A Sure Ground On Which To Stand

Martin LutherÕs importance in the history of the doctrine of Scripture is universally acknowledged. However, many modern studies of this aspect of LutherÕs thought are colored by attempts to acquire him for one side or other of the contemporary theological debate. Luther has been variously painted as a fundamentalist, the forerunner of biblical criticism, a pragmatist, and even a proto-existentialist. Karl BarthÕs idiosyncratic appropriation of the reformer in the first volume of his Church Dogmatics has been particularly influential. This study attempts a fresh examination of the most significant of LutherÕs comments on the nature and use of Scripture, locating each in its literary and historical context. It explores a series of connections in LutherÕs thought, analyzing his scattered statements in terms of four categories reflected in his own terminology: inspiration (inspiratio), unity (tota scriptura), clarity (claritas scripturae), and sufficiency (sola scriptura). In particular, it seeks to identify those elements that enable Luther to move with confidence between his statements about the authority of Scripture and his interpretive method.

40 devotional style readings from one man's journey to a restored heart. These stories are designed to give the reader encouragement, hope, and faith. Jesus came to give us Life, and set us free. And you are free indeed. But, you will have to fight for that freedom. These are stories from the battle; stories of challenge, stories of thought, and rescue, and victory. Stories just like yours. Journey with author and Christian Life Coach, Greg Tutwiler, as he explores the battle front facing all of us.

Standing firm in the face of adversity is an opportunity that we all get to endure. I think the willingness to stand is not something that we learn to do but rather that we are inspired to do. When we stand, we give the Lord something to work with. We give him someone to anoint for a purpose, someone to use for his cause. The willingness to stand arises from having seen others do so or having been inspired through his word. Standing firm in the face of adversity is also a matter of character. Pastors, people, and churches often find themselves with the choice of standing firm or fleeing. Those who stand are guaranteed a fight. Those who flee are guaranteed a failure. Since this is the case, standing, looking for God's victory, seems to be the proper course.

'Holy Spirit and Religious Experience' seeks to find out how far the centrality of the Holy Spirit in Christian experience during the earliest period of the church was maintained or diminished in the third to the fifth generations (ca. AD 90-200). Three themes are explored. First, the sense of encounter with the divine presence, the numinous, a sense of being caught up into the divine being or being overwhelmed by the One who is beyond us. Secondly, a sense of being illuminated in respect to the truth, given deeper understanding of God's purpose, whether for the individual or the congregation, or guided in decision-making. Thirdly, a sense of ethical empowerment, an awareness of being helped by divine power, assisted in a course of action or development of character, in grappling with temptation, or in the ultimate test of loyalty, martyrdom. This book is arranged geographically, from Syria and Asia Minor in the East to Rome and Gaul in the West, including North Africa and Egypt. Christian authors within these areas are examined chronologically, from the later New Testament writers through the second century to Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian of Carthage, for the evidence they supply. The variegated picture which emerges, it is contended, reflects second-century Christianity.

August Wilson's radical and provocative call to arms.

My freshman year of college was a battle, writes Katie, a college student and a strong Christian. The transition from high school to college is one of the most pivotal times in a young person's life. After departing from under the protective wings of their parents, young adults often have trouble holding firm to the Christian faith. 'Stand Your Ground' is an introduction to apologetics for young adults in high school or college. The book includes thirteen chapters that confront the overwhelming intellectual attacks Christian college students face on university campuses. Dean Hardy takes readers on a spiritual and intellectual journey, addressing such issues as the nature of truth and reality, the investigation of other worldviews, the evidence for Christianity, critics' arguments against Christianity, and the relationship between apologetics and evangelism.