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Christians can accept evolution without dumping God. Worshiping with Charles Darwin: Sermons and Essays Touching on Matters of Faith and Science , shows why and how we can logically and religiously embrace both. Dr. Robert D. Cornwall uses mind and heart, empirical evidence and Scripture to cogently guide pastors, theologians, lay leaders, and congregants through the troubling waters of one of the most controversial topics plaguing Christianity today. When this dreaded topic is broached, emotions often run high and Christian charity is frequently absent. Bob Cornwall explores with courage and insight, here and in the pulpit, as pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Troy, Michigan. He takes on the evolution/faith quandary openly and regularly through his sermons, his commemoration of Evolution Sunday (on the Sunday nearest Charles Darwin's February birthday), and his columns in the local newspaper, The Troy Patch. Worshiping with Charles Darwin will help you meaningfully consider related issues. Sample sermons, liturgical aids, and tips for engaging community discussion provide practical assistance. Among Cornwall's many books– Ultimate Allegiance: The Subversive Nature of the Lord's Prayer asks us to give our primary allegiance to Jesus and to his kingdom; Faith in the Public Square urges us to make our faith a real civic force–while remaining neighborly and Christ-like; Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening implores Christians of all traditions to be led by the Spirit toward God-sized goals. Now he calls on us to bridge the gap between science and faith. Failure to do so could threaten the future of Christianity.

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This little book is a compilation of Bible verses and other quotations that will encourage and edify you. Scriptures are divided into headings on topics such as «God is Seeking for Us,» «The Power of His Love,» «The Creative Word,» «Self on the Cross» and many more.
The compiler suggests you follow up on the scriptures found here by using a Bible and concordance to search out these topics more deeply.
Color pictures highlight the topics through the book.

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Why do we have four gospels in the New Testament? How were they written, preserved, and chosen? In Why Four Gospels? noted Greek and New Testament scholar David Alan Black concisely and clearly presents the case for the early development of the gospels, beginning with Matthew, rather than Mark. This is much more than a discussion of the order in which the gospels were written. Using both internal data from the gospels themselves and an exhaustive and careful examination of the statements of the early church fathers, Dr. Black places each gospel in the context of the early development of Christianity. Though Markan priority is the dominant position still in Biblical scholarship, Dr. Black argues that this position is not based on the best evidence available, that the internal evidence is often given more weight than it deserves and alternative explanations are dismissed or ignored. If you would like an outline of the basis for accepting both early authorship of the gospels and the priority of Matthew, this book is for you.

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Through the course of over fifty-five years of pastoral ministry, many have come to me with aching hearts and burning questions.  It had nothing to do with abandoning their faith, but everything to do with finding a place in that faith for the kinds of questions that would not go away. With the gentleness of a pastor and the unblinking look of a theologian, Dr. Ron Higdon takes the reader through the questions we all want and need to ask and gives them a thorough scrutiny.

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Why should you care about the Jewish roots of Christianity? Jesus was Jewish. Most of the Bible was written by Jews and in Hebrew. Most of the early Christian leaders were Jews. Even Paul, called the Apostle to the Gentiles, would visit the synagogue first and preach there, and he wrote with great passion about his hope for his own people. Many modern Christians have forgotten about their Jewish roots. They may not formally rip pieces out of their Bibles, but much like the early Christian heretic Marcion, they act as though these portions of scripture no longer apply. They don't read them, study them, preach from them, or apply them. As a result, they often do not understand the New Testament correctly. Nancy Petrey has a passion both for the Jewish people and for calling Christians to understand their Jewish roots. In the pages of this short book, you'll get a taste of the way in which Christian history and belief has Jewish roots. You'll be blessed if you learn to recognize those roots.

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Lay persons in the church might be forgiven for imagining that the book of Revelation cannot be understood. There are many different interpretive schemes proposed, and hundreds of variations within those schemes. But the reader who is willing to spend the time will find real treasures in the study of this book, and Paul Himes has provided an excellent guide to some of the most important passages, as he looks at the messages to the seven churches, and even more importantly at the One who is sending those messages, based on the vision in the first chapter and the ways in which the churches are addressed. Dr. Himes provides key background information and then takes a serious look at the details of the text, but he does so in a way that is clear and that points the reader to ways of approaching the text more seriously on his or her own. For those who want to follow the trail further, the footnotes are extensive. Since, as the author tells us on page 5, “… one cannot begin to grapple with the eschatology of Revelation until one has submitted to the Christology of Revelation” this book provides an excellent point of entry for someone who wants to take a new and refreshing look at this important book. Here one can study the Christ of revelation (Christology), the church He ordained (ecclesiology), and go from there to the purpose and destination He has for that church (eschatology).

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For many, God is a distant, frightening entity. God may be personal, but they would not think of him as having a personality, much less an enjoyable, friendly, relatable personality. Author S. J. Hill has spent years studying, and more importantly experiencing this topic. He has counseled many people, young and old, whose ideas about God left them frightened and hopeless. He has also experience the presence and love of a wonderful heavenly father who has a fascinating personality. The result is his book What’s God Really Like?: Unique Insights into His Fascinating Personality. What if God can laugh and dance? What if the One True God is affectionate rather than angry, beautiful rather than mean and ugly, deliberately weak instead of a cosmic bully? S. J. Hill pulls back one veil after another, allowing you to see God as few authors have ever described. This God is actually joyful and beautiful beyond anything you’ve possibly ever imagined. This book is a powerful tool for personal study. As you read, you will be ushered out of the hog pen of prodigal living and personal striving and into the healing arms of a Father who wants to dance with His sons and daughters. It is also a powerful tool for teaching and ministry. The way we think of God will impact our experience and our ability to live a fulfilling Christian life. The way a teacher thinks and teaches about God can be either helpful or very destructive to those he or she teaches. Imagine what could happen in our churches if we gave witness to a God such as this. Whether you’re reading it for yourself or using it in teaching, What’s God Really Like? will change your perception of God and it will change you!

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All too frequently studies of the gifts of the Spirit consist largely of answering two questions: «What are the gifts?» and «Which ones do I have?» In many cases studies go on to a third question: «How can I get more?» In response, institutional churches and theologically and intellectually respectable Christians often tend to avoid the work of the Holy Spirit in the church entirely. It's much easier to simply close the doors and windows than it is to deal with the wind (John 3:8). After all, they've seen the wind blow out the candles, disarrange the altar vestments, and send a chill through the congregants. Author, pastor, and church historian Bob Cornwall has experienced all of this for himself. He has seen traditional churches and worship. He has seen Pentecostal worship. He has led congregations in difficult times. For more than 30 years, he has studied, practiced, prayed, and lived the work of the Holy Spirit in the church. The result is Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening . Here he avoids both the errors of replacing the freedom of the Spirit with human whim and of trying to tame or confine the Spirit that will not be fettered. He asks: «Do you truly believe that God is present in the world? And, do you believe that God is working through us to break down the walls that divide us from God, from each other, and from the world? And if you do, do you believe that you have been gifted and empowered to participate in this ministry that takes down the walls of egoism, suspicion, greed, self-interest, and hatred?» If you can say «yes» to these questions, jump right in. This is the book for you. If you are hesitant, or if the idea of the Holy Spirit working unfettered in your congregation and community frightens you, read the first four chapters carefully as Bob lays the theological foundation. You may find your «maybe» or even your «no» turned into a «yes.» Building on this foundation, Bob continues with five chapters on the gifts of the Spirit as described in Scripture. These are practical discussions that will let you keep your bearings in discussions of the Spirit and, more importantly, in a community where the Spirit is active. Finally, he concludes with a discussion of how to lead and pastor a church where the gifts of the Spirit are active. Whether you are a Pentecostal, an evangelical, a mainliner, a progressive, or any other label you might find for yourself or your church, you will profit from reading this book.

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Have you ever seen a passage in the New Testament that was placed in brackets, or a footnote at the bottom of a page referring to “ancient authorities” or “manuscripts”? Most people scratch their heads and just keep reading, but these notes are very important. So is understanding why they’re even there. In this short introduction, Thomas W. Hudgins explains for the average reader the need for, criteria of, and some misconceptions associated with New Testament textual criticism.

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Pastor Shauna Hyde brings her experience in, not only ministering to the homeless, but becoming such a welcome part of their world, that she is known as «The Vicar of Tent Town.» I struggle to be accepting and understanding when organizations refuse to work together because an issue is more important than people. I become angry, distressed, and depressed when churches cannot put differences aside in order to transform the loves of those who are desperate to feel the touch of God. I can say that I have had upscale dinners with the wealthy and split a sandwich under a bridge with the not so wealthy. I can say I have had lunch with movie stars and I have rocked a homeless man to sleep. I have been at both ends of the spectrum and have seen the beauty that makes up humanity. Just when I think I am done and cannot love anymore because I am tired of the games people play and the silly things they get upset about, someone will show me the beauty of their souls – the place where God is and I know I can still love and show grace. – Shauna Hyde

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