New book: Tactics by Gregory Koukl

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl - In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to get in the driver's seat, keeping any conversation moving with thoughtful, artful diplomacy. You'll learn how to maneuver comfortably and graciously through the minefields, stop challengers in their tracks, turn the tables and—most importantly—get people thinking about Jesus. Soon, your conversations will look more like diplomacy than D-Day. Drawing on extensive experience defending Christianity in the public square, Koukl shows you how to:

• Initiate conversations effortlessly
• Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively
• Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking
• Skillfully manage the details of dialogue
• Maintain an engaging, disarming style even under attack

Tactics provides the game plan for communicating the compelling truth about Christianity with confidence and grace.

Book information:
Title: Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Author: Gregory Koukl
Call number: 264 KOU

New book: Basic Christianity by John Stott

Basic Christianity by John Stott - Who is Jesus? "If Jesus was not God in human flesh, Christianity is exploded," writes John Stott. "We are left with just another religion with some beautiful ideas and noble ethics; its unique distinction has gone." If Jesus is not who he said he was, and if he did not do what he said he had come to do, the whole superstructure of Christianity crumbles in ruins to the ground. Is it plausible that Jesus was truly divine? And what might this mean for us? John Stott's clear, classic statement examines the historical facts on which Christianity stands. Here is a sound, sensible guide for all who seek an intellectually satisfying explanation of the Christian faith.

Book information:

Title: Basic Christianity

Author: John Stott

Call number: 137 STO

New book: Encounters with Jesus by Timothy Keller

Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life's Biggest Questions by Timothy Keller - In Encounters With Jesus, New York Times-bestselling author and renowned pastor Timothy Keller explores Jesus' answers to life's biggest questions by showing what happened to those whom met Jesus personally.

What is my purpose in life? Who am I meant to be? How can I live a successful life? Why is there so much wrong with our world today? Am I part of the problem? What can I do to help change that?

These are the big and seemingly unanswerable questions that everyone must ask, and then attempt to answer, in life. In Encounters With Jesus, Timothy Keller explores Jesus' answers to life's biggest questions by showing what happened to those who met Jesus personally.

Jesus changed the lives of nearly every person he met in the Gospels. These were powerful experiences: they can have a profound effect on us today, and also help explain not only different aspects of Christianity, but the deep questions of life itself. Timothy Keller highlights ten of these encounters - including Jesus' meeting a sceptical student, a religious insider, an outcast, even Satan himself - proves how invaluable the lessons from these encounters are for contemporary readers.

Book information:

Title: Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life's Biggest Questions

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 132 KEL

New book: Preaching by Timothy Keller

Preaching: Commmunicating Faith in an Age of Scepticism by Timothy Keller - Pastor, preacher, and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller’s wisdom on communicating the Christian faith from the pulpit as well as from the coffee shop.

Most Christians—including pastors—struggle to talk about their faith in a way that applies the power of the Christian gospel to change people’s lives. Timothy Keller is known for his insightful, down-to-earth sermons and talks that help people understand themselves, encounter Jesus, and apply the Bible to their lives. In this accessible guide for pastors and laypeople alike, Keller helps readers learn to present the Christian message of grace in a more engaging, passionate, and compassionate way.

Book information:

Title: Preaching: Commmunicating Faith in an Age of Scepticism

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 340 KEL

New book: Generous Justice by Timothy Keller

Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Timothy Keller - It is commonly thought in secular society that the Bible is one of the greatest hindrances to doing justice. Isn't it full of regressive views? Didn't it condone slavery? Why look to the Bible for guidance on how to have a more just society? But Keller sees it another way. In GENEROUS JUSTICE, Keller explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace: a generous, gracious justice. Here is a book for believers who find the Bible a trustworthy guide, as well as those who suspect that Christianity is a regressive influence in the world.

Book information:

Title: Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 201 KEL

New book: King's Cross by Timothy Keller

King's Cross: Understand the Life and Death of the Son of God by Timothy Keller - At a time when interest in Jesus has never been higher, Tim Keller takes a deep and thought-provoking look at the life of Christ. Drawing from Mark's gospel, he explains how Jesus' identity as king and his purpose in dying on the cross have meaning and significance on a cosmic scale as well as for the individual.

Book information:
Title: King's Cross: Understand the Life and Death of the Son of God
Author: Timothy Keller
Call number: 132 KEL

New book: Center Church by Timothy Keller

Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City by Timothy Keller - Many pastors struggle to translate their theological beliefs into fruitful ministry in the places they are called to reach. It's not enough to simply know what to believe (theology) or, on the other hand, how to do ministry (methodology) — they need something in between. They need help thinking about ministry in a culture that no longer believes Christianity is a force for good, let alone the source of ultimate revealed truth in the person of Christ. Center Church, a collection of twelve essays by Timothy Keller, outlines a theological vision for ministry that is organized around three core commitments:

• Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It completely reshapes the content, tone and strategy of all that we do.
• City-centered: With a positive approach toward our culture, we learn to affirm that cities are wonderful, strategic and underserved places for gospel ministry.
• Movement-centered: Instead of building our own tribe, we seek the prosperity and peace of our community as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

Book information:

Title: Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 266.5 KEL

New book - Winsome Persuasion by Tim Muehlhoff and Richard Langer

Winsome Persuasion: Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World by Tim Muehlhoff and Richard Charles Langer - We blush at the possibilities. Brainwashed fanatics? Out-of-touch dogmatists? Buffoons?

The task of bearing faithful witness to Jesus is complicated by persistent―and not altogether baseless―cultural stereotypes. In our post-Christian society, thoughtful Christians are considering again how to engage the dominant culture as a minority, a counterpublic, amid varying perceptions and misperceptions.

In this timely book, Timothy Muehlhoff and Rick Langer ask what our interactions with the dominant cultural ethos should look like. How might we be persuasive and civil at the same time? How should we respond to those who ridicule and caricature us? How can we challenge the beliefs of other communities with love and respect?

Muehlhoff and Langer present a model for cultural engagement that integrates communication theory, theology, and Scripture. Penetrating, wise, and relentlessly practical, it includes test cases and examples from history, such as William Wilberforce and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Now more than ever, Christians need what Winsome Persuasion offers: a compelling vision of public engagement that is both shrewd and gracious.

Book information:

Title: Winsome Persuasion: Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World

Authors: Tim Muehlhoff and Richard Charles Langer

Call number: 201 MUE

New book: Engaging Globalization by Bryant Myers

Engaging Globalization: The Poor, Christian Mission, and Our Hyperconnected World by Bryant Myers - Globalization is speeding up our world, extending our relationships globally and bringing us closer together in positive and not-so-positive ways. The church and many Christians, however, remain largely unaware of its seductive power, resulting in a failure of vision for mission in today's world. This up-to-date resource by a veteran leader in global development work with World Vision orients readers to the history of globalization and to a Christian theological perspective on it, explores concrete realities by focusing on global poverty, and helps readers reimagine Christian mission in ways that announce the truly good news of Christ and God's kingdom. Diagrams and sidebars that incorporate the voices of global partners are included. This is the second book in a new series that reframes missiological themes and studies for students using/featuring the common theme of mission as partnership with Christians.

Book information:

Title: Engaging Globalization: The Poor, Christian Mission, and Our Hyperconnected World

Author: Bryant Myers

Call number: 266.3 MYE

New book: Has Christianity Failed You? by Ravi Zacharias

Has Christianity Failed You? by Ravi Zacharias - In 2006, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) held an open forum at the Fox Theater in Atlanta to address the subject: “Has Christianity Failed You?” Tickets were sold for the event and—to the complete surprise of everyone—the event was sold out with a capacity crowd of over 5,000. People lined up offering to buy tickets from folks in line for higher prices. Before the event, an RZIM cameraman walked the streets and asked people if they had rejected the faith they held at one time. One answered that, because of a Christian’s rejection of his gay lifestyle he had done just that. Another answered that she had left her faith because she had fallen into adultery and could never live it down in the church. Others had their own reasons. Some said it was just intellectually untenable in an age of reason. They chose to come to the event to judge if there were adequate answers. It is estimated that for every one person who writes a letter or attends an event, there are one thousand who agree. If the Atlanta crowd was any indication, the question is real and troubling. Why is it that many live with silent doubt, many leaving the “evangelical fold” for something else? Is there something wrong with the message, the communicator, the hearer…or is it all three? It’s time to ask the hard questions of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and why it seems as though God has made it so hard to continue believing. In fact, the son of a prominent U.S. Senator phoned me with that very question. “Why has God made it so hard to believe in Him?” Such skepticism is not just representative of the hostile; it also represents many honest questioners. This book attempts to lay out the response to those within as well as those outside the Christian faith so as to understand what it is we believe and why it is so hard to do so. More to the point: Why it is actually so hard to deny God and still make sense out of life? In the end the answers should be both felt and real, with the added truth that God is nearer than you think. He desires that we sense Him very near to us and not distant. But closeness comes at a cost just as any relationship of love and commitment does.

Book information:

Title: Has Christianity Failed You?

Author: Ravi Zacharias

Call number: 137 ZAC

New book: The End of Reason by Ravi Zacharias

The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists by Ravi Zacharias - When you pray, are you talking to a God who exists? Or is God nothing more than your “imaginary friend,” like a playmate contrived by a lonely and imaginative child?When author Sam Harris attacked Christianity in Letter to a Christian Nation, reviewers called the book “marvelous” and a generation of readers—hundreds of thousands of them—were drawn to his message. Deeply troubled, Dr. Ravi Zacharias knew that he had to respond. In The End of Reason, Zacharias underscores the dependability of the Bible along with his belief in the power and goodness of God. He confidently refutes Harris’s claims that God is nothing more than a figment of one’s imagination and that Christians regularly practice intolerance and hatred around the globe. If you found Sam Harris’s Letter to a Christian Nation compelling, the book you are holding is exactly what you need. Dr. Zacharias exposes “the utter bankruptcy of this worldview.” And if you haven’t read Harris’ book, Ravi’s response remains a powerful, passionate, irrefutably sound set of arguments for Christian thought. The clarity and hope in these pages reach out to readers who know and follow God as well as to those who reject God.

Book information:

Title: The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists

Author: Ravi Zacharias

Call number: 137 ZAC

New book: Martin Luther by Herman Selderhuis

Martin Luther: A Spiritual Biography by Herman Selderhuis - Martin Luther is well known for initiating one of the most influential movements in church history--the Reformation. But this fascinating nonconformist, praised as a hero or criticized as a heretic throughout history, was first and foremost a man searching for God. This new biography by leading Reformation scholar Herman Selderhuis digs deep into the heart and mind of Luther, following him on his spiritual journey and revealing the many facets of his powerful personality, from loving husband and father, to serious monk, to feared opponent, to compelling preacher and writer. Selderhuis uses Luther's own words to help us see him as a man of flesh and blood, full of faith and full of faults, with a deep longing to live for God.

Book information: 

Title: Martin Luther: A Spiritual Biography

Author: Herman Selderhuis

Call number: 267.3 SEL

New book - The Challenge of Jesus by N.T. Wright

The Challenge of Jesus by N.T. Wright - This text answers the scepticism about the need for a historical understanding of Jesus and shows how this can affect Christian discipleship today. It explores Jesus' preaching, his Messiahship and death, and his self-understanding in relation to God. The book goes on to ask: what does this imply? What should this mean for us? What, in fact, is the mission of the church grounded in this Jesus and this resurrection, to our postmodern world?

Book information: 
Title: The Challenge of Jesus
Author: N.T. Wright
Call number: 132 WRI

New book: The Meal Jesus Gave Us by N.T. Wright

The Meal Jesus Gave Us: Understanding Holy Communion by N.T. Wright - A short, simple and thoroughly biblical explanation of the meaning and purpose of Holy Communion, designed to appeal to all ages. Explains its biblical origins, the different ways in which Christians have understood it over the centuries, and its crucial place in the Christian life today. With questions for reflection or discussion at the end of each chapter. Ideal for complete beginners, and anyone wanting a quick and easy refresher course.

Book information:

Title: The Meal Jesus Gave Us: Understanding Holy Communion

Author: N.T. Wright

Call number: 132 WRI

New book: Theologians You Should Know by Michael Reeves

Theologians You Should Know: An Introduction: From the Apostolic Fathers to the 21st Century by Michael Reeves - Whether you realize it or not, you are the beneficiary of centuries of careful study and reflection on God's Word. The writings and teachings of figures from the past are crucial to what the church believes today. But just like intriguing guests of honor at a dinner party, these theologians can be intimidating to get to know.

Introducing you to the lives and thought of figures such as the Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Karl Barth, and others, this book makes the writings of these significant theologians accessible and approachable--opening up for you the riches of church history and enlarging your vision of God and his plan for the world.

Book information:

Title: Theologians You Should Know: An Introduction: From the Apostolic Fathers to the 21st Century

Author: Michael Reeves

Call number: 267.3 REE

New book: The Story of Reality by Gregory Koukl

The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Gregory Koukl - Biblical Christianity is more than just another private religious view. It’s more than just a personal relationship with God or a source of moral teaching.

Christianity is a picture of reality.

It explains why the world is the way it is. When the pieces of this puzzle are properly assembled, we see the big picture clearly. Christianity is a true story of how the world began, why the world is the way it is, what role humans play in the drama, and how all the plotlines of the story are resolved in the end.

In The Story of Reality, best-selling author and host of Stand to Reason, Gregory Koukl, explains the five words that form the narrative backbone of the Christian story. He identifies the most important things that happen in the story in the order they take place:

God

Man

Jesus

Cross

Resurrection

Our story begins with God. He created everything, but something went terribly wrong. So God initiated a rescue plan and entered the world that he had made by becoming like us in Jesus Christ. Jesus saved us from the wrongness in ourselves and in the world through his death on a cross. And how people respond to what he did will determine what their future will be at the final event of history: the resurrection.

If you are already a Christian, this is your story. Do you know it? If you are not a Christian, this is still your story, because it explains the world in a way that nothing else will. It is a true story—the real story behind every other story we hear.

Book information:

Title: The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between

Author: Gregory Koukl

Call number: 130 KOU

New book: The New City Catechism

The New City Catechism - Throughout the history of the church, Christians have used catechisms--collections of questions and answers designed for memorization and recitation--to teach others the core doctrines of the faith. The New City Catechism is a modern-day resource aimed at reintroducing this ancient method of teaching to Christians today.

This short book lays out 52 questions and answers related to God, human nature, sin, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and more. Whether used devotionally, recited orally, or memorized over the course of a year, families, churches, small groups, and Christian schools will treasure this as a valuable tool for teaching the core doctrines of the Christian faith to children and adults alike.

Book information: 

Title: The New City Catechism

Author: The Gospel Coalition

Call number: 130 GOS

New book: This Is Our Time by Trevin Wax

This Is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel by Trevin Wax - Uncertain. Confused. Overwhelmed.

Many Christians feel bombarded by the messages they hear and the trends they see in our rapidly changing world.

How can we resist being conformed to the pattern of this world? What will faithfulness to Christ look like in these tumultuous times? How can we be true to the gospel in a world where myths and false visions of the world so often prevail?

In This is Our Time, Trevin Wax provides snapshots of twenty-first-century American Life in order to help Christians understand the times. By analyzing our common beliefs and practices (smartphone habits, entertainment intake, and our views of shopping, sex, marriage, politics, and life’s purpose), Trevin helps us see through the myths of society to the hope of the gospel.

As faithful witnesses to Christ, Trevin writes, we must identify the longing behind society’s most cherished myths (what is good, true, beautiful), expose the lie at the heart of these myths (what is false and damaging), and show how the gospel tells a better story – one that exposes the lie but satisfies the deeper longing.

Book information:

Title: This Is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel

Author: Trevin Wax

Call number: 201 WAX

New book: Missions by Andy Johnson

Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global by Andy Johnson - Every local church should be engaged with global missions, even if most individuals in the church aren't called to go overseas. But what does this engagement actually look like? How can local churches train, send, and support missionaries well? Unpacking principles from the Bible and applying them in the context of real life in a local church, this new book in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series is filled with practical steps and advice for supporting missionaries, forming international partnerships, sending short-term teams, and engaging with the nations here at home. This book casts a vision for the local church as the engine of world missions--for the joy of all people and the glory of God.

Book information:

Title: Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global

Author: Andy Johnson

Call number: 266 JOH

New book: God's Outrageous Claims by Lee Strobel

God's Outrageous Claims: Discover What They Mean for You by Lee Strobel - Take the Bible seriously and you'll discover that God makes some pretty amazing claims about you -- and about what he wants to do in your life. God's Outrageous Claims examines important assertions that can transform your life into an adventure of faith, growth, and lasting fulfillment. Discover how to grow in virtue, relate to others with authenticity, and make a real difference in the midst of a culture that's unraveling at the seams. God's Outrageous Claims is your guide to an exciting and challenging spiritual journey that can change you and your world profoundly.

Book information:

Title: God's Outrageous Claims: Discover What They Mean for You

Author: Lee Strobel

Call number: 201 STR

New book: The Case for Hope by Lee Strobel

The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage by Lee Strobel - Can you really trust in hope? Lee Strobel proves that you can!

Lee Strobel’s trademark investigative style paired with an uplifting message of the hope found in Jesus Christ. Lee’s timeless message walks readers through why holding on to hope is so crucial, why we can trust in the hope of Jesus Christ, and how that hope can change our lives for the better.

Lee Strobel has already helped millions delve deeper into their faith and investigate the how and the why of what they believe. His cases for a creator, Christ, and faith are air-tight and convincing to even the most stalwart skeptic. The Case for Hope is sure to inspire and ignite hope into the hearts of those who thought they were without hope.

Book information:

Title: The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage

Author: Lee Strobel

Call number: 137 STR

New book: The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch - Making conscientious choices about technology in our families is more than just using internet filters and determining screen time limits for our children. It's about developing wisdom, character, and courage in the way we use digital media rather than accepting technology's promises of ease, instant gratification, and the world's knowledge at our fingertips. And it's definitely not just about the kids.

Drawing on in-depth original research from the Barna Group, Andy Crouch shows readers that the choices we make about technology have consequences we may never have considered. He takes readers beyond the typical questions of what, where, and when and instead challenges them to answer provocative questions like, Who do we want to be as a family? and How does our use of a particular technology move us closer or farther away from that goal? Anyone who has felt their family relationships suffer or their time slip away amid technology's distractions will find in this book a path forward to reclaiming their real life in a world of devices.

Book information:

Title: The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place

Author: Andy Crouch

Call number: 201 CRO

New book: My Rock; My Refuge by Timothy Keller

My Rock; My Refuge: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms by Timothy Keller - Renowned pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller writes the book his readers have been asking for: A year-long daily devotional, beautifully designed with gilt edges and a gold ribbon marker.

The Book of Psalms is known as the Bible’s songbook—Jesus knew all 150 psalms intimately, and relied on them to face every situation, including his death.

Two decades ago, Tim Keller began reading the entire Book of Psalms every month. The Songs of Jesus is based on his accumulated years of study, insight, and inspiration recorded in his prayer journals. Kathy Keller came to reading the psalms as a support during an extended illness. Together they have distilled the meaning of each verse, inviting readers into the vast wisdom of the psalms.

If you have no devotional life yet, this book is a wonderful way to start. If you already spend time in study and prayer, understanding every verse of the psalms will bring you a new level of intimacy with God, unlocking your purpose within God’s kingdom.

Book information:

Title: My Rock; My Refuge: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 244 KEL

New book: The Way of Wisdom by Timothy Keller

The Way of Wisdom: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs by Timothy Keller - Proverbs is God's book of wisdom, teaching us the essence and goal of a Christian life. In this 365-day devotional, Timothy Keller offers readers a fresh, inspiring lesson for every day of the year based on different passages within the Book of Proverbs. With his trademark knowledge, Keller unlocks the wisdom within the poetry of Proverbs and guides us toward a new understanding of what it means to live a moral life. God's Wisdom for Navigating Life is a book that readers will be able to turn to every day, year after year, to cultivate a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God.

Book information:
Title: The Way of Wisdom: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs
Author: Timothy Keller
Call number: 244 KEL

New book: Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller - The issue of idolatry has been with the human race for thousands of years; the subtle temptation is always to take what is good and turn it into the ultimate good, elevating it above all other things in the search for security and meaning. In this timely and challenging book, New York pastor Timothy Keller uses classic Bible stories to look at the issue of idolatry - from the worship of actual idols in the Old Testament, to the idolatry of money by the rich young ruler when he was challenged by Jesus to give up all his wealth. Keller cuts through our dependence on the glittering false idols of money, sex and power to uncover the path towards trust in the real ultimate - God. Today's idols may look different from those of the Old Testament, but Keller argues that they are no less damaging. Culturally transforming as well as biblically based, COUNTERFEIT GODS is a powerful look at the temptation to worship what can only disappoint, and is a vital message in today's current climate of financial and social difficulty.

Book information:

Title: Counterfeit Gods

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 201 KEL

New book: Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller - The problem of pain is a perennial one; and for those who undergo particular sufferings it can often be the largest obstacle for trusting in a good and loving God. If such a God exists, why is there so much suffering in the world? And how do we deal with it when it comes into our lives? In his most fullest and most passionately argued book since 2008's bestseller THE REASON FOR GOD, New York pastor and church planter Tim Keller brings his authoritative teaching, sensitivity to contemporary culture and pastoral heart to this pressing question, offering no easy answers but giving guidance, encouragement and inspiration.

Book information:

Title: Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

Author: Timothy Keller

Call number: 203 KEL

New book: Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren - Christianity Today's 2018 Book of the Year. In the overlooked moments and routines of our day, we can become aware of God's presence in surprising ways. How do we embrace the sacred in the ordinary and the ordinary in the sacred?

Framed around one ordinary day, this book explores daily life through the lens of liturgy, small practices, and habits that form us. Each chapter looks at something―making the bed, brushing her teeth, losing her keys―that the author does every day. Drawing from the diversity of her life as a campus minister, Anglican priest, friend, wife, and mother, Tish Harrison Warren opens up a practical theology of the everyday. Each activity is related to a spiritual practice as well as an aspect of our Sunday worship.

Come and discover the holiness of your every day.

Book information:

Title: Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

Author: Tish Harrison Warren

Call number: 201 WAR

New book: Sanctification by Michael Allen

Sanctification by Michael Allen - The holy has been defined existentially and sociologically, and churches too often allow their expectations regarding holiness to be prompted by existential aspirations or the social mores of the Christian community. Perhaps it is not surprising that many view holiness as accidental or expendable, even as a legalistic and conformist posture opposed to the freedom of the gospel. But sanctification is one of the gifts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so we must think about the way in which he makes his redeemed holy as a grace.

Sanctification, the latest volume in the New Studies in Dogmatics series, patiently defines holiness in theological terms by tending to its connections with core Christian doctrines such as the character of God, the nature of creation, and the covenantal shape of life with God. It then considers the ways in which the gospel of Jesus not only prompt us to holy action but provides holiness as one of its blessings. Finally, it attends to the ways in which the gift of sanctification relates to various human instruments and means, so that we can appreciate its connection to human nature, creaturely responsibility, and the pedagogy of exemplars and of law. Sanctification offers a Christ-centered account of sanctification by viewing the doctrine within its wider canonical and creedal context, hoping to bring its distinctly Christian definition and thoroughly gracious character into greater relief.

New Studies in Dogmatics seeks to retrieve the riches of Christian doctrine for the sake of contemporary theological renewal. Following in the tradition of G. C. Berkouwer's Studies in Dogmatics, this series will provide thoughtful, concise, and readable treatments of major theological topics, expressing the biblical, creedal, and confessional shape of Christian doctrine for a contemporary evangelical audience. The editors and contributors share a common conviction that the way forward in constructive systematic theology lies in building upon the foundations laid in the church's historic understanding of the Word of God as professed in its creeds, councils, and confessions, and by its most trusted teachers.

Book information:

Title: Sanctification

Author: Michael Allen

Call number: 130 ALL

New book: Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit by Charles Swindoll

Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit by Charles Swindoll - The apostle Paul. The converted terrorist, inspired author, amazing teacher, and patient mentor. This colossal figure strode boldly onto the stage of the first-century world and left an indelible signature of greatness never to be forgotten. His life? Magnificent! And his ministry? Impressive. While assigned sainthood by some today, by his own description he was "the chief of all sinners." No other person in the Bible, aside from Christ Himself, had a more profound influence on his world and ours than Paul.

He was a man of real grit, with a firmness of mind and spirit and unyielding courage in the face of personal hardship and danger. Tough, tenacious, and fiercely relentless, Paul pursued his divine mission with unflinching resolve. And God used him mightily to turn the world upside down for Christ in his generation.

But Paul's message and his style were also marked by gentle grace. This man, who tormented and killed the saints of God, understood and explained grace better than any of his contemporaries. Why? Because he never got over his own gratitude as a recipient of it. God's super-abounding grace transformed this once-violent aggressor into a humble-but-powerful spokesman for Christ. A man with that much grit desperately needed that much grace.

Book information:

Title: Paul : A Man of Grace and Grit

Author: Charles Swindoll

Call number: 108 SWI

New book: Ryken's Bible Handbook by Leland Ryken

Ryken's Bible Handbook: A guide to reading and studying the Bible by Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken and James Wilhoit - This book gives students of the Bible a quick overview of every book in the Bible. Leland Ryken's distinctive trait is a literary approach to the Bible―understanding the Bible as literature. The three authors help shed light on understanding the Bible as the inspired Word of God and as literature by looking at the Bible's different literary genres: poetry, narrative, wisdom literature, story, parables, and more.

Book information:

Title: Ryken's Bible Handbook: A guide to reading and studying the Bible

Authors: Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken and James Wilhoit

Call number: 105 RYK

New book: 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know by Terry Glaspey

75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know: The Fascinating Stories Behind Great Works of Art, Literature, Music, and Film by Terry Glaspey - Some of the greatest painters, musicians, architects, writers, filmmakers, and poets have taken their inspiration from their faith and impacted millions of people with their stunning creations. Now readers can discover the stories behind seventy-five of these masterpieces and the artists who created them. From the art of the Roman catacombs to Rembrandt to Makoto Fujimura; from Gregorian Chant to Bach to U2; from John Bunyan and John Donne to Flannery O'Connor and Frederick Buechner; this book unveils the rich and varied artistic heritage left by believers who were masters at their craft.

Author and historian Terry Glaspey shares the absorbing true stories behind these masterpieces and helps readers see the fascinating details they might have missed. By looking through the eyes of these creative artists, readers will gain deeper perspectives about the human condition, the Christian story, and their own spiritual lives.

Book information:

Title: 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know: The Fascinating Stories Behind Great Works of Art, Literature, Music, and Film

Author: Terry Glaspey

Call number: 241 GLA

New book: The Story of Christianity Volume 2 by Justo Gonzalez

The Story of Christianity Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo L Gonzalez - Beginning with the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, this fully revised and updated second volume of The Story of Christianity continues the marvelous history of the world's largest religion. Award-winning historian Justo Gonzalez bring to life the people, dramatic events, and theological debates that have shaped Protestantism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy. From the monk Martin Luther, who dared to stand up to a corrupt pope, to the surprising spread and growing vitality of today's church in Africa, Asia, and South America, The Story of Christianity offers a complete and up-to-date retelling of this amazing history.

With new information on the important contributions of women to church history as well as the latest information on Christianity in developing countries, Gonzalez's richly textured study discusses the changes and directions of the church up to the twenty-first century. The Story of Christianity covers such recent occurrences as the fall of the Soviet Union and the return of the Russian Orthodox Church; feminist, Africa-American, and Third-World theologies; the scandals and controversies facing the reign of Pope Benedict XVI; interfaith dialogue; and the movement toward unity of all Christian churches. This revised and updated edition of The Story of Christianity concludes with a thoughtful look at the major issues and debates facing Christianity today.

Book information:

Title: The Story of Christianity Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day

Author: Justo L Gonzalez

Call number: 260 GON

New book: The Story of Christianity Volume 1 by Justo Gonzalez

The Story of Christianity Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation by Justo L Gonzalez - In The Story of Christianity: Volume 1, Justo L. González presents a narrative history of Christianity, from the Early Church to the Dawn of the Protestant Reformation. From Jesus’ faithful apostles to the early reformist John Wycliffe, González skillfully traces core theological issues and developments within the various traditions of the church, including major events outside of Europe, such as the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of the New World. This updated and expanded edition incorporates recent archaeological discoveries about the life of Early Christian Communities, as well as important contemporary research revealing the significant role of women throughout the history of the church. With lively storytelling, The Story of Christianity provides a fascinating and panoramic history of the dramatic events, colorful characters, and revolutionary ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of the church.

Book information:

Title: The Story of Christianity Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation

Author: Justo L Gonzalez

Call number: 260 GON

New book: Big Book of Questions & Answers about Jesus by Sinclair Ferguson

Big Book of Questions & Answers about Jesus by Sinclair Ferguson - Following on from the success of the original Big Book of Questions and Answers, this book tackles the many questions that children have about Jesus, including:

• What was special about Jesus?
• Why did Jesus heal sick people?
• Why did Jesus have to die?
• How can I give my life to Jesus?

An answer is given for each question, accompanied by a page of reading and a memory verse. To help the children take the message on board there are activities and suggestions for discussion. Prayers are also given to encourage them to bring every aspect of life to their Heavenly Father.

An invaluable tool for introducing children to Jesus and helping them to get to know Him better, in an enjoyable and interactive way.

Book information:

Title: Big Book of Questions & Answers about Jesus

Author: Sinclair Ferguson

Call number: 249.1 FER

New book: Sing! by Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty

Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church by Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty - Sing! has grown from Keith and Kristyn Getty’s passion for congregational singing; it’s been formed by their traveling and playing and listening and discussing and learning and teaching all over the world. And in writing it, they have five key aims: 

• to discover why we sing and the overwhelming joy and holy privilege that comes with singing
• to consider how singing impacts our hearts and minds and all of our lives
• to cultivate a culture of family singing in our daily home life
• to equip our churches for wholeheartedly singing to the Lord and one another as an expression of unity
• to inspire us to see congregational singing as a radical witness to the world

They have also added a few “bonus tracks” at the end with some more practical suggestions for different groups who are more deeply involved with church singing.

God intends for this compelling vision of His people singing—a people joyfully joining together in song with brothers and sisters around the world and around his heavenly throne—to include you. He wants you, he wants us, to sing.

Book information:

Title: Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church

Authors: Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty

Call number: 242 GET

New children's book - Tell Me about the Bible by Stephen Elkins

Tell Me about the Bible by Stephen Elkins - Train 'Em Up is an interactive, fun-filled, and affordable series that uses a train locomotive theme for teaching kids core Christian beliefs and principles. In Tell Me about the Bible, a friendly train conductor, Mr. Steve, teaches kids what the Bible is all about, why we should read it, and why it is the most important book ever written. Through bold graphics and interactive songs and stories, Train 'Em Up makes it easy for parents and teachers to explain what the Bible is all about in a way that helps with attention, memorization, and recall while building a solid faith foundation. Each book in the series includes a CD with sing-along songs and narrated stories with sound effects, plus a colorful sticker sheet!

Book information:

Title: Tell Me about the Bible

Author: Stephen Elkins

Call number: 920 ELK

New book: The Case For A Creator (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel

The Case For A Creator (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel - Has Science Discovered God?

When Lee Strobel was a high school freshman, science convinced him that God didn’t exist. Since then, however, incredible scientific discoveries have not only helped restore Lee’s faith, but have strengthened it.

Lee is not alone. More and more scientists, confronted with startling, cutting-edge evidence from many areas of research, no longer believe the universe just “happened” or that life arose by mere chance. Behind a universe of staggering complexity, they are seeing signs of a Master Designer.

Are your science textbooks still telling you the same “facts” that Lee’s did years ago? Prepare to be astonished by what some of today’s most respected experts have to say about:

• The birth of the universe
• Darwinism and the origin of life
• The astounding fine-tuning of the cosmos
• Amazing molecular machines and DNA research

Weigh the evidence for yourself. Then consider this question: Could it be that the universe looks designed … because it is?

Book information:

Title: The Case For A Creator (Student Edition)

Author: Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel

Call number: 137 STR

New book: Case for Christ for Kids by Lee Strobel

Case for Christ for Kids by Lee Strobel - You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like:Was Jesus really born in a stable? Did his friends tell the truth? Did he really come back from the dead? Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers. Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions you have, Case for Christ for Kids brings Christ to life by addressing the existence, miracles, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Book information:
Title: Case for Christ for Kids
Author: Lee Strobel
Call number: 960 STR

New book: Case for a Creator for Kids by Lee Strobel

Case for a Creator for Kids by Lee Strobel - You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like:

Are your science teachers wrong?

Did God create the universe?

Is the Big Bang theory true?

Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers.

Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions, Case for a Creator for Kids uses up-to-date scientific research to strengthen your faith in God’s creation.

Book information:
Title: Case for a Creator for Kids
Author: Lee Strobel
Call number: 960 STR

New book: Case for Faith for Kids by Lee Strobel

Case for Faith for Kids by Lee Strobel - You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like:Why does God allow bad things to happen? Can you have doubts and still be a Christian? Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers. Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions you have, Case for Faith for Kids is a must-read for kids ready to explore and enrich their faith.

Book information:

Title: Case for Faith for Kids

Author: Lee Strobel

Call number: 960 STR

New book: The Case For Faith (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel

The Case For Faith (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel - Is Faith Possible in Today's World? It's not easy to believe in Christianity when there is pain all around you and issues that defy easy explanation. Unless there are answers to the questions you face. Lee Strobel knows how important it is to find answers that ring true. With his background as an award-winning journalist, asking tough questions has been his business. And while his search for the truth convinced Lee that Jesus is real, it also confronted him with some particularly knotty, gut-level questions about Christianity you've likely asked as well: Why is there suffering? Doesn't science disprove miracles? What about hell---and the millions who've never heard of Jesus? Is God unjust? They're the kinds of conundrums that can block---and have blocked---people's faith. But those questions don't have to block yours. Join Lee in a fascinating journey of discovery. You'll gain powerful insights that will reshape your understanding of the Bible. And you'll read true stories about people whose experiences demonstrate that faith in Jesus not only makes excellent sense, it makes a life-changing difference as well.

Book information: 

Title: The Case For Faith (Student Edition)

Authors: Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel

Call number: 137 STR

New book: The Case For Christ (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel

The Case For Christ (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel - There's little question that he actually lived. But miracles? Rising from the dead? Some of the stories you hear about him sound like just that---stories. A reasonable person would never believe them, let alone the claim that he's the only way to God! But a reasonable person would also make sure that he or she understood the facts before jumping to conclusions. That's why Lee Strobel---an award-winning legal journalist with a knack for asking tough questions---decided to investigate Jesus for himself. An atheist, Strobel felt certain his findings would bring Christianity's claims about Jesus tumbling down like a house of cards. He was in for the surprise of his life. Join him as he retraces his journey from skepticism to faith. You'll consult expert testimony as you sift through the truths that history, science, psychiatry, literature, and religion reveal. Like Strobel, you'll be amazed at the evidence---how much there is, how strong it is, and what it says. The facts are in. What will your verdict be in The Case for Christ?

Book information:
Title: The Case For Christ (Student Edition)
Authors: Lee Strobel and Jane Vogel
Call number: 137 STR

New book: The Case for Grace by Lee Strobel

The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives by Lee Strobel - In The Case for Grace, Lee Strobel crafts a compelling and highly personal experiential case for God, focusing on God's transforming work in the lives of men and women today. Writing with unusual candor, Lee draws upon his own journey from atheism to Christianity to explore the depth and breadth of God's redeeming love for spiritually wayward people. He travels thousands of miles to capture the inspiring stories of everyday people whose values have been radically changed and who have discovered the 'how' and 'why' behind God's amazing grace. You'll encounter racists, addicts, and even murderers who have found new hope and purpose. You'll meet once-bitter people who have received God's power to forgive those who have harmed them---and, equally amazing, people mired in guilt who have discovered that they can even forgive themselves. Through it all, you will be encouraged as you see how God's grace can revolutionize your eternity and relationships ... starting today.

Book information: 

Title: The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives

Author: Lee Strobel

Call number: 137 STR