intellectual quest took on a new urgency, leading her to explore historical and archaeological sources and to investigate what Jesus and his teachings meant to his followers before the invention of Christianity. The discovery of the Gospel of Thomas, along with more than 50 other early Christian texts, some unknown since antiquity, offers clues. She compares such sources as Thomas' gospel (which claims to give Jesus' secret teaching and finds its closest affinities with kabbalah) with the canon to show how Christian leaders chose to include some gospels and exclude others from the collection many call the New Testament. To stabilize the emerging church in times of persecution, church fathers constructed the canon, creed and hierarchy - and, in the process, suppressed many of its spiritual resources.Drawing on new scholarship - her own and that of an international group of scholars - that has come to light since the 1979 publication of The Gnostic Gospels, she shows that what matters about Christianity involves much more than any one set of beliefs. Traditions embodied in Judaism and Christianity can powerfully affect us in heart, mind and spirit, inspire visions of a new society based on practising justice and love, even heal and transform us.Provocative and moving, Beyond Belief, the most personal of her books to date, shows how the impulse to seek god overflows the narrow banks of a single tradition. She writes, "What I have come to love in the wealth and diversity of our religious traditions - and the communities that sustain them - is that they offer the testimony of innumerable people to spiritual discovery, encouraging us, in Jesus' words, to 'seek, and you shall find.'"CONTENTSFrom the feast of Agape to the Nicene CreedGospels in conflict: John and Thomas God's word or human words?The canon of truth and the triumph of JohnConstantine and the Catholic Church AcknowledgementsNotesIndex

    It is a way of life. Randy Harris invites you not just to understand these great teachings but to live them in ways you never before imagined.

    Too often people want to shape Him and His message to fit their personal needs or agendas. So how can we know the truth?Join Seamless author Angie Smith in this 8-session search for truth as she unfolds the story of our matchless Savior--His mission, miracles, and message. Through her signature wit and accessible style, Angie unpacks Scripture in a way that's easy to understand, regardless of how long you've been studying the Bible (a great option for new believers!). This study will deepen your understanding of Jesus through biblical, historical, and cultural insight and help you see Him less as an iconic figure and more as an intimate friend.Features: Leader helps to guide questions and discussions within small groupsPersonal study segments to complete between 8 weeks of group sessionsTeaching videos, approximately 10-15 minutes per session, available for purchase or rentBenefits: Enrich your understanding of Jesus in His historical and cultural contexts.Allow the truth about Jesus to confront your doubt.Get equipped to share the gospel of Jesus with others.

    Benware also helps readers understand God's covenant promises to Israel.