From the Preface Faith is meant to be sung, and hymns are for the singing of it. Some say that hymns are a greater influence on one’s personal theology even than sctripture or teaching or preaching or family or friends. I believe this is also true of the influence of hymns on our collective theology […]
These 12 sermons by renowned author and pastor Willimon, with responses by theologian Hauerwas, demonstrate the fruitfulness and difficulty of the interaction between theologians and practicing pastors. In this intriguing book, the authors suggest an old and very new way to think about theological work within the church.
Religion journalist Pinsky offers a thoughtful and genuinely entertaining review of faith and morality as reflected through the irreverently sweet comedy of The Simpsons, drawing on a wide if not encyclopedic knowledge of key episodes and interviews with the series’ creators. The animated series is unique in many ways, including its longevity and creative freshness, […]
Over the past several years, churches have engaged in an ongoing debate between two different styles of worship — ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary.’ Here, Ronald Byars argues that many of the differences between the two styles are superficial. Authentic worship, being wholly theocentric, can and must be both responsive to contemporary culture and grounded in history […]
What is the central purpose of the church today? How can churches experience renewal through worship? In Gathered before God, Jane Rogers Vann answers these important questions by studying ten vibrant small, medium, and large churches. Her findings, she argues, show that worship is the most important thing churches do and is vital to the renewal […]
Widely known theological educator and sociologist Carol Lytch presents this well-researched study of what attracts teenagers to the church and what keeps them there. The cogent research includes interviews of a number of teenagers and their parents from mainline Protestant, evangelical, and Roman Catholic congregations. Groundbreaking and fascinating, Choosing Church ulitmately serves as a highly […]
‘There are few books in which a solid biblical vision and a practical, hands-on approach are so well integrated. When you have read and lived this book, you have been in touch with the best that Christian spirituality has to offer’. —-From the Foreword by Henri J. Nouwen Thousands of people each year accept Marjorie […]
Mike Graves begins this book with the question “If preaching is intended to enliven the church, why is it killing so many ministers?” His answer? Because it has become divorced from the vitality and diversity of the preacher’s daily life. He invites preachers to discover how preaching can be renewing rather than draining. Graves includes […]
In this new volume in the popular For Today series, Ron Allen provides an exciting introduction to the life of Jesus and an engaging discussion of what Jesus life means for modern-day believers. Setting Jesus in his ancient context, Allen examines many stories about Jesus life, including those that present Jesus as a teacher, a […]
Over 200 international scholars from a variety of denominations have contributed to this outstanding, one-volume, comprehensive, reference book. Stressing the importance of events, persons, and theological concepts that have been significant to the Reformed tradition, these articles provide authoritative summaries and stimulating discussion. From Library Journal: “This is a good one-volume encyclopedia of the Reformed […]