Spiritual Theology

Many people think the message of the Gospel is that if we believe in Jesus, we will be saved from hell and be transported to heaven after we die. But what if that is not what the Bible actually teaches? What if the good news Jesus came to announce is much bigger, much better, and includes much more than merely what happens after we die? Revered best-selling scholar N. T. Wright reveals what the gospel really is and how it can transform our todays just as much as our tomorrows.

Grace or truth…or both? Truth without grace breeds self-righteousness and crushing legalism. Grace without truth breeds deception and moral compromise. Is it possible to embrace both in balance? Jesus did. Randy Alcorn offers a simple yet profound two-point checklist of Christlikeness. “In the end,” says Alcorn, “we don’t need grace or truth. We need grace and truth. And for people to see Jesus in us, they must see both.”

Philip Yancey investigates the natural world and discovers the supernatural hiding in plain view. He grapples with why God made the world and what our role truly is, and seeks to answer the question, "How do I live in the natural world while expressing the values of the supernatural?"

Satan doesn't usually hit us with an all-out frontal attack. It's the subtle landmines that do the most damage. They're hidden just below life's surface, and at the slightest misstep - boom! Suddenly you find yourself flown right off the path, feeling separated from God and His blessings, humiliated, estranged from the love and respect of friends and family. Dr. Charles Stanley addresses nine main landmines that every Christian needs to be able to identify.

If God counts the hairs on our head, and knows every sparrow that falls, why is finding and understanding God's will so difficult at times? In Why?: Making Sense of God's Will best-selling author Adam Hamilton brings fresh insight to the age-old question of how to understand the will of God. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, Hamilton addresses how we can comprehend God's plan for the world and ourselves

America has passed a tipping point. A majority of Americans now say that truth is up to the individual and that ultimate truth cannot be known. Learning to "speak our own truths" was supposed to lead to dignity and harmony. Instead, our society struggles with unprecedented levels of social conflict, purposelessness, and loss of identity. And still, the "Truth versus truths" tension continues to grow. Is all hope lost? In this inspiring book, Dr. Jeff Myers tells the fascinating stories of Jesus—followers who lived for Truth and transformed their world in times of crisis.

We live in a time when believing in anything or nothing is considered equally "truthful." Many people don't identify with a specific religion, preferring to think of themselves as "spiritual" to avoid seeming intolerant of other beliefs. This has led to some squishy ideas about right and wrong, as well as false teachings infiltrating our churches.

Spiritual warfare is real, and we are all involved whether we like it or not. The Bible plainly tells us that Satan schemes against humanity and that he wants to devour us. Daily we struggle against Satan's strategies and desire to take over God’s kingdom. This battle will not go away, and ignoring it could be disastrous. But don't be afraid. The victory is already won by Christ. No enemy is powerful enough to overcome the risen savior. In this book, Mark Bubeck exposes the reality of the conflict and the hope believers have.

Seasons of Wonder is a plea to view and encounter the divine not in terms of certitude but as a vast, unfolding mystery. Focused on the oft-forgotten idea that mystery and marvel are essential components of faith, each week reveals something to do - an easy activity centered around the wonder of being alive - as well as something to contemplate in conversation.

In Jeremiah Johnson’s timely new book, he presents a compelling vision of the pure and powerful prophetic company God is raising up - and also, boldly addresses areas of the prophetic that have been poisoned. Through clear teaching, practical examples, and personal testimony, Jeremiah offers a compelling vision for the future, where God’s people usher in a pure, New Testament expression of prophecy.

Professor, pastor, and well-known counselor Jay E. Adams bases his whole approach on Scripture. This book provides an unparalleled opportunity to see how he discovers and applies biblical principles as well as the way in which Scripture functions as the basis for his counseling approach.

In Where Is God When It Hurts, Philip Yancey gave us permission to doubt, reasons not to abandon faith, and practical ways to reach out to hurting people. In this sequel, Yancey revisits our cry of "Why, God?" in the wake of increased violence and natural disasters the world over. It's a cry that many of us take up with more urgency each year as we sit stunned by the calamities devastating our world, our communities, and our personal lives.

You can experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit...every day! "Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?" Sadly, there has been much division surrounding this one question. Many believe that the Holy Spirit in-dwells a person at the moment of their conversion. Others contest that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate experience altogether. Apostolic leader, theologian, and healing minister Randy Clark shares about how this controversial and often misunderstood experience can be accessible to all Christians - including you!

The book is a hands-on primer for bringing to life the basic message that Christ brought. In it, Meyer examines what will happen if we each decide that we will refuse to live only for ourselves and love intentionally through action.

Your years in seminary are meant to prepare you for ministry, but it can also be a very challenging time. Many students struggle with the rigorous study and the challenges to their personal and spiritual lives. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary is designed to prepare current and future seminary students for what's ahead.

In the throes of a long illness and confronting the possibility of death, 17th-century theologian Richard Baxter found comfort in the reality of heaven that awaits believers of Christ. During his recovery, Baxter wrote about the afterlife in what would become his best-selling book. The Saints' Everlasting Rest meditates on what Scripture reveals about heaven, helping believers live an abundant, God-honoring life in anticipation of eternal rest. Baxter encourages listeners not to become distracted or discouraged by the temporal as he refocuses their minds on the eternal.

What will God do when you open your life to the Holy Spirit? Christianity is impossible without the Holy Spirit. So why do we talk so little about him? In Spirit Rising, Pastor Jim Cymbala combines biblical insights with stunning stories of the Holy Spirit's work to help you experience God's power in a new way. Nothing will change your prayer life, your church, or your study of God's Word more than opening your heart to the Spirit. So if you want more excitement and joy, come discover a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit moves - and how you can join him.

Lee Strobel’s insights into the benefits of living as a fully devoted follower of Christ are refreshing and powerfully relevant. Using true stories, including his own, he shows that Christianity really works, that we really can live transformed, authentic, and effective lives - and that God’s promises and power are very real and very true.

Did you know that the original biblical languages use several words for heaven and hell that mean different things? Did you know that there are different beliefs about how many heavens and hells there are? Get ready for some surprises! This book will help you set aside your preconceptions and pierce through the myths and misinformation to gain an accurate, truly biblical perspective on heaven and hell.

In You're Going to Be Okay, best-selling author Holley Gerth offers listeners the warmth of a caring friend as well as the wisdom of a licensed counselor and certified life coach. Through positive encouragement and practical insights, she'll show you how it really is possible to live with resilience, strength, and even joy, no matter what life brings. Yes, there will be hurt and hard times, but God wants to help you find ways to survive, grow stronger, and even thrive - no matter what happens.