The study of God, His nature, and His Word are all essential to the Christian faith. Now those interested in Christian theology have a newly revised and updated reference tool in the 25th Anniversary Edition of The Moody Handbook of Theology. In this classic and timeless one-volume resource, Paul Enns offers a comprehensive overview of the five dimensions of theology: biblical, systematic, historical, dogmatic, and contemporary. Each section includes an introduction, chapters on key points, specific studies pertinent to that theology, books for further study, and summary evaluations of each dimension. Charts, graphs, glossary, and indexes add depth and breadth. Theology, once the domain of academicians and learned pastors, is now accessible to anyone interested in understanding the essentials of what Christians believe. The Moody Handbook of Theology is a concise doctrinal reference tool for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike.
Has anyone ever explained to you what Kingdom really means? If so, was it too deep? Or too much to understand? Are you a new believer that got lost in translation? Feel a yearning in your heart for God, but need a clear cut to the next step? Maybe you've known the Lord all your life but have never been taught kingdom principles. Well, "The Keys to Being a Part of The Kingdom" is an on time word from the Lord on these Kingdom princeiples and provides some guidelines. It;s simple to read, easy to understand and give you basic examples if what it means to be a part of God's Kingdom. The Keys to Being a Part of The Kingdom are not diffifuclt to grasp. They are tangible and freely given to us by God. Unlock the door to the plan God has in store for you by just grabbing hold of the keys in this book. They will give you a revelation of His resolution for everyday!
This book is a must read for every serious student of the Bible. The question of Israel and the Church in relation to Gods eternal purpose is one of the most important subjects defining the Mission of the Church and the many confusing and often misleading interpretations of Bible prophecy. A correct understanding of the roles played by each in the economy of God is vital to the furtherance of the mission and destiny of the Church in this present time as well as the eschatological implications involved. It is the authors intention to present his positions based on scripture rather than extensive reliance on other writer's positions requiring extensive foot notes. He has purposely included the text of many supporting scriptures in the context of the book to allow the reader to view them without turning to a footnote or index in the back of the book or turning to your Bible in order to read them. You are encouraged to read the supporting Bible verses in order to evaluate the veracity of the positions presented. Considerable emphasis is given to the contrasts between the Dispensational Futurist doctrine held by many evangelicals today and the more historic teachings of the reformers of the 15th and 16th century and many evangelicals in the church today. The author examines the presuppositions fundamental to dispensational futurism as presented by Charles Darby, Dr Schofield, Dr. Pentecost, J.B. Blackstone, Dr. Ryrie and others which hold to a total separation between Israel and the Church, contending that the church has no part in fulfilling any of the Old Testament promises made to Israel. The author presents irrefutable evidence as to the fallacious nature of these presuppositions upon which dispensational futurism stands by examining many Old Testament prophecies and promises fulfilled in the church, including the promised new covenant which Jesus, the testator, instituted at his death. The death of Christ is revealed as the ultimate and final sacrifice whereby God concluded His relationship with Israel under the Mosaic Covenant and began His relationship with a new holy nation encompassing both Jew and gentiles of faith. He broke down the middle wall of partition between the Jew and the gentile making them one Holy Nation, the church. The church is seen as heir to the promises made to Abraham and to Christ. The question of the Kingdom of God in the present age as apposed to a future millennial age is discussed at length because of its importance to the mission and destiny of the church in the eternal purposes of God and the role of individual believers in fulfilling their calling and purpose in possessing the kingdom of God. This book represents a logical and biblically based understanding of the Kingdom of God and the events surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ. By defining from scripture the roles played by Israel and the Church in Bible prophecy, it brings into focus a clear understanding of the mission and destiny of the Church and each individuals role in fulfilling that mission. By untangling the confusion surrounding the subject of Bible prophecy and Gods purpose and destiny for His glorious Church, which He purposed in Christ, it unleashes the reader to come to a Biblical understanding of the following questions: 1. What constitutes the people of God in the earth today? 2. How do the prophecies of the Old Testament relate to the church today? 3. What is The Kingdom of God, when and where does it exist? 4. What does the Bible teach concerning the rapture of the Church seven years before the second coming of Christ? 5. Does the Bible teach two separate and distinct plans of redemptionone for Jews and another for the Gentiles? 6. What is the ultimate purpose and mission of Gods Glorious Church? 7. How does this affect your mission and destiny in the Kingdom of God?
The church was established to serve the world with Christ-like love, not to rule the world. It is called to look like a corporate Jesus, dying on the cross for those who crucified him, not a religious version of Caesar. It is called to manifest the kingdom of the cross in contrast to the kingdom of the sword. Whenever the church has succeeded in gaining what most American evangelicals are now trying to get – political power – it has been disastrous both for the church and the culture. Whenever the church picks up the sword, it lays down the cross. The present activity of the religious right is destroying the heart and soul of the evangelical church and destroying its unique witness to the world. The church is to have a political voice, but we are to have it the way Jesus had it: by manifesting an alternative to the political, “power over,” way of doing life. We are to transform the world by being willing to suffer for others – exercising “power under,” not by getting our way in society – exercising “power over.”
What did God use to draw a radical, committed unbeliever to himself? Did God take her to an evangelistic rally? Or, since she had her doctorate in literature, did he use something in print? No, God used an invitation to dinner in a modest home, from a humble couple who lived out the gospel daily, simply, and authentically. With this story of her conversion as a backdrop, Rosaria Butterfield invites us into her home to show us how God can use this same "radical, ordinary hospitality" to bring the gospel to our lost friends and neighbors. Such hospitality sees our homes as not our own, but as God's tools for the furtherance of his kingdom as we welcome those who look, think, believe, and act differently from us into our everyday, sometimes messy lives—helping them see what true Christian faith really looks like.
There is a striking difference between the way that most churches operate today and the way Jesus the conducted his ministry when he was on earth. Most churches today spend their time and resources trying to get people to come into their doors and join their fellowship. But Jesus didn't concern himself with trying to get followers. One time, he even responded to such a request by saying, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:12). The implication to the person making the request was clear: Do you really want to be my follower and lead that kind of life? Instead, what we find in the Gospels is that the message Jesus taught—and in fact the sole message of the New Testament—was the nature and availability of the kingdom of God. It was now accessible to all people, both Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus revealed much of these scandalous truths about God's kingdom through parables. Yet while these parables constitute some of his best-known teachings, they are also some of the least understood. Even the disciples weren't always sure what they meant. Perhaps this is why they asked Jesus, "Why do you speak to the people in parables" (Matthew 13:10). Jesus responded by saying, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, not to them" (verse 11). Jesus knew that while the kingdom of God was available to everyone, not everyone would have the desire to go through the work to "ask, seek, knock" and "receive" the truths that had come to bring (see Matthew 7:7–8). The Scandal of the Kingdom Workbook, which accompanies the book of the same name, presents carefully curated new material from the late Dallas Willard to help readers understand the heart of Jesus' key parables, why Jesus chose story to communicate life's deepest truths, and how these stories are still revolutionary (and even shocking) in showing us how to live out God's kingdom on earth today. With the rich insights and biblical scholarship common to all of Willard's works, this guide will help readers: Become more passionate about living the gospel in the full scope of Jesus' vision for them Better share their faith with those who have become disillusioned with Christianity Unlock the excitement of living in the upside-down kingdom of God The Scandal of the Kingdom Workbook is for anyone who: Wants to explore Jesus' teachings but are confused about what his parables mean Loves Dallas Willard's classic works such as The Divine Conspiracy and Life Without Lack Enjoys deep teachings about spiritual formation from authors such as John Mark Comer, Richard Foster, and Eugene Peterson Wants to share the gospel just as Jesus did during his ministry on earth The truths of God's kingdom are available to us. Yet like the disciples, we must recognize that questioning, contemplating, and savoring the meaning of Jesus' stories are an important part of the journey.
The title Further Still was birthed out of a bible study class. The lesson was teaching on having a perfect heart toward God. The lesson went on about Christ being in the garden of Gethsemane. Christ had asked three of his disciples to accompany him so they could watch and pray with him. In the book of Matthew 26 starting at verse 36 (the b portion) it says, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Now if you go down to the beginning of verse 39 it says, And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying At this point . the two-word expression began to grow into my spirit and that two-word expression is the title of this book FURTHER STILL. Further Still was once a seed of thought and now has become a book to help believers, Saints, Christians, and Children of God (they all mean the same thing). How can someone be helped by reading this book? Further Still is a book about spiritual movement. This book discusses several areas of interest in the believers life where he still must go a little further. We must continue to go further still into the presence of the living God and away from sin. Now in the presence of God (this is where we are trying to get to) there are some spiritual things you will find. They are spiritual yet they have physical and tangible benefits. We will find an assurance of peace, protection, provision and most of all LOVE to such a degree that we really cant even understand it to put it into words. We just accept it!! But if we fail to make the choice to make this journey to the Father and continue to stay in our sinful state, we are in danger of making Hell our permanent home. Always remember that God is still faithful to help us if we want the help. He has provided a way of escape and his name is JESUS the CHRIST!! Youll see as you continue in this book why this journey is necessary. Move toward Jesus and you will begin to see a positive change in your life. You begin to build inside of you a correct and accurate image of who you really are. The devil wants you to see an image of lack, limitation, second class-ness, and substandard living. But God, on the other hand, wants his children to have success, prosperity, happiness, hope, love and a whole lot more.
In an urbane and persuasive tract for our time, the distinguished Catholic theologian combines a comprehensive metaphysics with a sensitivity to contemporary existentialist thought. Father Murray traces the “problem of God” from its origins in the Old Testament, through its development in the Christian Fathers and the definitive statement by Aquinas, to its denial by modern materialism. Students and nonspecialist intellectuals may both benefit by the book, which illuminates the problem of development of doctrine that is now, even more than in the days of Newman, a fundamental issue between Roman Catholic and Protestant, theologians and nonspecialst intellectuals alike will find the subject of vital interest. As a challenge to the ecumenical dialogue, the question is raised whether, in the course of its development through different phases, the problem of God has come back to its original position. Father Murray is Ordinary professor of theology at Woodstock College, Woodstock, Maryland. St. Thomas More Lectures, 1. "A gem of a book—lucid, illuminating, brilliantly written. A fine contribution to the current Catholic theological renaissance."—Paul Weiss.
