"Concrete, accessible, actionable help in the most important challenge of human living."--JOHN ORTBERG, founder, BecomeNew.Me Having spent years of his life studying the Holy Spirit, renowned theologian and acclaimed author Jack Levison shares the seven secrets to a fuller, deeper and more powerful relationship with the Spirit.  Packed with biblical insights, practical strategies, focused prayers, Scripture meditations and rich reflections, each short, energizing chapter will fuel your spiritual growth, empowering you to · break out of the familiar · experience your own personal Pentecost · cultivate healthy habits that strengthen the Spirit-filled life · connect with the heart of the Spirit A season of breakthrough awaits you. Here is your guide to embracing the Spirit-filled life--and discovering the Helper who fills you up, pours you out and transforms the world through you. "Jack Levison opens secrets of the Spirit-filled life from across the pages of Scripture and gives us seven pathways for living the Spirit-filled life. What a gift!"--AMOS YONG, professor, theology and mission, Fuller Seminary "What a terrific guide for living the Spirit-filled life! I highly recommend this book."--ADAM HAMILTON, senior pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas; author, Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws

General Principles of Sacramental Theology addresses a current lacuna in English-language theological literature. Bernard Leeming's highly respected book Principles of Sacramental Theology was published more than sixty years ago. Since that time, there has been a noted decrease, especially in English-language sacramental theology, in treatments of the basic topics and principles-such as the nature of the sacraments of signs, sacramental grace, sacramental character, sacramental causality, sacramental intention, the necessity and number of the sacraments, sacramental matter and form, inter alia-which apply to all of the sacraments. Rather than deconstruct the Church's tradition, as many recent books on the sacraments do, Roger Nutt offers a vibrant presentation of these principles as a sound foundation for a renewed appreciation of each of the seven sacraments in the Christian life as the divinely willed means of communion and friendship between God and humanity. The sacraments bestow and nourish the personal communion with Jesus Christ that is the true source of human happiness. Recourse to the patrimony of Catholic wisdom, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, can help to highlight the sacraments and their significance within the plan of salvation. This book will be of use in seminary, graduate, and undergraduate courses. It is further offered as a source of hope to all those seeking deeper intimacy with God amidst the confusion, alienation, and disappointment that accompanies life in a fallen world. The sacraments play an irreplaceable role in pursuing a Universal Call to Holiness that is so central to Vatican II's teaching.

This commentary, like each in the series, is designed to serve readers by demonstrating the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible. Figures of the classical church such as Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and Wesley interpreted the Bible theologically, believing Scripture as a whole witnessed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Modern interpreters of the Bible questioned this premise. But, in recent decades, a critical mass of theologians and biblical scholars has begun to reassert the priority of a theological reading of Scripture. The "SCM Theological Commentary" series enlists leading theologians to read and interpret Scripture for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other orthodox Christians did for their times and places.

"A more ambiguous word than this, the Church, is scarce to be found in the English Language."

--John Wesley

With so many denominations and differing ideas about what the church is and does, arriving at a clear understanding of the church is a formidable challenge. The pastors and educators who have contributed to this book explore the meaning, purpose, and function of the church, as well as its structure. They address topics such as the kingdom of God, worship, and mission, in relation to the body of Christ, and give special attention to Wesleyan theological concerns.

This theology of the church is an accessible resource for anyone, minister or layperson, who desires a better grasp of the church. This stimulating ecclesiology is a valuable addition to any

theological library.