Jesus Christ said that He would build His Church and that it would never die out. Is today's Christianity, with its hundreds of denominations with widely differing beliefs and practices, the Church Jesus promised that He would build? -- Inside this Bible study aid booklet: -- A People Special to God -- The Historical Background of the Term Church -- 'Church' and 'Congregation' in the Scriptures -- A Spiritually Transformed People -- The Apostles: A Case Study in Conversion -- The Responsibility and Mission of the Church -- What is the True Gospel? -- Is Today the Only Day of Salvation? -- The Rise of a Counterfeit Christianity -- Changes in Christian Scholars' Perspective on God's Law -- Early Trends That Affected the Future of the Church -- The Church of God Today -- What Did the Early Church Believe and Practice? -- The Church as the Bride of Christ
What beliefs are core to the Christian faith? This book is here to help you understand the reason for your hope as a Christian so that you can see it with fresh sight and invite others into the conversation. A lot of Christians take their story—the narratives that give rise to their beliefs—for granted. They pray, go to church, perhaps even read their Bible. But they might be stuck if a stranger asked them to explain what they believe and why they believe it. Author, pastor, and theologian Mike Horton unpacks the essential and basic beliefs that all Christians share in a way that is easy to understand and applicable to our lives today. And in a way that will make you excited to be a Christian! Core Christianity covers topics like: Jesus as both fully God and fully man. The doctrine of the Trinity. The goodness of God despite a broken world. The ways God speaks. The meaning of salvation. What is the Christian calling? Includes discussion questions for individual or group use. This introduction to the basic doctrines of Christianity is perfect for those who are new to the faith, as well as those who have an interest in deepening their understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
It is said that the Bible is not a science book. That is true. Science books were written by men attempting to describe the things of God, while at the same time, removing God from the equation. The Bible does not function on such illogic. It has never issued a second, third or fourth edition. The Bible does not waiver or change based on scientific trends or theories of the day, for the Bible is ultimate truth and ultimate truth cannot change. According to John 1, Hebrews 1 and Colossians 1, Jesus is the maker of all things and Romans 1 says that we can get to know the Creator through the things that were made. If Jesus is the Creator and we can get to know the Creator through creation, should we not study what that creation is according to scripture? After all, Jesus himself disagreed with modern scientific claims. The fact that Jesus disagreed with modern science should not scare us as modern Christians. It should empower us to investigate the claims of modern science, knowing that if the two disagree, there is likely an evil cultural agenda at play, through the devil's use of our traditional media, social media and established scientific community. Years of research across many different biblical topics has yielded me two undeniable facts. One, the experts are not any closer to the available evidence than we are, and two, the Bible is never wrong. In addition, if we can use this available evidence to disprove modern science's claims through simple experimentation, does this not give us the right to speculate on other theories?We should all be more apt to lend credence to ancient accounts written by eyewitnesses over creating entire belief systems based on bias interpretations of numbers, readings and measurements, especially when those interpretations go against the scriptures and are in direct opposition to the experiences of our daily lives. Ultimately, we must choose whether theories backed by scripture, logic and experimentation are sufficient enough to trust our senses over culturally inspired artwork we see on screens or in textbooks.
Many people today, especially among emerging generations, don’t resonate with the church and organized Christianity. Some are leaving the church and others were never part of the church in the first place. Sometimes it’s because of misperceptions about the church. Yet often they are still spiritually open and fascinated with Jesus. This is a ministry resource book exploring six of the most common objects and misunderstandings emerging generations have about the church and Christianity. The objections come from conversations and interviews the church has had with unchurched twenty and thirty-somethings at coffee houses. Each chapter raises the objection using a conversational approach, provides the biblical answers to that objection, gives examples of how churches are addressing this objection, and concludes with follow-through projection suggestions, discussion questions, and resource listings.
“[Philip Gulley’s] vision of Christianity is grounded, gripping, and filled with uncommon sense. He is building bridges instead of boundaries, and such wisdom is surely needed now.” —Richard Rohr, O.F.M, author of Everything Belongs Quaker minister Philip Gulley, author of If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, returns with If the Church Were Christian: a challenging and thought-provoking examination of the author’s vision for today’s church… if Christians truly followed the core values of Jesus Christ. Fans of Shane Claiborne, Rob Bell, and unChristian will find much to discuss in If the Church Were Christian, as will anyone interested in the future of this institution.
Most of us know what we believe as Catholics, but often we're unclear on why we believe it. At a time when vast numbers of Catholics are slipping away from the Faith, God has tasked you and countless other Catholics with understanding it so you will be prepared to defend it. With an easygoing and inviting style, EWTN's John Martignoni doesn't simply introduce you to the major doctrines of the Catholic Faith; he explains why they are true and shows you how to explain them effectively to Protestants and "cafeteria Catholics" alike in ways that will draw them into those truths. Far from a complex survey of obscure theological points, this lively book employs clear, simple language that not only demonstrates the fundamental fact that the Bible is a Catholic book, but also teaches Catholics how to "talk Bible" to non-Catholics. When you are done with this book, you will know the biblical basis for the Church's teachings on the sacraments, Purgatory, Mary, the papacy, and why salvation requires faith and works. You'll also be versed in the strategies for effectively challenging others to examine their beliefs in light of the overwhelming scriptural evidence for Catholicism. Blue Collar Apologetics will also teach you: - How to go on the offensive without being offensive - The rules of engagement for discussing the faith with others - Four techniques that will allow you to talk to anyone about your faith - An easy tactic anyone can use for engaging non-Catholics - How to explain the Marian dogmas using the Bible and common sense - The two key "pillars of Protestantism" -- and how to respond to each - How to counter the ingrained Protestant maxim "Once saved, always saved" - The basics of Eastern Orthodoxy, which every Catholic needs to master Effective, common sense tactics for defending the Faith against atheist attacks
