In "Have a Nice Doomsday," Nicholas Guyatt searches for the truth behind a startling statistic: 50 million Americans have come to believe that the apocalypse will take place in their lifetime. They're convinced that, any day now, Jesus will snatch up his followers and spirit them to heaven. The rest of us will be left behind to endure massive earthquakes, devastating wars, and the terrifying rise of the Antichrist. But true believers aren't sitting around waiting for the Rapture. They're getting involved in debates over abortion, gay rights, and even foreign policy. Are they devout or deranged? Does their influence stretch beyond America's religious heartland--perhaps even to the White House?

Journeying from Texas megachurches to the southern California deserts--and stopping off for a chat with prophecy superstar Tim LaHaye--Guyatt looks for answers to some burning questions: When will Russia attack Israel and ignite the Tribulation? Does the president of Iran appear in Bible prophecy? And is the Antichrist a homosexual?

Bizarre, funny, and unsettling in equal measure, "Have a Nice Doomsday" uncovers the apocalyptic obsessions at the heart of the world's only superpower.

Traditionally, evangelical theology has been committed to a position of classical theism, emphasizing God's immutability and omniscience. Of late, traditional affirmations have been challenged by theologians who affirm a more christological focus--often drawing from Karl Barth's theology--and by those who affirm a theology of "open theism."

The essays gathered in this collection give evidence of the depth and creativity of contemporary evangelical theology as well as the variety of positions held by those within the movement. "Engaging the Doctrine of God" initially focuses on New Testament studies and the earliest development of a Christian doctrine of God, then proceeds to consider two figures who have significantly influenced evangelical theology: John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards. The theological section examines the cross, the suffering and sovereignty of God, and the contemporary debate. The book concludes with a chapter on theology and pastoral care.

Both scholars and clergy will find that these essays represent the range of thought within the evangelical tradition and provide readers with a stimulating guide to the contemporary debate. Contributors include:

Pierre Berthoud

Henri A. Blocher

D. A. Carson

Oliver D. Crisp

Paul Helm

Donald Macleod

Bruce L. McCormack

John Webster

Stephen N. Williams

David F. Wright

N. T. Wright

This accessible introduction to Christian worldview explores how Christians can live faithfully at the crossroads of Scripture and postmodern culture.

"Living at the Crossroads" first lays out a brief summary of the biblical story and the most fundamental beliefs of Scripture. The book then tells the story of Western culture from the classical period to postmodernity. Authors Michael Goheen and Craig Bartholomew next provide an analysis of how Christians live in the tension that exists at the intersection of the biblical and cultural stories. They proceed to tease out the implications for key areas of life, such as education, scholarship, economics, politics, and church. The result is a deeply thoughtful yet approachable book that draws on the rich tradition of Reformational thinking but contextualizes it to a postmodern setting.

"In this book, the authors show students how to recognize and gradually understand more fully the relevance of the living Word of God for their living, working, and studying in these complex and often bewildering times. If I still had university-age children, I would be very pleased if they received their basic introduction in academics from these two trustworthy and deeply engaged Christian educators."--Bob Goudzwaard, professor emeritus, Free University of Amsterdam

"The concept of 'Christian worldview, ' let alone 'biblical worldview, ' has more often been invoked than helpfully defined. In this stimulating, well-informed, and practical sequel to "The Drama of Scripture," Goheen and Bartholomew once again demonstrate their remarkable effectiveness at articulating accessibly an understanding of Christian identity in the West that is both scripturallygrounded and, notably, shaped by the Reformed intellectual tradition in its ecumenical context."--David L. Jeffrey, author of "Houses of the Interpreter: Reading Scripture, Reading Culture"

What do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven' For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth? What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body', and how does that fit with the popular image of sitting on clouds playing harps? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now? Tom Wright, one of our leading theologians, addresses these questions in this provocative and wide-ranging new book. He outlines the present confusion about future hope in both church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for 'new heavens and new earth', and shows how the 'second coming' of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection, belong within that larger picture, together with the intermediate hope for 'heaven'. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation - and if this has already begun in Jesus' resurrection - the church cannot stop at 'saving souls', but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life. Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life not only after death but before it.

Walking through Psalm 23 phrase by phrase, therapist and author K.J. Ramsey explores the landscape of our fear, trauma, and faith. When she stepped through her own wilderness of spiritual abuse and religious trauma, K.J. discovered that courage is not the absence of anxiety but the practice of trusting we will be held and loved no matter what. How can we cultivate courage when fear overshadows our lives? How do we hear the Voice of Love when hate and harm shout loud? This book offers an honest path to finding that there is still a Good Shepherd who is always following you. Braiding contemplative storytelling, theological reflection, and practical neuroscience, Ramsey reveals a route into connection and joy that begins right where you are. The Lord is My Courage is for the deconstructing and the dreamers, the afraid and the amazed, for those whose fear has not been fully shepherded but who can't seem to stop listening for their Good Shepherd's Voice.

"Good King Wenceslas looked out
on the Feast of Stephen,
when the snow lay round about,
deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night,
though the frost was cruel,
when a poor man came in sight,
gathering winter fuel."

This story, based on actual events that occurred in the tenth century, tells of a kind-hearted king and his page who set out to help a poor man on a cold winter's night and experience a miracle along the way. Tim's Ladwig's energetic paintings bring new life to the familiar words and remind readers of all ages that helping others is a blessing.

In December 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac in what is present-day Mexico City an Indian named Juan Diego beheld an apparition of the Mother of God. With the attire and features of an Indian maiden and addressing Juan Diego in his native tongue she instructed him to tell the bishop to build a shrine on that spot. As a sign she left her image on his cloak - the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Drawing on a lifetime of reflection Father Virgil Elizondo has written Guadalupe, an account of the story and meaning of one of the most powerful religious symbols of our day. For centuries Guadalupe has served as one of the sustaining symbols of Mexican, Latin American, and U.S. Hispanic identity and spirituality. But more than that, in this lyrical and inspiring work Elizondo shows that Our Lady of Guadalupe has an even wider significance and relevance to the church universal at the dawn of a new millennium.

The ideas of heaven and hell have sparked some of the most powerful writings of all time. In this creative coupling of literature and Scripture, classic writers such as T.S. Eliot, William Butler Yeats, Charles Dickens and Emily Dickenson share their own inspiring visions of immortality.

This sourcebook of primary texts illustrates the history of Christianity from Nicaea to St. Augustine and St. Patrick. It covers all major persons and topics in the "golden age" of Greek and Latin patristics. This standard collection, still unsurpassed, is now available to a wider North American audience.

Doyle constructs communion ecclesiology as a broad and inclusive category that makes room for a range of legitimate approaches. He examines the approaches of Johann Adam Mohler, Charles Journet, Henri de Lubac, Yves Congar, Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Elizabeth Johnson, Joseph Ratzinger and many others.

Postmodernity is a name that has been attached to our cultural milieu. Among its features are a sense of historical consciousness, a recognition of the social construction of knowledge, an appreciation for pluralism, and a suspicion of grand narratives. It is a cultural worldview that is naturally suspicious of Christian "mission." Meanwhile, conservative Catholics are equally suspicious of postmodernism, associating it with relativism, secularism, and syncretism). Drawing on his own mission training and experience, John Sivalon believes the gospel can and must be inculturated in any culture, and he believes that postmodernism, rather than rendering Christian mission meaningless, breathes fresh insight, vision, and life into Vatican II's notion that mission is centered in the very heart of God. Above all, postmodernism offers "the gift of uncertainty"--the ground of questioning, Why are we doing this? What should we do? How is it best done? With actual case studies that reflect the new face of mission, Fr. Sivalon offers a hopeful vision of how the Gospel retains its challenge and relevance in an age of uncertainty and change.

Hans Urs von Balthasar is widely recognized as perhaps the greatest Catholic theologian of the twentieth century. No writer has better revealed the spiritual greatness of the revelation to which the art of the church and the historic liturgies bear witness. Yet students and nonspecialist readers often find Balthasar daunting and difficult. This volume is the ideal introduction to his work. It unlocks the treasure of his theology by focusing on the beautiful, the good, and the true. These are the three qualities of being around which his great trilogy--"The Glory of the Lord," "Theo-Drama," and "Theo-Logic"--revolves. Though brief, the book captures the essence of what Balthasar wished to say.

In the early 1560s Frederick III (1516-76), Elector Palatine desired that his subjects be led to a 'devout knowledge and fear of the Almighty and his holy Word of salvation'. He commissioned a group of theologians and ministers to compose a catechetical summary of biblical truth that could be committed to memory and be an encouragement to personal faith and growth in Christ. The final version was approved by the Synod in Heidelberg (1563), the city lending its name to the catechism.

The Heidelberg Catechism follows the pattern of the Epistle to the Romans. It opens with the question 'What is your only comfort in life and in death?', and then examines the realities of human sin and misery (Rom. 1-3:20); salvation in Christ, including faith and repentance (Rom. 3:21-11:36); and the Christian life of thankful obedience in response to God's grace in Christ (Rom. 12-16). The catechism stands as a faithful testimony to the ancient Christian faith in its scripturally derived shape and content, and further expressed in its exposition and application of the Apostles' Creed, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer. FROM THE FOREWORD BY WILLIAM VANDOODEWAARD

Modern Spiritual Masters Series. The best and most accessible writings of the most popular saint of the twentieth century whose "Little Way" of spiritual growth has inspired millions.

Articulates a learning process to help Christians improve approaches to understanding other religious traditions. Understanding Other Religious Worlds is built on the difference between learning facts about other religions and understanding them and their followers in a wholistic manner. Berling argues that incorporating the religious "other" in one's own Christian identity is integral to living an authentic Christian life.

Contributors to this volume assess the meaning of globalization and the capacity of Catholic social thought to understand, reform, and guide it.

"I wish I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist had been available when I was an atheist-it would have saved a lot of time in my spiritual journey toward God." Lee Strobel, author, The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, and The Case for a Creator "This extremely readable book brilliantly builds the case for Christianity from the question of truth all the way to the inspiration of the Bible. And the verdict is in: Christians stand on mounds of solid evidence while skeptics cling to nothing but their blind, dogmatic faith. If you're still a skeptic after reading I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, then I suspect you're living in denial." Josh McDowell, speaker and author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict This study guide is the ultimate resource to use side-by-side with I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist and help the reader draw out the evidence for Christianity as well as provide practical insights on how to engage skeptics with the truth addressed in the book. The study guide is divided up into three parts that emboldens the reader to get motivated, equips the reader to be trained, and engages the reader so that they are prepared to readily respond to the objections asserted by skeptics and atheist. Dr. Norman L. Geisler has taught at the university and graduate levels for more than 50 years and has spoken and debated all over the world. He holds an MA from Wheaton College and a PhD in philosophy from Loyola University, and is presently Provost and Distinguished Professor of Apologetics at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He is the author and coauthor of more than 70 books. For more information, check out Dr. Geisler's website www.normgeisler.com. Jason Jimenez has pastored families for 15 years and is founder and president of reshift ministries, Inc. He is the author of The Raging War of Ideas: How to Take Back Our Faith, Family, and Country and The Raging War of Ideas study guide for small groups. For more information, check out www.reshiftministries.org.

Introducing Feminist Theology responds to the questions "What is feminist theology?" and "Why is it important?" by considering the perspectives of women from around the globe who have very diverse life experience and relationships to God, Church and creation. Clifford introduces the major forms of feminist theology: "radical, " "reformist, " and "reconstructionist, " and highlights some of their specific characteristics.

Because what you believe is important... Frank Moore returns with another helping of theological jargon made simple in More Coffee Shop Theology . Bringing tough doctrinal concepts to an understandable level for the average person, this second volume tackles topics including prevenient grace, saving faith, regeneration, predestination, baptism, tribulation, millennial views, eternity and more. Life's complexities can take on the simplicity God intended when discussing theology as if enjoying a cup of coffee in a local cafe. Your understanding of theology 'the study of God' becomes clearer through a 'grass-roots' approach. More Coffee Shop Theology and the initial offering, Coffee Shop Theology, provide basic, applicable instruction to assist you in defining what you believe. Topics discussed in Coffee Shop Theology include: the existence of God, the Trinity, Providence, Authority of Scripture, Human Nature, Original Sin, Systemic Evil, the Deity and Humanity of Christ and more.

The Resurrection accounts of Jesus in the Gospels are the most dramatic and impactful stories ever told. One similarity unites each testimony--that none of his most loyal and steadfast followers could "see" it was him, back from the dead. The reason for this is at the very foundation of the Christian faith. She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. (John 20:14) Hope in the Time of Fear is a book that unlocks the meaning of Jesus's resurrection for readers. Easter is considered the most solemn and important holiday for Christians. It is a time of spiritual rebirth and a time of celebrating the physical rebirth of Jesus after three days in the tomb. For his devoted followers, nothing could prepare them for the moment they met the resurrected Jesus. Each failed to recognize him. All of them physically saw him and yet did not spiritually truly see him. It was only when Jesus reached out and invited them to see who he truly was that their eyes were open. Here the central message of the Christian faith is revealed in a way only Timothy Keller could do it--filled with unshakable belief, piercing insight, and a profound new way to look at a story you think you know. After reading this book, the true meaning of Easter will no longer be unseen.