The theme of repentance is evident in almost every Old and New Testament corpus. However, it has received little sustained attention over the past half-century of scholarship. In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Mark Boda offers a comprehensive overview of the theological witness of Scripture to the theme of repentance, a return to intimate fellowship with the triune God, our Creator and Redeemer.
Emphasizing a different theme each month, this daily devotional calls us into a deeper fellowship with God and equips us for the journey. Each reading is a moment with the master--another step in an ever-sweeter journey with Jesus.
When you finish reading this practical work by Zachary Crofton on biblical repentance, you might say to yourself, “I’ve never repented.” That’s the kind of impact he is going to have on you if you read this work even in a cursory manner. In order to have a deeper walk with Christ, repentance is at the heart and life of the sinner who walks comfortably with God. However, repenting, reordering and realigning your fallen mind to sit in connection with God’s will, is not as simple as praying a prayer, as some would have you believe. Crofton says that repentance is a “sense of, and sorrow for sin, as committed against God.” The sinner must spread himself before the Law of God to survey the entire course of his own life. He needs to weigh himself in the balance of God’s perfection. The Gospel-sinner knows he is imperfect, and in view of God’s Law, which shows him his sin, he comes away not just lacking in some spiritual and moral goodness, but sees the utter viciousness of his nature against God’s prescription for holiness. He then sentences himself as accursed of God, agreeing that the Law is right and good, and he knows that he is “bound” to experience God’s Divine fury for his sin in hell by God’s justice which is just and good. He not only sees that he is a true sinner before God, but sorrows under his understanding of sin, and is “ashamed of such a sad and sinful state.” He comes to learn that repentance is a supernatural gift given to him from God, and that he must turn from sin and confess his sin. This kind of repentance is necessary to remove the wrath and judgment of God and to “answer the call of the gospel,” which requires everyone to repent. Crofton explains the characteristics of true biblical repentance from 2 Corinthians 7:11. There are eight characteristics that he covers: godly sorrow, care, clearing of ourselves, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal and revenge against sin. And, finally, Crofton demonstrates 10 points which show how you, reader, might gain godly repentance, completely soaking the sinful heart in the blood of Jesus, with great speed, and earnestly looking for repentance only at the hands of God. This is not a scan or facsimile, has been updated in modern English for easy reading and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.
In the twenty years since its publication, Celebration of Discipline has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God. For this special twentieth anniversary edition, Richard J. Foster has added an introduction, in which he shares the story of how this beloved and enduring spiritual guidebook came to be. Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found. Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, bring us nearer to one another and to God. Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how these Disciplines can become part of our daily activities-and how they can help us shed our superficial habits and "bring the abundance of God into our lives." He offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and "sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others." The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, shows its critical importance, for it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. Celebration of Discipline will help motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.
A relatively brief but comprehensive history of Christianity. Includes stories of the martyrs, councils, reformers, doctrines, missionary ventures, etc. Covers the entire scope of how Christianity began and what it has become.
Even after all these centuries, Thomas Boston's teaching about repentance is still very relevant to these times where "repentance" is not taken seriously and rarely practiced wholeheartedly - even by those who consider themselves "Christians." Even if you have prayed "The Sinner's Prayer" in the past, you may not truly have fully understood what true repentance is about - or even lost your way - carelessly or intentionally. This is especially the case if you are still in sin and bondages that you have not overcome. I highly urge everyone to carefully and wholeheartedly read the following with a sincere heart to believe and obey God in what He says through His beloved preacher Thomas Boston.Don't let this be merely a literary or historical read for you. Sincerely take it to heart and apply it to your soul and life. Cry out to God to finally free you from the sins that have held you in bondage. Truly being in Christ means truly being free of all sin. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise and so deceive you about this.
Long-Awaited Systematic Theology by Well-Known Pastor, Author, and President of the Master's Seminary Doctrine isn't just for theologians—it's important for every Christian because it shows us who God is and how we should live. Systematizing the robust theology that has undergirded John MacArthur's well-known preaching ministry for decades, this overview of basic Christian doctrine covers topics such as God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, salvation, and more. Comprehensive in scope yet written to be accessible to the average reader—with non-technical vocabulary, minimal footnotes, and a helpful bibliography—this volume offers Christians a solid foundation for what they believe and why.
