A guidebook for those who want to cultivate literary taste--

knowing how to recognize and benefit from books that are spiritually and aesthetically good.

Literary expert Gene Veith helps book lovers better understand what they read as he explains how each major literary genre communicates. Showing how comedy, tragedy, realism, and fantasy can portray the Christian worldview, Veith delves into related topics such as the value of fairy tales, the tragic and the comic sense of life, the contrast between the classical and the Hebraic traditions, and the role of postmodernity (a subject of vital importance to Christians). Introducing readers to writers past and present, Veith helps Christians to influence culture from an educated perspective and get more out of their reading.

Luther: A Giant Among Leaders When called to account for himself in front of the emperor and representatives of the people—a single assembly embodying the greatest political and religious powers of the day—Luther defended his writings and pronouncements. Facing excommunication and execution, he was given a last chance to recant. He refused, replying that his conscience was bound by the Word of God. The nearly five centuries that have passed since that trial still reverberate with his final declaration to those powerful dignitaries: "Here I stand." This book focuses on that place where all of us must stand if we want to lead others to a better community, a better society, a better world. 

Work can be a daily grind--a hard, monotonous set of thankless tasks. In the midst of the ongoing toil, many are plagued by a lack of purpose, confused as to what to do and who to become. And while some of our vocations may seem more overtly meaningful than others', the truth is that most of us work because we have to. It is a means to an end--survival.

Given the enormous amount of time each of us spends working, we would do well to understand our callings and how God works through them.

Here culture expert Gene Veith gives us more than a simple understanding of work--more than a catchy slogan to "do all things for the glory of God." He outlines a spiritual framework for answering questions such as: What does it mean to be a Christian businessperson or a Christian artist or a Christian lawyer, scientist, construction worker or whatever? How can I know what I am supposed to do with my life? What does it mean to raise a Christian family? And what if I don't have kids?

Unpacking the Bible's teaching on work, Veith helps us to see the meaning in our vocations, the force behind our ethics, and the transformative presence of God in our everyday, ordinary lives.

This illuminating and insightful book analyzes problems with the culture's underlying worldviews and suggests how Christians can offer solutions to current problems as a way to rebuild culture and faith.

Imagination. Contrary to popular perception, it's not just for kids, artists, or fans of science fiction. Rather, the imagination is what bridges our thinking and feeling, allowing us to do everything from planning a weekend getaway to remembering what we ate for breakfast. In Imagination Redeemed, Gene Veith and Matthew Ristuccia uncover the imagination's importance for Christians, helping us understand who God is, what his Word teaches, and how we should live in the world today. Drawing on key biblical passages and relevant historical precedents, this important book explores an attribute that is too often ignored in conversations about the Christian life. Here is a call to embrace this forgotten part of the mind as a gift from God designed to bolster faith, hope, and love in his people.