Book 6 Biblical Faith Pb

Faith is a vital topic in Christian theology. However, the concept is more complex than is assumed. John Stott writes: "One wonders if there is any Christian quality more misunderstood than faith." We demonstrate that Scripture uses faith in a variety of ways, including saving faith, false faith, miracle faith, empowering faith, and visionary faith. Failure to recognize this leads to serious error in both Arminianism and charismaticism. Included is an extended section on visionary faith that enables us to step out in courage, taking risks to pursue human plans to fulfill God's commands. In our defense of the fact that biblical faith must rest on biblical revelation, we critique the inclusivism of John Wesley, Billy Graham, and C. S. Lewis which claims salvation can be apart from a revelation of the Gospel. Finally, we demonstrate that the strength of our faith depends on reason, and the evidences it perceives and evaluates. There is no such thing as a biblical "leap of faith" apart from reason.

What is God's purpose for human reason? About 2000 years ago, the crucifier of the truth, asked Jesus, "What is truth"? (John 18:38). Such questions are fundamental to human life and make up the field of epistemology. It reminds us that there is a human being between us and God. Epistemology has been a hot topic in Christian theology because of how our postmodern culture has questioned the very foundations of knowledge and truth. It is also an important part of a systematic theology as it is helpful to understand how we know what is true, before deciding what is true. This is why Calvin began his Institutes discussing the knowledge of our self, before the knowledge of God. Thomas Oden has said, "No study of God is complete without dealing with the limits and resources of human reasoning in God's presence." While many modern Christian philosophers are neglecting the God-given place of human reason in the process of divine revelation, we defend it here, and offer several critiques of popular views.

Does God speak to us apart from Scripture? The belief that God provides us with extra-biblical revelation for extra-biblical decision making (what we term as mega mysticism) is incredibly popular. Hence, there are a multitude of books explaining how to "hear" from God. Once again, we go to Scripture to answer vital questions regarding how God communicates with us today, and come to the following conclusions: - The idea that God grants extra-biblical, amoral revelation directly to our minds is not supported in Scripture. - God does not have a private, personal will for our lives that we must discern outside of Scripture. - The translation of paraklēte in the Gospel of John as "Counselor" is incorrect. - The "wisdom" we are to ask for in James 1 is entirely moral in nature as described in James 3. It does not include answers to all the questions that mega mystics claim God wants to answer. - Mega mysticism is leading many Christians astray in dangerous ways.

We all want a faith that won't let us down in times of trouble or loss, uncertainty or fear. A faith that can pull us through the worst--and best--times in our lives. This is the kind of faith that James writes about. It is a faith that must practice day by day. This nine-session LifeGuide® Bible Study on the teaching of James will help us grow a steadfast faith that can carry us through all the ups and downs of life.

The pure and penetrating message of the Divine Feminine—Wisdom—can become a companion for your own spiritual journey The first of God’s creations and God’s endless delight, Wisdom (also known as Chochma and Sophia) is the Mother of all life, the guide to right living—She is God manifest in the world you encounter moment to moment. Her teachings, embedded in the Holy Scriptures of Jews and Christians, are passionate, powerful calls to live in harmony, love with integrity and act joyously. Through the Hebrew books of Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and Job, and the Wisdom literature books of Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, the Divine Femininespeaks to you directly, and Her only desire is to teach you to become wise. Rami Shapiro’s contemporary translations and powerful commentaries clarify who Wisdom is, what She teaches, and how Her words can help you live justly, wisely and with compassion. This is not a book about Wisdom but the voice of Wisdom Herself, liberating, uplifting and compelling. Now you can experience the Divine Feminine and understand Her teachings with no previous knowledge of Wisdom literature. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents insightful commentary that explains Sophia’s way of wisdom and illustrates the countless opportunities to experience Her creative energy through which God fashions all things.

Who are the ancient role models for the sacred relationship between Jews and non-Jews today? Now more than ever, gentiles are an integral part of the Jewish community. But they are not new to the Jewish story. In fact, righteous gentiles go back to Abraham. The story of the Jewish people can’t be told without them. Noted author and educator Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin provides an informative and inspiring look at the sympathetic non-Israelite characters of the Hebrew Bible and the redemptive relationships they had with the Jewish people. Relying on biblical and extra-biblical sources, he introduces each character, drawing lessons from the life of each that will be relevant to you, whatever your faith tradition. They include the ... First gentile to bless a Jew First woman to hear the Divine voice and save a Jewish baby First teacher of morality to the Jews First gentile mother of Jewish children Gentile midwives who invented civil disobedience Mother of Moses and nurturer of the Jewish people Father-in-law and teacher of Moses First “gentile Zionist” Gentile warrior who fought for the Israelites Gentile contractor for Solomon’s Temple Gentiles who acknowledged God and repented Creator of the Second Jewish Commonwealth

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New York Times Bestseller “A touching series of essays in which Evans, with Chu’s invisible pen, explores how one might find a path forward in Christianity beyond conservative evangelicalism” -Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker “Evans died at 37, but a beautiful new book captures her brave outlook. . . . I could not help but notice the poetry in Evans’s prose. . . . What readers will find in these pages was someone deeply human: funny, irreverent, curious, wise, forgiving, nonjudgmental.” -Maggie Smith, The Washington Post A collection of original writings by Rachel Held Evans, whose reflections on faith and life continue to encourage, challenge, and influence. Rachel Held Evans is widely recognized for her theologically astute, profoundly honest, and beautifully personal books, which have guided, instructed, edified, and shaped Christians as they seek to live out a just and loving faith. At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her close friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress has been woven together with some of her other unpublished writings into a rich collection of essays that ask candid questions about the stories we’ve been told—and the stories we tell—about our faith, our selves, and our world. This book is for the doubter and the dreamer, the seeker and the sojourner, those who long for a sense of spiritual wholeness as well as those who have been hurt by the Church but can’t seem to let go of the story of Jesus. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel wrestles with God’s grace and love, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. An unforgettable, moving, and intimate book.