Showing titles in Systematic

"Red beef and strong beer" was how C. S. Lewis described his education under one of his early tutors. It was, in other words, a substantial education that engaged deeply with the intellectual tradition and challenged him to grow. Gary Selby sees Lewis' expression as an indication of the kind of transformation that is both possible and necessary for the Christian faith, and he contends that spiritual formation comes about not by retreating from the physical world, but through deeper engagement with it.

Athanasius of Alexandria was a bishop in fourth-century Egypt. Thanks in part to Athanasius’ arguments, his position of Trinitarianism (that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost were all One God) became the official position of Christendom, and remains so to this day. This work, On the Incarnation (or sometimes On the Incarnation of the Word of God), was his first book. It tackles the central point of the divine saga, God’s embodiment on Earth as Christ, and seeks to understand, in detail, the “why” and “how” of it all.

Everybody has a form of eschatology—beliefs about their future or the world's. For some, eschatology brings despair because everything ends in death—including the individual and the universe. Some have a vague hope of the afterlife. For Christians, they should have a certain hope because God has laid out his plan for the end times in Scripture. He reveals these things to teach his saints about his glory and control over history, to encourage them in uncertain times, and to equip them for good works, among other things. For these reasons, we should not neglect eschatology but instead ...

What are angels? Who are they and what can we learn from them? In Scripture, angels are mentioned over 250 times in thirty-four books of the Bible. Angels were present, rejoicing at God’s forming of the earth (Job 38:4-7). They visited Abraham’s house and brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18, 19:13). They were involved with the transmission of the Ten Commandments to Moses (Gal 3:19). An angel gave prophecies to Daniel about Israel’s future (Dan 9, 10). Likewise, an angel prophesied the messiah’s birth to both Mary and Joseph (Matt 1, Lk 1). An angel strengthened Christ ...

If you find the Trinity confusing, you are not alone! What does it mean to say God is "three persons in one essence"? It might mean a number of things, and it has been understand in several ways by theologians. But how should it be understood, and how was it originally meant? This book shines light on the fog shrouding this subject, equipping you with basic information about the meaning and history of Trinitarian ideas so that you can see the various options and search the scriptures with fresh eyes.

Understanding the Pentateuch: Foundations of Biblical Theology “A Comprehensive Guide to the First Five Books of the Bible” Are you ready to embark on an enlightening journey through the foundational texts of the Bible? "Understanding the Pentateuch: Foundations of Biblical Theology" is your ultimate guide to unlocking the profound mysteries and timeless teachings of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This indispensable resource delves into the heart of biblical theology, offering fresh insights and academic rigor that will captivate scholars, students, and curious ...

Unfortunately, many well-meaning, Christ-loving saints have been held hostage by prophecy teachers using questions like these to cast doubt upon God's prophetic promises for the New Testament Church. When the End Begins is a God-given tool to break through the spiritual chains of bondage. Listen to the book! Heed the warning! Consider yourself bound no longer!

There is great confusion and controversy over the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Who is he, and what does he do? Is he some type of force? Is he an energy or a thing? Likewise, topics such as spiritual gifts, the baptism in the Spirit, and being filled with the Spirit tend to incite differing views and discord, even amongst the sincerest and most devoted Christians. Because of all this, some have hesitated to study or teach on the Holy Spirit. This is unfortunate, since the Holy Spirit makes possible both the redemption (John 6:8-9, Rom 8:11) and sanctification (1 Pet 1:2) of believers. In ...

In Persuasive Apologetics, pastor and professor Jeffrey M. Robinson explores what's below the surface of intellectual-sounding objections to Christianity. He shows what it means to contend for the truth through real-life examples of communicating with those who hold differing beliefs.

Review "It will make you think. You better get your Bible out and get ready to do some reading." - Frederick L Perrin "I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a no nonsense approach and well thought out with scripture applied in the way it's meant to be." - Moondog (Amazon Reviewer) Description Wars and rumors of wars? The great tribulation? The Abomination of Desolation? When you hear those phrases, what do you think about? Is it the rapture, a 7-year tribulation, the antichrist, or the end of the world? Most of the modern treatments of the end times are based on newspaper headlines, current ...

Theology for the Rest of Us is a systematic Christian theology written in everyday language. It covers key areas of doctrine such as bibliology, theology proper, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, and ecclesiology.

This Ragtown Pulpit sermon comes from Deuteronomy 4:32-40 and continues Pastor Runyan's walk through the book. Moses gives the people a list of reasons that should urge them toward obedience to God's commands. These same reasons are presently powerful to warm and thrill the Christian heart, inspiring the believer to a life of whole-hearted devotion. In fact, it may be that there is no true worship that lacks these ingredients. This message is warm and pastoral, meant to move the ordinary believer onward in our walk with the Lord. Read and be greatly encouraged.

Sobre el libre albedrío (De libero arbitrio voluntatis) es uno de los escritos más emblemáticos de San Agustín de Hipona (354-430 d.C.), uno de los filósofos y teólogos más influyentes de la antigüedad tardía. Escrita en el siglo IV, esta obra maestra sigue siendo relevante hoy en día, abordando las complejas cuestiones del bien y el mal, la libertad humana, y el papel de Dios en nuestras vidas.

Quite simply, three of the most important and well-known confessions of the Reformed faith. The Augsburg Confession is the earliest of the three and is the primary confession of the Lutheran Church. The Heidelberg Catechism was a response written by Zacharias Ursinus and consists of 129 questions and answers. The Westminster Confession is the best known and begins with "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever."

This Ragtown Pulpit sermon is about the second Psalm, and its place in the hearts and minds of believers. Specifically, the dilemma concerning Psalm 2 is this: Why don't believers love it more than they do? It literally has everything you'd think a Christian would want in a very short passage. Christ himself is all over and throughout this Old Testament text. It's filled with promises of God's faithfulness and the victory of Christ's kingdom. Nevertheless, you've probably never heard anyone, anywhere, claim it as their favorite. That's just weird. There are reasons for this. This sermon ...

Anne Graham Lotz leads you through the first eleven chapters of Genesis, unlocking hidden messages in the familiar stories of Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the ark, the Tower of Babel, and others. She thoughtfully illuminates each moment of Creation with inspiring insights and probing reflections to better reveal God, the Creator of us all. In God's Story you will thrill to the beauty, majesty, and tenderness of God's personal involvement in creating the world, and you will come to recognize the Creator's infinite power at work in your life as well.

La sainteté est au centre du caractère de Dieu. Pourtant, la plupart des gens ont du mal à définir ce qu'est précisément la sainteté de Dieu. Beaucoup de prédicateurs aujourd'hui évitent complètement ce sujet parce que les gens ont de la difficulté à bien saisir certains concepts qui y sont reliés, comme celui de la crainte de Dieu. Cependant, la compréhension de la sainteté de Dieu est primordiale, car elle nous délivre de notre propension à nous confier en nous-mêmes et en notre propre justice pour le salut de notre âme.

What is anthropology? Anthropology comes from the Greek word anthropos which means man or humanity. Therefore, anthropology is the study of humans. It considers who we are and why we exist. In secular universities, the study is engaged primarily from a man-centered perspective; however, since God created humans and made them in his image, it is impossible to truly study humanity apart from God. It is from God that people derive their significance and purpose. Consequently, the study of anthropology is intensely practical. For us to know who we are and what to do with our lives, we must see ...

Humor is a truly human phenomenon - crossing history, culture, and every stage of life. Jokes often touch on the biggest topics of our existence. And although it may seem simple on the surface, humor depends on the use of our highest faculties: language, intelligence, sympathy, sociability. To the philosopher Steve Wilkens, these facts about humor are evidence that God just has to be in there somewhere. Yet many Christians, scholars and laypeople alike, haven't taken humor seriously.

What is Covenant? In a biblical sense, it is a legal bond between two or more parties—“legal” meaning that each party makes a statement (confession) and agrees to specific terms, with consequences invoked on each party for failure to keep the terms. Why then is this so important to understand? Because this is how God chose to link the unseen to the seen, the supernatural to the material or created order here on earth. This in no way diminishes the role of the Holy Spirit and his work within the hearts of men. It merely gives outward manifestation to the power of God’s Spirit.