Napkin Theology

Many Christians know that something mysterious and powerful happens on the cross—and that it has something to do with salvation. They know that God created out of nothing. They know that Jesus was both human and divine. But what do those various doctrines and concepts have to do with one another? This is what Napkin Theology is all about. It is an accessible, rich introduction to Christian theology, illustrated with simple, memorable drawings that describe the classic concepts of Christian belief. In reading Napkin Theology, you can peer into the depths of two thousand years of theology in the length of a CliffsNotes guide. This is not Theology for Dummies; this is not watered-down. We explain terms like creatio ex nihilo and “eschatology,” because they contain truths that all Christians, and not just seminarians, should know. Theology is for everyone—so let’s start drawing.

Discipleship is never quick and easy, but pastors and church leaders are finding that people have little time for in-depth, one-on-one spiritual conversations. How can you make the most of brief bits of conversation here and there, over lunch or at the coffee shop? In Napkin Theology, Mike Hilson shows that you don't have to spend hours with someone in order to make a significant investment in their discipleship. Each discussion starter includes a simple image you can quickly sketch on whatever is at hand--a digital tablet, the back of a menu, or even a paper napkin. Along with the image, you'll find an easy-to-communicate explanation, teachable questions, and a more in-depth study of the theological truth it illustrates.

Most Christians know that Jesus commanded his followers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." Yet many remain unclear about what Christ intended such a disciple should be or do. Recognizing that now, more than ever, believers need clear, biblical teaching on this all-important subject, author Mark Bailey provides a biblical measuring stick to help readers discern what it means to be the type of disciple Christ urges us to be. Drawing upon humor, simple visuals, and memorable principles to drive home this vital message, Bailey offers a fresh, authoritative teaching for the 90s on what it means to be a true disciple.

Gerd Lüdemann and other Gospel scholars debated the question of the resurrection with William Lane Craig and failed to show that the story of Jesus’ burial by Joseph of Arimathea was not historical, and that there is another burial story in the Gospel of John (19:31–33). Joseph Codsi invites them to read this book and discuss this question all over again. In addition, the second part of this book is about repressed memories in the Gospel of Mark. So far, scholars have discussed what is said overtly in the sacred texts. They did not notice the existence of enigmatic texts that “do not mention what they know, hide what organizes them, and unveil solely by their form what they erase from their content.” What those texts reveal is that, in the last phase of his life, Jesus received special revelations concerning God’s plans for Israel. According to those plans, the temple sacrifices will become obsolete and the Passover meal will be celebrated anywhere in the world, not just in Jerusalem. When Jesus revealed this to the five and four thousand people, they recognized in him the prophet who was to come, and they wanted to make him king.

Making Him L.O.R.D. is a book about allowing God to control your life in such a way that there are incredible results. "You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit was not without results." 1 Thessalonians 2:1 The Bible refers to results as Christ expressing His Life in and through you. Some may refer to this as fruit, work, multiplication or movement. All of those are appropriate ways to describe how God wants to cover the earth with His Glory. From the very beginning, we want to be honest with the admission that this cannot be done on our own, but can only be done by Christ's power! A life surrendered to God is a vessel used by God to accomplish His Vision. L.O.R.D. is an acrostic that stands for Living Out Reproducible Discipleship. If you want your life to echo throughout the halls of eternity, this is a book for you. Our Master and King has set forth the plan, and purpose are His chosen instruments. This book is about a captivating vision held by many Kingdom-minded citizens who desire that none shall perish. This is the Father's heart!

Pandeism: An Anthology presents the work of sixteen authors, new and old, examining the implications of the revolutionary evolutionary theological theory of Pandeism - the proposition that the Creator of our Universe created by becoming our Universe, and that this proposition can be demonstrated through the exercise of logic and reason. These authors present a wide range of views originating from their varied experiences, from professional theologians and religious educators to lay philosophers with PhDs in the hard sciences. Collectively, these authors have assembled the most extensive examination of Pandeism put to print in over a hundred years.

No single narrative or theory can describe the varieties of religious experience in North America today. The tidy dichotomies of liberal/ conservative, public/private, local/global, and renewal/secularization make little sense once specific congregations are examined closely. To understand the shifting boundaries of contemporary religious expressions, new tools are needed. Contemporary American Religion collects qualitative, on-the-ground studies of local congregations by up-and-coming religious scholars. Ethnography combined with more traditional sociological methods, help make sense of complex religious communities—from Messianic Jews to evangelical feminists, from Gospel Hour at a gay bar to exurban megachurches. This collection covers a wide span of the religious landscape, always trying to uncover new theoretical insights. Essential reading for classes in sociology of religion, contemporary American religion, and anthropology of religion.

A Comprehensive Exploration of the Biblical Covenants This book forms an overview of the biblical teaching on covenant as well as the practical significance of covenant for the Christian life. A host of 26 scholars shows how covenant is not only clearly taught from Scripture, but also that it lays the foundation for other key doctrines of salvation. The contributors, who engage variously in biblical, systematic, and historical theology, present covenant theology not as a theological abstract imposed on the Bible but as a doctrine that is organically presented throughout the biblical narrative. As students, pastors, and church leaders come to see the centrality of covenant to the Christian faith, the more the church will be strengthened with faith in the covenant-keeping God and encouraged in their understanding of the joy of covenant life.