LITMIR.BIZ

Although he loomed large during his lifetime, Martin Hans Franzmann has faded away in the minds of American Lutherans. Memories of him typically orbit around an appreciation for his hymnody. He was, however, more than a hymn writer. To only understand or appreciate his hymns is to only understand or appreciate a part of him. This book seeks to shine a light on a brilliant and gifted poet of the church by unpacking and analyzing his life and work. In so doing, it is hoped that he will loom large once again. Franzmann's hymns have endured for a reason, namely because he was singularly focused on teaching people to hear the voice of God in the text of the Scriptures.

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This book showcases the perspective and insights of a youth ministry servant who is also a ministry school student. Combining theological understanding with personal anecdotes, the author lays out his view on a number of different topics, all relating to youth ministry and the challenges faced therein, from the standpoint of someone who is in between clergy and laity, neither an insider nor an outsider in the world of ministry.

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Paul's Christophany (i.e., his Damascus Road Experience) has been the subject of much scholarly analysis. However, treatments of this phenomenon, while widely varied, have tended to extract the various references from their literary contexts in order to reconstruct the event, to discover the foundations and content of Paul's Christology, or to analyze Paul's experience of conversion and/or call. The current study, focused on the undisputed Pauline epistles, evaluates how and why Paul employed the various Christophanic references in their particular literary and sociohistorical contexts. Through this assessment, the importance of Paul's Christophanic references as part of his larger arguments is established. It is shown how Paul uniquely shapes the various Christophanic references to fit the needs of his argument and through it, the needs of each community. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that Paul's Christophanic references do not primarily establish his apostolic status or assert his apostolic authority. Through this study, the corporate nature of Paul's Christophanic references becomes increasingly evident, and multiple general conclusions are drawn, which provide a possible glimpse into Paul's understanding of his Christophanic experience.

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In celebration of Alister E. McGrath's sixty-fifth birthday in 2018, this Festschrift aims to highlight him as a lauded scholar, who exemplifies an interface of science, theology, and religion. It comprises works by McGrath's theological allies and colleagues from diverse ecclesial homes including Graham Ward, Oliver Crisp, Tony Lane, Sung Wook Chung, Randall Zachman, Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Jonathan Wilson, Jeffrey P. Greenman, Robert Kolb, Sister Benedicta Ward, Michael Lloyd, Bethany Sollereder, and Patrick Franklin. Critical but appreciative is the posture with which these contributors engage the wide range of McGrath's own scholarly pursuits and publications. This volume, edited by Dennis Ngien, covers these themes that are central to the life and witness of the church: atonement, Christology, Trinity, eschatology, mission, Reformation, science, nature, culture, evangelism, and theodicy–there is much to ponder and reap here. Readers will join with the contributors and pay tribute to McGrath who has risen to a life of significance as a scientist turned theologian, professor, author, Christian apologist, and churchman.

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When you think of God, what images come to mind? Do you see God in others? Do you acknowledge God's presence in each circumstance and situation of your everyday life, no matter how trivial? How you conceive God determines how you experience God. As contemporary author Frederick Buechner advises, «Listen to your life. Listen to what happens to you, because it is through what happens to you that God speaks.» While spiritual life of some kind is necessary for psychological health, psychotherapist Thomas Moore indicates in Care of the Soul that excessive or ungrounded spirituality can be dangerous, leading to compulsive and even violent behavior. It is better for religious seekers to embrace a religious practice that has been tested and refined over time than to experiment solo or by joining some exotic new sect. In this book, Dr. Vande Kappelle explores the richness of Catholic and Protestant spiritual traditions and the power of intuition and imagination to chart an approach to the sacred that is simple, practical, and effective. Holistic religion requires three elements in creative tension: a historical or institutional element, a mystical or emotional element, and an intellectual or scientific element. If you want to know what this means and how it is accomplished, read this book. Designed as a study guide for group or individual use, In the Potter's Workshop will challenge and inspire you to experience God in ways that are sustainable and transformative.

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Honest to Goodness proposes a new Christian presence that is free of dogmatism, exclusivism, and biblicism. It charts a way back to the spiritual and ethical revolution begun by Jesus of Nazareth, one that can make a vital difference to needless evils such as bigotry, environmental destruction, poverty, and violence. The book reveals the author's experience of living under, against, and after apartheid, insisting that a faith that does not confront this world's evils is no faith at all, but a dangerous betrayal of all that is good, beautiful, and true. Honest to Goodness unflinchingly identifies the grave moral shortcomings that are embedded in traditional Christian beliefs and practices, and proposes ways of transforming them into harmony with the divine goodness that the author discerns everywhere. Embracing a world of religious diversity, science, and creative philosophy, the book describes a new way of experiencing and expressing the divine. It defends faith by moving beyond both theism and atheism.

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Talking about Jesus' story with others is designed to be a joy-producing experience for his followers, not to mention those hearing his story. Unfortunately, the prospect of talking about Jesus' story strikes fear into the hearts of many believers. Whether they're afraid of saying something wrong about their Lord or fearful of rejection, the anxiety of legions of Christ-followers over mentioning Jesus in conversation leads them to avoid an experience that is meant to create glad hearts all around. Talking about Jesus: Discovering the Joy of Sharing Jesus' Story helps to instill confidence in seizing opportunities to introduce Jesus' story into conversations in natural and healthy ways. This brief, approachable resource helps believers to develop a simple framework that increases their comfort level in the joyful mission of sharing a little of Jesus' story. Along the way, readers will learn some important teachings concerning Christ that will delight their hearts.

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Christian mission involves God, the missionary, and the other, the recipient of mission. This book argues for the centrality of this other in the practice of mission. The other as child of God is presented, not as an empty vessel waiting to be filled, but as the one who draws near to the missionary. Both are sent by God, and together they enter into the journey towards God. Drawing on Scripture, contemporary missiology, and phenomenology, the book argues for the importance of this often neglected other and demonstrates through historical case studies involving Saint Ignatius of Loyola, William Carey, and Saint Innocent of Alaska that the recognition of the gift of the other has always been present in Christian mission and can continue to inspire.

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Confusion abounds regarding what it means to be missional. Is it about social action? An emphasis on outreach? Being organic instead of program-driven? This book provides succinct, clearly written, and biblical answers. With the theological insight of a scholar and the warm personal illustrations of a pastor, Dick Wiedenheft shares insights and experiences gained over his own fifteen-year missional journey.
–What does missional mean? –Why is it important? –How will it change my life or my church? –What are some simple ways to begin?
After reading this book, you will know what it means to be missional, why becoming missional is so important, and what practical steps you can take to begin.

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The church is in the world to continue Jesus' ministry. But it has forgotten an important part–dealing with enemy spirits. And Satan runs freely in our world with few Christian leaders knowing how to stop him. Dealing With Demons presents Kraft's way of dealing with Satan's army, whose aim is to destroy God's forces. Are demons for real?, he asks. «Yes,» he answers, «and they are very active.» With personal experience setting free hundreds of people from hundreds of demons who left without a fight, Kraft presents his approach through inner healing. This he hopes will help readers, who have been afraid to deal with demons, to go confidently into battle with them, in the authority we have in Jesus, to set captives free.

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