This book is a solid study of characters in the Gospel of John--Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the disciples, the Jews, Martha and Mary, Peter and the Beloved Disciple, and Jesus. Susan Hylen argues that John's characters are not simply one-dimensional depictions of belief and unbelief, but are in fact far more complex and ambiguous. This ambiguity has an important literary function: it invites the reader to understand biblical characters within the context of the inherent logic of the Gospel. The Gospel establishes ideals like believing and abiding in Jesus. The reader is left to decide to what extent a character's actions and speech reflect these aims. Individual character portraits explore what readers may learn from studying John's complex characters. This is an excellent secondary source for seminary classes on the fourth Gospel.
Too many discipleship books are written for clean, perfect people who know all the right Sunday school answers. The Imperfect Disciple is for the rest of us--people who screw up, people who are weary, people who are wondering if it's safe to say what they're really thinking. For the believer who is tired of quasi-spiritual lifehacks being passed off as true, down-and-dirty discipleship, here is a discipleship book that isn't afraid to be honest about the mess we call real life. With incisive wit, warm humor, and moving stories, Jared Wilson shows readers how the gospel works in them and in their lives when - they can't get their act together - they think God is giving them the silent treatment - they think church would be better without all the people - they're not happy with the person in the mirror - and much more Wilson frees readers from the self-doubt and even the misplaced self-confidence they may feel as they walk with Jesus down the often difficult road of life. The result is a faith that weathers storms, lifts burdens, and goes forth to make more imperfect disciples.
Why were sinners so attracted to Jesus yet repelled by the religious? It had everything to do with the heart of Jesus. They sensed that Jesus was for them--not against them. When broken, sinful people feel repelled by Christians, we must assess whether our hearts reveal the heart of God or reflect the heart of the Pharisees. Through this engaging study of Jesus's encounters with imperfect people, combined with real-life stories of ordinary people having Christlike impact, readers will learn how to show unshockable love toward those around them.
What if God designed marriage to make you holy instead of happy? What if your relationship isn't as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God? In Sacred Marriage, bestselling author Gary Thomas uncovers the ways that your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God and with each other. Join over one million others who have already uncovered Thomas's tips for fostering a sacred marriage. Within the pages of Sacred Marriage, Thomas invites you to see how God can use your relationship with your spouse as a discipline and a motivation to love God more and reflect more of the character of his Son. In addition to life-changing insights from Scripture, church history, and time-tested wisdom from Christian classics, you'll find practical advice and techniques to make your marriage happier by becoming holier husbands and wives. In Sacred Marriage, Thomas will give you all of the tools you need to: Turn marital struggles into spiritual and personal appreciation Love your spouse with a stronger sense of purpose Confront your weaknesses and sin in order to grow your relationship with God and with your spouse Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse Transform a tired marriage into a relationship filled with awe and respect Thomas reveals that sacred marriages teach us to love God and others well by fostering a healthy sex life, a strong prayer life, and a rich spiritual life. God uses our marriages to help us grow in character, in prayer, in worship, and in service--we just have to recognize that the purpose of marriage is holiness, not happiness. Each copy also includes thought-provoking discussion questions designed to spark conversation between couples and small groups, allowing you to dive deeper into the lessons that Thomas shares in Sacred Marriage. Join the one million others who have already started on their journey to transforming their relationship with their spouses and with their Creator.
One Tree, Many Branches By: Dr. Elijah Mickel, CRT One Tree, Many Branches shares spirituality as expressed in perfect loving. It provides a spiritual perspective for the reader to unite the physical with the spiritual. It is a continuation of Two Plants, One Flower: Presents and Problems: Choosing Perfect Love. When two imperfect believers connect, they can develop perfect loving. The contents of this book provide a model for believers to unite. Our spirits have the desire to communicate. It is through this effort that they can accomplish all they desire.
Philip Schaff almost needs no introduction. He wrote one of the finest histories of the church. His work, the History of the Christian Church, has become a benchmark on the subject. In his eight volume set he covers just about every issue concerning the church from the time of the Apostles through the Reformation. He incorporates discussion of ideas and principles throughout the history of the church. In this eBook all eight volumes are present and there is also a linked table of contents for every section. We have also labeled every section and chapter so that it will be easier to navigate through the volumes. This material has been carefully compared, corrected, and amended, according to the 1910 edition of Charles Scribner's Sons. Here are the general titles of each of the volumes: Volume One THE FIRST PERIOD APOSTLIC CHRISTIANITY A.D. 1-100. Volume II SECOND PERIOD ANTE-NICENE CHRISTIANITY A.D. 100-311 (325). Volume III THIRD PERIOD THE CHURCH IN UNION WITH THE ROMAN EMPIRE FROM CONSTANTINE THE GREAT TO GREGORY THE GREAT. A.D. 311-590. Volume IV MEDIAEVAL CHRISTIANITY From Gregory I to Gregory VII A.D. 590-1073 Volume V FROM GREGORY VII. TO BONIFACE VIII. A. D. 1049-1294. Volume VI FROM BONIFACE VIII. TO MARTIN LUTHER. A.D. 1294-1517. THE SIXTH PERIOD OF CHURCH HISTORY. Volume VII HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION. 1517 - 1648. Volume VIII SECOND BOOK. THE SWISS REFORMATION. THIRD BOOK. THE REFORMATION IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND, OR THE CALVINISTIC MOVEMENT.
