Essential Theology

There's no better time than now to start researching the end-time events foretold in the Bible and examining how they align with what's happening today. But how can a beginner approach the vast and sometimes puzzling study of Bible prophecy without feeling overwhelmed? Written primarily for curious newcomers, Basic Bible Prophecy is a straightforward, no-frills breakdown of what you need to know about the future. Best-selling prophecy author Ron Rhodes provides a big-picture overview of the essential facts about Bible prophecy.

For those who yearn for a deeper walk in faith, their journey can begin here. Dr. Sproul takes theology down off of the dusty shelves of theological libraries and expounds in clear and simple terms over one hundred major Christian doctrines. He offers listeners a basic understanding of the Christian faith that will kindle a lifelong love for truth, which is foundational to maturity in Christ.

The Essential Talmud is a masterful introduction by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz to the great repository of Jewish wisdom, the Talmud. A book of profound scholarship and concise pedagogy, The Essential Talmud succinctly describes the Talmud's history, structure, and methodology. It summarizes the Talmud's main principles, demonstrates its contemporary relevance, and captures the spirit of this unique and paradoxical sacred text as a human expression of divine law.

Perhaps no one else has ever faced as much hardship, opposition, or relentless suffering as the apostle Paul. And yet, through it all, Paul stood firm in Christ and remained faithful - to the very end. The power of Paul's example has captivated veteran Pastor John MacArthur for years, and here, he outlines nine unwavering convictions that contributed to this remarkable perseverance.

The study of Bible prophecy can seem complicated or controversial, yet Christians still long to understand what God’s Word reveals about the future. Whenever authors Amir Tsarfati and Barry Stagner teach on the end times, the most popular part of their ministry is the question-and-answer session, revealing the church’s great hunger to know more about the last days. In Bible Prophecy: The Essentials, Amir and Barry pool their knowledge to answer some of their most commonly asked questions.

L. Michael Morales examines the key elements of three major redemption movements in Scripture: the exodus out of Egypt, the second exodus foretold by the prophets, and the new exodus accomplished by Jesus Christ. We discover how the blood of a Passover lamb helps us grasp the significance of Jesus' death on the cross, how the Lord's defeat of Pharaoh foreshadowed Jesus' victory over Satan, how Israel's exodus out of Egypt unfolds the meaning of the resurrection, and much more.

From the beloved author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People, deeply moving and illuminating reflections on what it means to live a good life. Distilling the wisdom of an extraordinary career, this profoundly inspiring yet practical guide to well-being is truly the capstone to Kushner's luminous oeuvre.

In Hero Maker you will learn how to bring real change to your church and community by developing the practical skills to help others reach their leadership potential. Drawing on five powerful practices found in the ministry of Jesus, Hero Maker presents the key steps of apprenticeship that will build up other leaders and provides strategies for how you can activate gifts, help others take ownership, and develop a simple scorecard for measuring your kingdom-building progress.

In this winsome book, best-selling author John S. Dickerson clearly and faithfully explains essential Christian beliefs, using simple stories that have resonated with his congregation of thousands. He guides listeners into these basic beliefs, and most importantly, he illustrates why these beliefs matter.

Abridged from Wayne Grudem's award-winning Systematic Theology, Bible Doctrine provides a more accessible starting point for understanding the essentials of the faith, giving you a firm grasp on seven key topics: the word of God, the doctrine of God, humanity, Christ, the application of redemption, the church, and the future.

The last command Jesus gave the church before he ascended to heaven was the Great Commission, the call for Christians to "make disciples of all the nations.

"But Christians have responded by making "Christians", not "disciples". This, according to brilliant scholar and renowned Christian thinker Dallas Willard, has been the church's Great Omission.

Know why you believe. Pass on what you've experienced. Many Christians are unsure about what they believe and why. They may wonder if their faith is meaningful and credible. Because of this, they struggle with passing on a relevant Christianity to their families and friends. That’s why Josh McDowell and his son, Sean, have created this comprehensive yet easy-to-understand handbook.

In The Future of Everything, William Boekestein encourages us to allow our thoughts on the end times to be guided by God's Word. While combing the Scriptures to find direction related to subjects like death, the millennial kingdom, the return of Christ, the resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell, Boekestein helps us cultivate a vision for the future that impacts our walk before God's face today.

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most venerated Christian figures, and his profound teachings, deep love of nature, and commitment to simplicity have resonated with generations of followers. St. Francis of Assisi, a title in the Essential Wisdom Library, offers a simple and universal introduction to Francis' life, his key teachings, and the spiritual practices that enriched his faith and the lives of those who follow his legacy.

Two hundred and fifty years later, Jonathan Edwards, America’s consummate pastor-theologian, continues to capture the attention of Christians around the world. Yet Edwards left us over 1,200 sermons and thousands of pages of other publications, not to mention the literal thousands of books that have been written about Edwards since he died. The Essential Jonathan Edwards serves as a perfect introduction to Edwards’s life and thought. It explores Edwards day-to-day life, and his views on beauty, true Christianity, heaven and hell, and the good life.

So, You Want to Be Like Christ? is just right for anyone desiring to delve deeper into the fundamental elements of Christian life and essential for all who hunger for authentic faith experiences.

Essentials of the Islamic Faith is a selection from some of the speeches M. Fethullah Gülen has given to large audiences over a life-time of dedicated service. In these speeches, he explains the principal elements of Islamic belief - belief in the existence and unity of God; in resurrection and the day of judgment; in divine scriptures and other familiar themes of Islamic discourse.

Biographies will only take you so far. It's impossible to truly understand Francis of Assisi without hearing his own words. A scholar and lover of Francis, Sweeney has added six writings to his best-selling compilation, additional texts that we're most certain came from Francis himself. Now, short writings such as The Form of Life He Wished for Clare, The Sermon to the Birds, and The Source of True Joy combine with Francis's rules, letters, messages, songs, praises, canticles, and final spiritual testament in a most ideal introduction to the saint.

Sometimes, the greatest revelation comes from realizing that which is most obvious - not the encrypted, not the hidden, not the mysterious. Militant Thankfulness presents a powerful but obvious reality that has become lost in plain sight. In his book, Dustin Dahlin illustrates one of the most important but neglected practices in the Christian life: the spiritual discipline of gratitude.

"Do you believe in God?" is usually a straightforward question to answer. "What do you believe about God?" is harder! The Bible uses narratives, laws, songs, prophecies, proverbs, and letters to tell us about God, and this book highlights mainstream evangelical systematic theology derived from its teachings. Take an opportunity to learn what doctrines the Spirit-led body of Christ has emphasized over the centuries—and become better equipped in your understanding of God and Scripture.