Self-Giving Love
The Book of Philippians
Part of the Transformative Word series
"Have this mind among yourselves..."
Everyone needs examples. We all need mentors we admire and after whom we can pattern our lives. Without them, we will not mature.
Philippians is a letter full of good examples. Paul, Epaphroditus, and Timothy are all portrayed as exemplars. But none is more important than Jesus himself. In Self-Giving Love, Dean Flemming shows how Jesus and the story of his self-emptying love are the very heart of Philippians. This ultimate example provides a lens for clearly seeing the rest of the letter. By emulating Jesus' radical love, we will become mature, foster unity, and find joy.
Self-Giving Love presents the message and themes of Philippians in a concise and accessible guide, with probing questions for reflection and discussion.
Invited to Know God
The Book Of Deuteronomy
Part of the Transformative Word series
Goodness like a fetter.
The hymn ""Come Thou Fount"" reminds us that God's laws were created to draw us closer to him. But reading the law is intimidating. Deuteronomy is a long and ancient book full of speeches and laws for a wandering people on the cusp of entering a land filled with hostile nations. What could Deuteronomy have to say for modern readers who face vastly different issues?
“Invited to Know God” shows that Deuteronomy is simply about knowing God. The book is a divine portal, drawing people into the ancient presence of God. To understand God better, we need to understand Deuteronomy better. Rather than being a dusty book of ancient laws, Deuteronomy calls those who love God to know Him better, choose the path to life, and flourish under His loving wisdom and guidance.
God's laws bind our wandering hearts to him.
When You Want to Yell at God (Transformative Word)
The Book Of Job
Part of the Transformative Word series
"In When You Want to Yell at God, Craig Bartholomew asks us to let go of the Job we know so we can get to know the real man. Job's story refutes the idea that "what goes around comes around." Suffering is not always the result of wrong behavior, and right behavior does not always guarantee blessing: but God is always faithful. Looking at Job as the height of biblical poetry, Bartholomew helps us see just how beautiful and touching this man's struggle with God really is."--Cover.
Living in God's True Story (Transformative Word)
2 Peter
Part of the Transformative Word series
"In Living in God's True Story: 2 Peter, Donald L. Morcom shows that remembering the truth is the core theme of Peter's second letter. In the midst of false alternatives, he encourages believers to live faithful lives that demonstrate mercy, love, and wisdom. Though i may be short, 2 Peter is an impactful letter that explains how we can order our lives in accordance with God's true story"--
Cutting Ties With Darkness
2 Corinthians
Part of the Transformative Word series
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians with a heavy heart, wrestling to maintain his relationship with the young church that he established.
The way that Paul handled this painful situation provides an example for us today. When should we reconcile, and when should we walk away? How do we cut ties with darkness, whether in ourselves or in others?
In this volume, John D. Barry explores how we deal with such scars in light of Jesus' example.
Transformed in Christ (Transformative Word)
1 Corinthians
Part of the Transformative Word series
Includes recommended reading list (page 89).
Freed to Be God's Family (Transformative Word)
The Book Of Exodus
Part of the Transformative Word series
"In the book of Exodus, God frees Israel from slavery to Egypt. But they are not left as orphans. Rather, the redeemed are made into a new family-God's family. In Freed to be God's Family, Mark R. Glanville argues that the central motif of Exodus is community. God wants a healthy, dynamic relationship with the redeemed. As family members, Israel is called to learn God's ways and reflect God's character to the world"--
Self-Giving Love (Transformative Word)
The Book Of Philippians
Part of the Transformative Word series
"Philippians is a letter full of good examples. Paul, Epaphroditus, and Timothy are all portrayed as exemplars. But none is more important than Jesus himself. In Self-Giving Love, Dean Flemming shows how Jesus and the story of his self-emptying love are the very heart of Philippians. This ultimate example provides a lens for clearly seeing the rest of the letter. By emulating Jesus' radical love, we will become mature, foster unity, and find joy"--
Christ Above All
The Book of Hebrews
Part of the Transformative Word series
Look to Christ, the ultimate revelation of God.
The letter to the Hebrews asks questions aimed at the heart of what it looks like for Christians to walk in Christ's footsteps. How should Christians relate to the Old Testament? What are we to make of the New Testament's urgent pleas to persevere in the faith? Can we really lose our salvation? How does Jesus model both humility in his humanity and the glory of God through his earthly life? These questions continue to be fiercely debated by Christians. The ancient letter to the Hebrews answers all by focusing on Christ's magnificent love and greatness. In Christ Above All, Adrio König puts readers in the shoes of the original audience of Hebrews and shows how, in a world full of competing claims to power and authority, Christ--in all his glory and humanity--really does surpass all others.
In the Transformative Word series, you'll read the Bible with a global cast of church leaders and scholars. In conversational tone, contributors from around the world explain the importance of a biblical book, showing how it can transform your life.
Revealing the Heart of Prayer
The Gospel of Luke
Part of the Transformative Word series
When reading the Gospel of Luke, it's easy to get swept up into the story of the incarnation and forgot to focus on other themes. But prayer was central in Jesus' life and in his relationship with the Father, and it should be central in our lives as well. In Revealing the Heart of Prayer, Craig G. Bartholomew unpacks this biblical book with a fresh perspective--focusing on Jesus and his example for how we should pray.
Freed to Be God's Family
The Book of Exodus
Part of the Transformative Word series
Family provides community, identity, and shared values.
In the book of Exodus, God frees Israel from slavery to Egypt. But they are not left as orphans. Rather, the redeemed are made into a new family--God's family. In Freed to be God's Family, Mark R. Glanville argues that the central motif of Exodus is community. God wants a healthy, dynamic relationship with the redeemed. As family members, Israel is called to learn God's ways and reflect God's character to the world.
Freed to be God's Family is a concise and accessible guide to the message and themes of Exodus. Each chapter keeps the big picture central and provides probing questions for reflection and discussion.
Glimpsing the Mystery
The Book Of Daniel
Part of the Transformative Word series
The stories in the first half of the book of Daniel are Sunday School favorites, and the visions of the second half are sometimes hard to understand. How do either of them relate to the world today, with its frequent news of conflict, injustice, and human suffering? In “Glimpsing the Mystery,” Barbara M. Leung Lai succinctly takes readers through Daniel, showing throughout how God responds to the needs of his people in difficult times. In a world that seems out of control, God provides glimpses into the mystery of his glory and sovereignty, showing that he has not stopped working and reassuring us that he is still the God of gods and Lord of lords. It is a message that is as necessary today as it was in Daniel's time.
Between the Cross and the Throne
The Book Of Revelation
Part of the Transformative Word series
A systematic theology from the pillars of evangelicalism.
“Basics of the Faith” is an overview of essential Christian doctrines from some of the best minds of mid-twentieth century evangelicalism around the globe. Originally appearing in the pages of Christianity Today during 1961-1962, this collection includes essays from influential theologians and biblical scholars including Philip E. Hughes on inspiration, Anthony A. Hoekema on the divine attributes, John Murray on sanctification, Cornelius Van Til on original sin, F. F. Bruce on the person of Christ, G. E. Ladd on the saving acts of God, Leon Morris on the atonement, and J. I. Packer on the nature of the church. This edition includes an introduction by Kevin J. Vanhoozer that lays out their original context and evaluates their ongoing significance. Approachable yet scholarly, “Basics of the Faith” is both a relevant systematic theology and a celebration of evangelical heritage.
Between the Cross and the Throne
The Book of Revelation
Part of the Transformative Word series
Revelation is often considered one of the most confusing books of the Bible, and consequently it's regularly overlooked or ignored. But no longer. In Between the Cross and the Throne, Matthew Emerson walks us through the book of Revelation, unpacking its complex imagery and pointing out major themes. In conversational tone, he reminds us that Christ died, but he has risen. The Lord reigns, but evil persists. We live between Christ's ascension and his final conquest--and that should give us hope.
Transformed in Christ
1 Corinthians
Part of the Transformative Word series
Is your faith countercultural?When he wrote his first epistle to the church in Corinth, Paul wanted to address two cultural issues that the Christians in the city were wrestling with: prosperity and entertainment. He urged the young believers struggling in the midst of Graeco--Roman society to live lives shaped by Christ. Believers today are not immune to these same worldly temptations the Corinthian church was facing.In Transformed in Christ: 1 Corinthians, Ron Elsdon and William Olhausen show us how Paul uses the cross to define the distinctive patterns of life and behavior which Christians are called. The transformation that comes from cross--shaped wisdom is not a singular moment in a believer's life, but a continual process of refinement. The result is a living, countercultural faith marked by discernment, wisdom, and love.
Together for the World
The Book of Acts
Part of the Transformative Word series
The disciples and early Christians faced doubt, opposition, and threats--just like many Christians do today. In Together with the World, Michael Wagenman shows how the book of Acts can help modern Christians respond to crisis and critique in our contemporary world.
The book of Acts is about more than simply the beginning of church history. In Together for the World we find a group of disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, following God's call to spread the good news.
Walking in God's Wisdom
The Book of Proverbs
Part of the Transformative Word series
Get wisdom, get insight (Prov 4:5)The book of Proverbs is an invitation to "get wisdom." But wisdom isn't so easily defined or found. Without discernment, we can be swayed by teachers or sayings that sound wise, but true biblical wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord. In Walking with God's Wisdom, Benjamin T. Quinn calls us to hear and obey God's wisdom found in Proverbs. These ancient words reveal a way of life exemplified in Jesus Christ. Quinn shows how even the most ordinary aspects of life are packed with importance for wise living before God.
Finding God in the Margins
The Book of Ruth
Part of the Transformative Word series
The ancient book of Ruth speaks into today's world with astonishing relevance.
In four short episodes, readers encounter refugees, undocumented immigrants, poverty, hunger, women's rights, male power and privilege, discrimination, and injustice.
In Finding God in the Margins, Carolyn Custis James reveals how the book of Ruth is about God, the questions that surface when life falls apart, and how God reaches into the margins and chooses two totally marginalized women who, in the eyes of the patriarchal culture, are zeros.
Against the backdrop of disturbing issues in today's world, this bracing narrative puts on display a radical gospel way of living together as human beings that shouts the Kingdom of God, foreshadows Jesus' gospel, and raises the bar for men and women, then and now.
Living in God's True Story
2 Peter
Part of the Transformative Word series
We all need a reminder of the true story at the heart of the gospel.
In the face of false teachers and skeptics, Peter wrote his second epistle to remind his readers of God's true story. They needed to be reoriented to the truth of their identity and status in Christ. Christians continue to experience similar challenges to our spiritual foundations today.
In Living in God's True Story: 2 Peter, Donald L. Morcom shows that remembering the truth is the core theme of Peter's second letter. In the midst of false alternatives, he encourages believers to live faithful lives that demonstrate love and wisdom. Though it may be short, 2 Peter is an impactful letter that explains how we can order our lives in accordance with God's true story.
When You Want to Yell at God
The Book of Job
Part of the Transformative Word series
Think you know Job? Think again. Craig Bartholomew wants to help you read the book of Job from a different perspective. Let go of the Job you think you know―and discover the real man.
Is it true that what goes around comes around? Does right behavior ensure blessing? Is suffering always brought on by wrongdoing? Job's story refutes these notions, but it proclaims a much greater truth―God is always faithful.
Join Bartholomew in When You Want to Yell at God, and experience the beauty of one man's struggle with God.
Faith Amid the Ruins
The Book of Habakkuk
Part of the Transformative Word series
If God asked you to live faithfully in the midst of upheaval, even if the cost was high, how would you respond? What if he made extraordinary and difficult demands? The prophet Habakkuk struggled with these very questions as he tried to follow God step-by-step during a time of unrest.
"Living by faith" sounds great on the surface, but when we face hardship and opposition, it's easy to seek security and stability instead of God's will. In Faith Amid the Ruins, Heath Thomas walks us through the book of Habakkuk, revealing the heart of this story about living by faith in light of God's own faithfulness toward us.
Living Doctrine
The Book of Titus
Part of the Transformative Word series
Good Christian doctrine is not simply getting the facts right: it is something transformative, brought to life in obedience to Christ.
In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul implores the reader to take truth seriously and to ensure that the good news of gospel is being passed on in its full force. Solid Christian doctrine and a passion for godly Christian life are twin themes weave their way throughout this short epistle.
In Living Doctrine, Danny Akin unpacks this powerful message and shows how these themes are still vital for Christians today. Accessibly written but informed by deep scholarship, this book will benefit readers from all walks of life. Like the biblical book it covers, Living Doctrine is concise, gospel-centered, and immensely practical.
Invited to Know God
The Book of Deuteronomy
Part of the Transformative Word series
"Goodness like a fetter."
The hymn "Come Thou Fount" reminds us that God's laws were created to draw us closer to him. But reading the law is intimidating. Deuteronomy is a long and ancient book full of speeches and laws for a wandering people on the cusp of entering a land filled with hostile nations. What could Deuteronomy have to say for modern readers who face vastly different issues?
Invited to Know God shows that Deuteronomy is simply about knowing God. The book is a divine portal, drawing people into the ancient presence of God. To understand God better, we need to understand Deuteronomy better. Rather than being a dusty book of ancient laws, Deuteronomy calls those who love God to know Him better, choose the path to life, and flourish under His loving wisdom and guidance.
God's laws bind our wandering hearts to him.
Glimpsing the Mystery
The Book of Daniel
Part of the Transformative Word series
The stories in the first half of the book of Daniel are Sunday School favorites, and the visions of the second half are sometimes hard to understand. How do either of them relate to the world today, with its frequent news of conflict, injustice, and human suffering? In Glimpsing the Mystery, Barbara M. Leung Lai succinctly takes readers through Daniel, showing throughout how God responds to the needs of his people in difficult times. In a world that seems out of control, God provides glimpses into the mystery of his glory and sovereignty, showing that he has not stopped working and reassuring us that he is still the God of gods and Lord of lords. It is a message that is as necessary today as it was in Daniel's time.
Cutting Ties With Darkness
2 Corinthians
Part of the Transformative Word series
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians with a heavy heart, wrestling to maintain his relationship with the young church that he established.
The way that Paul handled this painful situation provides an example for us today. When should we reconcile, and when should we walk away? How do we cut ties with darkness--whether in ourselves or in others?
In this volume from the Transformative Word series, edited by Craig Bartholomew, John D. Barry explores how we deal with such scars in light of Jesus' example.
The Universal Story
Genesis 1–11
Part of the Transformative Word series
The opening chapters of Genesis tell the story of how humans relate to the world-and to God.
Genesis 1-11 is a parade of humanity's stories intertwined with the most intriguing subjects wrestled with today: the beginning of the cosmos, the nature of humanity, family, sex, deceit, death, murder, mass murder, ecology, agriculture, urbanization, and more.
In The Universal Story, Dru Johnson shows how Genesis 1-11 is written in a way that informs the rest of biblical history-including the exodus, the kings of Israel, the exile, the Gospels, and early church. Genesis 1-11 presents a story of humanity that seeks to explain the background of every human endeavor. It is the universal story-the story of stories-because it is a story about how all of these things came to be the way the Hebrews understood them to be. These bizarre and ancient stories frame the story of God and His plan for earth and humanity.
Revealing the Heart of Prayer
The Gospel Of Luke
Part of the Transformative Word series
When reading the Gospel of Luke, it's easy to get swept up into the story of the incarnation and forgot to focus on other themes. But prayer was central in Jesus' life and in his relationship with the Father, and it should be central in our lives as well. In “Revealing the Heart of Prayer”, Craig G. Bartholomew unpacks this biblical book with a fresh perspective, focusing on Jesus and his example for how we should pray.
The Universal Story
Genesis 1-11
Part of the Transformative Word series
The opening chapters of Genesis tell us the story of how humans relate to our world, and to God.
Genesis 1-11 is a parade stories of humanity intertwined with the most intriguing subjects we still wrestle with today: the beginning of the cosmos, the nature of humanity, family, sex, deceit, death, murder, mass murder, ecology, agriculture, urbanization, and more.
In “The Universal Story”, Dru Johnson shows how Genesis 1-11 is written in a way that informs the rest of biblical history-including the exodus, the kings of Israel, the exile, the Gospels, and early church. Genesis 1-11 presents a story of humanity that seeks to explain the background of every human endeavor. It is the universal story, the story of stories, because it is a story about how all of these things came to be the way the Hebrews understood them to be. These bizarre and ancient stories frame the story of God and His plan for earth and humanity. Through these stories, God speaks and pleads with us. Let us learn how to listen and hear God's voice well in Genesis 1-11 and throughout the rest of Scripture.
Faith Amid the Ruins
The Book Of Habakkuk
Part of the Transformative Word series
If God asked you to live faithfully in the midst of upheaval, even if the cost was high, how would you respond? What if he made extraordinary and difficult demands? The prophet Habakkuk struggled with these very questions as he tried to follow God step-by-step during a time of unrest.
""Living by faith"" sounds great on the surface, but when we face hardship and opposition, it's easy to seek security and stability instead of God's will. In “Faith Amid the Ruins”, Heath Thomas walks us through the book of Habakkuk, revealing the heart of this story about living by faith in light of God's own faithfulness toward us.
Deserting the King
The Book Of Judges
Part of the Transformative Word series
The book of Judges can pose many puzzles for readers today: who were the ""judges""? Why was this book written, and how does it fit into the biblical narrative? And how can the story it tells-one of bloodshed, intrigue, and rejection of Yahweh's authority, change our understanding of God today?
“Deserting the King” guides readers through the difficulties that the book of Judges can pose for readers as it traces both the evil and redemption present in Israel's approach to kingship-and, by extension, God. And while examining the book's structure and key themes, author David Beldman draws in stories from his life and the world today, showing how this Old Testament book, in its darkness and heroism, gives us a lens to see God's at work throughout history.
God Behind the Scenes
The Book of Esther
Part of the Transformative Word series
Although the book of Esther contains no direct references to God, his fingerprints can be found all over it. In God Behind the Scenes, Wayne K. Barkhuizen helps us trace the unseen hand of God throughout the Esther narrative, while pointing out how the book is still relevant today. As we walk through the book, we'll see how God was indeed active in preserving the people through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would one day come.
Deserting the King
The Book of Judges
Part of the Transformative Word series
The book of Judges can pose many puzzles for readers today: who were the "judges"? Why was this book written, and how does it fit into the biblical narrative? And how can the story it tells--one of bloodshed, intrigue, and rejection of Yahweh's authority--change our understanding of God today?
Deserting the King guides readers through the difficulties that the book of Judges can pose for readers as it traces both the evil and redemption present in Israel's approach to kingship--and, by extension, God. And while examining the book's structure and key themes, author David Beldman draws in stories from his life and the world today, showing how this Old Testament book, in its darkness and heroism, gives us a lens to see God's at work throughout history.
God Behind the Scenes
The Book Of Esther
Part of the Transformative Word series
Although the book of Esther contains no direct references to God, his fingerprints can be found all over it. In “God Behind the Scenes”, Wayne K. Barkhuizen helps us trace the unseen hand of God throughout the Esther narrative, while pointing out how the book is still relevant today. As we walk through the book, we'll see how God was indeed active in preserving the people through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would one day come.
Finding God in the Margins
The Book Of Ruth
Part of the Transformative Word series
The ancient book of Ruth speaks into today's world with astonishing relevance.
In four short episodes we encounter refugees, undocumented immigrants, poverty, hunger, women's rights, male power and privilege, discrimination, and injustice.
In “Finding God in the Margins”, Carolyn Custis James reveals how the book of Ruth is about God, the questions that surface when life falls apart, and how he reaches into the margins and chooses two totally marginalized women who in the eyes of the patriarchal culture are zeros.
Against the backdrop of disturbing issues we are facing today, this bracing narrative puts on display a radical gospel way of living together as human beings that shouts the Kingdom of God, foreshadows Jesus' gospel, and raises the bar for women and for men then and now.
Christ Above All
The Book Of Hebrews
Part of the Transformative Word series
Look to Christ, the ultimate revelation of God.
The letter to the Hebrews asks questions aimed at the heart of what it looks like for Christians to walk in Christ's footsteps. How should Christians relate to the Old Testament? What are we to make of the New Testament's urgent pleas to persevere in the faith? Can we really lose our salvation? How does Jesus model both humility in his humanity and the glory of God through his earthly life? These questions continue to be fiercely debated by Christians. The ancient letter to the Hebrews answers all by focusing on Christ's magnificent love and greatness. In “Christ Above All”, Adrio König puts readers in the shoes of the original audience of Hebrews and shows how, in a world full of competing claims to power and authority, Christ—in all his glory and humanity—really does surpass all others.
Walking in God's Wisdom (Transformative Word)
The Book Of Proverbs
Part of the Transformative Word series
Explains the biblical Proverbs and the Christian way of life outlined therein. Quinn describes a path on which ordinary aspects of life have importance to wise living before God.
Together for the World
The Book Of Acts
Part of the Transformative Word series
The disciples and early Christians faced doubt, opposition, and threats-just like many Christians do today. In Together with the World, Michael Wagenman shows how the book of Acts can help modern Christians respond to crisis and critique in our contemporary world.
The book of Acts is about more than simply the beginning of church history. In “Together for the World” we find a group of disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, following God's call to spread the good news.
Living Doctrine
The Book Of Titus
Part of the Transformative Word series
Good Christian doctrine is not simply getting the facts right: it is something transformative, brought to life in obedience to Christ.
In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul implores the reader to take truth seriously and to ensure that the good news of gospel is being passed on in its full force. Solid Christian doctrine and a passion for godly Christian life are twin themes weave their way throughout this short epistle. In “Living Doctrine”, Danny Akin unpacks this powerful message and shows how these themes are still vital for Christians today. Accessibly written but informed by deep scholarship, this book will benefit readers from all walks of life. Like the biblical book it covers, “Living Doctrine” is concise, gospel-centered, and immensely practical.