Does it make sense - can it make sense - for someone who appreciates the explanatory power of modern science to continue believing in a traditional religious account of the ultimate nature and purpose of our universe? This book is intended for those who care about that question and are dissatisfied with the rigid dichotomies that dominate the contemporary debate. The extremists won't be interested - those who assume that science answers all the questions that matter, and those so certain of their religious faith that dialogue with science, philosophy, or other faith traditions seems unnecessary. But far more people today recognize that matters of faith are complex, that doubt is endemic to belief, and that dialogue is indispensable in our day.
In eight probing chapters, the authors of The Predicament of Belief consider the most urgent reasons for doubting that religious claims - in particular, those embedded in the Christian tradition - are likely to be true. They develop a version of Christian faith that preserves the tradition's core insights but also gauges the varying degrees of certainty with which those insights can still be affirmed. Along the way, they address such questions as the ultimate origin of the universe, the existence of innocent suffering, the challenge of religious plurality, and how to understand the extraordinary claim that an ancient teacher rose from the dead. They end with a discussion of what their conclusions imply about the present state and future structure of churches and other communities in which Christian affirmations are made.

In a world with ever-increasing access to knowledge, we can still fall short of understanding the basics. If we lack the ability to create lasting relationships or to leave some things in our past, we can find ourselves struggling to live lives of satisfaction. If we aren't content within ourselves, how can we fully contribute to anyone else? The question we must ask ourselves is, "What's holding us back?" The answers are found not in ourselves, but in our Creator.

In "Building the Body of Christ," author LaDell Farrar shows us how to take charge of our life's most common components. You can learn to create relationships that will encourage meaningful and unbreakable love. Farrar helps you understand how communication and prayer can give you the power to heal your mind of past hurts and failures, allowing you to seek your life's purpose. Through Farrar's biblically based lessons, you may gain a greater understanding and appreciation of how Christ's death was meant to bring all of these topics together to gain peace through understanding and acceptance.

Relationships are about connecting, associating, and being involved with others. "Building the Body of Christ" seeks to help you develop the characteristics necessary for an effective and successful relationship and a better life.

Since it was published in 1983, the first edition of the original Twelve Keys to an Effective Church has benefited thousands of congregations around the world. The thoroughly revised and updated Twelve Keys Leaders' Guide, designed to accompany Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, offers leaders an indispensable, step-by-step resource for creating and implementing their long-range plans. It clearly shows how to examine a church's strengths and move the congregation toward action, accomplishment, and achievement. This valuable guide thoroughly explains the basic principles of the planning process and gives helpful insights into the dynamics of memory, change, conflict, and hope in congregations. You will discover possibilities to build the momentum, deepen the resources, and advance the strengths of your congregation. This important resource can also be used to help build an effective, successful business, develop a strong, healthy non-profit grouping, advance an effective, healthy college or university, and create a strong, healthy family.

After the Great War, some texts by British Army veterans portrayed the Anglican chaplains who had served with them in an extremely negative light. This book examines the realities of Anglican chaplains' wartime experiences and presents a compelling picture of what it meant to be a clergyman-in-uniform in the most devastating war in modern history.

Something Has to Change...You can't put it into words, but something is happening to you. Your stomach churns, your heart aches, and the tension in your marriage is making you feel weary and a little crazy. The constant criticism, disrespect, cruelty, deceit, and gross indifference are eroding your confidence and breaking your spirit. What can you do to stop the cycle of destruction and restore hope for the future? For any woman caught in an emotionally destructive marriage, licensed clinical social worker, relationship coach, and marriage counselor Leslie Vernick offers a personalized path forward. Based on decades of experience, her intensely practical, biblical advice will show you how to establish boundaries and break free from emotional abuse today. Learn to: * Indentify damaging behaviors * Gain the skills to respond wisely * Utilize tools that promote healthy change * Stay safe * Understand when, why, and even how to leave * Recognize that God sees and hates what is happening to you Trying harder to be a perfect fantasy wife won't help fix what's wrong with your marriage. Now initiate some changes that can. "Women in an emotionally abusive marriage do not need another book on how to have a good marriage; those books rub salt in raw wounds. No, they desperately need this book so that they can diagnose just how bad their marriage is and then, with Leslie's clear expertise, develop a plan that will either begin to turn their marriage around...or give them a wise route of escape." -Dee Brestin, author of Idol Lies and The Friendships of Women

Fighting crime by helping criminals and their families. Read five true stories of criminals who are Heart and Soul Survivors. The best way to fight crime is to improve the community. The quality of a community is seen in how it treats its marginalized people. Statistics show that the percentage of marginalized adults in custody is considerably higher than the percentage of their representation in the overall population. Marginalized people include the poor, the mentally ill, the learning disabled, and drug addicts. Warehousing these people is a community's shame. This book is urging a ministry involving volunteers working with criminals and their families. It will provide you with the tools necessary to help some people and thereby reduce crime. Chaplain Elsey writes from his experience and the knowledge gained working with hundreds of these families. Review This book provides the reader with an insightful look into the lives and challenges of criminals, the impact on both themselves and society, and the need for change within our current judicial system. Written from a theological perspective, Dr. Elsey offers the reader a proactive approach in ways to support either themselves, or others, in achieving change and improving outcomes. From heartfelt and moving true life stories, to individual support plans and an inventory for change, Dr. Elsey shares astute observations and insights, encouraging us all to find our own heart and soul Truly engaging and thought provoking and a must read for those interested in understanding and impacting the human condition. By P. Tanner B.Ed. This book as well as Dr Elsey's first book, Angels from Hell, may be purchased from his website -criminalsfamilies.com

Is God a delusion? Are science and Christian faith incompatible? Ten scientists tell their stories. There is a popular myth at large in both modern society and in many churches. According to this myth science and Christianity have been engaged in a long battle over the centuries. For many secularists this means that we must embrace science and reject religion, whilst for some Christians it means the exact opposite. But are science and Christian faith really in a conflict? In this book ten respected scientists share their life stories and their reflections on science and faith. What led them to become scientists? Why did they embrace Christianity? And how do they relate their religious beliefs to the science that they do in the lab? The stories that they tell help us to see that when it comes to answering some of 'life's big questions' we do well to listen for the insights from both science and faith. Contributors include: Dr Francis Collins, Professor Alister McGrath, Dr Ard Louis, Dr Jennifer Wiseman, Professor Bill Newsome, Rev Dr John Polkinghorn, Rev Dr Alasdair Coles, Dr Deborah B. Haarsma, Professor Rosalind Picard, Professor John Bryant. 'The level of human insight matching scientific expertise in these chapters is high, and they have left me feeling that here are folk with whom, as a mere theologian, I would love to spend some time. I hope other readers will enjoy this set of testimonies as much as I have done.' - Professor J. I. Packer, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada 'Just the book to give to anyone who thinks science disproves religion. Powerful testimonies from ten distinguished scientists reveal why their faith in God enhances their research. A very worthwhile read!' - Professor Gordon Wenham, Trinity College, Bristol, UK 'These short, readable accounts by ten scientists are a pleasure to read and an inspiration to anyone who seeks to integrate Christian belief and science. Each one is a specialist in a different scientific discipline, and they tell very different life stories, yet they all affirm the Christian privilege of scientific discovery and understanding.' - Professor Keith Fox, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, and Chair of Christians in Science 'Brilliantly demonstrates that science and Christianity are not enemies but perfectly compatible.' - Dr Krish Kandiah, Evangelical Alliance