Preventa de eBooks de Cristianismo

Con un enfoque compasivo pero incisivo, el Dr. DeGroat, terapeuta licenciado, director espiritual, líder de retiros y autor, aborda tanto la comprensión del abuso espiritual como las formas en que este fenomeno se manifiesta en los lideres y sistemas eclesiasticos. Esta obra esencial ayuda al lector a comprender mejor:Como se presentan el abuso espiritual en los diferentes tipos de personalidad del EneagramaLas caracteristicas del abuso espiritualLa dinamica de los sistemas de abuso espiritualEl Dr. DeGroat tambien ofrece una profunda reflexion sobre la naturaleza del abuso espiritual y su relacion con la cultura occidental contemporanea, asi como su devastador impacto en las comunidades de fe.Sin limitarse a la critica, este libro ofrece tambien un camino de sanacion y transformacion tanto para quienes se han visto afectados por el abuso espiritual como para quienes luchan contra estas tendencias en su propio liderazgo y vida espiritual. Con una combinacion de sabiduria clinica, perspicacia teologica y compasion pastoral, DeGroat invita a los lectores a un viaje de autodescubrimiento, sanacion y restauracion.

"Sittsers singular study demonstrates that contemporary Christians drink from a deep well of spiritual practices as they become part of the cloud of witnesses to the faith. . . . Sittser concludes each chapter with exercises designed to reflect on ways that certain spiritual practices can be incorporated into contemporary observance."Publishers Weekly Starred Review, 2007 Ancient Faith for Modern Souls In AD 165, two men named Carpus and Papylus stood before the proconsul of Pergamum, charged with the crime of being Christians. Not even torture could make them deny Christ, so they were burned alive.Is my faithfulness as strong?In the fifth century, Melania the Younger and her husband, Pinian, distributed their enormous wealth to the poor and intentionally practiced the discipline of renunciation.Could living more simply deepen my trust in God? In the seventeenth century, Philipp Jakob Speners love for the Word of God and his desire to help people apply the Bible to their daily life moved him to start "Colleges of Piety," or small groups.In what ways could commitment to community make me more like Christ? The history of Christianity has produced models of spiritual life, some very different from our own, that can enrich and enlarge our spiritual lives. These saints believed in the same God, followed the same Christ, read the same Bible, and walked in the same Spirit. And they lived wholeheartedly for God, like Perpetua, an early Christian martyr; Francis of Assisi, a medieval visionary; Philipp Jakob Spener, the founder of fifteenth-century small groups; and Dorothy Day, a servant of the poor.In Water from a Deep Well, Gerald Sittser opens to us the rich history of spirituality, helping us learn from the practices and stories of believers from the past who thirsted for God. These vibrant narratives reveal deep, powerful faith and demonstrate how old ways can bring new life to our spirituality today. These histories are deep waters from which we can drink to become faithful followers of Jesus, like those who came before us.In this revised edition, youll find history, insights, and practical exercises for incorporating spiritual practices into your life; a new chapter and updates throughout the book; and a new afterword from John Mark Comer. Discover the richness of ancient faith practices and renew your spiritual life with Water from a Deep Well. Whether youre discovering spiritual practices for the first time or seeking to deepen your journey with Christ, this book provides timeless guidance for spiritual growth, drawn from the wisdom of those who have walked the path before you.

Lead Your Congregation to Connect Sunday Worship to Monday Work Work matters to God. Does it matter to his church? Many Christians experience vocational restlessness and anxiety, unsure or unaware how their faith can guide them in their workplaces. What would it look like for your church to affirm, equip, and commission your congregation to embrace a sense of calling and mission in their everyday labor? In Pastoring for Monday, Matt Rusten helps you lead your church to form Christians who follow, represent, and commune with Christ amid their daily work. This book equips you to bridge the divide between the sacred and secular, transforming how your church disciples people for the workplace.Rusten shows how you can intentionally change your language and liturgy to celebrate the ordinary working lives of church members, providing concrete discipleship pathways and pastoral priorities for living out the gospel through vocational discipleship. Youll learn how you can prioritize faith and work as a necessary focus, rather than an optional add-on, for the thriving and collective mission of your church.With Pastoring for Monday, you will: Learn to connect Sunday worship with the realities of Monday work to equip people to follow Jesus through the work week. Find practical discipleship ideas to help believers live out their faith in professional contexts. Transform your preaching and leadership to help your congregation see the value of their daily vocation as a ministry. This book empowers pastors to foster a church culture where every believer is equipped to follow Jesus not just on Sunday but through the workdays that follow. With Pastoring for Monday, help your congregation connect Sunday worship to Monday work and transform the way your ministry bridges faith and work.

Move Past Anxiety and Into Confident Witness Are fear and anxiety holding you back from sharing your faith? Does the thought of evangelism make you uneasy or leave you concerned about making others uncomfortable? The biggest barrier to evangelism, Mark Teasdale argues, is not lack of training or informationits fear.To overcome this fear, we must engage not just intellectually and spiritually, but also psychologically. In Socially Awkward Evangelism, Teasdale considers evangelism through the lens of psychology, helping you overcome the roadblocks that often accompany sharing your faith. Teasdale offers resources for dealing with anxiety and shame and helps you communicate in ways that reduce uncertainties in others, utilizing recent developments in understanding mental and emotional health.Socially Awkward Evangelism: addresses the underlying fears and anxieties often tied to evangelism with tools informed by psychology, offers practical tools for overcoming fears about evangelism, challenges common misperceptions about evangelism, and helps you communicate your faith authentically, sensitively, and creatively. Through practical exercises, theological foundations, and psychological insights, this book will guide you to thoughtfully attend to your inner life, your social context, and the heart of Jesus, helping you move beyond fear to embrace evangelism as the blessing its meant to be.Whether youre a church leader or educator training others, a student eager to learn, or someone who struggles with the social anxiety often tied to evangelism, Socially Awkward Evangelism provides the tools to help you step into this sacred task with confidence and purpose.

Including People with Disabilities Is Essential to Your Churchs Witness God wants people of all abilities to be active participants in his kingdom. But churches have not always made it clear that people with disabilities are both part of Gods story and fully welcome in their communities. If the church is to be a credible witness, it must reach and include people with disabilities within its evangelism, mission, and everyday life.In Disability and Evangelism, Rochelle Scheuermann casts a vision for including people with disabilities in all aspects of evangelism, from how we understand and tell the gospel story, to how we evangelize to and with people with disabilities. This groundbreaking book invites us to reshape our evangelism theology and practice so that people with disabilities are central in all we think, say, and do. Scheuermann uncovers how Gods story in Scripture responds to the complexities of disability and provides both the means and message to share good news among people of all abilities. She then explores issues of evangelism practice, including how we understand conversion, an expanded understanding of accommodation, and pursuing interdependence in ministry.In Disability and Evangelism, you will gain a biblical understanding of both disability and evangelism; hear stories from people with a range of disabilities; study evangelism practices that go beyond traditional approaches that are key for doing evangelism with and among people with disabilities; understand why many people with disabilities feel excluded from and do not attend church; and engage with discussion questions in each chapter. This book shows how the gospel really is good news for people of all abilities. Understanding and embracing disability is not only a matter of compassion and justice. People with disabilities will help the church to counteract faulty visions of power, autonomy, and self-promotion and to encounter the good news of Jesus more deeply. If youre looking for a resource that invites people with disabilities to be both recipients and active participants in Gods mission, Disability and Evangelism is for you.About the Series Center for Disability and Ministry books explore the intersection of disability and practical theology in partnership with the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary. Co-edited by Benjamin T. Conner and John Swinton, this series explores key issues in disability theology through the framework of practical theology, aiming to increase knowledge as well as faithfully impact Christian practice.

Walking the Path of Allyship: Men Supporting Women in Ministry For women and men to thrive equally in ministry, the church needs male allies who are committed to supporting women in their callings. Allies in Ministry provides a practical, research-based pathway for men who desire to support women in ministry but may feel uncertain about how to act or worried about doing the wrong thing.Building on the foundations of his previous book, Together in Ministry, Rob Dixon presents seven proven steps to becoming an effective ally, grounded in qualitative research, real-life examples, and biblical insights. With action-oriented suggestions, reflection questions in every chapter, and inspirational true stories, Allies in Ministry is a vital resource for helping the church become a community where women can thrive in ministry in equal measure.In Allies in Ministry, Rob Dixon articulates a unique Christian approach to male allyship; provides a concrete, sequenced process for developing more men into more effective allies to women; draws insight from biblical teaching, real-life examples, and original research; and offers practical guidance to help transform good intentions into meaningful action for both women and men who want to create a culture of male allyship. By exploring the Christian call to allyship and its role in spiritual formation, this book complements secular resources and fills a gap for ministry leaders. Building a ministry context marked by equal partnership takes intentionality and wisdom. Allies in Ministry points the way forward.

Faith Conversations for a Modern World Have you ever wanted to look over the shoulder of an expert apologist as he has conversations about faith?Louis Markos, acclaimed author of From Plato to Christ and Passing the Torch, gives you a seat at his table for an international potluck dinner held in his home, where guests from many faith traditions and walks of life engage in spirited discussion about faith, miracles, and the meaning of life.My Apologetics Dinner Party presents a method of talking about Christian faith that is not based primarily on propositional logic or the defense of truth claims (though these features do show up). Instead, he aims to clarify what Christians actually believe through a winsome and engrossing narrative in the tradition of Socratic dialogue. The conversations in this book are rooted in real-life interactions Professor Markos has had with skeptics, seekers, and adherents of other faiths throughout a lifetime as a professional apologist for Christianity.In My Apologetics Dinner Party, you will get a unique opportunity to look over the shoulder of an expert apologist in action. observe a laid-back, conversational approach to evangelism built upon hospitality and designed for life in a modern, pluralistic society. see an example of how to engage in conversational apologetics among people of diverse cultural, educational, and religious backgrounds. hear dialogues, rather than debates, as creative narrative in the Socratic tradition. Youll be entertained as well as enlightened as youre taken up in the banter, humor, and atmosphere of lively dinner conversationonly to find at the end that some of your deepest questions have been addressed. If you are looking for a book that will show you how to discuss your faith in a real-life setting with friends who have deep questions to ask but dont want to hear a sermon, or a book you could give to curious seekers to read on their own, youll find it in My Apologetics Dinner Party.

Seeing Sabbath as the Gospels Call to Resist, Reimagine, and Reclaim The worlds relentless push for "more and better" reflects a value system that is individualistic and economically exploitative, leaving Christians and the church itself exhausted. Amid this weariness, Sabbath emerges as not merely a day of rest, but a powerful, countercultural invitation to push back.In Sabbath Gospel, G. P. Wagenfuhr and Amy J. Erickson invite us to consider Sabbath as much more than a cessation from work. Sabbath is a grand exodus from tiring economic regimes and the empty promise of self-actualization. By expanding our vision of Sabbath beyond the Creation story, we vacate the idol of the world and take our place in the household of God, the church, where Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. In this robust biblical theology, scholars, theologians, and pastors find a fresh approach to Sabbath that moves us beyond empty practices and renews our language about the gospel.What youll find in Sabbath Gospel: A transformative view of Sabbath as communal resistance against the exploitative value systems of the world Interdisciplinary insights into the Biblical theology of Sabbath A call to live out Sabbath anew in Gods reconciled community Sabbath Gospel challenges readers to rethink Sabbath, moving beyond individualistic notions of rest. Sabbath is not just about stepping back from work for personal rejuvenation but about stepping into Gods householda reconciled community where rest is shared, burdens are lifted, and the gospel is renewed in our lives. Reimagine your view of Sabbath with Sabbath Gospel.

Reckoning with the Colonial Past to Bring Justice to the Present As White settlers spread across North America, they crafted and enacted an epic story of their God-given dominionover the land, over Indigenous nations, and over the future. Their narrative constructed a myth of innocence that justified a massive program of violence and dispossession by suppressing a darker history. That history still reverberates today, from settler Americas relations with the Indigenous nations of the United States to ways the land has been commodified as property. Its time for the whole truth to be told.In Undoing Manifest Destiny, L. Daniel Hawk exposes the belief systems and practices that settlers developed to justify the displacement, destruction, and cultural erasure of Indigenous peoples, beginning in the early American colonial period and extending to the present day. Writing as the descendant of White settlers and as a biblical scholar, he challenges settler Christians to uncover what the settler narrative denies and to work toward addressing historic injustices.In this book, Hawk combines settler colonial theory, historical analysis, and Christian theology to examine how settler America sought to erase Indigenous presence from lands taken by the United States and its colonial predecessors; offers a decolonizing perspective that challenges the church to acknowledge its complicity with the colonial project and to enter into dialogue directed toward setting things right; and highlights contemporary manifestations of colonialism in US interactions with its Indigenous citizens, demonstrating that past issues are still present and need to be addressed today. Hawk asserts that Christians were complicit with programs of erasure, and so Christians are called to confront and heal their residue today. Joining historical research with theology and biblical scholarship, Hawk helps us recognize the myths that shape the American imagination and to engage our faith for a better way forward.This book is an invaluable resource for scholars, educators, students, and readers invested in areas such as post- and de-colonial studies, race and ethnicity, United States history, and social justice. Deepen your understanding of history, confront unsettling truths, and work toward justice and healing with Undoing Manifest Destiny.

Whether at home or abroad, communicating with people of other cultures is difficult. It requires new ways of thinking and interpreting the world. When conflict arises, as it often does, the issues become even more confusing. Without a good understanding of how different cultures handle conflict, our best intentions may only make matters worse.With a particular focus on Asian and Hispanic cultures (at home and around the world) and on African culture, Duane Elmer walks readers through various types of conflict and shows how they can be handled effectively and appropriately. Elmer gives numerous stories and examples from his experience and from others to show how handling conflict well builds solid relationships. With an eye out for biblical principles, he looks at a variety of sticky questions in Scripture. This is a book not just of theory but of practical models of conflict resolution.Pastors, evangelists, business people, missionaries, students--anyone who wants to communicate more effectively with neighbors and colleagues--will find this book immensely helpful.

Who are the churchs great theologians? What was special about their teaching? What can we learn from them today? Gerald McDermott has written this book for those who want a solid introduction that is challenging, but not overwhelming. Provocative but satisfying. And not too long. McDermott not only informs us about eleven pivotal theologians from Origen to von Balthasar, but helps us sort out what is of continuing value today.With study questions at the end of each chapter, this book is perfect for small groups to go through together. As you do, youll explore your shared theological history and uncover more about what and why you believe. Heres your chance to think with "the greats" about God.

Rediscovering Dante with Lewis, Sayers, and WilliamsFor centuries, readers have marveled at the imaginative brilliance of authors like C. S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams. But what inspired these literary giants? The Way of Dante takes you on a journey of discovering how the medieval poet Dante Alighieri and his masterwork, The Divine Comedy, shaped their thoughts, artistry, and faith.In The Way of Dante, Richard Hughes Gibson reveals the profound influence of The Divine Comedy on the writings of Sayers, Williams, and Lewis through Following the authors as they read, reflect on, and debate Dantes allegorical journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven Challenging common misconceptions about Dantes work Exploring how Dante prompts reflection on sin, love, and glory Revealing the psychological, social, and theological lessons learned The Way of Dante is ideal for readers, scholars, teachers, and students interested in The Divine Comedy; the works of Sayers, Lewis, and Williams; or the spiritual dimensions of storytelling. Step into the minds of three of the 20th centurys most beloved writers and be inspired to view Dante through a new lens.About the Series The Hansen Series celebrates the literary and spiritual contributions of seven British authors whose works have captivated readers across generations: Owen Barfield, G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams. These seven authors were all deeply involved in the friendships and intellectual exchanges that shaped the Inklings, a mid-twentieth-century group of Christian writers and thinkers in Oxford, England. This series invites readers to deepen their engagement with these timeless voices and their enduring influence on literature, faith, and the life of the imagination.

Discover the Beauty, Depth, and Awe-Inspiring Magnitude of Gods GloryThe glory of God is a central theme that runs throughout Scripture. But what is Gods glory? And what does it mean to glorify God? These are perhaps the most important questions we could ever ask. To answer them, it is crucial to see how Gods glory is at the heart of the gospel and of the entire story of the Bible.According to biblical scholar Donnie Berry, glory refers to all the things the triune God is full ofhis wisdom, love, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion, justice, life, joymade manifest for us to see, to experience, to respond to, and, perhaps most surprisingly, to participate in. From beginning to end, Gods plan has always been to reveal his glory to his people and through his people, so that his glory will fill the earth. This volume provides a rich study into the meaning of Gods glory in the story of the Bible and what it means for your life today.The Earth Will Be Filled FeaturesAn Exploration of the Biblical Theme of Glory: Trace the theme of glory throughout Scripture, gaining insight on its significance for understanding God and the Bible. Visual Aids for Clarity: Use helpful figures to easily grasp the deep connection between the Bible and the theme of glory. Accessible Biblical Theology: Enjoy an engaging, accessible resource perfect for pastors, students, or anyone interested in Biblical theology. Through accessible insights and compelling visuals, The Earth Will Be Filled explores how the theme of glory can deepen your understanding of Scripture, offering you a meaningful way to reflect on Gods majesty and presence. This book is an invitation to immerse yourself in the awe of Gods glory and respond to it with wonder, worship, and joy. Step into the richness and wonder of Gods glory with The Earth Will Be Filled, and discover how glory permeates Scripture and invites us into a life-transforming response.About the SeriesEssential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd and L. Michael Morales, explore the central or essential themes of the Bibles grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 13, authors trace the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemptive history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an accessible yet rich introduction to biblical theology.

"Who do you say that I am?" This question that Jesus asked of his disciples, so central to his mission, became equally central to the fledgling church. How would it respond to the Gnostics who answered by saying Jesus was less than fully human? How would it respond to the Arians who contended he was less than fully God? It was these challenges that ultimately provoked the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325.In this Ancient Christian Doctrine volume covering the first half of the article in the Nicene Creed on God the Son, John Anthony McGuckin shows how it countered these two errant poles by equally stressing Jesus authentic humanity (that is, his fleshliness and real embodiment in space and time) and his spiritual glory or full divinity.One cottage industry among some historical theologians, he notes, has been to live in a fever of conspiracy theory where orthodox oppressors dealt heavy-handedly with poor heretics. Or the picture is painted of ancient grassroots inclusivists being suppressed by establishment elites. The reality was far from such romantic notions. It was in fact the reverse.The church who denounced these errors did so in the name of a greater inclusivity based on common sense and common education. The debate was conducted generations before Christian bishops could ever call on the assistance of secular power to enforce their views. Establishing the creeds was not a reactionary movement of censorship but rather one concerned with the deepest aspects of quality control.Ultimately, what was and is at stake is not fussy dogmatism but the central gospel message of Gods stooping "down in mercy to enter the life of his creatures and share their sorrows with them. He has lifted up the weak and the broken to himself, and he healed their pain by abolishing their alienation."The five-volume Ancient Christian Doctrine series follows up on the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture to provide patristic commentary on the Nicene Creed, translating source material from the church fathers into English for unparalleled insight into early church history.

"We believe in one God, the Father." The opening clause of the Nicene Creed can be summed up in a single wordmonotheism. In the early centuries of the church, this striking doctrine stood starkly against a cultural background of multiple deities and spiritual powers. While it clearly builds on its Jewish heritage, calling God "Father" anticipates the Father-Son relationship in the Godhead that early Christians knew and robustly upheld.The first article of the Nicene Creed also presupposes that there is an objective body of teaching that Christians are expected to confess as their faith. This idea seems normal and natural to us, but it was a novelty in the ancient world. Neither Judaism nor any pagan religion or philosophy could claim to have a closely defined set of beliefs that everyone adhering to it was expected to profess publicly and defend against all comers.While this article on God the Father is the shortest and arguably oldest portion of the Creed, it fully sets forth the fundamental understanding of God as creator and originator of all that is. This commentary in its selection of texts from the early church highlights the common understanding of the One God in three Persons, elucidating the churchs understanding of divine attributes and trinitarian relations.The five-volume Ancient Christian Doctrine series follows up on the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture to provide patristic commentary on the Nicene Creed, translating source material from the church fathers into English for unparalleled insight into early church history.

The twenty-first century opened with a rapidly changing map of Christianity. While its influence is waning in some of its traditional Western strongholds, it is growing at a phenomenal pace in the global South. And yet this story has largely eluded the corporate news brokers of the West. Layered as it is with countless personal and corporate stories of remarkable faith and witness, it nevertheless lies ghostlike behind the newsprint and webpages of our print media, outside the cameras vision on the network evening news.Miriam Adeney has lived, traveled and ministered widely. She has walked with Christians in and from the far reaches of the globe. As she pulls back the veil on real Christians--their faith, their hardships, their triumphs and, yes, their failuresan inspiring and challenging story of a kingdom that knows no borders takes shape.This is a book that coaxes us out of our comfortable lives. It beckons us to expand our vision and experience of the possibilities and promise of a faith that continues to shape lives, communities and nations.

Everybody likes a good story. Especially if its based on true, real-life events. But what kind of story is compelling enough to transform your life? Can a story be powerful enough to change the whole

What do we mean when we talk about small groups? And more importantly: what do we expect to happen when people gather in this way? The small group that wrote this bookmade up of current and former campus ministry professionals with InterVarsity Christian Fellowshipsees a small group as: a community that studies the Bible, prays and participates in Gods mission together for the purposes of Gods transforming work.Small groups are about transformation, and in this book transformation is given flesh and blood in the faces and names of the people you lead.

Rumors of deception have surrounded claims of Jesus resurrection ever since the soldiers appointed to guard his tomb made their report to the Jewish authorities. But no one has led the philosophic charge against miracles quite as influentially as David Hume with his 1748 essay "Of Miracles." Refined, revised, restated, his arguments still affect philosophic discussions of miracles today.During the twentieth century, strong arguments have been raised by Antony Flew, professor emeritus at Keele University in England. Flew has contributed a fresh statement of his objections to the idea of Gods acting in history just for this volume, which also includes Humes classic critique as a part of the case against miracles.In response, Douglas Geivett and Gary Habermas have assembled a distinguished team of scholars to rebut the objections and set forth the positive case for Gods action in history:Richard Purtill clarifies the word miracle, while Norman Geisler critiques Humes case against miracles. Francis Beckwith and Winfried Corduan assess how we would recognize miracles in the past and in the present. Ronald Nash examines naturalisms exclusion of miracles and shows its self-referential incoherence. J. P. Moreland discusses whether science properly rules out the possibility of miracles. Gods existence and action in history are probed by David Beck and Stephen Davis, while Douglas Geivett argues that within a theistic framework it is reasonable to expect miracles as confirmation of claims to special revelation. David Clark examines miracles within the context of various world religions. Robert Newman, John Feinberg, William Lane Craig and Gary Habermas conclude by investigating fulfilled prophecy, the virgin birth and incarnation of Jesus, the empty tomb, and the resurrection appearances.In Defense of Miracles is a comprehensive, up-to-date discussion that should not be overlooked by anyone concerned with the current debate over miracles.

The Gospel in the Catechism"Monumental."J. V. Fesko | "Generation-defining."Harrison Perkins | "A full banquet with all the courses."Zachary Purvis | "Invaluable."Ligon Duncan | "A ready guide for every church and family."Matthew Barrett Understand a foundational Reformed catechism Follow a 52-week plan for reading or preaching Study alone or in a small group Christians are bombarded with competing messages, but the Heidelberg Catechism speaks clearly. Its teaching on the gospel and the Christian life is biblical, accessible, and pastoral. Its three-part structure of guilt (law), grace (gospel), and gratitude (sanctification) is framed by the comfort the Christian has in God alone.In The Heidelberg Catechism, R. Scott Clark reflects on the catechisms theology, piety, and practice. This thorough yet accessible guide to the catechism comments on each of its 129 questions, revealing the catechisms historical and theological context and explaining how it enlivens the Christian faith today.