How parents approach the task of passing on religious faith and practice to their children How do American parents pass their religion on to their children? At a time of overall decline of traditional religion and an increased interest in personal "spirituality," Religious Parenting investigates the ways that parents transmit religious beliefs, values, and practices to their kids. We know that parents are the most important influence on their children's religious lives, yet parents have been virtually ignored in previous work on religious socialization. Renowned religion scholar Christian Smith and his collaborators Bridget Ritz and Michael Rotolo explore American parents' strategies, experiences, beliefs, and anxieties regarding religious transmission through hundreds of in-depth interviews that span religious traditions, social classes, and family types all around the country. Throughout we hear the voices of evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, mainline and black Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist parents and discover that, despite massive diversity, American parents share a nearly identical approach to socializing their children religiously. For almost all, religion is important for the foundation it provides for becoming one's best self on life's difficult journey. Religion is primarily a resource for navigating the challenges of this life, not preparing for an afterlife. Parents view it as their job, not religious professionals', to ground their children in life-enhancing religious values that provide resilience, morality, and a sense of purpose. Challenging longstanding sociological and anthropological assumptions about culture, the authors demonstrate that parents of highly dissimilar backgrounds share the same "cultural models" when passing on religion to their children. Taking an extensive look into questions of religious practice and childrearing, Religious Parenting uncovers parents' real-life challenges while breaking innovative theoretical ground.

How parents approach the task of passing on religious faith and practice to their children How do American parents pass their religion on to their children? At a time of overall decline of traditional religion and an increased interest in personal "spirituality," Religious Parenting investigates the ways that parents transmit religious beliefs, values, and practices to their kids. We know that parents are the most important influence on their children's religious lives, yet parents have been virtually ignored in previous work on religious socialization. Renowned religion scholar Christian Smith and his collaborators Bridget Ritz and Michael Rotolo explore American parents' strategies, experiences, beliefs, and anxieties regarding religious transmission through hundreds of in-depth interviews that span religious traditions, social classes, and family types all around the country. Throughout we hear the voices of evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, mainline and black Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist parents and discover that, despite massive diversity, American parents share a nearly identical approach to socializing their children religiously. For almost all, religion is important for the foundation it provides for becoming one's best self on life's difficult journey. Religion is primarily a resource for navigating the challenges of this life, not preparing for an afterlife. Parents view it as their job, not religious professionals', to ground their children in life-enhancing religious values that provide resilience, morality, and a sense of purpose. Challenging longstanding sociological and anthropological assumptions about culture, the authors demonstrate that parents of highly dissimilar backgrounds share the same "cultural models" when passing on religion to their children. Taking an extensive look into questions of religious practice and childrearing, Religious Parenting uncovers parents' real-life challenges while breaking innovative theoretical ground.

This important, historical book was actually written simply as a private letter to a personal friend of Henry Scougal's. It was not penned with any intention of seeing it published, but God has been pleased to use it in a way that made it quickly a classic Puritan text and one of the most widely read and influential treatises ever put into print. It has served faithfully as a comfort to the saints of God for hundreds of years. Just before his death, at 27 years old, Scougal allowed this private correspondence to be published. Nearly 70 years later, a young George Whitefield would be brought to a true knowledge of God by reading it.

In this concise book, author J.C. Ryle delves into five common dangers that he considered especially plaguing to the young men he observed. Pride, Love of Pleasure, Thoughtlessness, Contempt of Christianity, and Fear of Man's Opinion are all specific perils that Ryle deals with in his direct yet pastoral style. Despite its original target of young men the precious truths and timeless advice drawn from Scripture are also very valuable to our young women as well. Ryle speaks in a very approachable and useful style that resonates today (perhaps even more so) as it did when first published. The problems that threaten young men are just as real and even stronger now than ever. We live in a modern world that is at war with the things of God and young people have very particular vulnerabilities. I would strongly encourage any man (or lady) young or old to read this as it will prove to be a tremendous help and encouragement.

An explanation of Heaven as only America's brightest Theologian could deliver.

A comprehensive study of the last things (eschatology). Designed for all earnest Bible students, but especially for ministers, seminary students, Bible college students, and others who are exploring or revisiting these theological concepts. The major thrust is about the second coming of Christ and events that are closely connected with it. Read the book for a fresh insight into those events, soundly based on meticulous hermeneutics, and biblical exegesis. This volume is refreshingly devoid of the sensational type of reading that presently floods the market.

Who better to teach "How to be Soul-Winner" than C. H. Spurgeon. Known the world over as the "Prince of Preachers," Spurgeon is the master of the evangelical sermon and perhaps the most prolific communicator of the gospel the world has ever seen. In this classic manual on evangelism, he lays out the most biblical, and therefore effective, methodologies for leading sinners to the Savior. Before buying into any of the so-called "new & innovative" systems of evangelism- learn the basics of sound Bible teaching on how to share the good news from the pen of a master evangelist.

In the Smalcald Articles, (at the behest of his patron, Elector John Frederick of Saxony), Luther summarized what he regarded to be the most important teaching in Christianity, these Articles were prepared with the intention of being presented at the Schmalkaldic League's meeting in 1537 primarily to address concerns pertaining to the office and power of the Roman Catholic Pope. The League had been organized in 1531 as a union of various Lutheran territories and cities, to provide a united military and political front against Roman Catholic politicians and armies, led by Emperor Charles V. After some argument, the league ultimately determined not to adopt the articles Luther had written, instead adopting a treatise by Philipp Melanchthon. Although they were not adopted at the meeting of the Schmalkaldic League, they nonetheless gained wide acceptance and use and were eventually incorporated into the Book of Concord in 1580 as one of the Lutheran Confessions of the faith.

The Mother at Home was particularly written for the mother who is employed full-time at home in the work of raising a family, but the principles are applicable to every mother and every father as well. This classic book has served to raise godly children for generations. Mothers everywhere have found it to be of vital help to them in their awesome task. Full of wisdom and practical teaching to be cherished by all-read it often, as it isn't possible to glean everything in one or two readings. You'll gain timeless biblical guidance and successful parenting practices, -it's full of practical advice for running a successful home, raising children that love and worship God, and avoiding the most universal parenting pitfalls. Written before the "politically correct" days, when parents were not afraid to discipline their children in the admonition of the Lord. The Mother at Home will prove to be an enormously helpful and encouraging manual for Moms emphasizing the need to be diligent in parenting as slackness in this God-given responsibility will heap up trouble in years to come. Give this fantastic book to any mother of young children as a valuable aid in reflection and course adjustment while there still remains time to impact the lives of their children for good. It's far more effective than the modern books which erroneously encourage a child-led parenting methodology. Raise your children God's way