A Jesus-Shaped Life, How Diving Deeper into Theology Can Transform Us and Our World with the Radical Kindness of God, A Back Porch Theology Book.

A true and simple understanding of theology will reveal to us the God who loves us unconditionally, has good plans for us (even in the hard times), and wants to do life with us. When we understand this, it will radically and beautifully change the way we see ourselves, others, and view our relationship with the Lord. When many of us hear the word theology, we conjure up visions of stuffy old guys in dark clothing, scratching a pen across paper (or maybe a quill across parchment!) and assume that it's not for us. But at its most basic, theology is just words (logos) about God (Theos). Conversations, if you will, about the most important part of our lives--our good, loving, and grace-filled God.

With her signature style and humour, bestselling Bible teacher Lisa Harper invites you into this life-changing conversation. She makes theology fun, practical, and applicable, explaining how academic-sounding concepts--such as imago Dei, atonement, the Trinity, the transcendence and immanence of Christ, and much more--are actually daily realities that make an enormous difference in how we live our lives, how we treat other people, and how we understand our own relationship to our Creator.

If you want to grow closer to God and take a more active role in your community of faith, it's time to take your understanding of God to the next level with sound theology rooted in Scripture. Let Lisa be your (very entertaining) guide in A Jesus-Shaped Life

Would you recognize an angel if you saw one? The majority of earth's inhabitants believe in Angels. Yet so few of us can claim to have seen one. Why? Perhaps it's because in order to encounter one, we first have to learn what to look for, and how to look! We live in a world where the natural and supernatural overlap. Angels are constantly on mission from God, and constantly at work in this world. From the Garden of Eden to the Book of Revelation, Scripture is filled with hundreds of references to these wondrous creatures. In this creative work, Scot McKnight explores what the Bible says - and doesn't say - about these majestic beings. And that's deeply important, because angels are still on mission today. They express God's love, confirm His presence, and even lead humans in redemptive worship. Don't just believe in angels. Learn how to recognise these messengers of God that are all around us and know how God might be using them to affect our lives.

An Award-Winning Challenge to Popular Ideas of the Kingdom According to Scot McKnight, "kingdom" is the biblical term most misused by Christians today. It has taken on meanings that are completely at odds with what the Bible says and has become a buzzword for both social justice and redemption. In Kingdom Conspiracy, McKnight offers a sizzling biblical corrective and a fiercely radical vision for the role of the local church in the kingdom of God. Now in paper. Praise for Kingdom Conspiracy 2015 Outreach Resources of the Year Award Winner One of Leadership Journal's Best Books for Church Leaders in 2014 "This is a must-read for church leaders today."--Publishers Weekly "A timely resource for the missional church to reexamine some basic assumptions that impact church practice in the everyday."--Outreach

This volume will unpack the seven allegations proposed by Scot McKnight in his article 'Calling Jesus Mamzer' in the inaugural volume of The Journal for the Historical Jesus (Volume 1.1 2003: 73-103). Each essay will explore the historicity of each accusation and what they tell us about Jesus. McKnight and Modica propose that by examining these specific allegations, one can begin to comprehend a neglected dimension of historical Jesus studies, namely, that Jesus can be understood by what his opponents (critics) say of him. They contend that such an approach offers, as Malina and Neyrey have previously examined in Calling Jesus Names, a 'Christology from the side'. There will be an introductory and concluding essay from the editors.

In the church tradition three letters, now known as the Pastoral Epistles, are attributed to the apostle Paul. They are unlike any other letters by Paul. They are written to two of his closest companions, Timothy and Titus, and they instruct those two leaders how to lead gathered Christians in Ephesus and in Crete. The letters contain plenty of instruction for how church leaders at that time, and in those places, were to function. In this commentary, Scot McKnight seeks to explain the major themes of the Pastoral Epistles - church order, false teaching, and failing Christians - and their foundational vision for how Christians could make a good impression in public life. These three brief letters express a view of how Christians were to live in the Roman empire in a way that does not offend public sensibilities. They prescribe a way of public behavior best translated as 'civilized religion.'

The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters is a one-of-a-kind reference book. Featuring 208 articles written by numerous experts, it brings the very latest in Pauline scholarship and theology to students, teachers, ministers and laypeople in an accessible and easy to use layout. No other single volume reference work presents as much information focused exclusively on Pauline theology, literature, background and scholarship. This second edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters has been completely revised and updated, to ensure that it contains the very best and most recent developments in Pauline thought. With articles organized in alphabetical order, it is easy to browse through and find exactly what you need - whether you are a student, preacher or simply interested in better understanding Paul's writings. Part of the IVP Reference series, the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, Second Edition, is committed to the authority of Scripture, utilising the best of critical methods, and maintaining dialogue with contemporary scholarship and challenges facing the church Those who have enjoyed and benefited from the first edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters will find this second edition an equally indispensable companion to study and research, while those who are new to the study of Pauline theology will find this an incomparable resource.

Leading People into the Way of Jesus You might not immediately think of yourself as a “leader,” but the apostle Paul likely would. When Paul uses the term leader in a church context he includes anyone who mentors or cares for people into the way of Jesus. In this volume of the New Testament Everyday Bible Study series, Scot McKnight explores four letters written by Paul to three pastoral leaders—Timothy, Titus, and Philemon—and how they model wise advice for leaders in the churches of Ephesus, Crete, and Colossae. Throughout the study of these four letters, McKnight reveals important elements of leadership for us today through Paul’s mentoring of these three leaders. The first three letters are commonly referred to as the Pastoral Epistles, as Paul pastors Timothy and Titus on how to lead churches in Ephesus and Crete, and in the fourth letter, Paul pastors Philemon to lead a house church through a challenge. While these letters are specific to their contexts, they offer timeless wisdom for all sorts of church leaders, from parents and teachers to pastors and business leaders. In the New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series, widely respected biblical scholar Scot McKnight combines interpretive insights with pastoral wisdom for all the books of the New Testament. Each volume provides: Original Meaning. Brief, precise expositions of the biblical text and offers a clear focus for the central message of each passage. Fresh Interpretation. Brings the passage alive with fresh images and what it means to follow King Jesus. Practical Application. Biblical connections and questions for reflection and application for each passage.

Much of what men and women both think about women, gender differences, and cultural norms is remarkably under-processed. Without the benefit of intentional conversation about the barriers women face, most women are left to enter the world of leadership with inadequate awareness and resources. The acknowledgement of a woman's right to leadership is only the first step. We have not yet addressed the very common barriers women face when they enter the leadership arena, nor have we explored practical solutions to help them navigate those barriers so they can lead effectively. Women need to know that unrealistic optimism is a recipe for failure. Simply by acknowledging constraints to success, then exploring strategies to enhance leadership skills, we can help women take greater authority over their call to live out of a God-given identity and giftedness. When Women Lead is for men and women who advocate for female leadership within the Church. When women are educated about the challenges they face and are given resources to navigate beyond those challenges, their opportunity for success in ministry increases dramatically. The purpose of this book is to describe those challenges, explore practical solutions, and equip women to lead successfully and hopefully. While it is an excellent resource for women ready to enter leadership with more confidence and authority, it's also perfect for denominational leaders charged with raising up women called to leadership roles, for lay leaders who want to better understand the dynamics at work when the pastor is a woman, and for husbands, parents, and friends who desperately want to support women in their life who are living out what God has given them to do. What if the Kingdom of God is straining toward the day when all God's people are deployed in the work of the Great Commission? Women are already leading powerful movements around the world. The evangelistic explosion being documented in many closed countries is largely due to the leadership of women. Missionaries tell of the critical role of women in introducing the gospel to new groups. This book can help to equip a new generation of women to rise up with tools in hand to welcome and advance God's Kingdom on earth.

Experience the New Testament afresh in Scot McKnight's bold translation. Typical translations of the New Testament make the biblical text as accessible as possible by using the language of our own day. At times this masks the distance between the New Testament text and modern readers. Scripture continues to speak to us but it speaks as an ancient text to the modern world. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight offers a translation of the New Testament with a daring approach to the ancient text. Clever in its expression and at times stunning in its boldness, The Second Testament will challenge readers to experience God's Word anew. God blesses the beggars in spirit because theirs is Heavens’ Empire. God blesses the grievers because they will be consoled. God blesses the meek because they will inherit the land. God blesses the ones hungering and thirsting for the rightness because they will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:3-6) Features include: Complete text of the New Testament Brief introductions to each book Maps of key locations and events Glossary of key terms in the translation Full-cloth hardcover with foil stamping Deluxe bookmark ribbon

This five-views work brings together an all-star lineup of Pauline scholars to offer a constructive, interdenominational, up-to-date conversation on key issues of Pauline theology. The editors begin with an informative recent history of biblical tradition related to the perspectives on Paul. John M. G. Barclay, A. Andrew Das, James D. G. Dunn, Brant Pitre, and Magnus Zetterholm then discuss how to interpret Paul's writings and theology, especially the apostle's view of salvation. The book concludes with an assessment of the perspectives from a pastoral point of view by Dennis Edwards.

Throughout Scripture and church history, women have been central to the mission of God. But all too often women have lacked opportunities to minister fully. Many churches lack visible examples of women in ministry and leadership. Pastor Tara Beth Leach issues a stirring call for a new generation of women in ministry: to teach, to preach, to shepherd, and to lead. God not only permits women to minister-he emboldens, empowers, and unleashes women to lead out of the fullness of who they are. The church cannot reach its full potential without women using their God-given gifts. Leach provides practical expertise for how women can find their place at the table, escape impostor syndrome, face opposition, mentor others, and much more. When women teach, preach, lead, evangelize, pastor, and disciple, and when men partner to embolden the women in their lives, the church's imagination expands to better reflect God's story and hope for the world.

Unleashing God’s Kingdom Every paragraph in Luke’s gospel is about Jesus. Luke showcases Jesus’ character by recounting all the significant events of his life, recalling his major teachings, and recommending his character as the truest way to live. The Jesus in Luke’s biography doesn’t wait for these events to happen to him, instead Jesus powerfully moves and unleashes the kingdom of God, proclaiming—and demonstrating—holistic redemption. This redemption cannot be reduced to ethics, morality, or even what we call social justice. Its foundation is a Person, and in that Person holistic redemption explodes into living realities. Those who follow this Person suddenly realize they are on mission with Jesus, as Luke tells his great story. In this deep dive into the person of Jesus, Scot McKnight shows that the Christian movement today, just as it was in Jesus’ time, is empowered by the Spirit of God. Explaining the links between the Bible’s world and ours, McKnight explores the enduring relevance of the Gospel of Luke for today. In the New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series, widely respected biblical scholar Scot McKnight combines interpretive insights with pastoral wisdom for all the books of the New Testament. Each volume provides: Original Meaning. Brief, precise expositions of the biblical text and offers a clear focus for the central message of each passage. Fresh Interpretation. Brings the passage alive with fresh images and what it means to follow King Jesus. Practical Application. Biblical connections and questions for reflection and application for each passage.

Five Views on the Gospel presents five different perspectives on the question "What is the gospel?" Presenting a variety of contemporary and tradition-based perspectives, each contributor answers key questions about the nature of the gospel. Questions contributors address include: What is the gospel? What is the context for understanding the New Testament teaching about the gospel? What are the primary biblical texts that you believe express the gospel and how do you understand them? What are people called to do with the gospel and what are the benefits promised by the gospel? How can the definition and proclamation of the gospel be contextualized and made relevant today? What example of an inadequate gospel and a false gospel can you offer? What does it mean to live a life worthy of the gospel? The CounterPoints format provides a unique opportunity for each contributor to set forth their own understanding of the gospel, to interact with competing perspectives, and for the editors to sum up points of agreement and disagreement and a path forward in the debate. Positions and Contributors include: Reformation Gospel (Michael Horton) King Jesus Gospel (Scot McKnight) Wesleyan Gospel (David A. deSilva) Asian Pentecostal Gospel (Julie C. Ma) Liberation Theology Gospel (Shively T. J. Smith) The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

The past two or three decades have witnessed significant activity in research on the Jesus of the Gospels and history. In fact, there has been such a plethora of publication on such a wide variety of facets of this issue that it is difficult to keep pace with the rate of publication. In this volume, Dunn and McKnight have collected and provided introductions to a wide cross-section of essays on the topic, ranging from classic essays by the likes of Bultmann, Cadbury, and Schweitzer to the most recent investigations of Horsley, Levine, and Wright. This volume will be a very useful book for courses and seminars on Jesus or the historical Jesus, because it draws together in one place a wide variety of perspectives and approaches to the issues. Authors represented include: P. S. Alexander, D. C. Allison, P. W. Barnett, M. J. Borg, R. Bultmann, H. J. Cadbury, P. M. Casey, G. B. Caird, B. Chilton, C. E. B. Cranfield, J. D. G. Dunn, R. A. Horsley, J. Jeremias, M. Kähler, W. G. Kümmel, E. E. Lemcio, A.-J. Levine, G. Luedemann, J. P. Meier, B. F. Meyer, R. Morgan, J. A. T. Robinson, E. P. Sanders, A. Schweitzer, K. R. Snodgrass, G. N. Stanton, P. Stuhlmacher, G. Theissen, N. T. Wright.

"Make sure this new guide for living is on your shelf." -Max Lucado This 15th anniversary of the bestselling classic The Jesus Creed invites us to rediscover the core of biblical Christianity: Loving God and Loving Others. Memorizing the Great Commandment is one thing, but living by it is quite another. One of today's most engaging and sought-after Biblical scholars, Scot McKnight demystifies this ancient creed and reveals its power to transform the lives of believers today. He explores how Jesus connected the ancient Jewish commandments to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength" and to "Love your neighbor as yourself" to become the foundation of his ministry. In The Jesus Creed, his seminal work, Scot invites followers of Jesus to step back into the world in which Jesus lived and to hear his core teachings like we've never heard them before. And just like his disciples, we discover how praying the Jesus Creed will close the gap between the people we are right now and the people God created us to be. In The Jesus Creed, you will: Learn about the identities, hopes and struggles of the people closest to Jesus - Joseph and Mary, John the Baptist, Peter, and John Discover how Jesus's radical acts of compassion restore those who are marginalized, oppressed, or grieving How the Jesus Creed can shape society to grow in justice, faith, and joy How the Jesus Creed deepens our love for Jesus, leading to healing, forgiveness and wholeness in our personal lives