America has always been committed to the idea that citizens can work together to build a common world. Today, three afflictions keep us from pursuing that noble ideal. The first and most obvious affliction is identity politics, which seeks to transform America by turning politics into a religious venue of sacrificial offering. For now, the sacrificial scapegoat is the white, heterosexual, man. After he is humiliated and purged, who will be the object of cathartic rage? White women? Black men? Identity politics is the anti-egalitarian spiritual eugenics of our age. It demands that pure and innocent groups ascend, and the stained transgressor groups be purged. The second affliction is that citizens oscillate back and forth, in bipolar fashion, at one moment feeling invincible on their social media platforms and, the next, feeling impotent to face the everyday problems of life without the guidance of experts and global managers. Third, Americans are afflicted by a disease that cannot quite be named, characterized by an addictive hope that they can find cheap shortcuts that bypass the difficult labors of everyday life. Instead of real friendship, we seek social media “friends.” Instead of meals at home, we order “fast food.” Instead of real shopping, we “shop” online. Instead of counting on our families and neighbors to address our problems, we look to the state to take care of us. In its many forms, this disease promises release from our labors, yet impoverishes us all. American Awakening chronicles all of these problems, yet gives us hope for the future.
Religious liberty is America’s first freedom. But in recent years, challenges to religious liberty have abounded. For example, some claim that religious freedom promotes intolerance and bigotry, while others contend religious freedom condemns people to hell. And others weaponize religious liberty for culture warring. Nevertheless, evangelicals believe that religious liberty is fundamentally a matter of human dignity; thus, religious liberty is a right we must preserve for all people. This book will explore how evangelical anthropology, cosmology, and eschatology offer the most stable basis for religious freedom. Secular and Roman Catholic theories may positively contribute to religious liberty, but the evangelical model is superior because it answers fundamental questions left unanswered in other models.
In this important study Hays argues against the mainstream that any attempt to account for the nature and method of Paul's theological language must first reckon with the centrality of narrative elements in his thought. Through an in-depth investigation of Galatians 3:1-4:11, Hays shows that the framework of Paul's thought is neither a system of doctrines nor his personal religious experience but the "sacred story" of Jesus Christ.
Francisco Suárez was a principal figure in the transition from scholastic to modern natural law, summing up a long and rich tradition and providing much material both for adoption and controversy in the seventeenth century and beyond. Most of the selections translated in this volume are from On the Laws and God the Law-Giver (De legibus ac Deo legislatore, 1612), a work that is considered one of Suárez’s greatest achievements. Working within the framework originally elaborated by Thomas Aquinas, Suárez treated humanity as the subject of four different laws, which together guide human beings toward the ends of which they are capable. Suárez achieved a double objective in his systematic account of moral activity. First, he examined and synthesized the entire scholastic heritage of thinking on this topic, identifying the key issues of debate and the key authors who had formulated the different positions most incisively. Second, he went beyond this heritage of authorities to present a new account of human moral action and its relationship to the law. Treading a fine line between those to whom moral directives are purely a matter of reason and those to whom they are purely a matter of a commanding will, Suárez attempted to show how both human reason and the command of the lawgiver dictate the moral space of human action. The Liberty Fund edition is a revised version of that prepared for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace by translators Gwladys L. Williams, Ammi Brown, and John Waldron, with revisions by Henry Davis, S. J. Francisco Suárez (1548-1617), a Jesuit priest, was professor of theology at the University of Salamanca in Spain. Annabel S. Brett is a Fellow, Tutor, and University Lecturer in History at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Knud Haakonssen is Professor of Intellectual History at the University of Sussex, England.
How are we to live as followers of Yeshua (Jesus)? How do we practically walk out our faith and devotion to God day by day? Why does God allow us to suffer, and what are we supposed to learn from our suffering? How do we overcome sin in our lives? What's the cause of conflict within our communities, and how do we resolve it? How do we make a difference in the world for Messiah's Kingdom?James' letter to early followers of Messiah was written to address these questions, and the Spirit-inspired wisdom contained in this ancient epistle still speaks directly to us today. David Wilber's book, When Faith Works: Living Out the Law of Liberty According to James, takes us on a journey through the book of James and unpacks the true meaning of faith from the perspective of the very brother of the Messiah.---David has gone above and beyond in revealing just how vital the Book of James is for Christians today. Whether diving into James for an in-depth study or merely needing an easy-to-read commentary, you will be pleased to find what you are looking for in this book. However, the most impressive achievement that David has reached in this work is the convicting encouragement to transform the words of a 2,000 year old letter into action. I cannot imagine any believer being disappointed by adding this resource to their collection.--Matthew Vander Els, Founded in TruthA must read for every believer! David Wilber has delivered a keenly insightful examination of James' Epistle, connecting ancient Biblical wisdom with modern cultural relevancy. David's holistic approach confronts the pivotal questions every honest believer faces. Readers will be deeply inspired, as I was, to unshackle their faith by living out the Law of liberty.--Matt Hoffmann, Freedom Hill CommunityDavid Wilber has produced a very readable book on a deplorably underemphasized topic within the sphere of modern Messianic teachings--namely, how to go beyond the bare bones of God's commandments into the realm of living as transformed creatures producing radically good fruit. Messiah came and told us that following a set of rules is next to meaningless unless our obedience springs from a place of genuine love for God and neighbor. I thoroughly enjoyed David's wonderful exploration of one of the most difficult discipleship manuals in Scripture--the Epistle of James. We would all do well to dive in ourselves and accept the challenge--nay, the imperative--to live by it.--Tyler Dawn Rosenquist, Author of The Bridge: Crossing Over into the Fullness of Covenant LifeAfter binge-reading this book, I could only appreciate how well every word of James was expounded upon and spoke so perfectly to all of us today in the faith. Every reader will find numerous instances of precious insight and well-needed reminders of what it means to be a Christian. James has always been a favorite of mine, and this book highlights every reason that the book of James is so fantastic.--Jon Sherman, 119 MinistriesDavid Wilber examines James passage by passage and, in the process, illustrates two things about James beyond any doubt. First, James aligns perfectly with the rest of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments. Second, James is imminently relevant to the daily lives of believers in all nations, all cultures, and all strata of society. Whatever your pain, whatever your temptation, whatever your joy, James wrote for you. I highly recommend this book.--Jay Carper, AmericanTorahReading through this book, one is left wondering whether it's a commentary on the book of James or a passionate letter from a friend about his love for God and the Scriptures. David takes a balanced look at the book of James, calling on modern scholarship and a theological search for the truth of God's Word. This theological commentary is begging to encourage any who choose to read it, and it now has a permanent place in my library.--Matt Nappier (MA in Old Testament), Beit Shalom Messianic Congregation
As Christians around the world are returning to the Sabbath and feast days of the Bible, the most common question is, "How do I do this?" David Wilber's new book, A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts, answers this question in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way. You'll be blessed to discover just how relevant and meaningful the Sabbath and feast days are to Christians and how they reveal Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). In addition, you'll learn how to observe the Sabbath and each of the biblical feasts through simple, step-by-step instructions.
Details the merry and wildly creative tribe who produced The Beatles' Yellow Submarine, the ground-breaking, one-of-a-kind visual adventure, first released in 1968. Get to know the formerly undiscovered artists and the technical wizardry behind your favorite scenes. Symbolic interpretations and subconscious messages of peace and love, plus in-studio hijinks by frustrated animators. How does the Yellow Submarine inspire such wonderful feelings of peace and love? This book lifts the veil of the animation screen to see behind The Beatles and detail that one magical year, during the Summer of Love in Swinging London, when a band of young artist-fans fell into the groove and brought their heroes to animated life. Part two of the internationally acclaimed Inside the Yellow Submarine: The Making of the Beatles Animated Classic by Dr. Robert R. Hieronimus and Laura E. Cortner. Full-color, with 203 illustrations, 368 pages.
