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The problem of eternal damnation is one that should trouble all believers and impels many to seek answers to fundamental questions outside of the Church. For this reason, theologians with a missionary heart of the last century or more from across the ecclesial spectrum have sought to refashion the gospel in our own estranged image. In dialogue with one of the leading figures of this movement, Joshua Brotherton tackles the question of the plausibility that all will be saved. Sympathetic to their cause, this volume seeks to revise the way in which they envision the reconciliation of divine love and moral evil.

An updating of virtue ethics for modern pastors and the souls they care for, this book proposes innovations for the craft of ministry in the theology of grace--how virtues radiate to tame strife and other destructive behaviors. It presents a comprehensive alternative to the top-down proclamations of'biblical counseling'approaches that try to impart, from an eclectic biblicist lens, cognitive authorities for consequential change. Instead, Christ's bottom-up practice of virtues heals and fulfills by focusing on neighbor first and subordinating the ego's strategic considerations--more graciously spreading God's will in ministry through participatory and experiential knowledge. Virtuous pastoral ministries integrate the common grace of humanist learning to address the range of the care seeker's contemporary context--her upbringing, struggles, and affiliations. This book presents more the'how'than the'what'of pastoral theology: more how the dance of mutuality and chivalry enters the spiritual flow of healing metaphysical grace than the'what'of right'belief.'Even so, pastoral care from the virtue ethical approach inevitably reconsiders'vending machine'theologies, destructive doctrinal boundaries, and context-lite biblicisms. This presentation introduces how virtue ethics apply to ministry, the household, individual trauma and addictions, and the contemporary political and cultural arena.

When Scottish lay theologian Thomas Erskine's book The Unconditional Freeness of the Gospel was published in 1828, it provoked a storm of controversy throughout his Calvinist homeland. The ideas expressed in the book were violently attacked as being radical, unwarranted, and heretical, and yet, by the turn of the twentieth century, those same ideas that had been so heatedly condemned when first presented had become common stock in the Christian world--ideas such as the universal Fatherhood of God, the universal atonement of Christ, and a gospel that was meant to be proclaimed freely to all people. This new and unabridged edition of Thomas Erskine's classic work has been fully and helpfully annotated. It includes an introduction to Thomas Erskine and his theology by the editor, Richard Leimbach, and a final chapter consisting of further readings from Erskine's letters and books. The book will surely be a welcomed addition for anyone interested in the development of Christian theology in the early nineteenth century.

OVER TWO MILLION COPIES SOLD!It's the most powerful force in the universe, our only hope for love and forgiveness, and a foretaste of eternal life: amazing, radical, life-changing grace.Millions of lives have been changed by award-winning author Philip Yancey's startling exploration of grace at street level. Grace is the one thing the world can't duplicate, the healing force we need, and the key to transforming a broken world.In this revised and updated edition of his personal and provocative book, Yancey offers true portraits of grace's life-changing power. These stories, set in the midst of life's stark realities, evoke such questions as:If grace is God's love for the undeserving, how do I get it?How well are we dispensing grace to a world that knows far more of strife and unforgiveness than it does of mercy?Can grace make a difference in the midst of such atrocities as the Nazi holocaust, and how can it withstand the brutality of hate? With powerful stories, rich theology, and practical suggestions, Yancey challenges us to become living answers to a world that desperately needs to know, What's So Amazing About Grace?

'Mark Jones addresses the uncomfortable topic of backsliding believers-and, to a lesser extent, apostasy-in a serious, hopeful, and pastoral work informed by wise theologians of eras past'--

'Are you distracted, weary, and unresponsive to God's grace? Drawing on the wisdom of Puritan John Owen, Kris Lundgaard shows how to find life and peace by cultivating a spiritually devoted mind'--

Are the gentiles under the law in Paul? This question has three possible answers: (1) Paul understands that gentiles are not under the law because they do not have the law; (2) conversely, and although it appears to be ironic, Paul puts gentiles under the law even though he acknowledges that they do not have the law; or (3) he reveals his confusion concerning the relationship between the law and gentiles by saying gentiles are under the law in one place and then saying gentiles are without the law in another place. This book investigates the literature of Second Temple Judaism and the Greco-Roman world to uncover the possible background of Paul's understanding of law and its relationship to the gentiles. This book then engages in exegetical studies on key texts of Paul relative to the law and gentiles by way of historical-grammatical research. The thesis of this book is that, although Paul acknowledges gentiles to be without the law (Rom 2:14) and Israel as having the law as her privilege (Rom 9:4), Paul paradoxically places gentiles along with Jews under the law which gentiles never possessed. For Paul, gentiles not having the law are under the law and its curse. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross redeemed Jews and gentiles from the curse of law.

Grace for Service is a thoroughly researched, biblically grounded, personally transformational study of the Holy Spirit's enabling grace for ministry designed to equip leaders who guide the church in its stewardship of God's gifts and to enrich the understanding of Christians who want to go deeper in this important subject. This book serves up an exceptionally broad buffet of historical, biblical, and theological information to help the reader engage the many questions associated with'spiritual gifts.'In the process it offers a fresh perspective that transcends typical find-and-use-your-gift teaching and moves beyond the long-standing battles over miraculous gifts. It calls the follower of Jesus to view all dimensions of life through the lens of the Spirit's gracious equipping and enabling work. Grace for Service is a must-have resource for anyone who teaches about the Spirit's gifts in church and school settings and an essential read for believers who are passionate about the topic but dissatisfied with what they currently know.

In the course of a long and distinguished academic and civic career, the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor has been, for articulate atheists and learned believers alike, an incisive, insightful, gracious, and challenging conversation partner on issues that arise at the intersection and interaction of religion, society, and culture. Grace and Freedom in a Secular Age offers a concise exposition of key ideas – contingency, otherness, freedom, vulnerability and mutuality – that inform his probing analyses of the dynamics of religious belief and religious denial in the pervasive contemporary culture he calls a “a secular age,” within which religious belief and practice have, for many, become just an option. Those ideas provide the basis from which Rossi argues that, despite a clear-eyed recognition of the deep fractures of meaning and the pervasive fragmentation of once stable societal connections that a secular age has brought in its wake, Taylor also sees and affirms strong grounds for hope in a healing of our broken and fractured world and for the possibilities—and the importance of—active human participation in that healing. Taylor points to signs indicative of potent re-compositions and renewals taking place in religious belief and practice from its interaction with the dynamics of secular culture, particularly ones that make possible radical enactments of deeper human solidarity and mutuality, of which the one most often potent is the reconciliation of enemies. In pointing out these signs, Taylor suggests a richly expansive reading of the Christian doctrine of Creation, as it marks the radical contingency of all that is upon a freely bestowed divine self-giving: Creation is the ongoing enactment of the divine hospitality of the Triune God.

How is the totality of Scripture to be understood? How is sinful man brought into a relationship with God? In the opening pages of Scripture, we read of God's covenant with Adam and all he represents (humanity). If Adam obeys the covenant he will live, yet if he disobeys, he and all in him, will die. Upon the fall of Adam in Gen 3 we read of another covenant, an unconditional one, of the serpent bruising the Seed of the Woman's heel and the Seed of the Woman bruising the serpent's head (Gen 3:15). We read of grace. This book operates as a primer that outlines the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace from Gen 2-3 to uncover the reality of man's ruin in the garden and his redemption in Christ.

The purpose of this book is to communicate as clearly as possible Paul's gospel of God in its depth, from what I have learned over five decades of studying Paul's letters and theology. But, regardless of how much I have gained from teachers past and present, the bottom line is that'the things freely given us by God'in Paul's gospel can only be known by the Spirit of God, through comparing Paul's Spirit-taught words with Spirit-taught words (1 Cor 2:12-13). Luther's grasp of how justification in Christ--and thus faith in Christ--is central, is verified by what Paul says in Rom 1:16-17; that in the gospel, God's saving righteousness is revealed, from Christ's faith to our faith. The message of this book can be summed up as follows: The life of the person in Christ is to be one of trust in Christ for righteousness before God, and, through that faith, obedience to Christ as Lord. This life is possible because Christ believers have died with Christ to the lordship of the Sin and the law, and are alive to God in Christ Jesus--owned by him as Lord, being one spirit with him.

This book is an exploration of the role of grace in Christian thought and practise. The wonder of the Christian faith is that salvation is available as a gift, by grace, and does not have to be earned. It was a gift from God in the form of the coming and death of Jesus. This is because grace is actually at the heart of the nature of God, where the Trinitarian Persons each give grace fully to the others so that, although different, they are equal. With this background, it follows that this book argues that the way of life of Christians, in the image of God, is of grace. This is a life of readiness to give, a seeking of harmony, and a rebuttal of the aggressiveness and self-seeking that is a characteristic of normal human life.

Becoming who you were before the world told you who you had to be.You're not alone when it comes to experiencing shame or fear of not being enough. Shame isn't felt only by those who have gone through failure or trauma or been told they'll never amount to anything. Many people—even those who are considered successful—struggle with a sense that they are deficient or inadequate.Drawing on a rich variety of personal experience, Scripture, spiritual formation classics, psychology, and relational neuroscience; award-winning author and pastor Ken Shigematsu shows how a deep, experiential encounter with the love of God can heal us of our shame, make us whole again, and inspire us to fulfill our purpose by making a faithful contribution to the world.Now I Become Myself will help you:Break free of an unhealthy self-image and from jealousy of others'achievements.Discover how beauty and spiritual joy can help you overcome the unhealthy shame you're clinging to.Create space in your life to draw close to Jesus and deepen your sense of God's boundless love for you.Written with pastoral compassion and understanding, Shigematsu's stories and teachings will uplift you and help you break free from the feeling of not being enough so that you can find rest in the security of God's grace.Each chapter concludes with a prayer exercise intended to nurture your relationship with the God who formed you in love and created you in beauty.

In John Duns Scotus on Grace and the Trinitarian Missions, Mitchell J. Kennard argues that Franciscan theologian John Duns Scotus (d. 1308) has been wrongly inscribed in the narrative of the late medieval theology of grace. Scotus is presented here not as the initiation or cause of the low fourteenth-century theology of grace but as the last great contributor to the high thirteenth-century theology of grace as deifying participation in the divine nature. This book argues that Scotus's signature reflections on the relationship between grace and the Trinitarian missions—the Incarnation of the Son and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—warrant closer attention by both historical and systematic theologians alike.

What is the apostle Paul's message in his Letter to the Romans? And how does it apply to us today? Is there more to learn about Romans, and is there more for the church to hear today? Keith Stanglin takes this familiar epistle and makes sense of its author's original intent and its meaning for believers now. With attention both to the historical background and to our contemporary situation, he offers thirty-one meditations that take readers through the entire letter, beginning with the ancient arguments and arriving at modern exhortation. Each chapter is accompanied by discussion questions for use in classes and study groups. For scholars serving the church, this book is a welcome supplement to a technical commentary. For non-specialists, it is an introduction to Romans and an invitation to seek its wisdom. All readers will see Paul's message of God's grace in fresh ways.

'Joshua's tone and message communicates a wisdom that can only come from first-hand experience. The grace and poetic writing within this book will stay with you for ever'- Propaganda, Author, Poet, Political Activist'Joshua Luke Smith has given us a beautiful book. With the skill of an artist, the heart of a disciple, and the vision of prophet, he invites us to encounter the grace of God in a way that stokes the deeper fire our hearts are aching for in these broken time. What a gift.'- Jon Tyson. Author and Pastor The culture today tells us we can be whoever we want to be. So, why do so many of us feel stuck? Throughout this book, pastor and poet Joshua Luke Smith invites you into a'selah'moment - an opportunity to quieten the noise – and to see that the clarity you are longing for may be closer than you think. Something You Once Knew will remind you of what you always hoped to be true and rekindle the wonder you lost along the way. With thoughtful reflections on following curiosity, building true community and reclaiming your creativity, this book will help you to rediscover the vision and vibrancy installed in you from the very beginning.''Joshua Luke Smith writes with an electric heart-on-sleeve honesty that makes me feel like I'm reconnecting with a long-lost friend. Page after page I feel the stirring of a mysterious wonder that I'm afraid I'd long forgotten.'- John Mark Mcmillan'Every human should read this masterpiece (and I don't call it that lightly) as I honestly think it has the ability to make us all better people.'- Zoe Clark-Coates MBE

All of Grace is a theological study by Charles Spurgeon who is known as the'Prince of Preachers'. Grace is the hallmark of Christianity which is often out of the focus of the Christian church. Spurgeon suggests that the grace is the central glue of faith, redemption, and repentance. He argues that through grace, repentance gets a meaning. A gospel centered study tells about the greatness of Jesus and the Lord's redemptive heart towards his own. Spurgeon deals with the sin that entangles us by showing us Jesus. He reminds us that the Lord knows very well that we can't change our heart, but he can, when we submit to him by faith in Jesus. And with faith comes repentance.

What Is God's Grace—and What Does It Mean for You? Grace. It's a word we've heard since the very first step in our faith journey—but do we really believe in God's grace? Grace raises eyebrows. It begs questions. Grace turns everything upside down. The Grace Message invites you to discover the best flavor of Christianity and celebrate the good news of the Gospel to the fullest. Here, you'll learn: • how to abandon rule-based living and stop trying to measure up • why your new identity in Jesus matters more than you can imagine • how you can now enjoy God's New Covenant way of grace Bestselling author and radio host Andrew Farley's no-nonsense straight talk will awaken you to a revolutionary perspective every healthy Christian should have. Life is too short to miss out on God's best—and what you don't know can hinder you from experiencing Jesus in every area of your life. So if you've been weighed down by ruthless religion, or you've been searching for that high-octane version of the Gospel that you know must be out there somewhere, here it is. This thought-provoking book will challenge you to dismiss the lies you've believed and to make up your own mind about how big God's grace really is. “Andrew Farley shows why the good news is actually great news. This extraordinary, battle-tested message of hope and freedom has a proven track record of transforming lives. The Grace Message is bursting with truth. The love of God practically drips from its pages. Read it and see for yourself!” —Bart Millard, singer/songwriter for MercyMe

There is a biblically-revealed, sequential plan of God for the duration of every human life, the knowledge of which should profoundly impact and enliven each one of us who is able to understand and embrace it in a heartfelt way. The purpose of this book, therefore, is to inform readers of God's plans for, and claims upon, human beings, from before their birth and continuing through their existence to the final judgment and beyond. Each reader can then seriously consider their way of life now in view of the things to come. The author identifies seven sequential stages in every person's life journey, the majority of which occur beyond the grave. Written shortly before its writer passed away, this little book nonetheless exudes a spirit of joy as its author, his sufferings notwithstanding, leaned forward, full of expectation and without fear, into the glorious future promised to everyone who loves and serves their Lord Jesus now. Rakestraw shares the secret to investing a brief earthly life well. Like the venerable John Bunyan, writer of the devotional classic Pilgrim's Progress, Rakestraw points the way to our eternal home.

In her latest book, Michele Howe teaches us how to hone a grateful, grace-filled heart no matter what our circumstances. When we focus on God's grace and respond with gratitude, we happily discover that supernatural principle of inner joy and contentment—despite whatever life might throw at us. Chapter by chapter, readers will learn how to be thankful, joyful, content, and even happy during life's hardships. This happens when, as children of God, we train ourselves to view every situation within the lens of eternity. As we learn to default to a grace-filled attitude of gratitude, we honor God by obeying the apostle Paul's call to “do all things without grumbling or complaining.” When we choose to respond with a faith-driven acceptance rather than resort to grumbling or complaining, God begins (and continues) his supernatural work of sanctification in our hearts.

Well known for his appearances on TV and radio, as well as for his books Finding Sanctuary and Finding Happiness, Christopher Jamison once again shows his ability to communicate spiritual insights in an accessible way. Finding the Language of Grace: Rediscovering Transcendence focuses on the transcendent experiences of grace that we struggle to talk about in today's very business-like culture. Abbot Christopher shows how the ways we listen and speak, read and write can all be channels of grace. This is illustrated through books as diverse as the medieval legend of the Holy Grail, Silence by Japanese writer Shusaku Endo, the writings of Spanish mystics and the novels of Pulitzer Prize winner Marilynne Robinson. The power and the pain of grace resonate throughout the book, offering a new perspective on healing the loneliness and mistrust experienced by many, as well as on the turbulence and political extremes of today's world. How do we restore trust? How can we listen well? What is the right way to read the signs of the times? And how can we revitalise the language of grace in our day?