Do Not Think It Strange

“A masterwork [by] the preeminent historian of the Civil War era.”—Boston Globe Selected as a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times Book Review, this landmark work gives us a definitive account of Lincoln's lifelong engagement with the nation's critical issue: American slavery. A master historian, Eric Foner draws Lincoln and the broader history of the period into perfect balance. We see Lincoln, a pragmatic politician grounded in principle, deftly navigating the dynamic politics of antislavery, secession, and civil war. Lincoln's greatness emerges from his capacity for moral and political growth.

For 350 years, the church on American soil has enjoyed relatively little affliction for her fidelity to the Scriptures. This nation, though, is an anomaly in church history. And those days seem to be passing, more quickly than many of us expected. But panic would not be a Christian response. For two thousand years, this has been what it has meant to identify with Christ in the world-the normal experience of those who follow a man who was crucified. Suffering for the gospel was not just tolerated in the early church; it was expected. For now, we may be prone to think it strange. But soon enough, the expectations of American Christians will adjust to what is normal in other times and places. We will realize that when we proclaim a gospel like ours, and make the sort of claims we do, the world won't receive it well. For Christians, it really is strange *not* to be persecuted. In these short chapters, a diverse team of contributors, representing six continents, joins together to help American Christians get ready for the insults, trials, opposition, and even persecution that may lie ahead.

Charismatic Chaos thoughtfully and carefully shines the light of Scripture on teaching that is not only gaining massive and loyal television followin, but also leading to disunity on a worlwide scale and promising to fuel controversy for years to come.

The earliest of the four Gospels, the book portrays Jesus as an enigmatic figure, struggling with enemies, his inner and external demons, and with his devoted but disconcerted disciples. Unlike other gospels, his parables are obscure, to be explained secretly to his followers. With an introduction by Nick Cave

''Tell yourself the cold truth—she’s a tramp!'' Clay Stuart flinched. ''I guess we’ve been enemies too long to be polite to each other, Kay.'' Kay’s voice was heated. ''For years I’ve been your doormat, secretary, armor, weapon...everything you needed.'' But Kay knew that was not entirely true. Even that first time they’d gone to bed—and how many women had he had since?—he’d been a blister of hurt and rages, ready to burst, and even then she’d known he needed something more. And now he had it—in Joanne Stark, tease and tramp. And Joanne Stark was destroying him—destroying Clay Stuart, the guy who was known as Big Daddy Sex, sniffing out all the broads for miles around. ''If you ever manage to get rid of her,'' Kay said, ''you’ll never know how lucky you are.'' ''Yeah'' Clay said. ''God knows I’m lucky. I stink with luck.''

Christians are called to follow Christ in His suffering, sometimes by suffering persecution, and always by facing life’s many difficulties. The Apostle Peter declares: in 1 Peter 4:12-19 (ASV), “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.” In this book, Jennifer Muthoni takes the reader through God’s scriptural blueprints for the suffering Church and reveals the victory which every believer can experience through the triumph of Christ.