How does God change the human heart? What brings about authentic, lasting transformation? Not willpower. Not trendy, self-help techniques. While we have a part to play, God has much more to do with our spiritual transformation than we do. To use the language of the Trinity, spiritual transformation can be described as the work of the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus for the joy of God the Father in the context of Christian community as we walk along spiritual pathways. In other words spiritual transformation includes (1) the Spirit's work, (2) the Son's image, (3) the Father's joy, (4) Christian community, and (5) spiritual pathways. Shape Shifters explores this process and these agents of change that will help you become a person shaped into the image of Jesus. "This Trinitarian vision of spiritual transformation is biblical, balanced, and beautiful. It will resonate with Christians from various traditions and surely benefit the whole Church. Read it and be informed, inspired, and transformed." -Steve Seamands, Professor of Christian Doctrine, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky

"Primal Credo" is a fresh, modern reading of the Apostles' Creed. Some followers of Christ have never heard of the creed and others recite the creed Sunday after Sunday without giving it much thought. This book will help you grow in faith if you are a new Christian or a seasoned saint. Enter into the creed and discover your DNA as a believer in Jesus Christ.

The Apostles' Creed is an entry point into God's story. From "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth" to "I believe in...the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting" the Apostles' Creed provides a helpful synopsis of God's story recorded in Scripture. Both the creed and the Scriptures are gifts from the historic church to the contemporary church. The creed works to keep us focused on the big ideas of the Bible, namely God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The creed has been around nearly as long as there has been a Christian Church and for centuries followers of Christ have looked to the creed as a guide to weed out wrong ideas about God, creation, Jesus, salvation, and the end of human history. This book offers a compelling reflection on the Apostles' Creed, guiding the reader through the language of the creed without big, hard-to-understand, theological words.

"Primal Credo" allows everyday Christians to understand and live out the essentials of the Christian faith.

Book reviews:

Postmodern people are happily rediscovering spirituality, but must wonder if or where faith might find authentic roots. Vreeland's guidance through the Creed offers a fresh connection to the apostolic faith and community. These meditations take us to the heart of how Jesus' early disciples understood his message and still bear witness to it today.
-Brad Jersak, Author / Teacher, Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship, Abbotsford, British Columbia

In "Primal Credo," Derek Vreeland offers the world an engaging reading of the Apostles' Creed. He writes well and crafts vivid images to convey the power and importance of a creed that many repeat weekly without reflecting on its true meaning. He weaves theological reflection around illustrations drawn from the best of modern and ancient sources. To drive home his writing, Vreeland ends each chapter with discussion questions that will help individuals and groups to go deeper in their own journey with God. I happily endorse "Primal Credo" and hope that it gains a wide audience.
-Brian D. Russell, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida

Don't just read this book. Live it. In "Primal Credo," Derek Vreeland provides a vehicle for personal and group study. Witty, scholarly, pastoral and above all, accessible, Primal Credo gives professional and layman alike a deeply personal interaction with a touchstone of the Christian faith. Today the creed is finding whole new audiences as Christians rediscover its pithy encapsulation of orthodoxy. In this concise study, Vreeland proves an apt and engaging companion for that discovery.
-Walter Rogero, Pastor, Calvary Gospel Church of the Assemblies of God, Arlington, Virginia

If you desire to go deeper in your walk with God, "Primal Credo" is a must read. This book is relevant and thoughtful. As Christians, we too often look for the new and the trendy while paying little attention to the power of the past. Derek has provided a livable guide from an ancient creed, one that can help you personally reconnect with, and find new meaning from, the basic theological foundations of the Christian faith. I highly recommend this book.
-Dr. Stephen Gray, Church Planting Director, Free Methodist Church, Austin, Texas