Racism, greed, and politics: these are skeletons from the past that have come to haunt the Church, and the younger generations are demanding answers. In the United States, the African-American community holds the “white church” responsible for their plight with slavery. Throughout history, the Church has been under pressure to negotiate a secular compromise that nullifies its testimony. Is the Church going to continue in denial, or will it model the gospel’s transforming power? Father Abraham has Many Sons and Daughters, highlights the Church as the family of transformed relationships. It focuses on transformation among the people of God and how it forms the foundation for our witness today. Traditional studies of how the gospel transforms individuals and communities focus on the believer’s character as the predictor of transformation. This book brings a needed balance by focusing on Kingdom relationships as the context of transformation through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Reframing religious diversity through the stories of Cain, Ishmael, and Esau The way we read the Bible matters for the way we engage the pluralistic world around us. For instance, if we understand the book of Genesis as narrowly focused on primary characters like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, we’ll miss the larger story and end up with the impression that God only cares about those who are “chosen.” In fact, the narratives of marginalized biblical characters reveal that God protects and provides for them also. What might this mean for Christians living in a world of religious difference today? In Father Abraham’s Many Children, Tyler Mayfield reflects on the stories of three of the most significant “other brothers” in the Bible—namely, on God’s continued engagement with Cain after he murders Abel, Ishmael’s circumcision as a sign of God’s covenant, and Esau’s reconciliation with Jacob. From these stories, Mayfield draws out a more generous theology of religious diversity, so that Christians might be better equipped to authentically love their neighbors of multiple faith traditions—as God loves, and has always loved, all humanity.
Highly regarded Old Testament scholar John Goldingay offers a substantive and useful commentary on the book of Genesis that is both critically engaged and sensitive to the theological contributions of the text. This volume, the first in a new series on the Pentateuch, complements the successful Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Wisdom and Psalms series (series volumes have sold over 55,000 copies). Each series volume will cover one book of the Pentateuch, addressing important issues and problems that flow from the text and exploring the contemporary relevance of the Pentateuch. The series editor is Bill T. Arnold, the Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary.
Tucker wants to give the King a gift in hopes that the King will help his friends. But what is the perfect gift for a King? Inspired by the #1 hit worship song by Chris Tomlin, this precious story teaches children about our Father God's unconditional love and acceptance and that the only gift God wants is our hearts. Grammy Award-winning music artist, Chris Tomlin, and Pat Barrett (Housefires) team up to tell the story of a little bear named Tucker whose life is forever changed when he learns just how great the King's love is for him. When Tucker's friends need help, he journeys to see the King who lives in a castle where the door is always open. Along the way, Tucker encounters a variety of humorous animals filled with ideas about what the King is like. Then finally, he meets the King who runs to him with open arms. This read-aloud storybook for 4- to 8-year-olds: Shows young children the character of God through a fun adventure story Teaches that God loves His children no matter what Encourages kids to have a relationship with their Heavenly Father and to ask for His help in prayer Sparks family discussions about who God is Makes a calming bedtime read with its warm message of God's caring heart With whimsical art created by Lorna Hussey, this inspiring story will leave children, young and old, reassured that God is a good, good Father, and they are loved by Him.
A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music chronicles the life of a musician, performer, man of God, and successful Mexican American entrepreneur. This is the story of a man who has experienced great joy and even greater pain, but by holding onto the strength embedded in each of us, embracing the love of family, and leaning on his faith in God, he is able to move forward toward the future with a positive disposition. Abraham Quintanilla takes the reader on the journey of his life, a life that reflects the up and down experiences of a self-made success. With a raw emotion and honesty, he shares the twists and turns of a road many readers may have been forced to travel and a few others hope never to traverse. From the sublime joys of fatherhood, to the accomplishment of creating a musical empire and surviving its failures, he shares the unexpected life events that make up each of our lives. Every reader will gain a stronger sense of humanity and a deeper understanding of just how precious and fleeting life can be from reading this memoir. Readers will also be given a close and personal view into the behind-the-scenes intricacies of a successful family business. Share the joy a parent feels for their children's success. And most of all, readers will understand the human need to embrace one's own talents. Finally, anyone who picks up this book and reads it will come to know that unforeseen tragedy can and does happen, but with faith and family as our support system, we are able to pick up the pieces of our broken hearts and walk bravely into the future with our newfound hope lighting the way.
**3 Emergent Theology Response Books in 1!** Includes best selling books: Reimagining the Kingdom: The Generational Development of Liberal Kingdom Theology from Schleiermacher to McLaren The Gospel of Brian McLaren: A New Kind of Christianity for a Multi-Faith World Reimagining the Christian Faith: Exploring the Emergent Theology of Doug Pagitt, Peter Rollins, Samir Selmanovic, and Brian McLaren On February 8, 2010 pastor and theologian Jeremy Bouma did something he thought he'd never do: He said "Goodbye, Emergent"! Once upon a time he was enamored by the "I-am-not-a-movement-but-a-conversation" known as the Emerging Church after entering a period of faith deconstruction and reconstruction nine years ago. Like many young adults, for the first time he was taking his faith in Jesus Christ seriously and asking a whole lot of questions along the way-which the Emergent Church helped foster and nurture. But then something happened: He came to realize the Emerging Church is a form of Christianity other-than the versions that currently exist but mirror those that have already existed, mainly the false theology of theological liberalism. Understand Emerging Church Theology is a bundle of three books representing his best selling work as a former Emergent insider and historical theologian. He offers it to help empower other interested Christians to respond to the foreign theology of the Emerging Church and do what Jude urges the Church to do: "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people." (Jude 3)
Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. As the trials of this generation intensify, the Lord God will begin to do new things to get Himself glory. Those who trust Him with their lives will be prepared. One current-day man, with a spirit like Moses, is to publish what new things, and who, is to spring forth. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee (Moses), and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him. The Lord Gods word to all of creation from this contemporary Moses is come: The Book Of Stone. Those whom the Lord will call, may draw a kingly sword from this stone. With this spiritual sword, And faith in the Lord, Saints will overcome, To the glory of the Kingdom! This books importunate message is for those in the land of the living. The judgment for the land in the west is set amidst mounting fear, The Book Of Stone is Gods light, from a man with a spirit like Moses. Spiritually, YHWH will remove the iniquity of those who seek Him. Physically, the world will witness Moses, Elijah, and the servant BRANCH,delivering believers to safety. The secondary message is that a Redeemer will come in a way in which none have considered. God Himself inspired the compilation of the selected scriptures herein to announce that one like unto the Son of Man will glorify God the Father once again. And we shall go rejoining...
