Pneumaformity

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Carl Simmons

How the Spirit forms us, and continues to form us. . . .

Mark J. Keown. Pneumaformity: Transformation by the Spirit in Paul. 512p., $31.99, Kregel Academic.

According to Paul, it is by the Spirit, through Christ, that God transforms people, communities, and the cosmos.

Prominent recent studies elevate the themes of “Christoformity” and “Cruciformity” in Paul, but few sufficiently account for how a believer is actually transformed into the image of Christ. Pneumaformity fills the gap in Pauline studies by surveying Paul’s letters for teachings on the Spirit’s agency in the life of God’ people. This study aptly demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is the instrument through whom such radical living is possible. This study dives into Paul’s teachings on the following aspects of the Spirit’s agency and more:

  • the Spirit’s participation in conversion
  • the Spirit’s role in forming Christian character
  • the Spirit’s integrating work within the Christian community
  • the Spirit and missional engagement
  • the Spirit’s place in the believer’s final eschatological transformation

Keown shows how Paul infuses his christological language with pneumatological realities, offering readers a fuller understanding of the Spirit’s work in individuals, the church, and the world.

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One Body, One Spirit

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Carl Simmons

A strong and well-reasoned call for churches to not only be disability-accessible, but disability-friendly . . .

Paul Pettit and B. Jason Epps. One Body, One Spirit: Disability and Community in the Church. 224p., $19.99, Kregel Ministry.

According to the CDC, one in four people in the United States lives with a disability, yet many of our churches don’t resemble this reality. Attempts to welcome those with a disability are often implemented by well-meaning but ill-informed people. The results can lead to those with disabilities feeling excluded and isolated from the family of God.

One Body, One Spirit gives eyes to the able-bodied to see the challenges experienced by those with disabilities:

  • Physical barriers to places of worship, classrooms, and small group settings leave people outside the gathered family of God. Emotional barriers, like fear and prejudice, preclude them from using their spiritual gifts.

How can church communities, both on the congregational and individual level, address these issues? Paul Pettit and Jason Epps provide a roadmap by looking at a biblically informed solution. They survey disability in the Old and New Testaments, provide a vision for full integration, outline how to conduct a disability audit, and offer a five-step plan for how to change the culture of your church.

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1–2 Chronicles

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Carl Simmons

A deep dive into two of the tougher books of the Bible. . . .

Joshua E. Williams and Calvin F. Pearson. 1 & 2 Chronicles: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching. Kerux Commentaries. 592p., $41.99, Kregel Academic.

The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles do more than provide an account of historical events involving God’s people; they also point to the future using a picture of the past.

In this commentary, authors Joshua E. Williams and Calvin F. Pearson explore the interrelated themes of divine covenant, the worship of God’s people, the kingdom as God envisions it, and the God-formed community found in this far-ranging and didactic narrative. God’s holiness, faithfulness, and gracious character find concrete expression in the accounts of the Davidic monarchy over many generations. These often-failed national leaders prefigure a better coming Davidic king who will lead the way back to proper worship of God. 1 & 2 Chronicles calls readers to both action and hope.

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A Theology of Play

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Carl Simmons

Learning to “play” with our beliefs. . . .

Kevin Gushiken. A Theology of Play: Learning to Enjoy Life as God Intended. 176p., $24.99, Kregel Academic.

God has given humans freedom and permission to play–to fully enjoy life’s moments as he intended, with no ulterior motive. The Christian life without play becomes malformed, and believers can miss aspects of the abundant life Jesus came to give.

In A Theology of Play, Kevin Gushiken builds a case for getting serious about play as a vital element of being a Christian. “Play,” he writes, “is not merely an activity but a way of living.” Gushiken explores play from various biblical and theological lenses:

  • How an identity grounded in God’s good creation invites us to play
  • The connection between play and the biblical concept of Sabbath
  • Why past hurts don’t have to keep us from enjoying the present
  • Releasing false guilt and shame to find true freedom to Play
  • How to play in the midst of difficulty and pain

Ultimately, knowing and enjoying God brings freedom and pleasure. A Theology of Play helps Christian believers identify barriers to play in their day-to-day lives and offers faithful guidance in recapturing play within the rhythms of life.

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40 Questions About Pentecostalism

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Carl Simmons

A look at the many facets and faces of worldwide Pentecostalism. . . .

Jonathan Black. 40 Questions About Pentecostalism. 33p. $23.99, Kregel Academic.

At just over a century old, the Pentecostal Movement accounts for more than 500 million believers worldwide and continues to grow. Still, confusion abounds over what Pentecostals believe and teach about the Holy Spirit, worship, salvation, healing, and much more.

In 40 Questions About Pentecostalism, Jonathan Black provides an accessible overview of the historical, theological, biblical, and experiential factors that make Pentecostalism a vibrant and worldwide Christian movement. He answers questions such as these:

  • How did Pentecostalism begin?
  • How are Charismatics different from Pentecostals?
  • Do Pentecostals affirm the prosperity gospel?
  • What is the Pentecostal doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
  • What do Pentecostals believe about healing?
  • What ministries has Christ placed in his church according to Pentecostal theology?
  • What is “speaking in tongues”?

As with all the 40 Questions books, the question-and answer format offers readers targeted guidance on the questions that matter most to them, and controversial issues are addressed with robust scholarship and in a spirit of grace.

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Ephesians on F.I.R.E.

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Carl Simmons

A deeper dive into the book of Ephesians. . . .

Ken J. Burge Sr. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians on F.I.R.E.: Apprehending and Applying God’s Timeless Truths. 230p., $18.99, Morgan James Faith.

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians on F.I.R.E. is an inductive commentary that goes beyond mere explanation of the text, taking students of the Bible, pastors, and professors on a journey to discover its life changing wisdom for themselves.

Dr. Ken J. Burge, Sr.’s eleventh book in the F.I.R.E series helps readers develop the necessary skill set to become familiar with the Bible passage they are studying, interpret it accurately, relate it to its surrounding contexts, and employ it personally.

F.I.R.E. is the acronym used for the study. This mnemonic (or memory) device stands for familiarity, interpretation, relationship, and employment. The author uses all four of these steps each time the reader travels through a section of Scripture. The twenty-one chapters in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians on F.I.R.E. explore the book of Ephesians beginning with the riches of the believer as espoused in the first major division (1:1–3:21) and explicates the second major division concerning how the saints are to practice their position (4:1–6:21).

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Matthew through Old Testament Eyes

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Carl Simmons

The first gospel, from the perspective of its original readers. . . .

David B. Capes. Matthew through Old Testament Eyes. Through Old Testament Eyes series; Andrew T. LePeau, ed. 400p., $30.99, Kregel Academic.

Through Old Testament Eyes is a new kind of commentary series that illuminates the Old Testament backgrounds, allusions, patterns, and references that saturate the New Testament. These links were second nature to the New Testament authors and their audiences, but today’s readers often cannot see them. Bible teachers, preachers, and students committed to understanding Scripture will gain insight through these rich Old Testament connections, which clarify puzzling passages and explain others in fresh ways.

The Gospel of Matthew contains both overt and subtle connections to the Old Testament, capitalizing on the scriptural literacy of the work’s original, first-century Jewish audience. These complex and multifaceted connections are not always recognized by today’s readers, meaning significant ideas can be easily missed or misappropriated. David B. Capes elucidates these extensive backgrounds, echoes, quotations, ways of thinking, and patterns of living, showing how God’s plan—introduced in the Hebrew Scriptures—is revealed through the very person, work, life, and ministry of Jesus.

Avoiding overly technical discussions and interpretive debates to concentrate on Old Testament influences, this book combines rigorous, focused New Testament scholarship with deep respect for the entire biblical text.

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Theological Education

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Carl Simmons

Looking at theological education through a different lens. . . .

Kenton C. Anderson and Gregory J. Henson. Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach. 144p., $21.99, Kregel Academic.

Theological Education demonstrates how churches and seminaries can cooperate through a competency-based learning approach to ministry preparation—that is, competency-based theological education (CBTE). CBTE focuses on the mutual mission of the church and theological education: developing followers of Christ who flourish in their vocations.This first book-length treatment of CBTE lays the groundwork for expansion and refinement as theological schools and churches move together in partnership, exploring:

• principles that ground successful CBTE cooperation, such as collaborative mission, contextualized discipleship, and holistic assessment; and

• practices that a CBTE approach requires, such as affordable programs, flexible technology, and continuous improvement.

Using the CBTE model means seminaries can provide practical ministry training together with churches who invest in the theological education of those who minister among them.

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Multisite Churches

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Carl Simmons

A “pro” argument . . .

Dustin L. Slaton. Multisite Churches: Biblical Foundations and Practical Answers. 312p., $22.99, Kregel Ministry.

The multisite church model has been consistently challenged by those who deem it unbiblical and incompatible with God’s design for the local church, but does Scripture support this claim? In Multisite Churches, pastor and church vitalist Dustin Slaton posits that congregational polity is compatible with the multisite model, dismantling critiques with both urgency and care for the local church’s future. At a time when church fostering and church adoption are predicted to increase significantly, the multisite church model is a solution that can support the adoption of churches.

Bringing in personal experience and erudite research, Slaton heuristically demonstrates a methodological approach of ecclesiology with a theological framework for the multisite model, fairly addressing both critics and supporters. Faithful to the biblical examples provided, he evaluates the marks of a healthy church and how they can be applied to the multisite model. Attributes include, but are not limited to:

  • Preaching and Teaching
  • Leadership and Discipleship
  • Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
  • Stewardship Accountability
  • Church Membership
  • Evangelism and Missions

Multisite Churches is a resource for biblical ecclesiology with wide-ranging benefits for both clergy and congregant. Those prayerfully discerning whether they can transition to a multisite church in a biblical way and those who are interested in the topic will benefit from the guidance and insight provided in this timely resource.

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Seller to Stellar

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Carl Simmons

A sales book that tells a story. . .

Carl Bromer and Jordan Winar. Seller to Stallar: Joe’s Story. 220p., $17.99, Stellar Sales Training.

Have you ever felt you were doing everything you could, but things just weren’t working out the way you wanted? This is not an uncommon experience, especially if your success is a direct reflection of your ability to influence, persuade, or sell others. This book gives the step-by-step process for becoming a top salesperson in America, and for becoming a top salesperson in the world!

Unlike most sales books that focus on motivation and manipulation, this book focuses on serving with honesty, integrity, and common sense. Sales experts, Carl Bromer and Jordan Winar have actually developed and proven a seventeen-day plan that takes salespeople from where they are . . . to the top of their profession. Follow along with Joe’s story, as he learns the process by taking one practical, actionable step at a time and becomes a stellar seller in just seventeen days.

Even if you are not a salesperson, you will be inspired by Joe’s journey, and you will discover how to be more effective in whatever role you are filling in your life at this time, whether you are a manager, CEO, small business owner, salesperson, fundraiser, lawyer, educator, politician, parent, etc. If any part of your life involves influencing others to make wise decisions, then this book is for you!

Once you have finished reading Joe’s story of transitioning from seller to stellar, this book will continue to function as your personal step-by-step playbook to maximizing your own success―in sales and in life.

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