In these times many people feel that their cherished religious values are held hostage by the forces of secularization and that, as a consequence, society is morally bankrupt. While acknowledging this problem, John Cobb overturns the prevailing expectations by drawing a distinction between secularization and secularism. Secularization, as Cobb uses the term, has a prophetic function. It is a process by which religion is cleansed and refocused on mission and ministry rather than on other-worldly myths and concerns. The uncritical understanding of religion that focuses on religion for its own sake is what Cobb calls secularism. In Cobb's view, secularization has led to secularism or a culture of consumerism that threatens those very religious convictions many hold dear. After teasing the concepts of secularization and secularism apart, Cobb proposes an alternate path for secularization that will help us reevaluate our relation to our world and each other.

The world seems to have figured out the formula for manufacturing material success, but when it comes to finding true, lasting happiness, we are as lost as ever. We yearn for more, or less, or something that’s just different from what we have right now.Deep down, we know there must be satisfaction for our longing. We just don’t know where to find it. In Sandcastle Kings, Rich Wilkerson, Jr. uses four powerful stories from the seventh chapter of Luke to explain why spiritual fulfillment cannot be found in ourselves, in other people, in material things, or even in religion. By studying the stories of the centurion’s faith, the resurrection of the widow’s son, Jesus’ message about John the Baptist, and the anointing by the woman with the alabaster jar, you will be able to face your doubts and insecurities and overcome your anxiety, discontentment, and depression. Wilkerson wants you to understand that the only answer for your spiritual bankruptcy is Jesus and that until you turn to him you will never experience the lasting peace and joy you so desperately crave.

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today’' context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love Grace is amazing because it is God's provision for when we fall short of His standards. Unfortunately, too many of us embrace grace for our salvation but then leave it behind in our everyday lives. We base our relationship with God on our performance rather than on His love for us, even when we intuitively know that our performance cannot earn us the love we so desperately crave. Isn't it time to stop trying to measure up and begin accepting the transforming power of God's grace? The product of more than ten years of Bible study, Navigator author Jerry Bridges's Transforming Grace is a fountainhead of inspiration and renewal that will show you just how inexhaustible and generous God's grace really is. This edition includes the full study guide, which was formerly available as a separate product (ISBN 9781600063046).

Because Transformation Is Possible. At a popular level, Dallas Willard wrote with remarkable clarity about spiritual formation. But his writings also addressed academic concerns such as shifts in modern moral philosophy, the nature of education, and the psychology of the human self. Until Christ Is Formed in You brings together ten authors who knew Willard well to introduce his wide-ranging vision and consider again the overall significance of this one-of-a-kind teacher. This collection explores topics including the Beatitudes, the relationship of body and soul, the kingdom of God, discipleship to Jesus, the nature of formation, and Ignatian spirituality. The book begins with a comprehensive overview of Willard's understanding of formation, and it concludes with practical applications of this understanding to the disciplines of psychology and counseling.

Includes the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Society.

"Logos 3 is the fourth of my ten-volume, Logos 1-7 work, each volume of which is able to stand alone as God’s Book of Life. It took me over 3,000 pages in ten volumes to say How and What is Important to Believe. It seeks to explain by experience who Jesus is, who God is, who the Holy Spirit is, what the Bible is, why it is crucial to life that we believe in them, what “belief” is, what “to be saved” is, just how Salvation is effected, what the “take-away” benefits are, and how to find meaning and purpose in life. “As said, each of these ten volumes is able to stand alone as God’s Book of Life, portraying Life with the Holy Spirit by belief in the Christ of Jesus as Savior to eternal life with God. The ten volumes relate my Story of Writing God's Book of Life, using nonfiction essays and poetry with daily help of divine intervention in producing the seven-Logos Work of ten volumes, and the four supporting volumes. All seek to fully understand and explain this work inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Christ of Jesus. “The action of God fulfilled for him in seven years all of Rodger Crafton's dreams of becoming a writer of poetry and prose, an armchair philosopher, and an artist working in his new, upstairs garage atelier.”---R. Crafton Gibbs

In the spiritual realm, hate is one of the most powerful forces because it is the opposite of love, the spiritual world's most powerful force. In I Hate God, I Love God, author Theresa L. Smith exposes the original hater and his plans to destroy God's people. Using examples from her personal life along with scriptural references, Smith shows Christians how to turn hatred into love, lies into truth, negative into positive, and curse into blessing. I Hate God, I Love God explores a host of negative emotions and actions-such as jealousy, unforgiveness, and spiritual bankruptcy-and discusses how these can be changed for the better. This guide facilitates soul searching and challenges Christians to think of what and who the real warlocks and witches look like and how they operate. I Hate God, I Love God seeks to encourage and inspire those who feel hopeless and helpless to know that God can and will turn it around.