LITMIR.BIZ

Can faith and science work together? How? Science and religion have done most to shape our lives in the modern West. At first it might seem there is little relationship between them and none that could ever be close. In Religion and Science: An Exploration, the author indicates in a sensible and uncomplicated manner that there is a working relationship but that it is something that must be searched for if it is to be achieved. The result is a book that deals with a most importat issue with impartiality. This book is primarily aimed at those who want to integrate their understanding of science with their understanding of faith.

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In debates about the authority of the Bible, people commonly argue that the Bible is inspired, even inerrant, and therefore that it has authority. Is this argument valid? Dr. Edward W. H. Vick argues that it is not, that authority does not derive from inspiration, and that terms like «inspiration» and «inerrancy» do not contribute to a belief in, or the authority of the Scriptures at all. Using the example of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and debates over the inspiration and authority of the Bible and then of Ellen G. White, he outlines and illustrates the pitfalls of arguing directly from an idea of inspiration to a view of authority. In short, he maintains that a doctrine of inspiration cannot serve to establish the authority of a writing. Writings have authority as they are accepted by and used in the community. As a philosopher with years of teaching experience in biblical studies and theology, Dr. Vick examines the way in which Christians speak about these issues and then asks whether what we say is contributing to what we do, or where we wish to go. Seventh-day Adventists especially owe it to themselves to read this compact yet powerful book as they think about their use of E. G. White's writings and their relationship with Scripture. Other Christians can benefit, however, as the arguments are similar whether one is talking about the Bible itself, an authoritative figure in your religious tradition, or a source of interpretation and application you view as authoritative. It is especially relevant in a pluralistic world. How is it that you decide what is authoritative?

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Can you honestly say that you know how to rest? Truly rest – physically, emotionally, spiritually? Devotions come in many styles and sizes. Some are like a bucket of cold water thrown at you in your bed, prodding you to wake up, get going, and meet the challenges of the day. Others give you something to think about, and tend to come back to you as you go about your daily activities. A devotion can be long, designed for the person who has an hour or so of quiet time with God in the morning, while others are short, trimmed to size for the person who wants to catch a message at a glance. In Whispers of Rest in the Storm Matthea Glass manages a nearly impossible task: Writing a devotional that is both relaxing and challenging. The challenge is to put your burdens in God's hands and rest in your Savior through each day. Each devotional looks at things that might keep us from resting, from trusting, and thus from being who God wants us to be. Each will be challenging in its own way, but each challenge points to God's grace and invites the reader to trust and rest. This is a book for everyone, because everyone has difficulty with truly trusting in God's grace and resting. But it is especially written for those who are anxious about many things and need to remember each day that God will never leave or give up on us. His grace, unconditional love, is always there and sufficient for our need, so that they can rest. Matthea Glass manages a nearly impossible task: Writing a devotional that is both relaxing and challenging. The challenge is to put your burdens in God's hands and rest in your Savior through each day.

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What do the letters of John, tucked away near the end of the New Testament, tell us other than that we ought to love one another? That's a good message but can we put some muscle into it? With the help of Dr. Robert D. Cornwall and his new study guide on the Letters of John in the Participatory Study Series, we certainly can Cornwall guides us through a historical, theological and practical study of these three little letters, taking 1st century material, helping us understand it clearly, and applying it to our daily lives in the 21st century. Besides its value in studying these books, this guide provides a model for a successful small group or individual study of any Bible passage. Each lesson includes readings, questions, exercises, and a suggested prayer in closing helping to bring the application home. This study is useful for individuals and small groups, but can also be valuable in planning a sermon series.

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There are few topics where good advice is more needed than that of Christian marriage. At the same time there are few topics about which the answers given are as scattered and unclear. In this short but comprehensive volume, Elgin Hushbeck, Jr., tackles one of the most disputed passages in the New Testament, Ephesians 5, and its discussion on Marriage. On the one hand, this passage tends to scandalize some liberals, and, on the other, gets interpreted in a very patriarchal way by some conservatives. Hushbeck puts this passage into its literary and historical context to see what Paul was saying to his immediate audience, and how that message can apply to modern Christians. His clear exposition of structural and rhetorical factors is especially helpful. His analysis will open the eyes of many as to how this verse presents a challenge to both the conventions of Paul's time and of ours, as it goes to the heart of Christian Marriage. This book is suitable for individual reading, but could also be valuable for a small group study or as the basis for a sermon series.

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The doctrine of the trinity is probably the most complex and mysterious topic in Christian theology, yet it impacts our understanding of many other doctrines. Pastor/Theologian Robert D. Cornwall brings his knowledge of church history to the task of examining this doctrine, looking at how it developed and what justifies its presence in Christian theology. He uses the history of his own Disciples of Christ tradition as one of the expressions of the Stone-Campbell movement, which avoids creeds very effectively in examining how we distinguish between the statements and events of scripture and our theological reflections on them. Can a doctrine not mentioned in scripture be of value? Are creeds necessary or even useful? Cornwall threads a careful course between the value of the creeds, and within them the doctrine of the trinity, in defining our ecumenical relationships and task on the one and, and on the other the danger of having creeds as a test of fellowship and faith. While rooted in his own denomination's traditions, this is very valuable to other denominations and movements as we examine what defines us while at the same time seeking freedom in non-essentials. This book is especially strong in examining the history of the development of this doctrine and connecting this to our ongoing reflection on scripture and what our tradition and experience provides. This short volume is valuable to all those who seek to understand the trinity not just as an element in a doctrinal system, but as it aids us in thinking about elements of our faith.

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Henry E. Neufeld writes about Bible translations from his knowledge as a student of Biblical languages, and his experience teaching them to laypeople and discussing them on the internet. Many people have questions about translations because they do not understand how translations are produced. Much of the material available is either polarizing, or is provided to advocate a particular version. What's in a Version? strives to provide a basis for lay students to understand how translations are made so they can understand the arguments and become confident of the Bible version they choose to use for reading and study.

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It will come as no surprise to pastors and their families that the vocation of a minister involves stress. In fact, it involves a great deal of stress. Unfortunately, when many pastors encounter stress they tend to hunker down in the hopes of just surviving. All too frequently the stressful situations that have not been dealt with continue to build up, and the result is fatigue and burnout. In Wind and Whirlwind, Dr. David Moffett-Moore presents a better way. He has survived the whirlwind in his own ministry, and more importantly, with the help of many others he has learned to turn the stress into an opportunity for growth, both for himself and for the congregations he serves. In a series of 16 short chapters, he will help you identify the sources of stress, discover ways to manage it spiritually and emotionally, and point you to spiritual disciplines and practices that will help make you a better person and bring success to your ministry. While the chapters are short, they do not present easy, trite answers to complex problems. Rather, they will help you strengthen yourself, so you can discern the way God is working in your life and ministry. Each chapter presents topics for meditation and questions for discussion. It is designed to be used by clergy peer groups.

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The church in America has come to depend on professionals to «do ministry.» In many churches, the pastor, paid to do the job, is the one who is expected to carry out all functions of the church. But it was not always this way. Jesus came as God-in-the-flesh. The pattern portrayed in the New Testament is that every Christian is part of the body of Christ, and the function of Christ's body is to be incarnational, to be Jesus Christ for the world (John 20:21). Author David Alan Black takes on this attitude of outsourcing our mission in his shortest book, yet one he has said might be the most important that he has written: Will You Join the Cause of Global Missions? If you expect here a call to go to seminary and become a professional missionary, you will be sorely disappointed. Instead, Dave calls for us to replace outsourcing with insourcing. Instead of looking for professionals to do the ministry while the rest of us fill the pews, he is pointing us back to the Gospel Commission and the call on every Christian life to fulfill that Commission. It is not enough in the 21st century to put a little bit of money into the church and expect the pastor and paid staff to do the work. Each one of us is called to also give of our time and talents. This little book might be dangerous. You may not be able to put it down without seeing your life radically changed. In fact, the book ends with a call to make precisely that promise. So will you join the cause of global missions?

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The Old Testament God generally has a rather poor reputation, even in Christian circles. But as the author points out, The Old Testament Scriptures can remain alive and will lead us to a fresh appreciation of all that God has done for us. Targeted to thoughtful readers, this book addresses a cluster of issues often troubling for the person who seeks to understand the Old Testament. Who's Afraid of the Old Testament God? speaks very frankly about some of these «problems,» things like sin and the fall, Satan, «moral blemish» passages, strange laws, etc. The chapter titles follow: Don't let your New Testament get in the way of your Old Testament Behold it was very good and then it all turned sour Whatever happened to Satan in the Old Testament Strange people need strange laws Could you invite a Canaanite home to lunch? The worst story in the Old Testament – Judges 19-21 The best story in the Old Testament – the Messiah What kind of prayers would you publish if you were God? This new, fifth edition leaves the text unchanged, but has larger type and wider margins.

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