SPCK Publishing

Who is Jesus Christ?
You've never met Him in person, and you don't know anyone who has. But there is a way to know who he is. How? Jesus Christ - the divine Person revealed in the Bible - has a unique excellence and a spiritual beauty that speaks directly to our souls and says, "Yes, this is truth." It's like seeing the sun and knowing that it is light, or tasting honey and knowing that it is sweet.
The depth and complexity of Jesus shatter our simple mental frameworks. He baffled proud scribes with his wisdom but was understood and loved by children. He calmed a raging storm with a word but would not get himself down from the cross.
Look at the Jesus of the Bible. Keep your eyes open, and fill them with the portrait of Jesus in God's Word. Jesus said, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, He will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." Ask God for the grace to do His will, and you will see the truth of His Son.
John Piper has written this book in the hope that all will see Jesus for who he really is and will come to enjoy him above all else.

When the book of Acts is mentioned, a cluster of issues spring to mind, including speaking in tongues and baptism with the Holy Spirit, church government and practice, and missionary methods and strategies. At the popular level, Acts is more often mined for answers to contemporary debates than heard for its natural inflections. Instead of using Acts as a prooftext, this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume brings a biblical-theological framework to the account to expose Luke's major themes as they relate to the book as a whole. With this framework in place, Alan Thompson argues that Acts is an account of the 'continuing story' of God's saving purposes. Consequently we find that Luke wants to be read in light of the Old Testament promises and the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom. Read in this way as a snapshot of God's dynamic, unfolding kingdom, the book of Acts begins to regain the deep relevance it had in the first century. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

To love one's neighbour messy makes.' So writes Amanda Robbie's father in the poem at the start of this book.

Messy is OK, even in a world gone mad with perfectionism. The author looks at 'messy' in the context of home, family, children, church, community, meals and celebrations. As someone who has lived in eight homes in four cities and one town, spread across three countries, in the course of her married life, she has had to reassess her priorities regularly and work out what really matters in life.

From studying the Scriptures, Amanda has discovered that it's God's grace that matters, not our flawless performance or impressive presentation. In fact - dare we say it? - it's OK to do things imperfectly and even fail. Yes, honestly.

This book will lift the burden of guilt from your sagging shoulders. It will free you up to enjoy serving God, imperfectly by this world's standards, but in a way that pleases our heavenly Father.

'God wants people to become like Christ,' said international preacher, writer and teacher John Stott in a public address at the end of his long life.

Peter Lewis is similarly passionate about the Bible's message - that God has a plan which centres on Jesus and includes each one of us.

In this accessible and helpful book, he focuses on the:

- source of Christlikeness
- model of Christlikenesshelps to Christlikeness
- contradictions of Christlikeness an
- dtriumph of Christlikeness

Here, the reader who wants to become like Christ will find radical - sometimes challenging - teaching, practical wisdom and warm reassurance.

Is Christianity reasonable?

Is it more reasonable to believe that a god exists than not? Is it plausible that such a god would choose to create and communicate with humanity? Can we trust the alleged eyewitness testimony to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?

Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, brings a legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Explaining the rules that courts follow to determine the likelihood of truth, he interrogates key witnesses from throughout history to explore whether it makes sense to accept the Christian world-view or not.

We must choose what is worthy of belief and what is not. Weigh the arguments and decide for yourself.

I was a happy teenager, content with my home, my academic success, my sporting achievements and my friendships. And I stumbled across the greatest friend of all, Jesus Christ. He is the treasure I have come to value above all else.
I was not an emotional cripple looking for a crutch. I was not a romantic looking for a cause. I was not at the bottom of the pile hoping for a leg-up. I was not looking for anything in particular. But I found treasure, and that treasure has utterly transformed my life, my goals, my lifestyle …'
Michael Green shares his passion, reflections, convictions and suggestions from a lifetime of church and university missions, not to mention numerous informal encounters.
A book to provoke, stimulate and inspire, but above all fire up every Christian for the urgent task of evangelism.
Canon Dr Michael Green lectures at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. His many books include Evangelism in the Early Church, I Believe in the Holy Spirit, I'd Like to Believe, But … and Lies, Lies, Lies! He has travelled the world in the cause of the gospel, and has been, amongst other things, a minister, a college principal, an apologist and a radio/TV speaker. He lives with his wife Rosemary in Oxford, UK.

In recent years our knowledge of the individual parts of the Bible has increased greatly, but our understanding of how they fit together has not kept pace. In particular, the relationship between the Old and New Testaments has been a neglected field of study.

The latest in IVP's developing family of New Dictionaries, the 'New Dictionary of Biblical Theology' is an essential tool for students, preachers and ministers, as well as for scholars and others seeking a better grasp of the Bible's teaching.

The aim of this prestigious dictionary is to integrate the various biblical books and themes into the overarching story of the Scriptures. The volume embodies three perspectives on biblical theology, which are reflected in its structure.

This book is about a change in perspective - seeing perfectionism as the problem, rather than the goals or standards themselves. Far from being a little habit that keeps us striving, it is the thing that stops us celebrating anything we might achieve.

We are more wedded to perfectionism than we realise. It is embedded in our culture and bound up in popular self-esteem. Even the Bible's perfect words have been used to drive perfectionism in the church.

The authors offer a fresh perspective on an age-old problem - a helpful blend of accessible theology, psychology and activity to lead us to a place of genuine freedom, gratitude and fulfilment.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14:3 (ESV)

Jesus Christ was very clear: one day He will return, and we must know the signs of the times, remain watchful, and be ready for when He comes again.

In this insightful study, Steve Motyer explores a number of key biblical texts to unpack The Message of the Second Coming. Examining passages from both the Old and New Testaments, he demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the core of the biblical worldview, the climax of the biblical message, the cornerstone of biblical theology and the centrepiece of authentic biblical faith for the twenty-first century.

A new volume in the trusted the Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of the Second Coming offers a clear, cogent and thought-provoking exposition of what the Bible tells us about the second coming of Jesus Christ and how the lessons drawn from that can be applied to modern Christian living.

Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture and its continued relevance today. This volume is also perfect for those preaching on the second coming of Christ and looking for accessible exposition they can draw on for their sermons.

This new edition uses the NIV Bible text and its beautiful cover matches the redesigned editions of existing Bible Speaks Today Commentary.

The Message of the Second Coming is perfect for anyone looking for compelling commentaries will help them better understand the meaning of the second coming of Christ and how it applies to their everyday life.

In his letter Paul gives a complete picture of the gospel - the fullest and grandest in the New Testament. His horizons are vast, taking in time and eternity, the past, present and future of humanity, and the great themes of justification, sanctification and glorification. 

This is the most personally rooted of John Stott's expositions, for he confesses to have re-encountered Paul's letter constantly throughout his Christian life. At the same time, her interacts with other commentators, some of whom are challenging interpretations that are time-honoured and traditional. He sees Romans as a Christian manifesto for our increasingly unstable world, emphasising the good news of freedom through Jesus Christ. 

Paul's vision of this freedom is astonishing. It overcomes ethnic conflict, the darkness of moral guilt, condemnation from God and alienation from others. It is a freedom to serve God and our neighbours in love.

Many Christians ignore the doctrine of the Trinity, assuming it to be irrelevant for daily life. But it is a mystery worth grappling with, because it's central to our beliefs and fundamental to the working out of our faith - the Trinity is the heartbeat of Christianity.
The theme for the 2013 Keswick Convention was The Transforming Trinity: Knowing the Triune God. During the three weeks of Convention we looked at the saving purposes of God the Father, how we can follow the Son and walk in the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. We explored what it means to participate in the mission of the Trinity as individuals and as church communities.
This Year Book includes a selection of talks given during the 2013 Convention: Bible teaching from Charles Price, John Risbridger, Paul Williams, Mike Hill, Paul Mallard, Richard Condie, Rico Tice and Peter Baker which showcases the inexhaustible riches of the Trinity and gives fuel for our faith.
This title is brought to you by Keswick Ministries. Find out more at https://www.keswickministries.org

What will it mean for society if science enables us to choose a future child whose health, athletic ability or intelligence is predetermined? This future is becoming ever more likely with the latest developments in human reproduction - but concerns are growing about the implications.

New procedures making possible heritable genetic modifications such as genome editing open the door to 'sanitized' selective eugenics; but these practices have some unnerving similarities to the discredited eugenic programmes of early twentieth-century regimes. A Christian perspective based on Scripture gives us the resources we urgently need to evaluate both current and future selection practices.

Calum MacKellar offers an accessible, inter-disciplinary analysis, blending science, history and Christian theology. This book will enable you to become fully informed about the new scientific developments in human reproduction - developments that will affect us all.

The Old Testament is full of stories of fascinating couples: couples who live with chronic disappointment; couples who overcome obstacles to be together; a wife who risks death if she walks in on her husband unannounced; and a husband who remains faithful to his wife when she becomes a prostitute.

These studies lead you to dig deeply into the Bible to learn important lessons about marriage, God and yourself.

With more than 130 titles, the LifeBuilder Bible Studies series delivers sound biblical content and raises thought-provoking questions. It provides a unique Bible study experience for individuals and groups.

What should we study next? We have LifeBuilder Bible Studies for...

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS
Parables Acts
Sermon on the Mount Romans
The ‘I Am’ Sayings of Christ 1 Corinthians
The Lord’s Prayer 2 Corinthians
The Jesus Paul Knew Galatians
Seven Letters to Seven Churches Ephesians
Philippians
NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTERS Colossians & Philemon
Paul Thessalonians
Peter Hebrews
The Twelve Disciples 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus
Women of the New Testament James
New Testament Characters 1 & 2 Peter and Jude
John’s Letters
Revelation

Missional ethics is concerned with the way in which the believing community's behaviour is, in and of itself, a witness to the wisdom and goodness of God. The debate surrounding the relationship between word and deed, or evangelism and social action, remains a significant issue within evangelical missiology.

Martin Salter seeks to address one aspect of that debate - namely, the missional significance of ethics - by conducting detailed exegesis of key biblical texts. He argues that biblical ethics is neither entirely separate from, nor merely preparatory for, mission - rather, it is an integral part of the church's mission.

Missional ethics is a theme that arises from the biblical texts and is not imposed on them. The church as both organism and institution embody a missional ethic that includes worship, justice, and charity. Word and deed belong together as an integral whole. Salter's valuable study concludes by offering a definition of missional ethics.

Why do you believe that Christianity is true?The best reason is Jesus himself.

In these eight studies on passages from the Gospels of Mark and Luke, James W. Sire invites you to meet the unique Jesus by digging deep into the Bible. You’ll discover what Jesus said and did. You’ll also be encouraged to decide what place Jesus has in your life today.

This revised LifeBuilder Bible Study features additional questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, together with expanded leader’s notes and a ‘Now or Later’ section in each study.

Forty pilot whales lie stranded on Darlington Beach, Tasmania. Marine conservation biologist Andrew Irvine knows he must act fast...

The Bible teaches that as the whale was made for the ocean, men and women were made for God. Our relationship with him is the environment in which we are free to be fully human.

Author Mike Cain unpacks Jesus' claims in John's Gospel and shows us why they cannot be ignored: sin, forgiveness and restoration affect us personally. With humour, originality, passion and sensitivity, Mike asks us to look again at Jesus: the real-life version, not the caricature.

This is a heartfelt appeal from one whose own life has been transformed.

The stories of Samuel, Saul and David are among the most memorable in the Old Testament. Yet the lives of these individuals are bound up in the larger story of God's purpose for his people.

Looking beyond the well-known surface of these stories, Joyce Baldwin explores the meaning of the biblical history of Israel's vital transition from a confederation of tribes to nationhood under a king.

This commentary provides an excellent introduction to the critical issues of authorship, date, composition and structure of Samuel, as well as an able discussion of its theological themes.

This classic commentary has been completely retypeset and presented in a fresh, vibrant new large paperback format, with new global branding.

Apologetics, philosophy, archaeology and science are hot topics among Christians. Confident Christianity provides a one-stop shop for anyone wishing to engage thoughtfully and convincingly with these subjects.
Chris Sinkinson does the church a real service by bringing together such a range of material under one heading in an accessible manner. The result is both enlightening and heart-warming.
This book will not only equip you to evangelize - it will fire you up.

Why does a good God allow innocent suffering? Why does a just God act unfairly? Why does a sovereign God let disease and evil run rampant?
These are not questions asked from the onlooker's armchair, nor from the academic's desk, but from the anguish of the sickbed and the frustration of the wheelchair. The problem of pain is considered with the heart as well as the head.
Christopher Ash leads us through the biblical story of Job as we wrestle with these questions today. He honestly explores the lonely and cruel nature of suffering and whether God can be found in the midst of it. He exposes the shortcomings of Job's friends who deny the possibility of innocent suffering, and are unaware of the roles that Satan, the fall and the cross have to play. With compassion and clarity he takes the reader through Job's long debate with God - towards a humbling and hopeful resolution.

What's gone wrong with the church?

If you've been feeling that something vital has gone missing from our spiritual lives, you're not alone. But from scandals involving celebrity preachers, to busy programmes that have little sense of God and struggling to find time to pray, what is it that lies behind the church is crisis? Is it possible that we've forgotten to put Jesus at the centre of everything? And if so, what can do we about it?

In Smuggling Jesus Back into Church Andrew Fellows shows us with a sharp eye how secularism has reshaped church culture, changing the way many Christians and churches live and worship without being noticed. Both provocative and practical, he challenges us to live with radical Christ-like distinctiveness - distinctiveness that requires both reformation by the church and revival by the Holy Spirit.

Timely and prophetic, Smuggling Jesus Back into Church is essential reading for anyone concerned about the effects of secularism on Christianity and modern church culture, or for anyone who struggles with Church and wants to understand why. Filled with passion and vision, it will point you back towards Jesus and revitalise your understanding of what Christian discipleship should be.

It's time to remember what lies at the heart of our faith. It’s time to smuggle Jesus back into church and back into the centre of our lives.

So how do we make good decisions? When does the Bible guide us, and when should we just use our common sense or talk things through with friends and family?

Using his huge experience and pastoral heart, Paul Mallard comes right alongside us in Invest Your Future to help us practice spiritual discernment. He shows us where to find wisdom and how it works in God's economy. He helps us find the balance in what is, for many of us, a constant challenge. He teaches us how to understand God’s purpose, so we can see what are the truly important factors in making our decisions.

You don't have to spend your life in indecision, confusion, guilt or regret. Drawing on examples from Scripture as well as from life, Invest Your Future shows how you can cultivate spiritual discernment in order to grow in maturity and wisdom, and know where to turn for guidance when making decisions.

If you have ever questioned how to make good decisions, or find yourself worrying and second-guessing your choices, this is the book for you. Compassionate and grounded, Invest Your Future will leave you more confident in your own and in God’s wisdom, so that you can make sure-footed, stress-free choices in the future.

We live in interesting times. The Gospel hasn't changed, but the recent explosion of new presentations and differing emphases means that the Church needs to return to the teachings of Jesus, considered in the light of the whole counsel of God.

Tim Patrick presents a clear articulation of the gospel message, drawn from the pages of the Bible, consistent with the major topics of Christian theology.

Carefully engaging with the latest scholarship in cultural, biblical and theological conversations, Patrick shows how the Gospel is the nexus between theology and ministry. He challenges overly pragmatic approaches and encourages us to see the practical importance of Christian doctrine.

Balancing careful biblical theology with effective and practical ministry ideas, Tim Patrick invites leaders, disciples and thoughtful Christian readers to consider how the Gospel continues to offer clarity in a complex world.

This dictionary breaks new ground by combining articles on Christian ethics and pastoral theology in one volume. It seeks to integrate moral, pastoral and practical theology in a way not attempted before in a single work of reference.
Instead of the usual A-Z listing throughout, it is arranged in two parts. Part One consists of eighteen extended articles, arranged in theological order, introducing users to the main themes of Christian ethics and pastoral theology. Part Two contains articles, alphabetically arranged, which stem from the main themes. An easy-to-use reference system enables quick transition from the first to the second part and vice versa.
Articles address a wide range of topics: reproductive technologies and transplant surgery, health and health care; issues of economic and social justice; prison and prison reform; psychotherapy and family therapy; business ethics and data protection; as well as such traditional subjects as atonement, the kingdom of God, suffering, death and dying, and heaven and hell.
This dictionary will therefore appeal to many groups: pastors, counsellors, medical practitioners, people employed in the caring services, Christians in professional or commercial life, and indeed to all who want to live out their faith meaningfully and ethically in today's complex and challenging world.
Its spacious layout, superb design and clear print make this volume a delight to use, and its carefully drawn-up bibliographies will help readers to deepen their knowledge of particular subject.

What we know and what we do are crucial, but so too is who we are. God wants to shape our hearts. The gospel is God's means of transforming our hearts. It produces love, godly fear, joy, peace, humility, confidence, thankfulness, contentment and hope. With gospel surgery, we can 'cultivate life on the inside'.
Yes, it's radical and often painful, but the author speaks with the heart of a pastor as well as the mind of a 'heart surgeon'. He speaks from a position of humility and personal experience. This is a liberating book that enables us to be all we are meant to be in Christ. Its teaching will change your life.

Your relationship with God is just a psychological crutch. Belief in God is dangerous. I used to believe, but I've given it all up.

Is God real? Is it possible to know anything, let alone know him? Why do bad things happen to people who worship this God? What about the spiritual experiences of other faiths?

All of these accusations, objections and questions have come directly from real-life situations.

Amy Orr-Ewing writes, 'I hope that the thoughts offered here will help you see what the Christian faith has to say amid all the pain, confusion and complexity of life.'

The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels is unique among reference books on the Bible, the first volume of its kind since James Hastings published his Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels in 1909. 

In the more than eight decades since Hastings, our understanding of Jesus, the Evangelists and their world has grown remarkably. New interpretive methods illumined the text, the ever-changing profile of modern culture has put new questions to the Gospels, and our understanding of the Judaism of Jesus's day has advanced in ways that could not have been predicted in Hastings's day. But for many readers of the Gospels the new outlook on the Gospels remains hidden within technical journals and academic monographs.

The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels bridges the gap between scholars and those pastors, teachers, students and lay people desiring in-depth treatment of select topics in an accessible and summary format. The topics range from cross-sectional themes (such as faith, law, Sabbath) to methods of interpretation (such as form criticism, redaction criticism, sociological approaches), from key events (such as the birth, temptation and death of Jesus) to each of the four Gospels as a whole. Some articles - such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, rabbinic traditions and revolutionary movements at the time of Jesus - provide significant background information to the Gospels. Others reflect recent and less familiar issues in Jesus and Gospel studies, such as divine man, ancient rhetoric and the chreiai.

Contemporary concerns of general interest are discusses in articles covering such topics as healing, the demonic and the historical reliability of the Gospels. And for those entrusted with communicating the message of the Gospels, there is an extensive article on preaching from the Gospels.

The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels presents the fruit of evangelical New Testament scholarship at the end of the twentieth century - committed to the authority of Scripture, utilising the best of critical methods, and maintaining dialog with contemporary scholarship and challenges facing the church.

Day one in the new job. You're keen, you're nervous and your new shoes are pinching. Will you get there on time? Will you fit in? And will you be competent - or clueless?

Many start their first job with three great hopes: a brand new status, a salary and loads of job satisfaction. Some even plan to shine for Jesus in their workplace.

But all too often the pressures of work life cause even the keenest Christians to wilt.

Jago Wynne believes with a passion that people can flourish in their work and keep their faith intact, if properly prepared. With humour, insight and real-life stories he equips readers both to negotiate the first few months and to continue wholeheartedly with Jesus at work - for an entire working life.

Love - such a deceptively simple and popular little word.

It is universally agreed that we need love to live and flourish as human beings; and yet, within our contemporary culture, there are numerous confusing, competing and evolving ideas about what 'love' is.

There are few greater subjects in Christian theology than love, yet it is a surprisingly complex and challenging concept to understand, let alone live out faithfully. Patrick Mitchel's conviction is that Christians need to be thinking about, and practising, love in compelling and authentic ways. Our task is not only to articulate what love is, but also to show to the world what true Christian love looks like in practice.

'The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love' (Gal. 5:6 NIV).

Mitchel's exposition explores love in the Old Testament, how the love of God is supremely revealed in the mission and death of Jesus Christ, love in the life and teaching of Jesus and the church's calling to be a community of love. He helps us to grasp afresh the breadth, depth, scope and radically counter-cultural nature of the Bible's teaching on love.

With a fully integrated study guide, suitable for both individuals and groups, The Message of Love will help you to see how the Bible's unified teaching on this vital theme can impact your life today.

The 'Dictionary of New Testament Background' joins the 'Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels', the 'Dictionary of Paul and his Letters' and the 'Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments' as the fourth in a landmark series of reference works on the Bible.

In a time when our knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean world has grown, this volume sets out for readers the wealth of Jewish and Greco-Roman background that should inform our reading and understanding of the New Testament and early Christianity.

'The Dictionary of New Testament Background', takes full advantage of the flourishing study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and offers individual articles focused on the most important scrolls. In addition, the Dictionary encompasses the fullness of second-temple Jewish writings, whether pseudepigraphic, rabbinic, parables, proverbs, histories or inscriptions. Articles abound on aspects of Jewish life and thought, including family, purity, liturgy and messianism. The full scope of Greco-Roman culture is displayed in articles ranging across language and rhetoric, literacy and book benefactors, travel and trade, intellectual movements and ideas, and ancient geographical perspectives.

No other reference work presents so much in one place for students of the New Testament. Here an entire library of scholarship is made available in summary form. The Dictionary of New Testament Background can stand alone, or work in concert with one or more of its companion volumes in the series. Written by acknowledged experts in their fields, this wealth of knowledge of the New Testament era is carefully aimed at the needs of contemporary students of the New Testament. In addition, its full bibliographies and cross-references to other volumes in the series will make it the first book to reach for in any investigation of the New Testament in its ancient setting.

The great commission - 'Go and make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you' - is far more long term and life consuming than we might imagine. It is more involved, more complex and more costly than we would like. It requires a broader appreciation of others' backgrounds and a deeper commitment to personal relationship. It demands that we live authentically, flexibly and humbly.
And yet it is a great privilege - living where God has placed us, we step out of our home-made security and pass on the good news to those with whom we live and work.
This book will help you step beyond your own familiarity with the Bible, church, doctrine, prayer and Christian jargon, and reach out to those for whom these things are completely foreign. Graham Orr's years of experience leading a church in urban Tokyo - one of the toughest places to do evangelism - have given him deep insight into how to reach those who have no knowledge of, or interest in, Christianity. Designed for those with busy urban lives, this book is full of stories, biblical insights, and ideas to put into practice.
Because sharing our faith is an incredible privilege, and Jesus promised, 'I will be with you to the end of the age.'

In the book of Acts, we see the church unleashed on society to make God’s kingdom known. Thousands came to faith, signs and wonders inspired awe, and the church was radically united together for God’s work. But we also see the tensions of the early church – struggles over belief and holiness, leadership and unity. 2000 years later, how can we learn from Acts to be the church unleashed? These seven studies explore different aspects of the church seen in Acts and applies them for the church today as we work out our mission in the world.

Specially designed for small groups and individuals based on the theme of Spring Harvest 2020, this workbook contains material for seven sessions, all of which help small groups engage with the Scriptures and apply them to daily life. Each study includes Bible passages, key thoughts and comments, questions to reflect upon or discuss, action points and prayer guidance.

'On each occasion I have been impressed afresh by the timeliness for today of what the apostle writes, especially for young Christian leaders. For our era is one of theological and moral confusion, even of apostasy. And the apostle summons us, as he summoned Timothy, to be strong, brave and steadfast.'

On the Day of Pentecost, when the apostle Peter addressed the crowd, the people were 'cut to the heart' and asked how they should respond to what they had just heard (Acts 2:37). According to the letter to the Hebrews, 'the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart' (Heb. 4:12).

However, while God's Word is sharp, teachers and preachers of the Bible can too easily make it blunt. The Word is fresh, but it can be made stale. The Word is living, but it can be stifled. As a result, our practice does not 'cut to the heart' and transform lives in the way that it should.

Chris Green has observed that while there is an enormous range of contemporary resources on teaching and preaching the Bible, from the complex issues of hermeneutics, through careful exegetical practice, to debates about style and communication, there are far fewer on the issue of application, and what God intends to do through his inspired Word. So he seeks to place something at that point of study and preparation, to encourage further reflection.

We need to find out more about how the Bible says people are to change to become more Christ-like; we need to go back to the Bible and discover what it says about what it is for.

The issues touched by 'application' range deep and wide. Green's focus is on personal and corporate application to Christians, and his exploration is structured under six questions. Why has God given us a relevant Bible? How is the Bible supposed to be relevant? How does the Bible apply the Bible? How does it address the heart, engage our attention and apply to different kinds of people?

All teachers and preachers of the living and active Word of God will benefit from Green's distinctive and accessible study of principles, patterns and parameters for application.

‘These notes from Paul Mallard provide a brilliantly accessible resource that will profit believers at any stage of their Christian lives.’ Steve Midgley, Senior Minister, Christ Church, Cambridge, and Executive Director, Biblical Counselling UK

Does the church have a future? Across the generations troubled Christians have often asked this question.

Even as early as the end of the first century the future of the church hung in the balance. False teaching, internal division and persecution were rife. You can imagine John, pacing up and down the island at night, looking across the sea to the cities on the shore, wondering, ‘Does the church have a future?’

Into this situation the Lord comes and makes these glorious revelations. He gives John this vision and tells him to write to the seven churches of Asia Minor, in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, in what is now called Turkey.

To each of these churches Jesus says, ‘I know… I know your hopes and dreams, your faults and failings, your joys and sorrows, your temptations and frustrations.’ Jesus knew each church, and so he could speak wisely and truthfully into each circumstance. He said some hard things to shake the believers out of their apathy. He also spoke words of comfort. The letter ends by pointing the believers to heaven, a reminder that despite their present struggles, ultimately they are on the victory side.

Today the church still faces internal division, opposition and persecution. It is understandable that some believers ask, ‘Does the church have a future?’

The answer is the same as it always has been.

Absolutely.

Whatever we know about the New Testament, and however much we have studied it, it only has real value as its truths are proclaimed so that our lives are transformed, as God himself speaks and acts.
The New Testament writers were very interested in conveying their message persuasively, and this volume addresses the question of how we should preach from the New Testament in a way that is faithful to the text. The chapters cover the main texts and genres, along with the infancy narratives, parables, miracles, the Sermon on the Mount, ethics, future hope and judgment, archaeology and history, hermeneutics, and the 'New Homiletic'.
The aim is to offer insights into how to interpret, communicate and apply the New Testament, for today's preachers and Bible teachers who seek to 'proclaim the Word of life' (1 John 1:1).
The contributors are respected scholars who are also active in preaching: Charles Anderson, D. A. Carson, the late R. T. France, Justin Hardin, Mariam Kamell, I. Howard Marshall, Jason Maston, John Nolland, Peter Oakes, William Olhausen, Klyne Snodgrass, Helge Stadelmann, Christoph Stenschke, Stephen Travis, David Wenham, Paul Weston and Stephen Wright.

Imagine someone with a mind so healthy that he doesn't need to see a psychiatrist. Ever.

Yet that person runs the gauntlet of taunting, mockery and false accusations. People turn against him. Friends disown and desert him. He stands alone.

Amazingly, two thousand years after his death, the taunts still fly. Films and books appear with fresh accusations and oh-so-convincing arguments.

How can this man be discredited and silenced for once and for all? More to the point, can he?

As psychiatrists, we need to speak up. Enough is enough.

Shadow us as we examine what we believe to be the most fascinating mind in all of history.

Dare you imagine a different reality? And what will this mean in practice?

Jesus had greater influence than any other person who ever lived. Yet atheistic detractors often portray him as insane or deranged. Claims gather momentum. Often they are left unchallenged.

Is there any basis for such claims? The authors, respected psychiatrists, consider Jesus's words, actions and teaching, and use fascinating insights from psychiatry to make an assessment.

We need confidence to weigh up the evidence and reach robust conclusions. The authors enable us to articulate a strong defence of Jesus's mental health. They help us dispel doubts, affirm our faith and present a captivating portrait of Jesus.

Foreword by John Lennox
Part 1 Showing that Jesus was not mentally ill
1 The mind of Christ through a psychiatrist's eye
2 Out of his mind - was Jesus psychotic?
3 A man of sorrows - did Jesus suffer from any other mental disorder?
Part 2 Showing that Jesus had a health mind, proved by the coherence of his words and deeds
4 The test of his character - and the crowds were amazed
5 The test of a consistent life - what evil has he done? I find no crime in him
6 The test of meaningful relationships - encounters that transformed lives
7 The test of adversity - lessons without words in suffering
8 The test of influence - his power to change people
Epilogue The test of his claims - who do you say I am?

If only this book weren't needed. If only men and women didn't beat their partners. If only spouses didn't cruelly manipulate and control. If only people didn't bully elderly relatives...

Most incidents go under the radar, and it is estimated that only around a third come to the attention of the police.

This book goes right to the heart of the matter: the human heart. We see how to walk with sufferers and apply the Bible to everyday-life situations. We learn how to do 'one anothering' in our churches and communities.

While offering practical help, the author focuses strongly on lasting solutions that are achieved only through God's power.

The Old Testament book of Daniel contains well-known stories: Daniel in the den of lions, his three companions in a fiery furnace, and the strange handwriting on the wall at Belshazzar's feast, which struck terror in the heart of the Babylonian king. However, this book can be difficult to understand. Along with stories about Judean exiles working in the court of pagan kings, it also consists of Daniel's enigmatic visions and prophecies about the future. It is written in two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic, and the language division does not match the subject division.

Therefore, Dale Ralph Davis explores the book's background, discusses significant interpretative issues and problems, and offers a lively exposition of Daniel's message, which may be summed up in the words of Jesus: 'the end is not yet... but the one who endures to the end will be saved' (Mark 13:7, 13).

The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture. These revised editions are redesigned inside and out and have been sensitively updated with contemporary language and Bible translations to help you follow, study and teach the Bible in today's world.

The 'Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books' is the second volume in IVP's Old Testament dictionary series.

This volume picks up where the 'Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch' left off - with Joshua and Israel poised to enter the land - and carries us through the postexilic period. Following in the tradition of the four award-winning IVP dictionaries focused on the New Testament, this encyclopedic work is characterized by in-depth articles focused on key topics, many of them written by noted experts.

The history of Israel forms the skeletal structure of the Old Testament. Understanding this history and the biblical books that trace it is essential to comprehending the Bible. The 'Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books' is the only reference book focused exclusively on these biblical books and the history of Israel.

'A lovely invitation to bring "a smile to God's face".' Tim Chester

How can we live for a higher purpose and pleasure in both this life and the next.

That is the subject of this short but thought-provoking book, which traces the theme of "pleasing God" through the whole Bible, with Jesus at its centre, along with saints through the ages who have explored the same practical question. Whether read as a weekly Lent study, or at any time of year, Lee Gatiss offers a sure-footed and warm-hearted guide.

This book will help you grasp the Bible's teaching on the subject of living to please God, as well as reveal how the Old and New Testaments fit together around that theme. Drawing deeply on the wells of the past, you will be inspired and equipped to live to please God in daily life.

'A beautiful picture of the God-pleasing life.' Donald John Maclean

'A great read for anyone seeking happiness...' Vuyani Sindo

... in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28)

The Puritans used to say that 'providence is the last refuge of the saints'. Melvin Tinker's personal experience and work as a pastor have led him to believe that the doctrine of God's providence should be amongst the first refuges for the Christian seeking strength and comfort.

From the early church right through into the nineteenth century, belief in providence was part of the staple diet of professing Christians. For various reasons, the doctrine was eclipsed in the twentieth century, and still lies on the edges of much Christian thought and practice today. However, rightly understood, the providence of God shines as a glorious jewel in the crown of the Christian faith.

Melvin Tinker's exploration and exposition of some of the wonderful facets of that jewel is both pastoral and practical.

Ezekiel ben Buzi would never forget his 30th birthday.

He had been trained as a priest and brought up to believe that at this age his life's work would begin. For years he had anticipated this moment when he would be ordained and eligible to serve in the temple.

But instead of being in Jerusalem, he was a captive in Babylon.

Instead of being a priest, he was called by God to be a prophet. Instead of serving in the temple, he was surrounded by a plethora of pagan gods.

But on his 30th birthday, he received a vision from God... This timely vision confronted the Jews with their sinfulness and the necessity of divine judgement. It also reminded them of God's sovereignty and the promise of future restoration.

Our lives, like Ezekiel's, may have turned out differently from how we had expected they would. Can we keep on serving God in turbulent times, trusting God's sovereignty and striving for holiness with the Holy Spirit's help and power?

The Bible is one book, not two separate testaments; so the Old Testament is essential for understanding the New.

In this stimulating book on the Old Testament background to Christ, Alec Motyer shows how Jesus is the king expected, who brings in the kingdom looked for in the Old Testament; is both the image and the Word of God; conquers sin and death, and brings the disordered creation to its prefect consummation.

To neglect the Old Testament, the author maintains, is to have an impoverished view of the glory of Christ.

The Christmas story is full of journeys.

• Joseph and Mary make their way to Bethlehem 
• Wise men eagerly follow a new star in the night sky 
• The God of heaven comes to Earth as 'God with us'... perhaps the most wonderous journey of all.

In this 25-day Advent devotional, Catherine Campbell invites you to take your own journey through the Christmas season.

Featuring Catherine's trademark blend of immersive biblical retellings, thought-provoking devotionals and warm encouragements to meet God in prayer, Journey With Me Through Christmas will take you beyond the shiny Christmas decorations and lead you to Jesus. 

In this thorough introduction and commentary to both letters, Osvaldo Padilla sets them in their distinct context of Paul's later ministry and draws out their pastoral wisdom. With thoughtful, applied commentary he shows how the lessons Paul imparts to Timothy and Titus are still relevant to us today and how we can learn from them in our own walk with Christ.

A new volume in the Tyndale New Testament commentary series, The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary examines the text section-by-section – exploring the historical background in which the letters to Timothy and Titus were written, providing a detailed commentary on their content, and then unpacking their theology. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of what the pastoral epistles say and how they are structured, as well as a better understanding of their meaning for both the original recipients and modern Christians.

The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are ideal bible commentaries for students and teachers of theology, as well as being an excellent resource for preachers and individual Christians looking to broaden their knowledge and explore the riches of Scripture more deeply.

Clear and compelling, Osvaldo Padilla’s introduction to Timothy and Titus will give anyone looking for comprehensive but accessible commentaries on the pastoral epistles a renewed appreciation for the wisdom in these two letters and what they can teach us.

Thirty-five of John Stott's friends open their hearts and share significant memories of a unique man, mentor, speaker and author, creating a vivid gallery of very personal portraits from around the globe.

From 'Wumby Dumby', the special uncle and godfather, to the Revd Dr John Stott, international Christian statesman, this tribute contains a rich bank of memories, representing a key period in twentieth-century British evangelicalism. The human John Stott is very much in evidence also, for example in stories from the author's bird-watching exploits and relaxed holidays at his beloved Welsh home.

Many brush strokes, one portrait, this presents a compelling and multi-faceted image of a fascinating Christian leader.

[Contains coloured art sections x 2 with a unique collection of photos, both formal and informal.]

The question of suffering is one of the greatest hurdles to Christian faith. When believers respond to the question of why there is suffering in the world, they often turn to the free-will defence. This states that humans make choices for good or ill that can bring about suffering in the lives of others. However, that doesn't explain why children die of cancer, or why the latest earthquakes, tsunamis or pandemics have been so destructive. These seem to happen not because of our choices, but in spite of them. So how do we make sense of these events?

Dr. Sharon Dirckx blends argument, science and first-person narrative in this unique book, weaving answers to real questions with compassion and empathy, while also acknowledging the element of mystery we will always live with while on earth.

Dr Dirckx addresses topics such as:
If God exists, why would he make a world with earthquakes and tsunamis?
Why is there so much suffering in a natural disaster?
Are natural disasters God's judgement?
Is my illness a punishment from God?
What kind of God would allow natural disasters and diseases?

If you have ever struggled to reconcile the idea of a loving God with all the pain in our world, this book will encourage you that belief in such a God is not as unreasonable as it may seem. In fact, it may be where God is revealed most profoundly.

We don't approach a novel in the same way we tackle an insurance form. We don't read an bank statement in the same way that we read poetry. So we shouldn't read the 66 different books of the Bible in the same way. Story, song, law, letters and more, all make up the rich repository of writing that is God's words to us. The Gateway Seven series selects books that each represent a different kind of writing.

This study of 1 Peter is a guide written to people whose context he understood well and with which we can resonate today. Through his encouragement, challenge, insight and knowledge of God - we will gain confidence to live well for Christ in our complex world, on our everyday frontlines.

Is that what life is? A wisp of vapour, a puff of wind, a mere breath - nothing you can get your hands on - the nearest thing to zero? So says the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes. But is this the whole message of Ecclesiastes?

With imagination and clarity Derek Kidner introduces this Old Testament book which speaks so powerfully to our generation. His love of Hebrew poetry and his understanding of the biblical mind shine through in his careful passage-by-passage exposition.

The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture. These revised editions are updated with contemporary language and Bible translations to help you to follow and to teach the Bible in today's world.

Do you long for a closer, deeper walk with God? Would you like to know more about what the Bible says about spiritual intimacy?

We say we know about God's love in our heads, but has it really percolated through to our hearts?

The Bible employs the metaphor of Christ, the Lover, and believers, his beloved. Yet this rich relationship potential is relatively unexplored in modern popular books, and we are the poorer for it.

Using Song of Songs and other Bible sources, the author explores the dynamics of our relationship. We come to understand more fully what it is for Christ to love us and for us to love him.

This portrayal of the living dynamics of a believer's relationship with Christ cannot fail to transform our devotional life profoundly.

Strident New Atheists who seek to disprove God make historical attacks on the New Testament Gospels as a major part of their strategy. According to the late Christopher Hitchens, in God Is Not Great, 'The case for biblical consistency or authenticity or "inspiration" has been in tatters for some time, and the rents and tears only become more obvious with better research, and thus no "revelation" can be derived from that quarter.'

In responding to Hitchens and others, Paul Barnett concedes that their instincts are correct: destroy the credibility of the Gospels and you destroy the credibility of Jesus and thus the credibility of God and the structure of Christian belief. The issue of 'gospel truth', that is, of the Gospels' historical truth, is of critical importance.

Barnett surveys the main issues and questions, offering historical arguments in response to the critics and sceptics: New Testament dating and history, hostile witnesses to Jesus, his immediate impact, wider world history, archaeology, contradictions in the Gospels, the stories of Jesus' birth, miracles, the resurrection of Jesus, and other 'gospel' texts. He concludes with a clear affirmation of true and trustworthy revelation from God in the Gospels and in the person of Jesus Christ.

This helpful, accessible volume will be of lasting value to all with an interest in the issues and debates.

Contemporary culture, John Stott points out, is being overtaken and submerged by relativism and pluralism - an attitude that all so-called 'truth' in fact can make no demand that others be converted to its particular view.

The apostle's unambiguous commitment to the definite truth of the gospel is in stark contrast to the contemporary spirit, and his concern for its future needs to grip us today.

No other prophetic book rivals Isaiah's clear message, powerful imagery and confident hope in God's future deliverance.

His vision of God's glory and holiness in chapter 6 permeates the whole book, and he never tires of correcting misplaced faith in power or false gods. While many scholars divide the book with the gap of about 150 years between chapters 39 and 40, Wegner highlights the unified message of the book with its three Introductions (Isa. 1:1; 2:1; 13:1) paired with its three refrains (Isa. 48:22; 57:21; 66:24): the whole book illuminates God's glorious plan for his people.

The Tyndale Commentaries are designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting, and purpose. Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Additional Notes provide fuller discussion of particular difficulties.

In the new Old Testament volumes, the commentary on each section of the text is structured under three headings: Context, Comment, and Meaning. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain.

And what is a twenty-first century reader to do with living creatures, locusts like horses, seven bowls of wrath, war in heaven, various beasts and a dragon? 

Michael Wilcock maintains that when God's words, declarations, arguments and reasonings had all been spoken, God gave the church a 'gorgeous picture book'. He lifts the curtain on Revelation's drama in eight scenes, helping our imaginations as well as our minds grasp the key concepts of this fascinating and enigmatic New Testament book.

As Christians we should be the most grateful people alive. After all, doesn't the Bible encourage thankfulness and condemn grumbling?

Peter Maiden traces the theme of thanksgiving in Scripture, and shows how we can genuinely live counter-cultural lives even in an age of rampant entitlement. With a pastoral heart, he explains how gratitude is the key to joyful, consistent Christian living, discipleship and mission involvement. He focuses on:

• how we can develop the habit of thanksgiving
• the benefits of gratitude
• how we can be grateful, even in hard times

Each chapter unpacks biblical truth and grounds it with practical application and personal illustrations. A series of short Bible study questions and reflections (mostly on the Psalms) conclude the chapters.

As he was writing this book, poignantly and to his great shock, the author learned that he was suffering from incurable cancer. Far from derailing his message, this unwelcome news energised his efforts as he poured out his vision on the page with his now-limited resources. This is authenticity at its best. This book will be the author's last.

The heart of the biblical understanding of idolatry, argues Gregory Beale, is that we take on the characteristics of what we worship.

Employing Isaiah 6 as his interpretive lens, Beale demonstrates that this understanding of idolatry permeates the whole canon, from Genesis to Revelation. Beale concludes with an application of the biblical notion of idolatry to the challenges of contemporary life.

Today the language of mission is in disarray. Where do the language and idea of 'mission' come from? Do they truly have precedence in the early centuries of the church? Michael Stroope investigates these questions and shows how the language of mission is a modern phenomenon that shaped a 'grand narrative' of mission. He then offers a way forward.

Prologue
Acknowledgements
Introduction: the enigma of mission

Part 1: Justifying mission
1. Partisans and apologists
2. Reading Scripture as mission
3. Presenting history as mission
4. Rhetoric and trope

Part 2: Innovating mission
5. Holy conquest
6. Latin occupation
7. Mission vow
8. Ignatian mission

Part 3: Revising mission
9. Protestant reception
10. Missionary problems

Epilogue: towards pilgrim witness
Works cited

Something remarkable is happening across the Middle East. A counter-cultural gospel movement is growing disciples of Jesus deep within the heartland of Islam.

Starting in Iran, a radical form of evangelism and discipleship, predominantly led by brand new believers, has begun to spread across Muslim majority nations. Author Phil Moore shares the first-hand stories of these courageous Middle Eastern Christians and compares them to the words of Jesus to his seventy-two disciples in Luke 10. The striking similarities between their experiences show how this spectacular move of God relies on the same instruction, and Spirit, as the first followers of Jesus.

And it does not stop there. Phil goes on to share how this gospel movement is now spreading across Europe and North America. If you long to see new believers coming to faith in the secular post-Christian West too, then let the testimonies in The Forgotten Manifesto of Jesus show you that with God all things are possible.