Essentials (Various)

"Here is rock: all else is sand," was J.C. Ryle's description of the Bible in the 18th century. Whether the challenge has been tradition or reason, or experience in more recent times, the Scriptures are still supreme today, God-breathed, reliable and trumping all other authorities. Yet the supremacy of Scripture is not some dictate imposed by a faceless despot. Far from it! Scripture's words are those of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his people. Dr Tim Chester is an author, songwriter and senior faculty member of Crosslands Training. He is married with two daughters and lives in rural Derbyshire

When Jesus cried "It is finished" from the cross, what did he mean? And why is this so significant today? Ironically, this cry wasn't about defeat but about triumph. And it wasn't just good news but the best news ever! Jesus is not simply a notable person from history. He's the divine Son of God and the living Saviour. He meets our greatest need by providing salvation and rescue. He wins our hearts and our adoration, filling us with deep and lasting joy. Stephen J. Wellum (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of Christian theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and editor of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. Stephen lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Karen, and they have five adult children.

One day, history―events in time and space―will give way to eternity. And the end of all things will mark a new beginning. ... God's work with the human race in time and space has been, and continues to be, a series of new beginnings. At every point, the Trinity is central, for God's relationship to his Son and his Spirit stands behind everything about his relationship to us. Starting from before time began, Donald Fairbairn leads us through these beginnings, shedding fresh light on the Trinity at each stage. He offers clues and questions along the way, inviting us to join in the discovery process. Beautifully written so that even a young believer can benefit, this book leads us to worship the Father, Son, and Spirit as it enhances our appreciation of our wonderful, Trinitarian gospel. Donald Fairbairn is Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Union School of Theology, and Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of Life in the Trinity: An Introduction to Theology with the Help of the Church Fathers.

How do we become right with God? Michael Reeves warmly and clearly introduces what the Bible teaches about justification by faith alone. For anyone who does not know Christ or is lacking confidence in their salvation, the Bible has good news of comfort and joy.

Does the Christian life have to be such hard work? There are endless books describing how to live a "better" and "more disciplined" Christian life, and the long list of things to remember, eliminate, or put into practice can start to feel discouraging. The aim of this book is to go deeper-to ask what it's all about in the first place. Why did God save you? What does it mean, practically speaking, to love him? Why is it sometimes so difficult to live in his ways? Come and discover the heartbeat of your new life in Jesus, and find that you can truly enjoy being a Christian. Daniel Hames is Vice President and Lecturer in Theology at Union School of Theology. He is author of Cyril of Alexandria: His Life and Impact, and God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church. He is married to Sarah and they live in Oxfordshire.