New book: Discipling in a Multicultural World by Ajith Fernando

Discipling in a Multicultural World by Ajith Fernando - Our multicultural world needs countercultural disciplers.

People from all over the world are coming to Christ from a variety of backgrounds. This requires more people who are willing to commit to the effort and sacrifice it takes to invest in new believers.

Rooted in over four decades of multicultural discipleship experience, Ajith Fernando offers biblical principles for discipling and presents examples showing how they apply to daily life and ministry. He addresses key cultural challenges, such as the value of honor and shame, honoring family commitments, and dealing with persecution, and helps us think realistically about the cost and commitment required for productive cross-cultural ministry. This practical guide to discipleship will help us help others grow into mature and godly followers of Christ.

Book information:
Title: Discipling in a Multicultural World 
Author: Ajith Fernando
Call number: 265 FER

New book: The Call to Joy & Pain by Ajith Fernando

The Call to Joy & Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry by Ajith Fernando - 2008 Christianity Today Book Award Winner

Joy and pain are both aspects of the call of God for the Christian. The Bible even presents pain as a trigger for joy. The Call to Joy and Pain explores how this is so, showing the connection between rejoicing and suffering, how suffering draws us nearer to God, and how suffering makes us more effective in service.

Ministerial veteran Ajith Fernando combines biblical exposition, keen pastoral insight, and cross-cultural wisdom in his writing. He opens readers' eyes to a truth they may already suspect: we in the West have much to learn about suffering.

By examining Paul's words on the subject of suffering for Christ from Colossians 1:24-29, Fernando thoughtfully explains how suffering can be a blessing to the individual Christian and to the church as a whole. His book will help Christians joyfully embrace the life of service and total devotion to Jesus, despite the pain it entails.

Book information:

Title: The Call to Joy & Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry

Author: Ajith Fernando

Call number: 203 FER

New book: The Family Life of a Christian Leader by Ajith Fernando

The Family Life of a Christian Leader by Ajith Fernando - Anyone involved in Christian ministry knows how challenging it is to balance ministry and family responsibilities. Many demands pull leaders in different directions--making it easy to neglect one or the other, often without even realizing it. Writing from decades of counseling and personal ministry experience, Ajith Fernando points Christian leaders back to the most important aspect of their lives: their relationship with God. He then offers practical guidance for responding to real-life situations in the home, including disciplining children, dealing with disappointment, loving one's spouse, and pursuing joy. This book presents Christian leaders with a healthy and God-centered understanding of family that leads to a flourishing home.

Book information:

Title: The Family Life of a Christian Leader

Author: Ajith Fernando

Call number: 262 FER

New book: Jesus Driven Ministry by Ajith Fernando

Jesus Driven Ministry by Ajith Fernando - Author Ajith Fernando believes that much ministry failure results from neglect of the basics of the faith. Too often today's church is riveted on ministry technique to the neglect of leadership lifestyle.

In this book, Fernando identifies the foundational elements that allow you to be both effective and joyful in your service. He shows from Jesus' own ministry that relating to the people you minister to, retreating from busyness to prayer, being affirmed and empowered by God, discipling younger leaders, and gaining strength from God's Word must be at the heart of your ministry.

Rich in Scripture and full of stories from Fernando's own years of ministry, this book will help men and women commit themselves afresh to those vital basics of ministry that make for long-term service that is both fruitful and joyful.

Book information:

Title: Jesus Driven Ministry

Author: Ajith Fernando

Call number: 320  FER

New book: Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund

Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund - Marriage is so much more than a human institution. The Bible teaches that marriage was created by God and reveals an eternal mystery--the mystery of the gospel. In this way, marriage paints a picture of our salvation in and through Jesus Christ. In the second volume in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, pastor Ray Ortlund traces the Bible's teaching on marriage from Genesis to Revelation--revealing how marriage stands at the center of God's redemptive purposes for the world. Helping us grasp a cosmic vision of this oft-misunderstood institution, this volume honors and exalts marriage as a grand display of the gospel, offering guidance and hope for our own marriages today.

Book information:

Title: Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel

Author: Ray Ortlund

Call number: 130 ORT

The Lord's Supper as the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant by Guy Waters

The Lord's Supper as the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant by Guy Waters - "When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" --1 Corinthians 11:24

The Lord's Supper is more than a church tradition or a complex doctrinal controversy--it has practical importance to our daily lives. When Jesus instituted the Supper, it was meant to strengthen the faith of his followers by reminding them of his promises. God has always made promises to his people through covenants, and along with them given signs and meals to point to and confirm his blessings. Looking at the unity of the covenants throughout the Bible, this book will help Christians recover the practical importance of the Lord's Supper as both a sign and a meal of the new covenant blessings God has bestowed on believers in Christ. 

Book information:

Title: The Lord's Supper as the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant

Author: Guy Waters

Call number: 130 WAT

New book: The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross by Thomas R. Schreiner

The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross by Thomas R. Schreiner - The kingdom of God is more than just the rule and reign of God over all things. It undergirds the entire framework of Scripture, serving as the backdrop against which all other themes play out. Surveying the entirety of both the Old and New Testaments, scholar and professor Patrick Schreiner presents a definition and framework for a biblical theology of the kingdom. Defining the kingdom of God as the interplay of three concepts--the king's power over the king's people in the king's place--this new volume in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series shows how a proper understanding of the kingdom of God has tremendous implications for life here and now.

Book information:

Title: The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross

Author: Thomas R. Schreiner

Call number: 130 SCH

New book: Covenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas R. Schreiner

Covenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas R. Schreiner - “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.” Genesis 17:4

Throughout the Bible, God has related to his people through covenants. It is through these covenant relationships, which collectively serve as the foundation for God’s promise to bring redemption to his people, that we can understand the advancement of his kingdom. This book walks through six covenants from Genesis to Revelation, helping us grasp the overarching narrative of Scripture and see the salvation God has planned for us since the beginning of time—bolstering our faith in God and giving us hope for the future.

Book information:

Title: Covenant and God's Purpose for the World

Author: Thomas R. Schreiner 

Call number: 130 SCH

New book: Life Lessons from Psalms by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Psalms by Max Lucado - Worship is a daunting task.

For that reason, God gave us the Psalms. This collection of hymns and petitions was written over a span of centuries, in many different settings, by kings such as David and Solomon and commoners like Asaph, Heman, and the sons of Korah. Some of the psalms are defiant; others are reverent. Some are meant to be sung; others are to be prayed. Some are intensely personal; others are written as if the whole world is to use them. But all have one purpose – to help us express our hears to God. So don’t just read these psalms but actually pray them along with the saints who composed them. As you do, you will experience their energy, appreciate their honesty, and enjoy their creativity.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Psalms 

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from Genesis by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Genesis by Max Lucado - A beginning. An origin. A foundation.

Knowing where we came from says much about where we are going. Perhaps that is why the first book of the Bible is a book of beginnings. God wants us to know where we came from. Learning that will teach us much about the place we are going. The book of Genesis brings us back to the beginning of the Bible, where the foundation of life itself is explained. We learn how we were created, about the origins of sin and its fallout, and how to best relate to God – through obedience and trust. We are drawn into tales of deceit, jealousy, and outright failure, where we see how God still uses flawed people. And weaving throughout these earliest stories of humankind are the golden threads of God’s promises – promises we can trace from their origins, through the course of history, up through our lives today, and beyond us to the end of time when his final promises will at last be fulfilled.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Genesis

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Praying The Lord's Prayer by J.I. Packer

Praying The Lord's Prayer by J.I. Packer - Praying is a problem for many people. Christians often go through the motions of prayer because it is expected of them, but they are often left wondering, "Did God hear me? Does he even care?"

In his book Praying the Lord's Prayer, an excerpt from Growing in Christ, J. I. Packer presents a powerful truth: prayer is a natural activity between the Heavenly Father and his children. As Packer works through each phrase of Christ's pattern of prayer, readers will begin to grasp the basic principles and guidelines of prayer. As readers apply the truths of this book to their prayer lives, they will experience intimate communication with God and will strengthen their own conversations with their Father in heaven.

Book information:

Title: Praying The Lord's Prayer

Author: J.I. Packer

Call number: 245 PAC

New book: Affirming the Apostles’ Creed by J.I. Packer

Affirming the Apostles’ Creed by J.I. Packer - The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest, most beautiful succinct summary of Christian beliefs. Though often recited in unison during worship services, the creed begins with the phrase "I believe," making it a deeply personal profession of faith. But when was the last time you examined it closely?

In Affirming the Apostles’ Creed, an excerpt from Growing in Christ, noted Bible scholar and author Packer explains the meaning and implications of each phrase of this great creed. Each concise chapter serves as an invitation to dive further into the creed—and as a result, into the essentials of the Christian faith—by concluding with discussion questions and Bible passages for further study.

Book information:

Title: Affirming the Apostles’ Creed 

Author: J.I. Packer

Call number: 130 PAC

New book: The Deity of Christ edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

The Deity of Christ edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson - The biblical teaching about the deity of Christ is a precious truth and foundational to the Christian faith. It has been called "the most distinctively Christian doctrine of all"--one that must be taught and preserved.

With this in mind, Robert Peterson, Christopher Morgan, Andreas Kostenberger, Steve Wellum, Gerald Bray, Alan Gomes, Ray Ortlund Jr., Stephen Nichols, and J. Nelson Jennings have collaborated to develop a theology of Christ's divinity across multiple disciplines. Combining first-rate evangelical scholarship with rich application, their work examines this central doctrine from contemporary, historical, biblical, systematic, apologetic, and missional perspectives.

Book information:

Title: The Deity of Christ

Editors: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: The Glory of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

The Glory of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson - Few topics are more crucial or central to the doctrine and daily life of a Christian than the glory of God. Despite its importance, however, few exhaustive books have been written on the subject. Andreas Köstenberger, Tremper Longman, Richard Gaffin, and other evangelical scholars and theologians have now collaborated to fill the void and help the church teach and protect this precious doctrine.

The Glory of God is the second volume in the Theology in Community series, which uses sound biblical doctrine to carefully examine important theological issues. While substantial in theological content, books in this series are widely accessible and coherent. In this volume, Köstenberger, Longman, Gaffin, and others guide readers through the glory of God in the Old and New Testaments and Johannine and Pauline literature. The doctrine is traced in historical theology, applied in pastoral theology, and fully delineated in a concluding systematic theology.

College seniors, pastors, seminarians, and educated laypersons will find this book enormously useful in their personal studies and ministries.

Book information:
Title: The Glory of God
Editors: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson
Call number: 130 MOR

New book: Heaven edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Heaven edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson - Our culture has a lot to say about heaven. But too much of it is based more on imaginative speculation or "supernatural" experiences than on the Bible itself.

In the latest addition to the Theology in Community series, Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson have assembled an interdisciplinary team of evangelical scholars to explore the doctrine of heaven from a variety of angles. Among other contributors, Ray Ortlund examines the concept of heaven in the Old Testament, Gerald Bray explores the history of theological reflection about heaven, and Ajith Fernando looks at persecuted saints' special relationship to heaven in the New Testament. This team of first-rate scholars offers modern readers a comprehensive overview of this often misunderstood topic--shedding biblical light on the eternal hope of all Christians.

Book information:

Title: Heaven

Editors: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: Biblical Spirituality edited by Christopher W. Morgan

Biblical Spirituality edited by Christopher W. Morgan - What is spirituality? For some, it means nothing more than vague self-improvement pulled from the latest best-selling self-help book. For others, it refers to some generic religious practice. Shedding life-giving light on what often remains ill-defined and unclear, this book sets forth a vision of biblical spirituality—“a renewed sense of the momentousness of being alive in God’s world as God’s people are led by God’s Spirit through God’s Word unto godly, Christlike character.” With careful exegetical work and theological reflection, the contributors—pastors and scholars such as Christopher W. Morgan, Paul R. House, Nathan A. Finn, and Gregg R. Allison—address spirituality from the perspective of the Bible, exploring topics such as the Trinity, divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the “already” and “not yet,” and the church. This book also addresses practical questions about spirituality related to the workplace, disciplines of the body, and more.

Book information:

Title: Biblical Spirituality

Editor: Christopher W. Morgan 

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: The Love of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan

The Love of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan - Our understanding of the love of God has been tragically distorted. The comfortable, sentimentalized version we commonly encounter today is far from the biblical depiction of God’s love. Featuring contributions from well-known evangelical scholars, this multi-disciplinary study presents the biblical view of the love of God from the perspectives of systematic theology, biblical theology, apologetics, pastoral theology, and ethics. The contributors―including D. A. Carson, Andreas J. Köstenberger, Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Robert L. Plummer, and many others―address a variety of issues related to how God’s love is expressed in the Old and New Testaments, the Trinity, apologetics, Christian living, social justice, and more. This addition to the Theology in Community series will promote clear, sound thinking about what Scripture means when it declares that “God is love.”

Part of the Theology in Community series.

Book information:

Title: The Love of God

Editor: Christopher W. Morgan 

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: The Kingdom of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

The Kingdom of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson - Part of the Theology in Community series. The Theology in Community series assembles teams of scholars to explore key theological themes and apply them to contemporary concerns. Each volume approaches a topic from the vantage points of the Old and New Testaments, and historical, systematic, and practical theology. The books draw upon a variety of contributors to craft a unified and accessible message. They aim to help pastors, church leaders, and laypersons alike.

Book information:

Title: The Kingdom of God 

Editors: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: Suffering and the Goodness of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Suffering and the Goodness of God edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson - Famine. Sickness. Terrorist Attacks. Natural disasters.

Each day horrific scenes of suffering are streamed before us through television, the Internet, and newspapers. Believers are taught that God is good, and they believe this truth. Yet when they are faced with suffering and hardships, the one question believers most often asked is, Why?

Suffering and the Goodness of God brings insight to many contemporary concerns of suffering by outlining Old and New Testament truths and tackling difficult questions concerning God's sovereignty, human freedom, and the nature of evil.

This book offers believers biblical truths concerning suffering and then challenges them to promote justice in the harsh, unsure world around them and to emulate God's grace as they minister to those who are suffering.

Part of the Theology in Community series.

Book information:

Title: Suffering and the Goodness of God 

Editors: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: Fallen: A Theology of Sin edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Fallen: A Theology of Sin edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson - From marital infidelity to global war, the world is obviously broken, leaving people desperate to find an explanation for our universal sin problem. In the latest addition to the Theology in Community series, Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson have assembled an interdisciplinary team of evangelical thinkers to explore the biblical doctrine of sin from a variety of angles. Among other contributors, popular scholar D. A. Carson discusses the contemporary significance of sin; seasoned professor Paul House details sin in the Old Testament law, prophets, and writings; and New Testament expert Douglas Moo explores sin from Paul's vantage point. This team of top-notch scholars offers modern readers a comprehensive overview of this oft-neglected, biblical theme so that readers might learn to live better in a sinful world.

Part of the Theology in Community series.

Book information:

Title: Fallen: A Theology of Sin

Editors: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Call number: 130 MOR

New book: The Apostles' Creed by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

The Apostles' Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits by R. Albert Mohler Jr. - The president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary reveals how understanding and living out of the oldest summary of Christian belief leads to a confident, bold, joy-filled existence in a world of confusion and uncertainty.

The Apostles' Creed has shaped and guided Christian faith for almost two thousand years. Few documents in the history of the church have similar influence on the life of ordinary believers. Shared by Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox traditions, the Apostles' Creed is perhaps the most compelling and formidable statement of Christian doctrine the world has ever known. But do we know what it really means—and how it applies to us today?

In The Apostles' Creed, renowned theologian and pastor R. Albert Mohler Jr. works line-by-line and phrase-by-phrase through each section of the Creed, explaining in clear terms what it means and how it equips Christians to live faithfully in a post-Christian culture. From understanding the nature of the Trinity and the miracle of the Incarnation to the world-shaking truth of the resurrection and the hope of Christ's return, the theological heritage contained in this ancient statement has the power to shape us for vibrant and steadfast living today. The Apostles' Creed shows us how.

Book information:

Title: The Apostles' Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits

Author: R. Albert Mohler Jr.

Call number: 130 MOH

New book: Life Lessons from Daniel and Esther by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Daniel and Esther by Max Lucado - Staying faithful when the pressure was most intense. That’s what these two did.

The Jewish people had reason to be depressed. Their nation had been conquered. Their hometown was in ruins. They were living in captivity. Yet from the ashes, God raised up two key figures to preserve the Jewish race. Daniel was among the first of the captives carried away by the Babylonians. Although he lived in a culture opposed to God, he was always faithful to the Lord – even in the face of death – and ultimately was able to influence kings and rulers. Esther was in exile during the time of the Persian Empire. Like Daniel, the Lord also placed her in a position to influence those in power. God also called her to step out in faith and risk her life to foil a plot against her people. As a result of her bold actions, the entire Jewish race was saved from annihilation.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Daniel and Esther

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 107 LUC

New book: The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung

The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism by Kevin DeYoung - The truth of the gospel is still contained within vintage faith statements. Within creeds and catechisms we can have our faith strengthened, our knowledge broadened, and our love for Jesus deepened. 

In The Good News We Almost Forgot, Kevin DeYoung explores the Heidelberg Catechism and writes 52 brief chapters on what it has shown him. The Heidelberg is largely a commentary on the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, and deals with man's guilt, God's grace, and believers' gratitude. This book is a clear-headed, warm-hearted exploration of the faith, simple enough for young believers and deep enough for mature believers. 

DeYoung writes, "The gospel summarized in the Heidelberg Catechism is glorious, its Christ gracious, its comfort rich, its Spirit strong, its God Sovereign, and its truth timeless." Come and see how your soul can be warmed by the elegantly and logically stated doctrine that matters most: We are great sinners and Christ is a greater Savior!

Book information:

Title: The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism\

Author: Kevin DeYoung

Call number: 130 DEY

New book: Enjoying God by Tim Chester

Enjoying God : Experience the power and love of God in everyday life by Tim Chester - We believe in God, we serve God, we trust God, but would we say that we experience God on a day to day basis? Do we really know him personally? What exactly does a relationship with God look like, and how is it even possible?

In this seminal work by Tim Chester, we’ll see how the three persons of the Trinity relate to us in our day-to-day lives and how to respond. We’ll discover that as we interact more with God, and understand how awesome he is, we will experience the joy of being known by the creator of the universe.

Every Christian will benefit from discovering the key to enjoying God in every moment of everyday.

Book information:

Title: Enjoying God : Experience the power and love of God in everyday life

Author: Tim Chester

Call number: 201 CHE

New book: Just Do Something by Kevin deYoung

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will by Kevin deYoung - A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will or How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Impressions, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.

Hyper-spiritual approaches to finding God's will don't work. It's time to try something new: Give up.

Pastor and author Kevin DeYoung counsels Christians to settle down, make choices, and do the hard work of seeing those choices through. Too often, he writes, God's people tinker around with churches, jobs, and relationships, worrying that they haven't found God's perfect will for their lives. Or—even worse—they do absolutely nothing, stuck in a frustrated state of paralyzed indecision, waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting for clear, direct, unmistakable direction.

But God doesn't need to tell us what to do at each fork in the road. He's already revealed his plan for our lives: to love him with our whole hearts, to obey His Word, and after that, to do what we like.

No need for hocus-pocus. No reason to be directionally challenged. Just do something.

Book information:

Title: Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will

Author: Kevin deYoung

Call number: 208 DEY

New book: Life Lessons from Ezra and Nehemiah by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Ezra and Nehemiah by Max Lucado - Two leaders, one burning mission: restoration.

When the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon, they found the city laid waste, the temple destroyed, and their way of life obliterated. Out of the ashes of this devastation, two leaders emerged to restore the foundations of their worship and their city. Ezra, the first to return, set out to restore true worship in Jerusalem by reminding the people of God’s teaching, what it meant for them, and how it should shape their lives. Nehemiah, the next to arrive, exchanged his royal cupbearer’s robes for coveralls and got to work rebuilding the wall. The project took twelve years and was an uphill battle all the way – with grumpy workers, squabbles, and enemies lurking at every turn. The efforts of these men reveal just how much God can accomplish in our lives when we follow where he leads.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Ezra and Nehemiah

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 107 LUC

New book: Survival Guide for the Soul by Ken Shigematsu

Survival Guide for the Soul: How to Flourish Spiritually in a World that Pressures Us to Achieve by Ken Shigematsu - What keeps us from flourishing in our spiritual lives is a neglect of the inner life of the soul. And more and more today, this neglect is driven by our ambition to accomplish something big outside ourselves. We live in a society that pressures us to achieve professionally, socially, and through the constant acquisition of material possessions. Drawing on a wide range of sources including scripture, church history, psychology, and neuroscience, as well as a rich variety of stories from his own life, Ken Shigematsu demonstrates how the gospel redeems our desires and reorders our lives. He offers fresh perspective on how certain spiritual practices help orient our lives so that our souls can flourish in the midst of a demanding, competitive society. And he concludes with a liberating and counter-cultural definition of true greatness.

This book will appeal to anyone who longs to experience a deeper relationship with Christ in the midst of the daily pressures to succeed, as well as to those on the borderlands of faith seeking to transcend the human tendency to define ourselves by our production and success.

Book information:

Title: Survival Guide for the Soul: How to Flourish Spiritually in a World that Pressures Us to Achieve

Author: Ken Shigematsu

Call number: 201 SHI

New book: The Ten Commandments by Kevin DeYoung

The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung - The Ten Commandments were foundational to the lives of the ancient Israelites, but many Christians don't know how the list relates to their lives today. Are they still relevant? If so, which rules still apply? What do these commands mean in light of God's grace and mercy shown in Jesus? In this book, Kevin DeYoung delivers critical truth about God's Ten Commandments as he makes clear what they are, why we should know them, and how we should apply them. Revealing the timelessness and goodness of God's ancient commands, this accessible and important book helps readers know, obey, and delight in God's law--and everything it means for their lives today.

Book information:

Title: The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them

Author: Kevin DeYoung

Call number: 201 DEY

New book: Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman

Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus by Jonathan Leeman - Why should you join a church? Becoming a member of a church is an important, and often neglected, part of the Christian life. Yet the trend these days is one of shunning the practice of organized religion and showing a distaste or fear of commitment, especially of institutions.

Jonathan Leeman addresses these issues with a straightforward explanation of what church membership is and why it's important. Giving the local church its proper due, Leeman has built a compelling case for committing to the local body.

Book information:

Title: Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus 

Author: Jonathan Leeman

Call number: 261 LEE

New book: Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church by John Onwuchekwa

Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church by John Onwuchekwa - Prayer is as necessary to the Christian as breathing is to the human body--but it often doesn't come quite as naturally. In fact, prayer in the church often gets subtly pushed to the side in favor of pragmatic practices that promise tangible results. Rather than being a hallmark of churches, dependence on prayer is usually emphasized only in times of major crisis--if at all. The latest book in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series focuses on the necessity of regular prayer as a central practice in the local church. Examining what Jesus taught about prayer, how the first Christians approached prayer in the early church, and what steps can be taken to prioritize prayer in churches, this book is intended to awaken readers to the need and blessing of prayer in their personal lives and in the life of their local church.

Book information:

Title: Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church

Author: John Onwuchekwa

Call number: 245 ONW

New book: Discipling by Mark Dever

Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever - Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his followers to "make disciples of all nations." But what does this command actually entail? What does it look like for Christians to care for one another's spiritual well-being and growth? In this introduction to the basics of discipling, veteran pastor and author Mark Dever uses biblical definitions and practical examples to show how Christians can help one another become more like Christ every day. The eighth volume in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series, this short book explains how discipling should function in the context of the local church, teaching pastors and church leaders how to cultivate a culture of edification and growth in their congregations.

Book information:

Title: Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus

Author: Mark Dever

Call number: 265 DEV

New book: The Church by Mark Dever

The Church: The Gospel Made Visible by Mark Dever - Christians face lots of practical questions when it comes to life in the local church: How is the gospel displayed in our lives together? What are we supposed to do and believe? Different followers answer differently—even as they preach the same gospel! What should we think about such differences?

A church’s life, doctrine, worship, and even polity are important issues. Yet they are so rarely addressed. The Church is Mark Dever’s primer on the doctrine of the church for all who see Scripture alone as a sufficient authority for the doctrine and life of the local church. He explains to the reader what the Bible says about the nature and purpose of the church— what it is, what it’s for, what it does.

Indeed, Scripture teaches us about all of life and doctrine, including how we should assemble for corporate worship and how we’re to organize our corporate life together. God has revealed himself by his Word. He is speak- ing to us, preparing us to represent him today, and to see him tomorrow! A congregation of regenerate members, fulfilling the responsibilities given to us by Christ himself in his Word, regularly meeting together, led by a body of godly elders, is the picture God has given us in his Word of his church.

Book information:

Title: The Church: The Gospel Made Visible

Author: Mark Dever

Call number: 261 DEV

New book: Didn't See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof

Didn't See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects and Everyone Experiences by Carey Nieuwhof - Founding Pastor of one of North America's most influential churches, Carey Nieuwhof wants to help you avoid and overcome life's seven hardest and most crippling challenges: cynicism, compromise, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, burnout, and emptiness. These are challenges that few of us expect but that we all experience at some point. If you have yet to confront these obstacles, Carey provides clear tools and guidelines for anticipation and avoidance. On the other hand, if you already feel stuck in a painful experience or are wrestling with one of these challenges, he provides the steps you need to find a way out and a way forward into a more powerful and vibrant future.

Book information:

Title: Didn't See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects and Everyone Experiences

Author: Carey Nieuwhof

Call number: 201 NIE

New book: The Case for Miracles by Lee Strobel

The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural by Lee Strobel - Lee Strobel trains his investigative sights on whether it's credible to believe God intervenes supernaturally in people's lives today.

This book starts with an unlikely interview in which America's foremost skeptic builds a seemingly persuasive case against the miraculous. But then Strobel travels the country to quiz scholars to see whether they can offer solid answers to atheist objections. Along the way, he encounters accounts of healings and other phenomena that simply cannot be explained away by naturalistic causes. The book features the results of exclusive new scientific polling that shows miracle accounts are much more common than people think.

What's more, Strobel delves into the most controversial question of all: what about miracles that don't happen? If God canintervene in the world, why doesn't he do it more often to relieve suffering?

Book information:

Title: The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural

Author: Lee Strobel

Call number: 137 STR

New book: Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair B. Ferguson - Love is at the heart of Christmas—it's the reason behind all our gathering and gift-giving at this time of year. In this Advent devotional, Dr Sinclair B Ferguson refreshes our hearts as we reflect on the source it all—love incarnate, Jesus Christ.

Over the course of December, this devotional walks through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase-by-phrase, showing us that "love is" the Lord Jesus himself.

Sinclair Ferguson brings the rich theology of the incarnation to life with his trademark warmth and clarity. Drawing on stories from the Gospels, we'll see what “love” looked like in the life of Christ, and be challenged us to love like him during the Christmas season. Each day's reading finishes with carols and hymns for reflection and prayer.

However you're feeling—weary or frantic, lonely or lovesick—your heart will be refreshed as you wonder again at the truth that love came down at Christmas in the person of Jesus Christ.

Book information:

Title: Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent

Author: Sinclair B. Ferguson

Call number: 244 FER

New book: Sound Doctrine by Bobby Jamieson

Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God by Bobby Jamieson - Sound doctrine is the life-blood of God's people, providing the foundation for the church's unity and witness. From shaping the corporate life of the church to directing individuals in the practical issues of life, right thinking about God, humanity, sin, and salvation is indispensable for real growth. This short, readable book speaks to the importance of good theology for godly living and powerfully argues that truth is always meant to lead to transformation.

Book information:

Title: Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God
Author: Bobby Jamieson
Call number: 261 JAM

New book: The Gospel by Ray Ortlund

The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ by Ray Ortlund - How does the church portray the beauty of Christ?

The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty--beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.

In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.

Book information:

Title: The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ

Author: Ray Ortlund

Call number: 132 ORT

New book: Evangelism by J. Mack Stiles

Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus by J. Mack Stiles - Evangelism is more than a program.

Every few years, churches jump into the latest evangelistic fad. Leaders administrate the new program, and members go on a raid. But picture a church where evangelism is just part of the culture. Leaders share their faith consistently and openly. Members follow, encouraging one another to make evangelism an ongoing way of life.

Such is the way of evangelism presented by this brief and compelling book. No program here. Instead, it just might give your church a new way to live and share the gospel together.

Book information:

Title: Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus

Author: J. Mack Stiles

Call number: 264 STI

New book: Biblical Theology by Nick Roark and Robert Cline

Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel by Nick Roark and Robert Cline - Throughout the history of the church, Christians have always had to contend with the influence of unbiblical teachings related to God, humanity, and salvation. One of the most important safeguards against all forms of heresy is a robust appreciation for biblical theology--reading the Bible in a way that takes into account the whole storyline of redemptive history. Exhorting pastors and other church leaders to prioritize biblical theology in their own congregations, this book explains basic principles for reading the Bible that help pastors teach the big story of the Bible from every text. Understanding the Bible in Christ-centered terms shapes the church's teaching and mission, and protects the truth of the gospel around the world.

Book information:

Title: Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel

Authors: Nick Roark and Robert Cline

Call number: 130 ROA

New book: Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever - Pastor Mark Dever's classic book is not an instruction manual for church growth. Rather, it is a wise pastor's recommendation for how to assess the health of a church using nine crucial qualities often neglected by many of today's congregations. Church leaders and church members alike will resonate with the principles outlined here, breathing new life and health into the church at large. In this newly revised edition, fresh arguments have been added (for example on expositional preaching, about the nature of the gospel, on complementarianism), illustrations have been updated, appendices have been changed, and cover has been improved.

Book information:

Title: Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

Author: Mark Dever

Call number: 261 DEV

New book: What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert

What is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert - Christians today define mission more broadly and variably than ever before. Are we, as the body of Christ, headed in the same direction or are we on divergent missions?

Some argue that the mission of the Church is to confront injustice and alleviate suffering, doing more to express God's love for the world. Others are concerned that the church is in danger of losing its God-centeredness and thereby emphasize the proclamation of the gospel. It appears as though misunderstanding of mission persists.

Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert believe there is a lot that evangelicals can agree on if only we employ the right categories and build our theology of mission from the same biblical building blocks. Explaining key concepts like kingdom, gospel, and social justice, DeYoung and Gilbert help us to get on the same page--united by a common cause--and launch us forward into the true mission of the church.

Book information:

Title: What is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission

Authors: Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert

Call number: 266 DEY

New book: The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung

The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung - The “hole in our holiness” is that evangelicals don’t look particularly holy, and, despite the flood of gospel-centered discussions, there seems to be a greater focus on personal depravity than on the pursuit of holiness. Looking to right the balances, Kevin DeYoung presents a popular-level treatment of sanctification and union with Christ, helping readers to see what matters most—being like Jesus. He shows how one can be like Christ in being joined to Christ. The market is ready for DeYoung’s timely book, ready to avoid legalism and ambivalence, and they are ready for someone to articulate the inextricable relationship between grace and holiness.

Book information:

Title: The Hole in Our Holiness

Author: Kevin DeYoung

Call number: 201 DEY

New book: The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander

The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander - Dever and Alexander propose a model of complete reliance and submission to the gospel when building a healthy church. Great resource for pastors, elders, and others interested in the vitality of their church.

Book information:

Title: The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel
Authors: Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
Call number: 261 DEV

New book: Life Lessons from Revelation by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Revelation by Max Lucado - The end of the world. How do you react to that thought? Does it make you afraid? Excited? Nervous? Full of anticipation? Full of peace? The apostle John was privileged to preview the end of the world. While in exile, he experienced an amazing vision that gave him a glimpse of heaven. He saw the final battle of good and evil. He saw God's justice. He witnessed the assured victory for believers in Christ as all hell broke loose and all heaven came forth. He saw Jesus, born in a manger, now triumphant over Satan. John's description stretches our imagination, fuels our anticipation, and comforts us as we await the final curtain call.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Revelation

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from 1, 2 & 3 John & Jude by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from 1, 2 & 3 John & Jude by Max Lucado - What inspires you? A personal motto? A quote that directs your daily life? The letters written by the apostle John and Jude focused on two simple words that define our life and permeate our actions: love and truth. These letters are full of insights and direction along with warnings and encouragement . . . all based on these two words. These words remind us that God supplies all we need. That there is a real purpose to generosity. That there are times to be tolerant and times to take a stand. That faith includes certainties. Love and truth remind us of the life-changing power in the gospel message. Want a guide to how to live? Study John and Jude's letters of love and truth.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from 1, 2 & 3 John & Jude

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter by Max Lucado - Has your peace been stolen? Dreams crushed? Hope lost? Life has a way of not turning out the way we want. The disciple Peter knew what it was like to go through tough times. He endured threats, punishment, time in jail, beatings, and false words. He had seen enough to know how to stay strong in tough times. So he wrote a survival manual to show how we should act and respond when life isn’t fair. His words of wisdom are beacons of hope for making it through hard times. Peter’s counsel may surprise you. But it may be just what you need to sustain you when you find that you are between the rock and a hard place.

Book information:
Title: Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter
Author: Max Lucado
Call number: 108 LUC