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Upcoming February Releases

Posted on by Kim

Here are our 3 upcoming February releases.

What about Free Will?: Reconciling Our Choices with God’s Sovereignty by Scott Christensen

304 pages | List Price: $17.99 | Paperback

Summary

Christensen explains two views that acknowledge God’s sovereignty and its relation to human responsibility: compatibilism and libertarianism. Providing cogent, biblical answers, Christensen argues for compatibilism and shows how it makes sense of evil, suffering, prayer, evangelism, and sanctification. You will gain a deeper understanding of both arguments, as well as a greater appreciation for the significant role that choices play in God’s work.

About the Author

Scott ChristensenScott Christensen (MDiv, The Master’s Seminary) worked for six years at the award-winning CCY Architects in Aspen, Colorado: several of his home designs were featured in Architectural Digest magazine. Called out of this work to the ministry, he graduated with honors from seminary and now pastors Summit Lake Community Church in Mancos, Colorado.

Scott Christensen

Endorsements

“A clear, intelligent, immensely helpful overview of one of the most confusing conundrums in all of theology. . . . Scott Christensen doesn’t sidestep the hard questions. The answers he gives are thoughtful, biblical, satisfying, and refresh- ingly coherent. Lay readers and seasoned theologians alike will treasure this work.”

—John F. MacArthur, Grace Community Church

“Careful in description and argument . . . eminently readable. . . . Most important of all, this book breathes a spirit of wonder and gratitude before the face of a God who is not only all-powerful but good.”

—Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary California

“Many think that free will is the silver-bullet answer to some of theology’s most difficult questions. But do we have a free will? Short answer: it depends on what you mean by ‘free.’ Long answer: read this book.”

—Andrew Naselli, Bethlehem College and Seminary

Christian Theistic Evidences, Second Edition by Cornelius Van Til edited by K. Scott Oliphint

288 pages | List Price: $19.99 | Paperback

Summary

When defending Christianity, we often play by man’s rules, letting secular science and philosophy determine the cards we’re allowed to bring to the table. But can we effectively defend the primary authority of Scripture if we start with other sources of authority that relegate it to minor status from the outset?

K. Scott Oliphint provides a foreword and explanatory notes in this retypeset syllabus, originally from Cornelius Van Til’s famous Christian Evidences class at Westminster Seminary. Van Til argues for the defense of a pure, full-fledged Christianity, unadulterated by a scientific methodology founded on non-Christian assumptions. He offers us instead a Christian philosophy and methodology for defending the faith that presupposes the absolute authority of the triune God of Scripture.

About the Author and Editor

Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) was born in Grootegast, the Netherlands, and immigrated with his family to America in 1905. He attended Calvin College and Calvin Seminary before completing his studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University with the ThM and PhD degrees. Drawn to the pastorate, Van Til spent one year in the ministry before taking a leave of absence to teach apologetics at Princeton Seminary. When the seminary reorganized, he was persuaded to join the faculty of the newly founded Westminster Theological Seminary. He remained there as professor of apologetics until his retirement in 1975. Van Til wrote more than twenty books, in addition to more than thirty syllabi. Among his best-known titles are The Defense of the Faith, A Christian Theory of Knowledge, and An Introduction to Systematic Theology.

K. Scott Oliphint (MAR, ThM, PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia. He has written numerous journal articles in the field of apologetics, is author of The Battle Belongs to the Lord: The Power of Scripture for Defending Our Faith, and is coeditor of Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics.

Endorsements

“Critics of Van Til often complained that in Van Til’s presuppositionalist apologetics there was no room for the use of evidences to verify the Christian faith. But Van Til often said that evidences were an important part of apologetics. . . . Christian Theistic Evidences is Van Til’s philosophy of fact, his philosophy of science, and as such it should interest everyone who seeks to understand Van Til’s work.”

—John M. Frame, Author, A History of Western Philosophy and Theology

“Christian Theistic Evidences represents Cornelius Van Til’s first, revolutionary statement of presuppositional (or covenantal) apologetics. It contains all his major statements against the pretended neutrality of fact, of reason, and of foundations. Dr. Oliphint’s masterful annotations clarify and enhance the beauty of the text. His introduction is pure gold. This is must reading for anyone who wishes apologetic method to be consistent with sound theology.”

—William Edgar
, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

Church Revitalization from the Inside Out by Robert D. Stuart

264 pages | List Price: $15.99 | Paperback

Summary

Is your church suffering, and you’re not sure why? Church planter and professional interim pastor R. D. Stuart encourages church leaders to examine the different ways that they themselves may be exacerbating the problem.

Unfortunately, flawed leadership is a big cause of ailing churches today. The good news is that God gives us the humility and ability to change. With forthright prose and practicalexamples from his own experiences, Stuart diagnoses different leadership failures and prescribes treatment for them. Along the way, he tackles making tough decisions; striving for unity; taming gossip; cultivating humility; and loving even the hard-to-love sheep. Ultimately, Church Revitalization from the Inside Out will help ministry leaders to strengthen their churches as they grow in faithfulness.

About the Author

Robert D. Stuart (MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary; DMin, Reformed Theological Seminary) is pastor of Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He also serves as professor of counseling at Knox Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs.

Endorsements

“As someone who has led a company, pastored a church, and trained future pastors, I have read a number of books on leadership. Not one of those books, however, has been as practical and as full of real-life examples as Bob Stuart’s.”

—Michael W. Honeycutt, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church

“Bob Stuart . . . diagnoses the sickness in the church, exposes the practice of poor church leadership, and prescribes the cure. Leaders, pastors, and church planters are encouraged to read this book, which will help them become the leaders they were called to be.”

—David V. Edling, Author, Redeeming Church Conflicts

 

Excerpt from Forty Days on the Mountain by Stephen Smallman

Posted on by Kim

Here is an excerpt taken from our new release – Forty Days on the Mountain: Meditations on Knowing God by Stephen Smallman.

DAY 1

The Overview

Exodus 32:30–35; 33:1–23; 34:1–10, 27–35

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. . . . And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct,

I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” (Ex. 33:11, 14–17)

The purpose of today’s reading is to get focused on the basic facts of the story that we will be studying in detail. Did you get a sense of the intensity of Moses’ prayers and the determined and almost reckless way he approached God? He was a man with whom the Lord spoke “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (33:11). He wanted to know God and find favor in his sight (33:13). But that was not enough. Moses would not stop praying until he secured the continued presence of God, not only for himself, but also for the people he was leading (33:15). And even that was not enough—Moses went on to make the extraordinary request, “Please show me your glory” (33:18).

As we approach this remarkable passage, focusing in on these few verses gives us more than enough to think about. However, no teaching in Scripture can be taken in isolation. Almost as though retracting a zoom lens, we need to move our perspective back to see how this meeting with God is set into a larger picture. For example, Israel’s sin of dancing around the golden calf (Ex. 32) is basic to understanding the passage. The grace to be revealed shines all the brighter in contrast to the shocking evil in the hearts of the people. But the golden calf incident also needs to be put in context. We need to consider the whole book of Exodus to appreciate what is going on between God and Moses.

Exodus is nothing less than the story of salvation by grace alone. That doctrine is stated in the New Testament, but in Exodus it is presented in exciting narrative with dramatic pictures that have been with us from childhood. God Almighty heard the cries of the helpless children of Israel and did battle with the most powerful nation on earth to set them free. God carried them “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to himself at the mountain of Sinai with the intention of making them into his “treasured possession” (19:4–5). There, from the mountain, he spoke to them and gave them ten basic “words” by which they could enjoy the liberty that he had purchased for them. He then not only obligated himself to them by way of a covenant, but he also promised his presence to a degree unknown by any nation of people on the face of the earth. All these thoughts need to be looked into to make Moses’ meeting with God all the more meaningful.

The final aspect of context that must be appreciated, if our passage is to have its full meaning, is the perspective of the New Testament. Even the exquisite glimpse of the glory of God given to Moses was only prologue to the coming of Jesus Christ and the privileges that are given to those who are in Christ. But it is important to begin our reflection with the basic facts of the passage as well as an awareness of the larger context. Then pray with anticipation that God will be pleased to teach you experimentally (as the Puritans would say) the realities behind the facts.

Excerpt taken from Forty Days on the Mountain: Meditations on Knowing God by Stephen Smallman, copyright by P&R Publishing, 2016, pages 23-25.

 

NEW RELEASE – Idols of the Heart, Revised and Updated by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

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Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone, Revised and Updated by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

240 pages | List Price: $14.99 | Paperback

Summary

Do you feel discouraged—even defeated—in your battle against sin?

Are you dismayed or surprised by the situations that bring out your fear, anger, or distress?

Elyse Fitzpatrick delves into the heart of the problem: deep down, we’re all idol-worshippers who put our loves, desires, and expectations in God’s place—and then suffer the consequences of our misplaced affections. Yet God loves his people and can use even our messy lives and struggles for his glory.

In this updated, revised edition of her acclaimed work, Fitzpatrick shows us how to better search and know our hearts, long for our gracious Savior, and resist and crush our false gods.

—Includes questions for further thought—

Free study guide available HERE.

About the Author

Elyse FitzpatrickElyse M. Fitzpatrick (certificate in Biblical counseling, CCEF; MA, Biblical counseling, trinity Theological Seminary) is a frequent conference speaker and the author of more than twenty books, as well as numerous journal articles and blogs.

Elyse

Fitzpatrick

Endorsements

“Elyse Fitzpatrick is one of the best authors you could read today if you want help to truly love Jesus and recognize the deception of your own sinful heart. . . . I’m thrilled that after fifteen years a second edition of this excellent work is now available.”

—Brad Bigney, author, Gospel Treason

“Elyse Fitzpatrick has a very high view of God, and this book reflects that view. With great clarity and intriguing biblical illustrations, Elyse explains how the idols in our hearts compete with our affections for God. In a gentle way, she tells you how by God’s grace to turn from your idols to a wholehearted love for God.”

—Martha Peace, author, The Excellent Wife

 

NEW RELEASE – Black and Reformed, Second Edition by Anthony J. Carter

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Black and Reformed: Seeing God’s Sovereignty in the African-American Christian Experience by Anthony J. Carter

160 pages | List Price: $13.99 | Paperback

Summary

African Americans have a rich and compelling Christian heritage that stretches back to foundational church figures such as Augustine and Tertullian. Yet too often they are expected to embrace a Eurocentric theology that marginalizes their unique experiences and traditions.

In this pioneering work, Anthony Carter draws black and Reformed theology together, showing how Reformed theology addresses African- American experiences such as the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. He also explores ways that an explicitly black theology can enhance our understanding of God and his Word, no matter our ethnicity.

This retypeset edition of On Being Black and Reformed adds a foreword by Thabiti Anyabwile, an interview with the author, and discussion questions for each chapter.

About the Author

Anthony CarterAnthony J. Carter (MA, Reformed Theological Seminary) is lead pastor of East Point Church in East Point, Georgia, as well as an author, conference speaker, and guest lecturer.

Anthony

Carter

Endorsements

“As an African American, I am delighted with this book. It will serve as an excellent introduction to Reformed theology for the emerging black Reformed community. I anticipate that it will be a great resource for church planters and anyone else seeking to reach the black community.”

—ANTHONY B. BRADLEY, Author, Liberating Black Theology

“When I met Anthony Carter several years ago, I detected a rigorous mind, a righteous concern for racial justice, and a Reformed vision of God—a rare combination. Since then I have wanted to be a listener. Now this book makes that easier. May the Lord of nations use it to shape a powerful movement of God-centered Christians from all peoples who have tasted suffering.”

—JOHN PIPER, Founder and Teacher, desiringGod.org

NEW RELEASE – Forty Days on the Mountain by Stephen Smallman

Posted on by Kim

Forty Days on the Mountain: Meditations on Knowing God by Stephen Smallman

160 pages | List Price: $12.99 | Paperback

Summary

Do you long to know God deeply as your God, Father, and Friend?

Whether you are a new believer or have been a Christian for many years, this is what God wants for you—to experience his presence. And he wants you to desire this too.

If you’re not sure where to start, try learning from a man who spoke with God face to face. Moses met God in a startlingly personal way when God introduced himself by name from a burning bush. In the years that followed, God repeatedly proved his holiness, loyalty, and love for his people . . . and Moses had a front-row seat.

Sit alongside Moses through forty meditations that delve into God’s rich, unfolding self-revelation and point to a glorious new covenant with Christ at its center. You’ll learn what it means to pursue God’s daily presence in your life, and, in doing so, discover reasons to love him as you ought.

About the Author

Smallman1Stephen Smallman served for over forty years in pastoral ministry. He is an urban missionary serving with CityNet Ministries and is assistant pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Steve

Smallman

Endorsements

“These scriptural meditations will refresh your spirit, renew your passion for God, and help you to find rest in the gospel grace of Jesus Christ.”

—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

“Steve Smallman invites us in these daily devotions to follow Moses in his passion to press on to know the presence of God. I was greatly blessed by Steve’s challenge.”

—Rose Marie Miller, Author, From Fear to Freedom

“Steve Smallman compellingly and comprehensively reveals the God of love and grace pursuing us, redeeming us, and making a way to know him and enjoy his presence through the atoning work of the cross.”

—Libby Cannizzaro, Former Women’s Ministry Coordinator, The Falls Church