SPCK Publishing

Do you say 'yes' to requests when really you mean to say 'no'- Do you feel permanently trapped by your 24/7 lifestyle?

While offering practical help to busy Christians, Tim Chester also opts for root-and-branch treatment: you need to deal radically with the things that are driving you.

If you're busy because of the following:

'I need to prove myself'
'Otherwise things get out of control'
'I like the pressure/money'

think again!

At the root of our 'slavery' are serious misunderstandings, often reinforced by our culture. If we want to be free, then we need to counteract them with God's word. It's important to manage our time, but it's more important to manage our hearts.

God has promised his rest to all who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). It's up to us to accept it.

Most of us are on the lookout for something fresh and different as we approach Advent and Christmas.

How can we fully appreciate the familiar truths, treasuring yet again the good news and joy of the season? What will really make our hearts sing? Look no further.

In this sure-footed, yet conversational and down-to-earth, little volume, William Philip looks at the 'songs' of key characters in the Christmas story:

• Elizabeth (joy for the hearers)
• Mary (joy for the humble)
• Zechariah (joy for the helpless)
• The Shepherds (joy for the heavens)
• Simeon and Anna (joy for the hopeful)

This is a book to engage heart and head, as it moves between key passages from Luke’s Gospel, from the song of the heavily pregnant to the song of a humble peasant, from the song of the helpless priest to the song of the heavenly proclaimers, and finally to the song of the hopeful 'pensioners'.

The author concludes, 'Countless people throughout the centuries have… joined the chorus of praise and proclamation, singing the song of the Saviour with Simeon and Anna, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and all the host of heaven. My hope is that your voice is already part of that wonderful refrain. But if not, then my prayer is that this Christmas is the time to do what these others have done and embrace the Saviour for yourself.'

'Takes the reader, with accuracy and deep devotion, from these wonderful songs of Scripture, to know, with new adoration, the Christ who was born' - Peter Dickson

'Inspiring and informative... Written not just for those who have found their Christian faith, but also for those who are still seeking and exploring. A great read for Advent.' - Clare Hendry

'A wonderful exploration of the Bible's own "Christmas carols". Saints, sceptics, seekers and Scrooges will find fuel here to warm the heart.' - Jonty Rhodes

'The cardiologist (or physician) who became a pastor has written a book to make our hearts sing... It has something striking in it for preachers, congregations and visitors alike.' - Rico Tice

Chock-full of pithy sayings, the book of Proverbs presents ancient Israelite advice for leading a flourishing life. What is more, it apparently preserves four divisions of an ancient curriculum for cultivating youthful character, teaching reverence toward God and faithful love of our neighbours.

In this comprehensive commentary, Paul Overland examines Proverbs not as a loose collection of isolated sayings, but as an organised whole that forms a series of cohesive poems. Along with a fresh, annotated translation of each saying, he offers detailed commentary on the form and structure of the text, showing the dynamic development of persuasive thinking marshalled by its author.

Exploring the practical implications for living wisely today as well offering cogent analysis, this is a Bible commentary on Proverbs that will benefit all preachers and serious students of the Bible.

Part of the Apollos Old Testament commentary series, Proverbs follows a clear, helpful structure that provides a thorough exploration of the text – beginning with translation and notes, examining form and structure, offering insightful commentary and ending with a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology. It will leave you with a deeper knowledge of the divine and human aspects of Scripture, as well as a broader understanding of its meaning and continued relevance for modern Christians.

The Apollos Old Testament Commentaries are ideal bible commentaries for those preaching from the Old Testament and looking to explore its riches in depth within their sermons, and will also help lay people and scholars studying the Bible at a higher level.

Clear and discerning, Paul Overland's commentary on Proverbs is a brilliant study that will give you a profound appreciation for both the poetry of these sayings and the lessons that they can still Christians today.

God speaks. By his Spirit. Through the Bible. About his Son.

This is one of the most crucial things for any Christian to get to grips with. If we understand how God speaks, then we can truly know him. Everything else slots into place. We see Jesus clearly. We fall in love with him more deeply. We make sense of our world. But get this wrong and we lose it all.

This book covers the whole sweep of the subject from start to finish. It puts all the parts of the jigsaw in their proper place. Yet, mixing our metaphors, it’s also an appetizer, whetting your palate for more...

What does it mean to be pilgrims in a confusing world? What vision of the good life drives us?

In this thoughtful exposition, Raymond Brown explores how the book of Numbers offers a picture of a better life. He shows how its message is eminently suited to our contemporary world, a world without firm spiritual and moral foundations. In contrast to contemporary thinking, Numbers pictures life as an accompanied journey, and not a meaningless maze.

Part of the loved and trusted The Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Numbers offers an insightful, readable exposition of the Biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for anyone studying or preaching Numbers and who want to delve deeper into the text.

This beautifully redesigned edition has also been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text.

Readable and reliable, The Message of Numbers will help for anyone looking for a commentary on the book of Numbers that make clear its meaning both in its original context and for twenty-first century readers.

The good news about injustice is that God is against it.

God is in the business of using the unlikely to accomplish justice and mercy. In this tenth-anniversary edition of Gary Haugen's challenging and encouraging book, he offers stories of courageous Christians who have stood up for justice in the face of human trafficking, forced prostitution, racial and religious persecution, and torture.

This expanded edition brings up to date his work in calling for the body of Christ to act. Throughout, he provides concrete guidance on how ordinary Christians can rise up to seek justice throughout the world.

If we neglect this book, says Chris Wright, we miss the challenge and reward of wrestling with the massive theological issues that permeate it. How can suffering be endured alongside faith in an all-loving, good God? Even if these events are recognized and accepted as God's judgment, has not the flood of brutality and evil gone beyond all bounds? If anarchy, death and destruction stalk the land, can the centre of Israel's faith hold?

Wright shows that as Christian readers we must not, and cannot, isolate Lamentations from the rest of the Bible; and equally, that we should not read the rest of the Bible without Lamentations. We must still let it speak for itself, as a book for today.

Does atheism really explain everything?

Can reasonable people take Christianity seriously?

During the early twenty-first century, New Atheism was busy producing best-selling books and plastering adverts on the sides of buses. Its loud scepticism is not as popular these days, but many of its arguments live on.

Yet, what if some of its common claims like, "science has buried God" and "religion is the cause of most wars" are not just incorrect, but demonstrably wrong? What if Richard Dawkins and the other New Atheists were not merely barking up the wrong tree, but were in the wrong forest entirely?

Andy Bannister brings you this fully updated and revised book, with new chapters, new resources and new comedy. The Atheist Who Didn't Exist is designed for curious people to tug at the loose threads of atheism and see if it unravels.

The 2018 Year Book from Keswick contains a selection of talks from this year's convention. The contributors include

Christopher Ash
Richard Dannatt
Louise Morse
Chris Chia
Alasdair Paine
Rodgers Atwebenbeire
Jonty Allcock

Looking for answers to those big faith questions?

If God, Then What?' is a profound, quirky and amusing take on life's biggest questions. We encounter truth by sharing stories and asking questions. Andrew Wilson asks nine big questions about truth, origins and redemption, and wonders aloud about the possible answers, offering a fresh way of looking at life and a different way of communicating the gospel.

As he ponders those questions with you, the author will leave you with a fresh, new and exciting perspective on the life-giving gospel of Christ.

'A rather impressive young Christian.' The Times

'The best book on apologetics that has come from these shores for a decade. It will bring a smile to your face and present numerous eureka moments. And Andrew does it in this mad conversational style.'- Christianity Magazine

LESS > Fake
LESS > Shame
LESS > Masks
MORE > Real

Jesus promises ‘life and life to the full’. So why do so many people walk away from faith – and not just teenagers but people who have been in church for years?

The full life offered is one of genuine relationship with God and others, but has our tendency to fight vulnerability, mask weakness and hide disappointment cost us the real thing? Have we tried to keep it together, keep the faith, until we simply can’t do it anymore?

Following Jesus should not require fronts: when we fully grasp the love of God towards us, in all our mess and sin and doubt, we experience the freedom that vulnerability, honesty, and sacrifice brings. That’s real life; life to the full.

MORE > Real explores how we can build lives on truth, and cultivate a real faith that lasts through the storms of life.

The case for assisted suicide can seem so compelling. Surely it can't be wrong to help desperate people to kill themselves? Don't we have a right to take our own lives in certain circumstances?

There are no trite or easy answers. John Wyatt helps us to navigate the arguments with hearts and heads engaged, and above all with our Bibles open. There are practical and compassionate alternatives to assisted suicide, and as many who have gone before us have found, the end of our lives on this earth may turn out to be a strange and wonderful opportunity for growth and internal healing.

Tony Lane surveys a wide range of doctrines relating to our experience of God’s gracious salvation.

He begins with our need as sinful and fallen people, moves on to consider what is involved in becoming a Christian - majoring on justification (being put right with God) – and concludes with sanctification (living the Christian life). As well as expounding various aspects of these doctrines, Lane introduces their historical roots in classical expositions.

Lane warns that these doctrines are in danger of being lost by significant sectors of evangelicalism, and he explains them clearly. He encourages readers to hold firmly to an evangelical soteriology, having a greater understanding of it and a stronger conviction of its truth, with experience of its application to Christian discipleship.

The Old Testament books of wisdom and poetry carry themselves differently from those of the Pentateuch, the histories or the prophets.

The divine voice does not peal from Sinai, there are no narratives carried along by prophetic interpretation nor are oracles declaimed by a prophet. Here Scripture often speaks in the words of human response to God and God's world. The hymns, laments and thanksgivings of Israel, the dirge of Lamentations, the questionings of Qohelet, the love poetry of the Song of Songs, the bold drama of Job and the proverbial wisdom of Israel all offer their textures to this great body of biblical literature. Then too there are the finely crafted stories of Ruth and Esther that narrate the silent providence of God in the course of Israelite and Jewish lives.

This third Old Testament volume in IVP's celebrated "Black Dictionary" series offers nearly 150 articles covering all the important aspects of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ruth and Esther. Over 90 contributors, many of them experts in this literature, have contributed to the 'Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings'. This volume maintains the quality of scholarship that students, scholars and pastors have come to expect from this series.

Coverage of each biblical book includes an introduction to the book itself as well as separate articles on their ancient Near Eastern background and their history of interpretation. Additional articles amply explore the literary dimensions of Hebrew poetry and prose, including acrostic, ellipsis, inclusio, intertextuality, parallelism and rhyme. And there are well-rounded treatments of Israelite wisdom and wisdom literature, including wisdom poems, sources and theology. In addition, a wide range of interpretive approaches is canvassed in articles on hermeneutics, feminist interpretation, form criticism, historical criticism, rhetorical criticism and social-scientific approaches.

The 'Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings' is sure to command shelf space within arm's reach of any student, teacher or preacher working in this portion of biblical literature.

Fully revised and updated edition.

This companion volume to Craig Blomberg's widely-appreciated Jesus and the Gospels covers the rest of the New Testament, from the Acts of the Apostles to the book of Revelation.

It surveys the most crucial matters of introduction in sufficient detail to provide the necessary background for correct interpretation of these New Testament texts. Mindful of the needs and interests of twenty-first-century students, the authors also deal with the structure and contents of each book, and the distinctive exegetical issues, and give pointers to contemporary application. The clear, accessible and up-to-date text includes numerous figures, maps and bibliographies.

From Pentecost to Patmos enables readers to come to a better understanding of first-century Christianity and its literature that came to be treated as uniquely authoritative. This will lead to a greater appreciation of the Lord Jesus Christ, worshipped by the early church, often in hostile circumstances and in the face of difficulties remarkably similar to those the church experiences today throughout the world.

The root of the word 'mission' means 'sending'. 

All Christian mission has its fountainhead in the God revealed in Scripture, who sent his Son for us, sends his Spirit to us, and summons all people to himself. The privilege and responsibility of his church, sent into all the world, is to testify by his words and deeds to Jesus Christ, God's unique son, crucified, risen and ascended.

The East-West partnership in missiological exploration expounds a variety of Old and New Testament texts, and examines a wide range of issues. The authors' desire is that Jesus Christ might be glorified more and more in the church and in the world; their eager expectation is that one day the whole creation will find its consummation in him, and God will be all and in all.

Among a variety of religious authorities espousing different teachings, how were they to know who was right? How were men and women to be put right with God? How could Christians in the midst of a pagan culture live lives truly pleasing to God? 

'Only one way -' answered Paul, 'through Jesus Christ.' His answer holds true for us as well. The details of our struggle have changed since Paul's day, but the principles he sets forth are as timeless as the Lord he exalts.

Family life has undergone revolutionary changes in Western society in the last sixty years, posing both theological and ethical challenges for the contemporary church. This book responds with wide-ranging essays on sexuality, marriage, family life, singleness, same-sex relationships, violence against women, anthropology, gender and culture.

These chapters are essential reading for anyone concerned with Christian teaching on marriage and the family. They balance a clear loyalty to the church’s historic and biblical teaching with a recognition that all doctrine is contextualized. There is a growing gap between the ethics of many Christians and those of wider society. So Christians have to be counter-cultural. But the church also has to be self-critical, differentiating between biblical revelation and cultural development. And it must know how to present unchanging Christian convictions to a constantly changing society.

The contributors are Andy Angel, Daniel Block, Rosalind Clarke, Barry Danylak, Andrew Goddard, Stephen Holmes, David Instone Brewer, A. T. B. McGowan, Nicholas Moore, Onesimus Ngundu, Oliver O'Donovan, Ian Paul, Andrew Sloane, Katy Smith, Elaine Storkey and Sarah Whittle.

For many the resurrection is a nice thing to believe, the 'happy' ending to the gospel, as though after the darkness of the cross Spielberg was brought in to do the finish.
But Lifted shows that it's far more. The resurrection has overwhelmingly positive implications for our daily lives. Through it we can have real assurance of forgiveness and salvation. We are raised and empowered to live new, transformed lives. We have hope after death for our bodies and this physical world. We see the urgency of reaching all nations with the message of the risen Jesus. Life is now different: we have been lifted.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just for Easter. It's for all of life.

In the busyness and challenges of daily life, it's easy to put showing gratitude low on our priority list. Yet Scripture continually reveals how important gratitude is for God's people-in good times and bad.

In this eight-session LifeBuilder Bible study guide, Dale and Sandy Larsen help us explore how giving thanks reminds us of what God has done, reorients us around God's grace, and helps us enjoy the gifts we have received instead of taking them for granted. Drawing from both the Old and New Testaments, Gratitude encourages us to grow in trust and joy as we hold tight to God's goodness in life's ups and downs.

Gratitude features questions that can be used both individually or in small groups, and its ready-to-use Bible studies are perfect for the busy homegroup leader. It is a brilliant resource for anyone wanting to understand Biblical teaching on gratitude better, and for those looking for guidance in expressing Christian gratitude and ways to give thanks.

As intricate as a Fabergé egg, as multi-layered as an onion, Ruth is the story of ordinary people working out how to live in God’s loving ways through agonising personal circumstances. It’s also an account of how the God of love works through faithful people to fulfil his purposes for them, for their nation, and indeed for all humankind.
In this six-session guide, Mark Greene’s astute questions, mini-features, and contemporary stories will help you to appreciate the book’s drama, wonder afresh at the Lord’s grace, and find inspiration and encouragement for all of life, Monday to Sunday.
The fourth in this seven-study series from LICC, developed to enable Christians to read, reflect on, and see the implications of the Bible for themselves and their daily contexts – their frontlines.

Where are you?

Today, your favourite maps app will give you your location down to a greater level of detail than ever before. But do you really feel like you know where you are?

Major cultural shifts over the past generation have left us feeling disorientated; constant connection has left us feeling dislocated. And many of us are searching for something we can't seem to find. Could the problem be that we have lost a place for God?

Pete Nicholas invites you to explore the big questions asked by each generation from those of origin and identity to happiness and hope, arguing that by reinstating God's centrality in our lives we can find a sense of rootedness, peace and the answers we've been looking for.

Featuring a foreword by Timothy Keller, author, speaker and church leader.

The Holy Spirit, once forgotten, has been "rediscovered" in the twentieth century - or has he? Sinclair Ferguson believes we should rephrase this common assertion: "While his work has been recognised, the Spirit himself remains to many Christians an anonymous, faceless aspect of the divine being." In order to redress this balance, Ferguson seeks to recover the who of the Spirit fully as much as the what and how.

Ferguson's study is rooted and driven by the scriptural story of the Spirit in creation and redemption. Throughout he shows himself fully at home in the church's historical theology of the Spirit and conversant with the wide variety of contemporary Christians who have explored the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

Foundational issues are surveyed and clarified. Hard questions are explored and answered. Clarity and insight radiate from every page. Here is the mature reflection of a Reformed theologian who will summon respect and charity from those who disagree.

An adulterous woman repeatedly spurns the love of her youth, while her betrayed husband offers forgiveness and seeks to win her back and restore the intimacy of their first love. With this bold and uncomfortable imagery, Hosea tells the story of God and his people. The message is made more poignant as God calls the prophet to embody this divine suffering and redeeming forgiveness in his own marriage. Hosea’s own story thus sets the stage for his message of God’s faithful and enduring love, his righteous judgement and also his continuing offer of reconciliation and a new beginning. Robin Routledge’s commentary explores the historical, cultural, literary and theological dimensions of the book, and offers a guide to its continuing message of judgement, hope and restoration.

The message of Peter's first letter turned the world upside-down for his readers. He saw the people of the young church of the first century as strangers, aliens who were only temporary residents, travellers heading for their native land.

Peter speaks to our own pilgrimage when he tells of suffering now and glory to come. Stormy seasons of persecution were beginning for the church in Asia Minor. These storms rage on in the modern world.

Edmund Clowney believes that no true Christian can escape at least a measure of suffering for Christ's sake. Out of his firsthand knowledge as an apostle of Christ, Peter shows us what the story of Jesus' life means for us as we take up our cross and follow him.

The letter to the Hebrews presents a combination of warnings and assurances to encourage Christians to persevere in faith, hope and love. The basis for this is a profound reflection on the person and work of Christ, viewed as the fulfilment of Old Testament Scripture. David Peterson shows how the author expounds the implications of the gospel with pastoral insight and sensitivity, producing a ‘word of exhortation’ that reaches across the centuries to speak to our lives today.

Jesus sends us into the world just as God the Father sent him - and yet Christians continue to disagree on what this involves.

Some believe that the focus of Christian mission is evangelizing and 'saving souls'. Others emphasize global justice issues or relief and development work.

Is either view correct on its own?

John Stott's classic volume, first published forty years ago, presents an enduring view of Christian mission that is just as needed today. Newly updated and expanded by Christopher J. H. Wright, Christian Mission in the Modern World provides a biblically based approach to mission that addresses both spiritual and physical needs.

With his trademark clarity and conviction, Stott illuminates how the Great Commission itself not only assumes the proclamation that makes disciples, but also teaches obedience to the Great Commandment of love and service. Wright has expertly updated the original book and demonstrates the continuing relevance of Stott's prescient thinking. This balanced approach to mission encourages current and future Christians to embrace an unconflicted and holistic model of ministry.

Do you love your church and want to see it thrive?
Are you keen to learn from someone whose own church has grown and started others too?
Are you ready for the downsides as well as the inevitable joys?

Ray Evans takes us on an interesting and exciting journey. He looks at the barriers to growth, as well as the hurdles of reorganization and structural changes that growing churches face. His findings are anchored in the Bible and the real world which we all inhabit.

'Many have learned how to lead what they have,' says Ray, 'but they don't know how to take it forward. You don't see the glass ceilings until you crash into them, and the splinters bring pain everywhere.'

In Ray, you will find a humble, wise and warm-hearted guide. This book will not only equip your church to grow, but will help prevent unnecessary disasters.

Travel is fun – to state the very obvious. But what if it could be enriching, life-enhancing and lots, lots more? What if that hunger for self-discovery, identity and fulfilment could take you in undreamt-of directions?

‘How will you spend your summer or gap year? This could be a good way to oil your thinking and your praying.’ Julia Cameron

‘I have been travelling internationally for 45 years – I just wish I’d been able to read this book a long time ago – it would certainly have made me travel more thoughtfully. It’s a travelogue; it’s theology; it’s cultural education; it’s a challenge to undertake mission . . . A fascinating read.’ Peter Maiden

‘Loved it! What a marvellous journey through Scripture (and the author’s life); it will challenge, encourage and widen your perspective, not only on travel but also on the amazing One who created everything. In a world where it’s easier than ever to work or study abroad, this book deserves to be widely read.’ Sinead Norman

‘Gives us excellent fresh ideas for honouring God with our travels, and helps to shape perspectives on mission, tourism and the meaningful welcoming of overseas students.’ Alan Tower

What should creative Christian cultural engagement look like?

Too often, it has been marked by political strong-arming or fearful withdrawal into the "Christian bubble." There is another way: using our imaginations to plant 'oases' in the desert, breathable spaces that refresh, challenge, and draw together Christians and non-Christians alike. Oases refresh the soul, provoke discussion, challenge assumptions and lead the imagination to a new place.

In Oasis of Imagination, Ted Turnau lays out the Biblical mandate for engaging culture, and why the imaginative path holds promise. He explores the nature of the imagination from both Scripture and nature. He asks, "What does a Christian imagination that resonates with non-Christians look like?" He explores examples of Christian creativity done well from video games to movies to music to The Lord of the Rings.

He challenges the church, artist and non-artist alike, to be intentional about their own imaginative lives, how we can support each other, as together we engage in building bridges and being cultural ambassadors to the wider community.

In-depth and wide-ranging, Oasis of Imagination equips and encourages Christians, whatever their calling, to consider how to imaginatively enter into the broader cultural conversation.

When Jesus walked with his confused disciples on the Emmaus road, he began with Moses and all the Prophets and explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself - and their hearts burned within them (Luke 24).
Contemporary people, too, can find their hearts burning as they hear God speak through the Old Testament texts. However, preaching from this part of the Christian Bible brings significant challenges and raises a number of issues, and hence can be neglected.
This stimulating volume offers guidance for expository preaching from the Old Testament, and practical suggestions for how to understand the message of its diverse literature and to apply it today. The chapters cover narrative, plot and characters, along with the main Old Testament genres and two special topics: preaching from 'difficult' texts, and preaching Christ.
The aim is to encourage use of all the Bible's rich resources, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in preaching the good news of the kingdom of God worldwide.
The contributors are internationally respected evangelical Old Testament scholars, from a wide range of church traditions, who are also active in preaching: Daniel I. Block, David G. Firth, Grenville J. R. Kent, Paul J. Kissling, Alison Lo, Tremper Longman III, Ernest C. Lucas, R. W. L. Moberly, Laurence A. Turner, Federico G. Villanueva, Gordon Wenham, H. G. M. Williamson and Christopher J. H. Wright.

For many readers of the Bible, the book of Revelation is a riddle that fascinates and frustrates. Scholars and teachers have proposed different keys to its interpretation, including the ‘futurist’ and historical-critical approaches. However, none of these adequately demonstrates the continuing, vital relevance of the Apocalypse to the contemporary church.

Brian Tabb stresses the importance of the canonical context of the book of Revelation and argues that it presents itself as the climax of biblical prophecy. He shows how various Old Testament prophecies and patterns find their consummation in the present and future reign of Jesus Christ, who decisively defeats his foes, saves his people and restores all things.

Tabb considers key biblical-theological themes: the triune God; Christ’s followers and foes; God’s plan for salvation, judgment and restoration; and God’s word. He also explores how the book’s symbolic visions shape believers’ worldviews in accordance with what is true, good and beautiful according to God’s revealed standards. These visions motivate them to live obediently and counter-culturally in the world as faithful witnesses to Jesus.

The Bible is both a divine and a human book. It is the inspired word of God for his people, whether in biblical times or for the church today. It is also a fully human book, written by different people in a variety of cultural settings. Knowledge of biblical language and society is essential if the meaning of the human writer is to be grasped fully.

The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner accessible to non-experts and shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers.

This commentary begins with an introduction, which gives an overview of the issues of date, authorship, sources and so on, but which also outlines more fully than usual the theology of the Psalms and provides pointers toward its interpretation and contemporary application.

The annotated translation of the Hebrew text by the author forms the basis for the subsequent commentary. The form and structure section examines the context of a passage, its use of rhetorical devices, and source and form-critical issues. The comment section is a thorough, detailed exegesis of the historical and theological meaning of the passage. The explanation - the goal of the commentary - offers a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology, and a commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament.

Zechariah the prophet's preaching was driven by the conviction that God's kingdom would come, and his will be done, whatever obstacles human beings might put in his way.

Living in the small province of Yehud in the sixth century BC, Zechariah was thoroughly engaged with the realities of his own day, but never overwhelmed by them. He knew that life was to be lived in the light of the coming day when there would be 'one LORD, and his name the only name' and when this God would be 'king over the whole earth' (Zech. 14:9).

This unwavering conviction gives the book of Zechariah its special character and unifies its diverse visions and oracles. Barry Webb's masterful and perceptive exposition challenges us to make Zechariah's conviction our own and focuses our longing for God's kingdom on the person of Jesus the Messiah.

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 repeated refrain of Psalm 136 is that God's love endures forever. In the words of Samuel Francis's hymn, the 'deep, deep love of Jesus' is 'vast, unmeasured, boundless, free ... rolling as a mighty ocean ... full of blessing'. Indeed, 'God is love' (1 John 4:8, 16).

This is one of the most wonderful statements in the Bible. It is a revelation of the very heart of God. However, it is also a statement that can be misunderstood or distorted when it is made to conform to cultural assumptions. With wrong definitions of love pressing in upon us, it is urgent that we rightly discern the true, biblical revelation of God's love.

Garry Williams offers a form of inoculation against mistaken accounts that flatten the differences between divine and human love. He sets out these differences by interpreting God's love in the midst of his trinitarian life and other divine attributes. In each chapter, doctrinal exploration is followed by a meditation that asks questions and invites spiritual reflection, and then by a closing prayer.

This new Pillar commentary devotes attention throughout to the vocabulary, historical background, special themes, and narrative purpose that make the book of Luke unique among the four Gospels.

Though the Gentile focus of Luke is often held to be primary, James Edwards counterbalances that by citing numerous evidences of Luke's overarching interest in depicting Jesus as the fulfillment of the providential work of God in the history of Israel, and he considers the possibility that Luke himself was a Jew. Edwards also draws out other important thematic issues in excursuses scattered throughout the commentary, including discussion of Luke's infancy narrative, the mission of Jesus as the way of salvation, and Luke's depiction of the universal scope of the gospel.

This readable, relevant commentary attends to the linguistic, historical, literary, and theological elements of Luke that are essential to its meaning and considers Luke's significance for the church and the life of faith today.

Despite the teaching of the Bible and church tradition, it seems that many Christians can still lack an appreciation of God the Holy Spirit. He has sometimes been valued more for the gifts he bestows than for who he is; or he has been viewed simply as the 'third person of the Godhead'.

However, Keith Warrington's conviction is that the Holy Spirit is more important, more central, more immanently involved in his creation, the church, and individual believers, more often and more strategically, than many Christians realise.

When Jesus left his disciples and went to heaven, he gave the best gift he could - the Holy Spirit - knowing that he will be our dynamic guide and partner as we seek to live as God's people. In this practical, biblically based exploration of the Spirit, Warrington encourages believers to recognize that the same Spirit seeks to encounter us and desires that we encounter him.

Numerous useful books on Old Testament theology are now available. However, they often give too much information - or too little. Some can seem large, and daunting to the ordinary student or pastor, and because of their layout, information may be hard to access. Others take a more introductory approach and do not deal with many of the theological issues and questions that the Old Testament raises.

Robin Routledge's aim is to bridge this gap.

He provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in the main body of the text, with more detailed discussion and references for further reading in the footnotes.

His purpose is to examine the theological significance of the various texts in their wider canonical context, noting unity and coherence within the Old Testament (and to some extent between the Old and New Testaments), whilst also being aware of diversity. A brief outline of the relationship between exegesis and biblical theology within the overall task of interpreting and applying biblical material is given in the first chapter.

His hope as a Christian minister is that, while this volume has grown out of a teaching context, and is intended for students, it will also be of benefit to others who want to take the theological content of the Old Testament seriously, and to apply its message to the life and ministry of the church today.

Some chose to follow God. Others followed only fame and fortune. They lived through times of difficulty and times of triumph, through political and emotional turmoil, through popularity and through discontent. This ten-session LifeBuilder Bible Study focuses on the character of the Kings of the Old Testament and what we can learn from them.
For over three decades LifeBuilder Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions—making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 120 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.

Jesus' words from the cross are not Jesus’ last words on earth.
Jesus appeared to his fearful and questioning disciples, encouraged them, and gave them his final instructions after his resurrection from the dead. In various settings and at different times, Jesus interacted with many of his followers to show them he was alive. His post resurrection dialogues with these women and men truly are Jesus’ last words!
You may have questions or doubts about faith. You may have discussed spiritual topics or talked with others about Jesus. You may sometimes feel religiously locked into past concepts or socially locked out from people—even embarrassed or fearful about how others perceive you and your spiritual beliefs or questions. You may wonder, Can Jesus really impact my life?
Through these Bible studies, you will meet the risen Jesus Christ and hear his words. May he encounter you in your life situations, encourage your faith and trust in him, and excite you about engaging others in discussions about Jesus.

Humans are hardwired for awe.

Our hearts are always captured by something - that's how God made us. But sin threatens to distract us from the glory of our Creator. All too often, we stand in awe of everything but God.

Uncovering the lies we believe about all the earthly things that promise us peace, life, and contentment, Paul Tripp redirects our gaze to God's awe-inducing glory - showing how such a vision has the potential to impact our every thought, word, and deed.

He looks at the subject of awe through a number of lenses: ministry, transgression, materialism, growth, worldview, church, parenting and work.

Awe of God puts other things in their proper place. It enables us to see as God intended, to lift our eyes higher, and worship him alone.

‘Total Church accurately and insightfully identifies the local church as a gospel community on mission with Jesus.’ Mark Driscoll

‘Radical, punchy teaching that provokes, stimulates, challenges and inspires.’ Vaughan Roberts

‘Passionate and insightful.’ Chris Stoddard

We love them. We hate them. But we certainly cannot ignore them.

Emotions can be wonderful things we love or horrible things we hate - depending on how we're feeling at the time. Sometimes we feel at their mercy and think that God would have been so much wiser to have made us without them.

But we can't get away from it: God made us to feel. Emotions thinks through the place of emotions, how we view them, handle them and glorify God with them. We see that the mature Christian life involves a fully-functioning emotional life and that emotions flow from the heart. We focus on how we can grow in good and godly emotions. We look at emotions and reading the Bible, emotions and singing praise to God, and the best way up when we are feeling down.

Ted Turnau introduces readers to the major themes of his in-depth Oasis of Imagination in collaboration with Ruth Naomi Floyd. Floyd brings her distinctive experience as a Christian artist to make this a practical guide that distils the "why" and "how" of embracing Christian creative cultural engagement.

Why does the church need to pay more attention to the imagination? How can we, in this day and age, best enter our cultural conversations for the common good? How can the local church better support its creatives, enriching its own imaginative life and building bridges to their neighbours and the wider culture?

Whether you consider yourself a creative or are simply searching for a path beyond the culture wars and Christian bubble, Imagination Manifesto offers biblical foundations, practical pointers, discussion starters, and inspiration for cultural engagement.

Discover the legacy of Michael J. Ovey, Principal of Oak Hill College, through a collection of his profound writings and lectures that shaped evangelical thought

Michael J. Ovey (1958-2017) served as the greatly loved and respected Principal of Oak Hill College, London, from 2007 until his unexpected and untimely death. He joined the faculty of Oak Hill in 1998 and completed a PhD in the field of trinitarian theology. He wrote few books: it was said that his students were his writing. This volume collects articles and lectures that demonstrate the depth and breadth of his intellect and originality.

For Mike Ovey, in the same way that the earth is a 'Goldilocks planet', with conditions 'just right' to sustain life, so for theology we need a 'Goldilocks zone' which is 'just right', encompassing both 'local' and 'global' theologies. This is unpacked in the first item of this collection, which consists of fifteen 'Off the Record' articles for the online journal Themelios, seven Cambridge Papers, two essays on the gospel and the atonement, and three lectures given at the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON). There are introductory pieces by Mark Thompson and Chris Green and an afterword by Dan Strange. Peter Jensen's sermon at the thanksgiving service for Mike's life and ministry is also included.

This collection shows why Mike Ovey's contribution to evangelical Christianity was so widely appreciated in the UK and around the world.

Change carries us into uncharted territory. We can often feel adrift in such borderlands. Scripture, however, offers rich resources for navigating these times. The biblical narrative of the great fifty days from Easter to Pentecost, forms a map for the adventure of spiritual growth.

Tracking the tumultuous and deeply human journey of the disciples through these days, Borderlands is for all who are experiencing periods of transition or who seek to progress in their faith. Poetic and passionate in language, and authentic about the challenges posed by change, this frank book aims to inspire and stir our appetite for passing from one life stage to another.

Combining revealing insights from literature, psychology and other fields, Mark Brickman offers an incisive reading of Scripture that can enrich life in flux. Be equipped for a transformative journey into deeper identification with Christ and the fullness of life that he brings

If only I could manage my money better.'
Ash Carter author looks at the nuts and bolts of our daily financial decisions and shows us how such decisions can best serve God's greater purposes.
We find a godly yet simple model of Christian money management that we can adapt for our own purposes, an accessible, step-by-step guide to establishing good practices.
'The Money Mentor was born out of a passionate desire to see every Christian living for God in the area of money,' says Ash. 'Whether we have lots of money or lots of debt, this book will help us to honour God, the ultimate Money Mentor, with the money he has given us. We will experience true freedom as we live in God's world, God's way.'
It's called taking the very long view.

In a dark little chapel many years ago, a solitary schoolboy went in search of God, and later gave his life to Christ. It turned out to be the most significant decision he was ever to make. If it were not for Christ, he reflects, his would have been on the scrapheap of wasted and discarded lives. Instead, his life has been used to lead countless others around the world to that same new life, and into a deeper understanding of the One who gave his life that we might live.
Now John Stott tells his spiritual story, and gives the reasons for his first life-changing step of faith on the path he has followed since that day. It was not so much that he found Christ, as that Christ found him. Not because the Christian faith is attractive, but because it is true. Not because he deserved to be saved, but because Christ took his sins, and ours, on himself. It is because the answer to the paradox at the heart of our humanness, because the key to true freedom and fulfilment, are to be found in Jesus Christ alone. And he who extends the greatest of all invitations to each one of us waits patiently for our response.

The book of Numbers has had something of a renaissance in scholarly engagement in recent years - and this careful and contemporary commentary by Altmann and Peres distils that conversation with sensitivity and rigour.

The joint nature of this commentary by two authors from different contexts helps to illuminate Numbers for the contemporary reader, as it seeks to make God's word a source of blessing, nourishment and hope for all.

The Tyndale Old Testament Commentary is designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text of the book of Numbers says and what it means. The Introduction to this commentary gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting and purpose.

Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book of Numbers section by section, drawing out its main themes and also commenting 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 Theology. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain.

God is totally faithful. That's right at the core of his character - unlike us, he cannot ever break his word.

Knowing that we are firmly held in the grip of God's unending faithfulness is deeply reassuring. And it encourages us to be faithful too. Remembering his grace and goodness, we grow in holiness and Christlikeness. Our aim is to be faithful in the big things, but also in the nitty-gritty of life when nobody is watching.

With these Bible teachers alongside us:
* Alistair Begg (Psalm 119:97-104)
* Michael Baughen (2 Timothy 4:1-22 & Hebrews 3:1 - 5:6)
* Tim Chester (Genesis15:1-21 & Revelation 2:18-29)
* Malcolm Duncan (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
* Sinclair Ferguson (2 Timothy 4:9-10)
* Jonathan Lamb (Acts 20:17-38)
* Peter Maiden (1 Samuel 13:5-14)
* Alec Motyer (1 Thessalonians 5:1-28)
* Tom Putt (Hebrews 6:11-20)
we explore God's faithfulness and our response. This undated 30-day devotional shows how God is faithful to cleanse us from sin, keep us until death and guarantee our eternal destiny. What greater reassurance can we ask for?

God invented marriage. So it seems rather obvious to look to our Maker for marriage instructions. Yet by nature we prefer to work it out for ourselves, starting with our own needs, hopes and desires.

This book turns our thinking upside down. The author examines the Bible's teaching on marriage, while remaining firmly earthed in the twenty-first-century world where messing up, heartbreak, divorce and sexual chaos are distressingly common. Starting with God's grace applied to our pain and failure, the author centres on God's plan for sex and marriage, one of service.

Whether you are an engaged couple preparing for marriage, or have been married for many years, this Biblical wisdom will help you grow your love and commitment both to one another and to God.

For years, Tim Chester's powerful guide to change has brought hope to Christians seeking to live in the freedom offered by Christ. This new and revised edition gathers timeless wisdom from the Bible, and past generations of the Church, to empower readers in their pursuit of a Christ-centred life.

Over ten chapters, You Can Change sets out why Christians can expect change to be possible. It takes us through common obstacles and sets out how to engage in the daily battle that lasting change often requires. Throughout, it focuses on the centrality of God's grace and the transforming power of faith in Christ to bring true hope for us in our struggles.

Whether you are new to Christianity, a long-time Christian or returning to faith, this book will provide you with an honest and practical guide to living a life that honours God and blesses those around you.

Tim Chester is a senior faculty member of Crosslands Training in the UK. Tim has written more than forty books, including A Meal with Jesus and Enjoying God.

Pastors face two temptations when they consider church leadership: one, common in more culturally conservative churches, is simply to preach faithfully and assume that that alone is adequate Christian leadership; the other, common in more culturally contemporary churches, is to apply secular business wisdom, but uncritically. The books published mirror the two camps.

Both drive a wedge between the Bible and leadership.

What if the gift of leadership was a clear outworking of biblical teaching? What if there is in the Bible a consistent pattern of human communities flourishing under the good rule of God's Word.

Drawing on years of teaching and ministry, Chris Green shows us how, as Mike Ovey put it, Christian leaders can be God's best possible gift to flourishing communities.

If Christ is our Lord, then we are his servants, and if he is our teacher, then we are his pupils.

Following Christ is a multi-faceted responsibility. We should remember:

* Every true disciple is a listener
* We are both rational and emotional
* We can discern God's call and will

Love is the first fruit of the Spirit, a core ingredient of discipleship.

"A marvellous grasp of the interrelated texts of Scripture, showing how they point to and amplify our understanding of the arrival of Christ."
Dr Tim Savage, The Gospel Coalition

Each Christmas, we tend to hear the same readings and, let's be honest, the same sermons.

This Advent, join John Hayward on a daily journey to rediscover some of the magic of Christmas. Originally written as letters from a father to his adult children, this book warmly invites you to feast richly on some of the passages of scripture less commonly associated with our celebrations of the birth of Jesus.

Released from the burden of tradition and over-familiarity, glimpse afresh the authentic Christmas gift that is for every person, for every nation and for every day.

Are Islam and Christianity essentially the same? Should we seek to overcome divisions by seeing Muslims and Christians as part of one family of Abrahamic faith?

Andy Bannister shares his journey from the multicultural streets of inner-city London to being a Christian with a PhD in Qur'anic Studies. Along the way, he came to understand that far from being the same, Islam and Christianity are profoundly different.

Get to the heart of what the world's two largest religions say about life's biggest questions-and discover the uniqueness of Christianity's answer to the question of who God really is.

The Story of the Church gives an accessible and concise survey of the history of the Christian church, from the first century to the twentieth. Here is an epic tale of high hopes and great disappointments, of bitter persecution and heroic loyalty to principles.
The Story of the Church is an established classic, widely appreciated by several generations of readers. It addresses the central question of why Christianity has spread around the world so successfully, and offers a distinctly evangelical perspective. Its clear structure pinpoints significant people and events.

Discipleship involves a gentle journey with our Saviour. Its demands will dovetail happily with our carefully crafted plans.

Wrong. Peter Maiden pulls no punches as he looks at what a disciple should look like today. Are we prepared to follow Jesus' example? Lose our lives for his sake? Live counter-culturally in a world that values power, prestige and money, and constantly puts self at the centre?

Of all people, Jesus, the Son of God, has the authority to require this of us. And he's calling us to a relationship, not to a set of rules or a miserable, spartan existence. In fact, it is through losing our lives that we find them, and thereby discover the source of pure joy.

What a pity we set the bar too low.

Many books on the practice of prayer seem to be informed more by the experiences of their authors than by Scripture. However, the Bible not only teaches us about prayer, it also gives us many examples of prayer. It is God's Word to us, and it teaches us how to respond to that Word.

Tim Chester's insightful exposition of this central aspect of Christian living is driven by the conviction that we need to reform not only our thinking and behaviour in the light of God's Word, but also our praying.

Drawing on a wide range of biblical texts, he explores the foundations and the practice of prayer, and shows that how we understand prayer is necessarily bound up with how we understand the gospel, and God himself.