Why is God's beauty often absent from our theology? Rarely do theologians take up the theme of God's beauty—even more rarely do they consider how God's beauty should shape the task of theology itself. But the psalmist says that the heart of the believer's desire is to behold the beauty of the Lord. In The Beauty of the Lord, Jonathan King restores aesthetics as not merely a valid lens for theological reflection, but an essential one. Jesus, our incarnate Redeemer, displays the Triune God's beauty in his actions and person, from creation to final consummation. How can and should theology better reflect this unveiled beauty? The Beauty of the Lord is a renewal of a truly aesthetic theology and a properly theological aesthetics.
How Christians Can Rediscover the Beauty and Glory of the Church Dear. Precious. Lovely. The Bible describes the church in extraordinary ways, even using beautiful poetry and metaphors. How does this compare to how Christians today describe the church? Unfortunately, many believers focus more on its mission, structure, or specific programs than on its inherent beauty. It's time to spark a renewed affection for the church. In The Loveliest Place, Dustin Benge urges Christians to see the holy assembly of God's redeemed people in all its eternal beauty. He explains what makes the church lovely, including the Trinitarian relationship, worship, service, and gospel proclamation. For those who have never learned to view the church as God sees it, or have become disillusioned by its flaws, this book is a reminder that the corporate gathering of believers is a reflection of God's indescribable beauty. This is the third book in the Union series, which invites readers to experience deeper enjoyment of God through four interconnected values: delighting in God, growing in Christ, serving the church, and blessing the world. Part of the Union Series: Inviting readers to experience deeper enjoyment of God; other volumes include Rejoice and Tremble and Deeper Concise Version Also Available: The Loveliest Place is the full version of Why Should We Love the Local Church? Looks Beyond Methodology: Focuses on the beauty, not just the biblical function, of the church
The essays in The Beauty and Glory of the Holy Spirit both exalt and revel in the third person of the Trinity. Through an assortment of studiescategorized according to their biblical, doctrinal, historical, or pastoral focusthis book sets before readers the inestimable ministry of the blessed Holy Spirit. Contributors include David Murray, Geoffrey Thomas, John Thackway, Malcolm Watts, Gerald Bilkes, Michael Barrett, John Carrick, George Knight, Morton Smith, Ian Hamilton, William Shishko, William VanDoodewaard, Joel R. Beeke, Joseph Morecraft, Ryan McGraw, and Joseph Pipa.
Who is Jesus Christ? You've never met him in person, and you don't know anyone who has. But there is a way to know who he is. How? Jesus Christ-the divine Person revealed in the Bible-has a unique excellence and a spiritual beauty that speaks directly to our souls and says, "Yes, this is truth." It's like seeing the sun and knowing that it is light, or tasting honey and knowing that it is sweet. The depth and complexity of Jesus shatter our simple mental frameworks. He baffled proud scribes with his wisdom but was understood and loved by children. He calmed a raging storm with a word but would not get himself down from the cross. Look at the Jesus of the Bible. Keep your eyes open, and fill them with the portrait of Jesus in God's Word. Jesus said, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." Ask God for the grace to do his will, and you will see the truth of his Son. John Piper has written this book in the hope that all will see Jesus for who he really is and will come to enjoy him above all else.
"The soul is lifted up by the contemplation of the glory of God and of his only begotten Son," writes R. C. Sproul. "It is Christ in his glory who is the object of our worship and adoration. As Christians we join the communion of saints and the host of heaven in lifting up praise and honor to him." During his earthly life and ministry, Jesus experienced humiliation and suffering. "His humanity served as a veil that concealed the splendor of his deity," Sproul continues. "Yet there were moments when his glory shone through." These moments become the focus of The Glory of Christ. From the angels' revelation of Jesus' glory to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, to Jesus' life-changing revelation of his glory to Paul on the Damascus Road, Sproul guides us to a deeper understanding of Christ's glory. Paul said to King Agrippa about his conversion experience, "I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." Sproul concludes: "This is the statement every Christian longs to make at the end of his life. This is the proper response to the manifestation of the glory of Christ." Book jacket.
The Bible reveals glorious things. And yet we often miss its power because we read it the same way we read any other book. In Reading the Bible Supernaturally, best-selling author John Piper teaches us how to read the Bible in light of its divine author. In doing so, he highlights the Bible's unique ability to reveal God to humanity in a way that informs our minds, transforms our hearts, and ignites our love. With insights into the biblical text drawn from decades of experience studying, preaching, and teaching Scripture, Piper helps us experience the transformative power of God's Word—a power that extends beyond the mere words on the page. Ultimately, Piper shows us that in the seemingly ordinary act of reading the Bible, something supernatural happens: we encounter the living God.
Selected from sermons delivered by C. S. Lewis during World War II, these nine addresses offer guidance and inspiration in a time of great doubt.These are ardent and lucid sermons that provide a compassionate vision of Christianity.
Enjoy the spiritual feast served in The Beauty and Glory of Christ , a compilation of the addresses given at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary’s annual conference in August 2010 at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each essay sets before readers the unsearchable riches of the Lord Jesus Christ, the hope of our glory and the glory of our hope. Topics include Christ’s beauty prophesied and typified in Isaiah and Song of Solomon; Christ’s glory in His incarnation, earthly ministry, and death on the cross; Christ in historical theology and everyday life; and Christ’s glorious exaltation in His resurrection and in His triumph in the book of Revelation. Contributors include David Murray, Iain Campbell, Richard Phillips, Gerald Bilkes, David Carmichael, Albert Martin, Joel Beeke, William VanDoodewaard, Ray Pennings, and James Grier. Table of Contents: Christ’s Beauty Prophesied and Typified 1. The Beauty of Isaiah’s Servant — David Murray 2. The Song of David’s Son — Iain Campbell 3. He Is Altogether Lovely — Iain Campbell Christ’s Glory from Bethlehem to Golgotha 4. The Glory of Christ’s Victorious Incarnation — Richard Phillips 5. The Glory of Christ’s Parables — Gerald Bilkes 6. Jesus, Master of Storms — David Carmichael 7. Jesus, Master of Stress — David Carmichael 8. The Glory of Christ’s Victorious Death — Albert Martin Christ in Historical Theology and Everyday Life 9. Glorying in the Imputed Righteousness of Christ — Richard Phillips 10. Thomas Goodwin on Christ’s Beautiful Heart — Joel R. Beeke 11. Christology in Marrow Theology — William VanDoodewaard 12. Christology: Calvin, Kuyper, and Politics — Ray Pennings 13. The Daily Challenge of Christ-Centered Living — Ray Pennings Christ’s Glorious Exaltation 14. The Glory of Christ’s Victorious Resurrection — Albert Martin 15. The Investiture of the Lamb — James Grier 16. Hallelujah to the Triumphant Christ — James Grier
'This book attempts to show something of the stature of Jesus Christ: to explain him but not to explain him away; to listen to his voice, not to drown it; to admire him, and to urge his uniqueness and his lordship upon a world so short of heroes and upon a Church which has put away childish things.' In The Glory of Christ Peter Lewis skilfully sets today's critical questions concerning Christ against the glorious backdrop of the goal of humanity and the sovereignty of God. With warmth and insight he considers what Christ claimed for himself and what the early church claimed about him. He also gives close biblical and practical attention to Christ's atonement, exaltation and Second Coming. This is a book of pastoral scholarship which will richly repay careful study by Christians the world over.
