Forsaken By God

A Gospel-Rich, Reproducible Model for Making Disciples as Jesus Intended Biblical discipleship emphasizes encouragement, repentance, and spiritual growth—essential parts of the Christian life. However, well-meaning believers often struggle to follow Jesus, unaware their views are too legalistic, licentious, or individualistic. How can churches and Christians develop a healthy, successful path to disciple-making? In this second edition of Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Jonathan Dodson presents an effective, Spirit-led model for sanctification. Reminding readers that real discipleship is imperfect yet transformational, Dodson encourages Christians to engage more authentically with others as they grow in faith. Drawing from his own failures and successes while following Jesus, Dodson defines discipleship, describes the heart of a disciple, and gives practical guidance for mentor and peer-based discipleship as Jesus intended. Revised and Expanded: Includes three new chapters and new illustrations Applicable: Shows how discipleship can be practical and gospel-centered Theological: Addresses the Holy Spirit's involvement in discipleship Foreword by Matt Chandler: Author of The Explicit Gospel

The astonishing, Job-like story of how an existence filled with loss, suffering, questioning, and anger became a life filled with shocking and incomprehensible peace and joy. Vaneetha Risner contracted polio as an infant, was misdiagnosed, and lived with widespread paralysis. She lived in and out of the hospital for ten years and, after each stay, would return to a life filled with bullying. When she became a Christian, though, she thought things would get easier, and they did: carefree college days, a dream job in Boston, and an MBA from Stanford where she met and married a classmate. But life unraveled. Again. She had four miscarriages. Her son died because of a doctor's mistake. And Vaneetha was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, meaning she would likely become a quadriplegic. And then her husband betrayed her and moved out, leaving her to raise two adolescent daughters alone. This was not the abundant life she thought God had promised her. But, as Vaneetha discovered, everything she experienced was designed to draw her closer to Christ as she discovered "that intimacy with God in suffering can be breathtakingly beautiful."

Experience the hardships and joys of pioneer ministry in 1870s America. Dropped from a stagecoach into the harsh, yet beautiful wilderness of western Minnesota in 1874, Pastor August Hertwig faces isolation, severe weather, and extreme physical hardship. Yet God leads him to the love of his life in the strong, determined Elizabeth and together they forge an amazing ministry.

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" How should a Christian interpret this passage? What implications does the cross have for the trinitarian theology? Did the Father kill the Son? Theologian Thomas McCall presents a trinitarian reading of Christ's darkest moment--the moment of his prayer to his heavenly Father from the cross. McCall revisits the biblical texts and surveys the various interpretations of Jesus cry, ranging from early church theologians to the Reformation to contemporary theologians. Along the way, he explains the terms of the scholarly debate and clearly marks out what he believes to be the historically orthodox point of view. By approaching the Son's cry to the Father as an event in the life of the Triune God, Forsaken seeks to recover the true poignancy of the orthodox perspective on the cross.

Through historical context, a big picture view of redemption, and the power of story in a historical context, Sherri Gragg captivates readers with fresh insights and perspectives on the familiar story of Christmas. Powerful and insightful, yet written in a way that is approachable for readers young and old, this Advent book is perfect for personal reflection or reading as a family for meaningful moments of reflection leading up to Christmas Day.

This study takes Lamentations as an integrated unity of form and content and considers the mini-acrostic in Lam 5:19-20 as crucial for the interpretation of the whole book. It applies a holistic approach and a dialogic interpretation to the book of Lamentations. Examining first the extent to which an intrinsic connection exists between the acrostic structure and the content of the book, Rong reads Lamentations as a whole from the angle of the mini-acrostic in Lam 5:19-20. She explores whether and how this mini-acrostic underlines the main themes running through the book. Moreover, Rong explores the dialogic interaction among the voices within Lamentations and between Lamentations and other related communal laments in the Hebrew Bible on the subjects of mood change and the admission of guilt. Finally, this book examines the significance of Lamentations for contemporary suffering--individuals and communities.

Examines the issue of human suffering and explores why a good God allows it.