Theology

Pre-Order: Release is scheduled for September 1, 2010

Subtitle: Recollections of a Journey

Finding My Way in Christianity: Recollections of a Journey is a story of dealing with the differences within the Christian community that is both personal and theologically reflective. With a diverse cross-cultural background, exceptional theological education, and fascinating personal experience, author Dr. Herold Weiss is uniquely qualified to write about this topic.

This notable book outlines the author’s experiences starting in Montevideo, Uruguay and moving through various educational experiences and teaching positions. It is no accident that the chapter titles reflect geographical locations, as the journey through space provides an illuminating metaphor for the faith journey that accompanies it.

Some of the people you meet in this book will make you angry. Others will make you thankful to be a Christian. Some will evoke your sympathy even as you seek to understand why they acted as they did. All of them will help give you some insight into what goes into a successful journey of faith. You can read Finding My Way in Christianity either as an interesting story or as theological reflection. The author’s experiences will resonate with many of us who have experienced the divisions within the Christian community and dealt with those who would silence dissent. Dr. Weiss’ story comes primarily within one denomination, but it follows outlines that will be familiar to many.

If you find yourself on a journey of faith, you owe it to yourself to read Finding My Way in Christianity.

Consider
Christianity
Series
Christianity and Secularism is the second volume in the Consider Christianity series, written by Elgin Hushbeck, Jr. It focuses on the evidences for the Christian faith and the conflict between Christianity and secularism. Hushbeck believes that there is good evidence on which to base a belief in Jesus and in the basic doctrines of Christianity. He also believes it is important for Christians to understand their faith and to be prepared to defend it. Chapter titles are The Secularization of Society, A Rose by any Other Name, Is That All There Is, Christianity, The Church, Who Do You Say I Am, Resurrection or Passover Plot, and Is Christianity Relevant. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, Christian education directors and youth leaders will not want to miss this book. (Note: This is a new, slightly corrected edition of ISBN 1-893729-30-3, and is compatible with that volume in terms of content and pagination. It may be used with the study guide to that volume, ISBN 1-893729-33-8.)

Evidence for the Bible is the first in the Consider Christianity series, written by Elgin Hushbeck, Jr. It discusses the evidence for the inspiration and reliability of the Bible, and deals with objections. It is clear and forceful, but also invites dialogue on this key issue of the Christian faith. Chapter titles are How Did We Get the Bible, The Bible and Modern Criticism, Archeology and the Bible, Science vs. Religion, Science and the Bible, Is the Bible Reliable, and The Word of God or the Speculations of Men. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, Christian education directors and youth leaders will not want to miss this book. (Note: This is a new, slightly corrected edition of ISBN 1-893729-29-X, and is compatible with that volume in terms of content and pagination. It may be used with the study guide to that volume, ISBN 1-893729-32-X.)

Disciples: Jesus With Us is a basic book on discipleship, with the emphasis on “basic.” It is for every pastor who has wondered just what he can give a new Christian, a new member, or someone who is struggling with the Christian walk that will help guide them through those first steps of discipleship. It is for every new believer who has wondered just what happened and what to do now. Rev. Riley Richardson speaks from the heart of a pastor and evangelist, providing basic guidance and explanations of what it means to be a Christian. Chapters discuss what it means to be saved, prayer, Bible study, finding a church home, stewardship, service, and some additional steps to take. There are questions and exercises provided for an individual or a small group. It includes a glossary, index, and scripture index, along with numerous recommendations for further study.
Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

The original edition of Identifying Your Gifts and Service is a program for whole church congregations, led by a teacher, to discover their gifts and place of service. It is not a typical scientific survey designed to discover what kind of personality you have, what you feel like doing, or even what your talents are. This Small Group Edition is designed for a group of people to study together. The lectures and study materials are provided in the various chapters. With the cooperation of your pastor and church leadership, you can identify your gifts and find your place of service in your church congregation. In going through this process you will be invited to shake off some of the walls and limitations you have placed on yourself and open yourself up to the full call that God has on your life. Discovering and using your Spiritual Gifts is an adventure!

Dr. Bob McKibben shares from his heart his understanding of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit within the local church. Combining his experience as pastor, study, and a commitment to sound Biblical principles, Bob provides a checklist for pastors and churches to use in ministry and worship as they encounter the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit.

This is a pastoral rather than a theological work. Sure enough, it has theology in it. The focus, however, is on caring for the Body of Christ as it experiences the abundant grace of God and the magnificent gifts of the of the Holy Spirit.
Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

What is the good news? If the gospel that Jesus taught is so good, why are Christians so bad? How can Christians relate to people of other faiths or of no faith at all?

Bible teacher Henry Neufeld wrestles with these issues in this book. This is not a book of theology. It is his personal testimony of what Jesus means in his life, and how one can be both a serious, committed Christian and a strong proponent of diversity and dialogue. In fact, he finds in the gospel not just permission to be tolerant, but a command to be open, honest, and clear in his convictions, and yet non-judgmental of the views of others.

Henry’s understanding of Christianity is built around the incarnation. If God can cross the gap between the infinite and the finite to experience life with us, surely we can cross the gap between ourselves and our fellow human beings. “You are never more God-like than when you open your heart’s door to another person. The more different they are, the more God-like that action is,” he says in describing how Christians should seek to build relationships.

Study and discussion questions desgined for small groups and Sunday School classes. This study guide will help you learn to understand your faith for yourself, and how to defend it. Designed to go with Evidence for the Bible, ISBN: 1-893729-51-6.
Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

This book provides a process for discovering and activating spiritual gifts in your congregation. It is not a typical scientific survey designed to discover what kind of personality you have, what you feel like doing, or even what your talents are. Instead, it is a process designed to help a church congregation discover God’s gifts and leading in their lives. In going through this process you will be invited to shake off some of the walls and limitations you have placed on yourself and open yourself up to the full call that God has on your life. Discovering and using your Spiritual Gifts is an adventure!
Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

This book is for those who have serious questions about the meaning and relevance of the Hebrew scriptures, and strikes at the heart of Christian teaching and our understanding of God. With his characteristic insight, wisdom and enthusiasm, Dr. Thompson takes on some of the most difficult passages and finds in them the love and care of God, along with an understanding of the humanness of the authors of scripture.

The discussion includes such passages as Judges 19-21 and Psalm 137. You will come away from this book with a new appreciation for the whole Bible both as it stood in its own world, and as it can be applied today.

Special Offer: Slightly damaged copies of this title are available for $5.00.

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean to be part of the kingdom? These are questions that should occupy the mind of every Christian. But we frequently shy away from the full meaning of God’s rule.

In Christian Archy, Dr. David Alan Black examines the New Testament to find the truly radical and all-encompassing claims of God’s kingdom. In doing so, he discovers that the character of this kingdom is widely different from what is commonly contemplated today. Its glory is revealed only through suffering — a point that Jesus’ disciples, then and now, have been slow to understand. This truth has tremendous implications for church life. The kingdom of God is in no way imperialistic. It has no political ambitions. It conquers not by force but by love. It is this humble characteristic of the kingdom that is a stumbling block to so many today. Christ’s claim to our total allegiance is one we seek to avoid at all costs. But there is only one way to victory and peace, and that way is the way of the Lamb.

This is the first volume in the new Areopagus Critical Christian Issues Series from Energion Publications. We believe it is an appropriate way to begin that series by addressing this foundational question of who we are as part of the Christian church, and why it is important for us to immerse ourselves in God’s word.

The church is in disarray. Theologians and commentators speak of the demise of evangelicalism. Are they alarmists? Is Christianity as we know it in the process of dying?

Writer, scholar, teacher, and missionary Dr. David Alan Black thinks that the answer does not lie in the politics of the left or the right. In fact, he doesn’t think that Jesus tells us what our politics should be. He doesn’t see answers in Christian nationalism. But even further, he sees serious flaws in the very structure of our churches and denominations that prevent us from truly being obedient to the gospel.

The solution lies, not in renewal, revival, or even in reformation, but rather in restoration-a restoration of the church organized as Jesus intended it and according to the example provided by the earliest church sources in the New Testament.

To make the church and its members true servants of Jesus Christ again, we need to change our entire paradigm-to The Jesus Paradigm.

We have a number of copies of this title that were damaged either in transit or in storage.  We are nearly out of stock on this edition, and will release a new edition later this year.  Until then, the damaged copies will be available at this low price of $5.00.

This book is for those who have serious questions about the meaning and relevance of the Hebrew scriptures, and strikes at the heart of Christian teaching and our understanding of God. With his characteristic insight, wisdom and enthusiasm, Dr. Thompson takes on some of the most difficult passages and finds in them the love and care of God, along with an understanding of the humanness of the authors of scripture.

The discussion includes such passages as Judges 19-21 and Psalm 137. You will come away from this book with a new appreciation for the whole Bible both as it stood in its own world, and as it can be applied today.