This beautiful term, “through a glass darkly” is found in the Old King James Bible and it is referring to looking into a poor quality mirror getting some distortion in your reflection or as the Darby translation puts it, “through a dim window obscurely”. The “glass darkly” effect of seeing the truth of the Bible only in part is caused by the lapse of time, the history of the Church, non-Spirit led people, a denominational accommodating theology to justify a particular stance and our fallibility as humans. In many cases these factors have caused us at times to be unfaithful to His Word. Some may read this book and say I am a literalist or purist but before you judge me please consider God’s Word when it says in Ephesians 4:5, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”, which could be a catch-cry for unity in the Body of Christ the Church, but sadly many differ in what even this statement means. A rhetorical question, “Who can say they are 100% correct in their perspective of understanding Scripture?” Here is the challenge; could we make a statement of faith based on Ephesians 4:5 that will bring unity? And if most of us are honest we will say, “I am right and if you adopt what I say then everything will be fine”. Of course this position is unworkable when viewing an attempt of unity. A synergistic understanding of the Bible requires a three point perspective. One, the Bible is God’s Word. Two, the Bible is settled whether I understand it or even believe it. Three, I am blessed if I believe it and follow its direction for my life. While reading this book please consider that God has placed in creation and in His Word a synergy when adhered to will bring a unity.
Hurting people ask heart-felt questions about God and suffering. Some "answers" they receive appeal to mystery: “God’s ways are not our ways”. Some answers say God allows evil for a greater purpose. Some say evil is God's punishment. The usual answers fail. They don't support the truth that God loves everyone all the time. God Can't gives a believable answer to why a good and powerful God doesn't prevent evil. Author Thomas Jay Oord says God’s love is inherently uncontrolling. God loves everyone and everything, so God can't control anyone or anything. This means God cannot prevent evil singlehandedly. God can’t stop evildoers, whether human, animal, organism, or inanimate objects and forces. In God Can't, Oord gives a plausible reason why some are healed, but many others are not. God always works to heal everyone, but sometimes our bodies, organisms, or other creatures do not cooperate with God's healing work. Or the conditions of creation are not right for the healing God wants to do. Some people think God causes or allows suffering to teach us lessons or build our character. God Can't disagrees. Oord says God squeezes good from the evil God didn’t want in the first place. God uses pain and suffering without willing or even allowing it. Most people think God can overcome evil singlehandedly. In God Can't, Oord says God needs cooperation for love to reign now and later. This leads to a better view of the afterlife called “relentless love.” It rejects traditional ideas of heaven, hell, and annihilation. Relentless love holds to the possibility all creatures and all creation will respond to God’s love. God Can't is written in understandable language. As a world-renown theologian, Thomas Jay Oord brings credibility to the book’s radical ideas. He explains these ideas through true stories, illustrations, and scripture. God Can't is for those who want answers to tragedy, abuse, and other evils that make sense! What They're Saying... “If conventional notions of God make less and less sense to you, you’ll find Thomas Jay Oord’s new book a breath of fresh air. Simply put, “God Can’t” presents an understanding of God that thoughtful, ethical people can believe in.” -- Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration "I did not want this book to end. I wish Dr. Oord had written it 100 years ago, or 1000 years ago... To find your understanding of life and your love for God renewed, read this book." -- Dr. Karen Strand Winslow, Ph.D., Biblical and Jewish Studies Professor of Bible, Azusa Pacific University "As a clinical psychologist working with people in trauma, I owe Thomas Jay Oord an enormous debt of gratitude for recasting the so-called problem of evil in terms that are conceptually satisfying, theologically consistent, and pastorally liberating.” -- Dr Roger Bretherton- Principal Lecturer at the University of Lincoln (UK), Chair of the British Association of Christians in Psychology “Victims of trauma sometimes hear theological responses that imply their suffering is somehow “God’s will." A more careful theological reflection on the nature of the power of a God who is love can help. Oord gives us a clear and compelling alternative in this profoundly insightful and admirably concrete and accessible book.” -- Dr. Anna Case-Winters, Professor of Theology at McCormick Theological Seminary “I know of no book that speaks to suffering with the depth of theological sophistication and psychological sensitivity as God Can’t. This book is a rare combination of depth and accessibility, truly written for the wounded. I recommend it to my students, parishioners, and therapy clients.” -- Dr. Brad D. Strawn, Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Prayer is about being sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit and our brothers and sisters around us in a group situation. The content of this book is aimed at arriving at a place where a church groups will be in one accord when operating in the field of Evangelism. But this field of study can lend itself to unlimited areas of concern in our collective church family. The aim of this study is to look at how a group of people coming together in pray can be effective in making supplication and requests to God.
The church/missions community must move beyond superficial fellowship and simple networking to true partnerships, cooperative ventures, and the sharing of resources. This will result in synergy - a phenomenon where the output is greater than the sum of its parts. Twenty-two missions leaders from around the world speak candidly to these issues and call us to reflection, relationship and engagement without which the nations of this world will not be discipled for Christ.
Spiritual Synergy is refreshingly down to earth and easy to read; although small, it packs a punch and has plenty of exercises for the soul. Coach Wendy Wharton, MA, LPCMH, Life Counseling Center, Middle School Physical Ed & Track & Field Spiritual Synergy offers a workout designed for women who are tired of being weighed down by the weight of their world and are ready to raise their spiritual temperature. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, author Tammy Carpenter seeks to help you allow God, through His Holy Scripture, to strengthen your spiritual being. This Bible study and guide uses the physical to help you understand the spiritual. Each chapter focuses on losing the weight that is damaging your spirit, and gaining the muscle to strengthen our spiritual being. For instance, a weight that we want to gain is Holiness; this chapter explains reflecting God to others. While working out or lifting weights in a gym the focus is on the mirror to insure each exercise is done completely and correctly. Tammy explains how Christ is our mirror for our spiritual workout. Adding the weight of holiness, causes us to reflect Him releasing Gods love in us and others. Spiritual Synergy also considers the weights of discipline, disobedience, carnality, pride, strength, courage, and wisdom among other important topics. As an added bonus, this guide also includes a detox sheet for crisis situations and an alphabetical vitamin verse sheet for daily consumption. In the likeness of a fitness instructor, Tammy Carpenter coaches readers with practical pointers for developing vibrant spiritual health. Spiritual Synergy quickly gets to the heart of trimming fleshly flab and toning heavy hearts. Women, young and old, will profit from this inspiring read. Verna Clemmer, Pastors wife, mentor to women
This book assists Christian yoga instructors and students in creating a Christian atmosphere for their classes. Choose from twenty-one lessons, each is a mini Bible study that will deepen the participants' walk with God. Each lesson contains a Scripture theme designed to facilitate meditation on God's Word. The Scripture verses are arranged progressively to facilitate an understanding of each Bible study topic. The Bible lessons will enhance the spiritual depth of your yoga class, and make it appropriate and desirable for Christian participants. Check your poses with photographs of over 60 yoga postures taken on the sugar white sands of the Emerald Coast of Florida. A detailed description of each pose is provided with full page photographs so postures are easily seen and replicated. "Scripture Yoga is a useful tool for teachers and students of Christian Yoga, written by an experienced instructor. Specific Bible verses are suggested, along with clear instructions, and beautiful photographs illustrating each pose. It is quite clear that users will discover their bodies as 'temples of the Holy Spirit' (1 Corinthians 6:15) under Susan Neal's wise tutelage." -THE REVERAND NANCY ROTH, author of Invitation to Christian Yoga
America’s Bible Answer Man contributes a treatise on the importance of absolute truth in a time of turmoil, doubt, and ambiguity. But after his own life-altering bout with cancer, longtime popular theologian and radio personality Hank Hanegraaff also affirms that theological truth is not the goal but rather a roadmap on the path to the ultimate truth of union with God. Is there more to the Christian life than what you’re currently experiencing? Leading Christian apologist Hank Hanegraaff has dedicated his life to defending truth, because truth matters. However, his life and ministry were radically transformed by this three-word phrase: life matters more. In essence, Truth Matters, Life Matters More is two books in one. Because truth matters, part 1 explicates the essentials of the Christian faith in a memorable way to equip readers to communicate Christian truth. In part 2, Hank explains why life matters more and how we can experience the height of human existence—union with God. Simply put, the map is not the territory. The menu is not the meal. We cheat ourselves of unadulterated union with Christ when we elevate the message above the Messenger. Truth Matters, Life Matters More is a modern classic and the magnum opus of one of the great theological minds of our time. Prepare to discover the unexpected beauty of an authentic Christian life.
The study of the End Times has been a popular topic for many years, and there are many different positions that are proposed on how to understand the unfolding of God's program. The debate over the End Times has often been heated and has failed to showcase the best that Christian scholarship has to offer. It sometimes seems like everyone wants to get in on the action, and anyone who has an audience can (and has) put together his thoughts and made his opinions known through the printed page. Anyone can publish his views regardless of the level of competency in the original languages, his level of hermeneutic ability, or his understanding of history or theology. In his book The Apocalypse Code, Hank Hanegraaff declares that his goal is to put hermeneutical tools into your hands so that you can draw from Scripture what God intends you to understand rather than uncritically accepting end-time models that may well be foreign to the text. It would be extremely helpful for someone to equip readers to be able to make their way through the maze of views. What the Bible Really Says? is a point-by-point analysis of the arguments of Hank Hanegraaff concerning end-times prophecy. This book is not an effort to promote one eschatological perspective over another. Rather it is an analysis of Hanegraaff's arguments and claims in order to discover whether or not he has succeeded in putting hermeneutical tools into the hands of his readers, or whether he has simply added his voice and his opinions to the cacophony of claims and counterclaims.
The following articles were selected by colleagues of New Testament scholar Vasile Mihoc from Sibiu to honour his contributions to theological scholarship in Romania, which places particular emphasis on the spiritual context of church life as a prerequisite for exegesis.
