"I wish that every defender of the penal substitution view of the atonement would read this book. Stricken by God? is as fine a collection of scholarly essays on the atonement as one can find in print. This book offers insightful, compelling and refreshing alternatives to penal substitution and is a must-read for all who care deeply about how Jesus' death saves us."
- Gregory A. Boyd, Ph.D. Princeton Theological Seminary
Hot off the press, Dr. Sigve Tonstad's latest book, "The Lost Meaning of the Seventh Day" provides a refreshing look at the Sabbath. Some might be surprised at the title. Does the Sabbath have a meaning? Isn't the Sabbath merely an arbitrary test of obedience to God's command? Dr. Tonstad opens up the spectacular message of the seventh day and beautifully relates it to the character of God. Here is just a glimpse:
"On the cross, the script of the Gospel retraces the steps of the Creation account. As the Sabbath draws near, Jesus's life is fast ebbing. At that point His voice rings out in a final announcement, 'It is finished!' (John 19:30). These words, a single word in Greek, signify completion, not the end in an absolute sense. It is significant to hear Jesus cry out, 'it is finished' at that specific point in time. The resurrection and Sunday morning will come, but Jesus will not wait to say 'it is finished' until then. He has reasons to say it at that point in time, on Friday night. The Sabbath that is about to begin is not a theological no-man's land.
"The Greek expression in John 19:30 is the word tetelastai, a word that must not be orphaned from the Creation parentage. In the Genesis account, when 'the heavens and the earth were finished,' the Greek translation of the Old Testament chose the same term, sunetelesthesan (Gen 2:1, 2:2). If we keep the ear close to the ground, listening to the distant Old Testament echo, the connection cannot be missed. John is appropriating the language of the Creation account, specifically the language heralding the inauguration of the first Sabbath. As Creation culminates in the Sabbath rest, the work of making right what is wrong comes to completion (John 19:31-34). The relationship between the Revealer and the revelatory intent of the Sabbath is here at its zenith. In John's story, where attention to detail is everything, the timing cannot be more precise, the scene more poignant, or the message more persuasive.
"'Finished.' This is the key word, deserving to stand alone because it is a word that brings together all the parts of the story. 'What God had begun by the Word in the days of Creation, God finished by the Word in the days of Redemption,' says Ethelbert Stauffer.
"God has kept the committment embodied in the seventh day. From henceforth the meaning of the Sabbath must be viewed through the lens provided by the life and death of Jesus the Revealer."
This book received high praise from Richard B. Hays:
"Sigve Tonstad's wide-ranging study of biblical teaching about the Sabbath offers fresh, provocative readings of texts from across the entirety of the canon, while constantly engaging the best recent scholarship. The result is a luminous, deeply encouraging book that beckons readers to understand the seventh day as a celebration of God's gracious work of creation and God's faithful intent to restore and heal all that is broken." --Richard B. Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, The Divinity School, Duke University
You can purchase the book here >>
Herb Montgomery has just released a new book on God's character entitled, "Finding the Father."
We have really appreciated the opportunity to listen to Herb preach at two of the Good News Tour conferences. His message about God's character is powerful and convicting. Here is a description of the new book:
"Finding the Father is a revolutionary new book like none other. As each page is traversed you will truly begin to experience the truth of our God's character of love, as it unfolds for you right before your heart. Within these pages Herb addresses topics ranging from the atonement, the "why" of human suffering, as well as misunderstandings regarding God's forgiveness and the final fate of the lost. Each subject is approached from a refreshingly practical perspective, making sense intellectually, but also moving you deeply at your heart level as well, making this volume truly like none before it. Discover a new God's love as you’ve rarely encountered it before. We feel deeply grateful to be able to offer this volume for your advancement in your own spiritual journey and know you will be genuinely blessed."
You can purchase the book here>>
Our friend Nick Loyd has had a great series of articles about the latest book by Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity. He has had a number of articles and video clips about the book:
- McLaren Q1: The Narrative Question
- McLaren Q2: The Authority of the Bible
If there is any doubt about this book being worth a look, here is a tantalizing quote from Nick's review:
"I was especially drawn to McLaren’s focus on the supremacy and centrality of Christ in our understanding of God. This is something that I have argued for many times, especially in our discussion of non-violence.
Here is how McLaren explains it:
“The Quaker scholar Elton Trueblood approached the Bible this way. One of Trueblood’s students told me that he often heard his mentor say something like this: “The historic Christian doctrine of the divinity of Christ does not simply mean that Jesus is like God. It is far more radical than that. It means that God is like Jesus.”
It is often implied that as Christians we are just "hanging out on this earth, waiting to get to heaven." The latest book by N.T. Wright, After You Believe, highlights the importance of living out the life of Christ on earth - here and now - and to "join the revolution." Listen to the description:
From the author of the acclaimed Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope comes a book that addresses the question that has plagued humans for centuries—what is our purpose? As Christians, what are we to do with that ambiguous time between baptism and the funeral? It's easy to become preoccupied with who gets into heaven; the real challenge is how we are going to live in the here and now.
Wright dispels the common misconception that Christian living is nothing more than a checklist of dos and don'ts. Nor is it a prescription to "follow your heart" wherever it may lead. Instead, After You Believe reveals the Bible's call for a revolution—a transformation of character that takes us beyond our earthly pursuit of money, sex, and power into a virtuous state of living that allows us to reflect God and live more worshipful, fulfilling lives.
We are all spiritual seekers, intuitively knowing there is more to life than we suspect. This is a book for anyone who is hoping there is something more while we're here on Earth. There is. We are being called to join the revolution, and Wright insightfully encourages readers to find new purpose and clarity by taking us on an eye-opening journey through key biblical passages that promise to radically alter the work of the church and the direction of our lives.
You can purchase the book here>>
Finally, Richard Rohr discusses in this brief clip the danger of seeing Jesus merely as a way to heaven as opposed to a means of transformation in the world we live in:
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No Longer Naked and Ashamed is newly released and comes highly recommended!
This book describes the problem of sin and salvation in terms that relate to real life. Using the metaphor of abuse and recovery from abuse, the book outlines what sin as abuse is and the steps to recovery from it so as to make it clear that God is not an Abuser. Once we learn this truth--that God is entirely trustworthy, loving, and freedom-giving, we can be transformed and live in healthy relationships with others.
Jean Sheldon is professor of religion at Pacific Union College in Northern California. With a Ph.D. in ancient Near Eastern Religions from the Graduate Theological Union and the University of California in Berkeley, she currently teaches Old Testament studies.
In his book Saving God’s Reputation: The Theological Function of Pistis Iesou in the Cosmic Narratives of Revelation, Dr. Sigve Tonstad pursues the conviction that the cosmic conflict imagery is the primary and controlling element in Revelation's narrative.
Such a reading puts the war-in-heaven theme in the foreground, calling on interpreters to pay far more attention to the illustrious heavenly being whose attempt to subvert the truth about the divine government is the unremitting concern in Revelation.
"For some time now, I have watched in puzzlement as some critics, imagining themselves as defenders of Paul's gospel, have derided Tom Wright as a dangerous betrayer of the Christian faith. In fact, Paul's gospel of God's reconciling, world-transforming grace has no more ardent and eloquent exponent in our time than Tom Wright. If his detractors read this book carefully, they will find themselves engaged in close exegesis of Paul's letters, and they will be challenged to join Wright in grappling with the deepest logic of Paul's message. Beyond slogans and caricatures of 'Lutheran readings' and 'the New Perspective,' the task we all face is to interpret these difficult, theologically generative letters afresh for our time. Wright's sweeping, incisive sketch of Paul's thought, set forward in this book, will help us all in that task." ----Richard B. Hays, Duke University
N.T. Wright talking about the book
Jesus came to establish a kingdom that is "not of this world." Kingdoms of the world seek to acquire and exercise power over others, whereas Jesus incarnated and demonstrated a kingdom that advances by exercising power under people. Author Gregory Boyd makes a compelling case that whenever the church gets too close to any political or national ideology, it is disastrous for the church and harmful to society. The American Evangelical Church has allowed itself to be co-opted by the political right (and some by the political left). Boyd exposes how this alignment undermines the church's unique calling and greatly compromises the kingdom of God, not only in America but throughout the world.
This book by Dr. Jennings entitled Could It Be This Simple? A Biblical Model for Healing the Mind is a breakthrough in understanding the mind and provides real answers for regular people.
Dr. Jennings describes in simple language how our mental faculties are designed to work, what happens when they don’t, and provides straightforward methods for reestablishing the mind in a healthy balance.
This book is for those who have serious questions about the meaning and relevance of the Hebrew scriptures, and strikes at the heart of Christian teaching and our understanding of God. With his characteristic insight, wisdom and enthusiasm, Dr. Thompson takes on some of the most difficult passages and finds in them the love and care of God, along with an understanding of the humanness of the authors of scripture.
The discussion includes such passages as Judges 19-21 and Psalm 137. You will come away from this book with a new appreciation for the whole Bible both as it stood in its own world, and as it can be applied today.
"When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize, the result is a novel on the order of The Shack. This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyon's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's that good!"
- Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, BC
William P. Young discussing the book: part 1, part 2, part 3
Richard Bauckham expounds the theology of the Book of Revelation: its understanding of God, Christ and the Spirit, the role of the Church in the world, and the hope of the coming of God's universal kingdom. Close attention is paid both to the literary form in which the theology is expressed and to the original context to which the book was addressed. Contrary to many misunderstandings of Revelation, it is shown to be one of the masterpieces of early Christian literature, with much to say to the Church today. This study offers a unique account of the theology and message of Revelation.
Much New Testament scholarship of the last 200 years has seen fit, to one degree or another, to relegate the Jesus tradition as recorded in the Gospels to the realm of legend, i.e., to the realm of fiction. But is this really what the evidence points to? By drawing together recent scholarship from a variety of fields, including history, anthropology, ethnography, folklore, and New Testament studies, Paul Eddy and Gregory Boyd show that the evidence actually supports, rather than refutes, the historical reliability of the Gospels and the existence of Jesus.
After first presenting the cumulative case argument for the 'legendary Jesus' thesis, the authors proceed to dismantle it and seriously bring into question its viability. In the process, they range through issues such as the historical-critical method, form criticism, oral tradition, the use of non-Christian sources, the writings of Paul, and the Hellenization of Judaism. They come to the conclusion that the view of Jesus embraced by the early church was 'substantially rooted in history.'
Richard B Hays gave a fantastic lecture that Dorothee and I heard entitled, "Four (or Five) Ways Not to Read the Bible". It was an excellent talk. This was his list:
This book is an expansion of this subject which considers the Bible rather as the story of God and how he has dealt with the rebellion in his family.
Who among us has never wondered if there might not really be a tempter sitting on our shoulders or dogging our steps? C.S. Lewis dispels all doubts. In The Screwtape Letters, one of his bestselling works, we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God.
Each letter is a masterpiece of reverse theology, giving the reader an inside look at the thinking and means of temptation. Tempters, according to Lewis, have two motives: the first is fear of punishment, the second a hunger to consume or dominate other beings. On the other hand, the goal of the Creator is to woo us unto himself or to transform us through his love from "tools into servants and servants into sons." It is the dichotomy between being consumed and subsumed completely into another's identity or being liberated to be utterly ourselves that Lewis explores with his razor-sharp insight and wit.
An excellent book that invites the reader to take another look at God's true character. This book beautifully describes the difficult aspects of God's character, such as judgment and justice. At the conclusion of the book, God looks more like Jesus in character!
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In The Healing Model, Bill Chambers points out some serious problems with using the forensic, courtroom, law model as a basis for the way God saves people. He then introduces a better model for understanding how the plan of salvation works, this model is referred to as "the healing model." God, instead of being seen as a Judge and Executioner, is seen as a Great Physician and Healer, not only physical, but the spiritual healing of our sin-sick souls. God's righteous and gracious character shines through in a refreshing new way. This book also discusses God's Law, the Trinity, forgiveness, justice, and the end of sin and sinners, as well as pointing out the reason it is so important that the last day church has this clearer picture of God's character.
By A. Graham Maxwell: "God is not the kind of person His enemies have made Him out to be — arbitrary, unforgiving and severe. Jesus said, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” God is just as loving and trustworthy as His Son, just as willing to forgive and heal. Though infinite in majesty and power, our Creator is an equally gracious Person who values nothing higher than the freedom, dignity, and individuality of His intelligent creatures — that their love, their faith, their willingness to listen and obey may be freely given. He even prefers to regard us not as servants but as friends. This is the truth revealed through all the books of Scripture. This is the everlasting Good News that wins the trust and admiration of God's loyal children throughout the universe."
This new book argues that the four Gospels are closely based on eyewitness testimony of those who knew Jesus. Noted New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham challenges the prevailing assumption that the accounts of Jesus circulated as "anonymous community traditions," asserting instead that they were transmitted in the name of the original eyewitnesses. To drive home this controversial point, Bauckham draws on internal literary evidence, study of personal names in the first century, and recent developments in the understanding of oral traditions.
Bauckham challenges readers to end the classic division between the "historical Jesus" and the "Christ of faith," proposing instead the "Jesus of testimony." Sure to ignite heated debate on the precise character of the testimony about Jesus, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses will be valued by scholars, students, and all who seek to understand the origins of the Gospels.
G. E. Fifield, a 19th century writer, eloquently makes the case that all theology and all doctrines ultimately point to the single greatest belief of all, that God is love! Any doubts about God's love are answered in full by the life and death of Jesus, the perfect reflection of God's glory.
When holding to Christ as the pinnacle of truth about God, the law, the sacrificial system, the final closing of probation, and the destruction of sin and sinners are all seen as an extension of God's love. Fifield makes a most convincing case to the fact that God is nothing less than Love personified.
The subtitle of this book is revealing: "Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask God but Were Afraid to Say Out Loud"
This book is about questions about God. Pastor and author Dan Smith allows the reader to look over his shoulder as he wrestles with some of the questions that have bedeviled believers and seekers for thousands of years. Questions about God's wrath and His mercy; about His need for and response to prayer; about the punishment of the wicked, suffering, the cross, and more are dealt with in sincerity, and with refreshing honesty. Lord, I Have a Question doesn't claim to have complete or perfect answers. But your grip on God will definitely be strengthened by spending time with this unique and revealing book.
Another Look at God
by GRAHAM MAXWELL
Some of the greatest cruelty has been perpetrated in the name of religion. Everything seems to depend on the kind of god people worship. Arbitrary, tyrannical gods tend to produce followers like themselves. Millions who see no sense in worshipping such a god, have simply turned away.
What kind of neighbors would a friendly god produce—a god who values nothing higher than freedom and individuality, a god who would rather treat his followers not as servants but as friends? Servants or Friends? takes another look at the evidence. Is the God of the Bible a friendly person—eager to restore people's dignity and self-respect?
In this sequel to his bestseller, The Myth of a Christian Nation, Dr. Gregory Boyd issues a clear call to manifest God’s beauty and revolt against evil—with Jesus’ life as our example. Passionate theology and practical insight combine to create a guidebook for simple, radical, Christlike living.
Our daughter, Christina, bought this book for a school project. What an incredible story this book tells! It is also filled with many great quotes of Gandhi, such as this:
"Nonviolence...does not mean meek submission to the will of the evil-doer, but it means pitting of one's whole soul against the will of the tyrant. Working under this law of our being, it is possible for a single individual to defy the whole might of an unjust empire to save his honor, his religion, his soul, and lay the foundation for that empire's fall or its regeneration...Nonviolence is like radium in its action. An infinitesimal quantity of it embedded in a malignant growth acts continuously, silently, and ceaselessly till it has transformed the whole mass of diseased tissue into a healthy one. Similarly, even a little of true nonviolence acts in a silent, subtle, unseen way and leavens the whole society."
The Bible has been translated more than any other piece of literature and is currently available in over two thousand languages, with several languages having numerous versions. Outlined here is the development of biblical translation, including a careful analysis of more than fifty versions of the Bible.
One of the most respected living biblical scholars, Bruce Metzger begins this engaging survey with the earliest translations of the Old and New Testaments before proceeding to English versions dating from the eleventh century to the present. Metzger explores the circumstances under which each translation was produced and offers insight into its underlying objectives, characteristics, and strengths. Having served on a number of modern translation committees, his insights into the evolution of Bible translation flow not only from careful research, but also from personal experience.
Students, pastors, and interested readers will discover the history of the written Word and gain useful insight into which modern translations best serve their own needs.
The NET Bible provides the reader with the unique experience of over 60,000 footnotes. These are at times very helpful and it is stimulating to get a glimpse as to how the translators struggled with the best way to best communicate the Greek and the Hebrew. You can also download the entire NET Bible for free!
In Freedom Fighter, author Ken Wilson pulls back the curtain on the most important war ever fought: The Universal War on Terror. This war is happening right now, all around you. It's a war being fought for the hearts and minds of every person on this planet. It's a war about God.
The main questions in Freedom Fighter are: What kind of person is God? Can we trust him? How does he relate to this universal war and those involved? What is he fighting for?
You may find a God who is better than you ever imagined. At the very least, you will see God as the beautiful, courageous, and intensely personal Friend who created you to be free.
