Douglas Webster exposes the dangers of using marketing methods for evangelistic outreach and offers alternative ideas which are creative, powerful, and faithful to the gospel.

Description: The Christ Letter is a conversation partner for pastors and students of the Bible who want to wrestle with the meaning of the biblical text for Christian living today. Scholarly commentaries perform an essential task, but they often leave today's believers on their own when it comes to making Paul's letter come alive. Doug Webster weaves together deep biblical insights, penetrating cultural perspectives, and stories of transformation into a pastoral commentary that promises to release the powerful message of Ephesians. This commentary offers lines of thought, illustrations, and applications that carry the gospel into the present situation. Webster draws out the personal and practical impact of Paul's spiritual direction for today. The Christ Letter gives pastors a fresh perspective and a better handle on how to preach Ephesians effectively. Webster inspires and guides faithful disciples in what it means to follow Jesus in a Christ-centered way. Endorsements: "In this volume Doug Webster brings together a wonderful combination of biblical scholarship, pastoral sensitivity, and a deep awareness of contemporary culture to provide a commentary that is at the same time exegetically sound, relevant to today, and an engaging read. Those preaching, teaching, or simply studying through Paul's letter to the Ephesians will find this volume immensely helpful." --Mark Strauss Bethel Theological Seminary "Doug Webster has thought deeply about the theological and ethical riches of Paul's letter to the Ephesian Christians of the first century. He has then drawn on many years of pastoral and teaching experience to connect this message to the church and culture of our own time and place. The result is a book that, like Ephesians itself, is uplifting, exhilarating, sometimes hard-hitting, and richly edifying." --Frank Thielman Beeson Divinity School "Doug's insight into Ephesians is both broad and deep: he digs deeply into Paul's theology of Trinity, salvation, and the church, and he applies these truths broadly to every area of a believer's life. Perceptively addressing the snares of our culture, Doug challenges readers to hear Paul's clarion gospel call anew. Doug draws on a wealth of contemporary stories and authors, as well as literary classics, as he explains Paul's teachings on sin, power, service, praise, and prayer." --Lynn H. Cohick Wheaton College "Doug Webster's preaching commentary on Ephesians will awaken a spiritual wonder about the possibility of communicating theologically rich ideas from the pulpit. Shallow reflections--be forever gone The christological focus combined with a pertinent and piercing cultural critique makes this commentary a welcome addition. I read this book at sunset on our front porch in the lingering daylight over several evenings. Like having to say goodbye to summer after an enjoyable season, I was sad when it was done." --William J. Webb Tyndale Seminary (Toronto, Canada) About the Contributor(s): Doug Webster is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Virginia, also serve Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York.

Nothing does a better job of capturing the essence of Jesus' philosophy than the first eight verses of his Sermon on the Mount. These eight lines, known as the Beatitudes, summarize what it means to follow Jesus. They are the overture to Jesus' gospel symphony, introducing his distinctive rhythms of grace.
If you want to know how your philosophy of life lines up with Jesus, these simple lines will show you. Listen to Jesus. Let his words fill your mind and heart. Explore what he meant-what he means, and then make up your own mind about Jesus. Let the Beatitudes by Jesus be the soundtrack of your soul and you will be moving to the rhythms of his grace.
Doug Webster mentors future pastors at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He has Ph.D. from the University of St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology. he and his wife Virginia have three grown children.

The Gospel according to Jeremiah provides some of the best statements of hope and promise in all the Bible. Beyond his costly obedience and faithful endurance, Jeremiah expressed the gospel message of hope. He was the prophet of God's gracious promise: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He would be disappointed to be remembered only for his messages of judgment and lamentation, because he saw himself as the prophet of the Lord's new covenant. Long before the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, Jeremiah embodied the Gethsemane mind-set, took up his cross daily and lived in the power of the resurrection. In his hard-hitting prophetic message, the hope of the Gospel prevailed. Jeremiah's life was a parable of Jesus pointing forward to "The Lord Our Righteousness." Jeremiah didn't sermonize, he embodied the word of the Lord in his life and character. He was not the Incarnate One, but he lived an incarnational life.

In the court of public opinion, today's skeptic seems to be looking for a quick dismissal of the Christian faith, not a long, dragged out, serious discussion. Instead of a fully armored, reasoned assault on the truth, flippancy, sarcasm, irony, and humor are the preferred weapons of unbelief. With a well-timed joke or an amusing anecdote, he or she hopes this whole business of Christ and the Bible can be "laughed out of court."
How can a Christian respond to a culture of credulity and suspicion? In Second Thoughts for Skeptics, Doug Webster draws out the wisdom of Scripture on some of the most critical questions human beings have ever asked: what is the meaning of life? Can we really know what God is like? Where is the universe heading? More importantly, can the Christian faith legitimately answer these questions in light of what we know about the universe today. With sensitivity and humility, Doug Websters directs us--not to his own air-tight arguments--but rather to what Christians believe is God's self-revelation. Moreover, he invites his readers not to embrace a merely intellectual idea, but rather to embrace the living Jesus "in whom all things hold together."
Douglas D. Webster, Ph.D., is the author of numerous books including Soulcraft: How God Shapes Us Through Relationships and Under the Radar: A Conversation on Spiritual Leadership. He and his wife, Virginia, live in Birmingham, Alabama, where Doug mentors future pastors at Beeson Divinity School.

"Doug Webster's " Text Messaging " is one of the most compelling statements I have read on preaching the Gospel faithfully in a culture of change. Alive to the challenges every preacher faces in a world of evanescent meaning, Webster reminds us that the proclamation of the Word-what the world calls folly-is the wisdom of God. A book to be read and re-read by every pastor and every student of preaching."
-- Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and a senior editor of " Christianity Today "
Douglas D. Webster (Ph.D., University of St. Michael's College) mentors future pastors at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Before coming to Beeson, he served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego for fourteen years. He and his wife Virginia have three grown children. His other books include "Soulcraft: How God Shapes Us Through Relationships " and "Under the Radar: A Conversation on Spiritual Leadership."

It is easy to celebrate the mood of Christmas without Jesus. But it is impossible to celebrate the meaning of Christmas without Jesus. "A Christmas Journey" explores the meaning of God's movement toward us and our response to God's love. The message of Christmas can be summed up in four words: "God sent his Son."
The Gift we celebrate at Christmas was not wrapped, it was crucified. It was not under the tree, it was nailed to the tree, and it was not opened on Christmas day. it was opened on Easter morning.
Doug Websterteaches pastoral theology at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. His other books include "Soulcraft, Under the Radar, " and "A Passion for Christ."

Where are the leaders like Jesus? Perhaps they are not where you think they are. In Under the Radar, Douglas Webster lays out a Scriptural challenge to recent trends in church leadership, which are quickly turning pastors into CEOs and their churches into multi-million dollar marketing machines out of touch with their biblical mission. Working from the Gospel of Luke, Doug Webster shows where we've gone wrong and what an authentic Christian leader looks like according to Scripture. Leadership in the name of Jesus, he argues, is different from any other kind of leadership in the world. Nothing the world has to offer comes even close. Jesus turns everything upside down, and inside out, and nothing comes out the same. What's more, to serve Christ often means to fly under public recognition. Here is essential reading for all who would lead the people of God. Douglas D. Webster (Ph.D., St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology) is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. In addition to teaching courses at Bethel Seminary (San Diego) and Tyndale Seminary (Toronto), Doug has also led pastor training seminars in Ghana and Mongolia. He is the author of several books, including Soulcraft, A Passion for Christ and The Discipline of Surrender.

The Christian Life often seems to involve swinging back and forth between guilty passivity before God and exhausting activity for God. Douglas Webster helps us get past such a frustrating and false dilemma by showing how Christian discipleship brings together the vitality of discipline under the peace of a continuing surrender to the initiative of God. By exploring the rich images used throughout the Bible, The Disciple of Surrender illuminates the heart and soul of life in Christ. The down-to-earth images of altar and lamb, thorn and trumpet, farmer's yoke and shepherd' staff powerfully convey to us the patter of life poured out on us from God. Mundane objects such as towel and basin, manna and donkey humbly serve as God's object lessons to capture our prayerful imaginations and propel us toward lives of courage, humility and flat-out dependence on God. This book is for all those who are wary of simple techniques or sure-fire methods for following Jesus but who are seeking a deeper, richer and biblically sound source for their spiritual nourishment. Douglas D. Webster (PhD., St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology) is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. He also teaches courses at Bethel Seminary, San Diego, and Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Canada. He is author of eight books, including A Passion for Christ and Soulcraft.

Soulcraft: the art of discerning, applying and enjoying the wisdom of God in every aspect of life. There are many books on relationships, how to improve communication, resolve conflict, have more fun, get more serious. This book is not one of them. Rather, this is a special book that reveals how God makes us and molds us inot the people he wants us to be as we work and play and cry and laugh with each other in the daily grind of life. Proverbs tells us that "as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Similarly, this book explores how God uses other people to craft us and form our spiritual lives. Whether with friends, spouses or children, God uses everyday relationships so we can love him with our spiritual lives. Whether with friends, spouses or children, God uses other people to craft us and form our spiritual lives. Whether with friends, spouses or children, God uses everyday relationships so we can love him with our hearts, mind, strength and soul. All relationships were designed to be God-centered. Soulcraft encourages us to look at life differently -- not from the self-oriented perspective of the world. Soulcraft sees our identity and sexuality from God's fresh point of view. Soulcraft not only gives us new reasons for joy but also gives us the strength to meet the burdens of brokenness and grief in relationships. Soulcraft is the adventure of a lifetime. God invites you to join him in it. "Soulcraft invites us into the workshop of a pastor practicing his craft, soulcraft. There are no cliches here, no breezy self-help slogans. This is serious stuff indeed. What our culture trivializes, this pastor treats with enormous respect. Doug Webster bring a biblically disciplined mind and a reverent Christ-attentiveness to the details of what matters most to all of us, over very souls." --Eugene H. Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College. Douglas D. Webster (PhD., St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology) is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. He also teaches courses at Bethel Seminary, San Diego, and Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Canada. He is author of eight books, including A Passion for Christ and The Discipline of Surrender.