Recommendations based on "Beautiful Resistance The Joy of Conviction in a Culture of Compromise"

The classic Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis, the most important Christian writer of the 20th century, contains nine sermons delivered by Lewis during World War Two. The nine addresses in Weight of Glory offer guidance, inspiration, and a compassionate apologetic for the Christian faith during a time of great doubt.

Product DescriptionFrom the popular blogger and provocative author of Jesus Feminist comes a riveting new study of Christianity that helps you wrestle with - and sort out - your faith.In Out of Sorts, Sarah Bessey - award-winning blogger and author of Jesus Feminist, which was hailed as "lucid, compelling, and beautifully written" (Frank Viola, author of God's Favorite Place on Earth) - helps us grapple with core Christian issues using a mixture of beautiful storytelling and biblical teaching, a style well described as "narrative theology."As she candidly shares her wrestlings with core issues - such as who Jesus is, what place the Church has in our lives, how to disagree yet remain within a community, and how to love the Bible for what it is rather than what we want it to be - she teaches us how to walk courageously through our own tough questions.In the process of gently helping us sort things out, Bessey teaches us how to be as comfortable with uncertainty as we are with solid answers. And as we learn to hold questions in one hand and answers in the other, we discover new depths of faith that will remain secure even through the storms of life.About the AuthorSarah Bessey is the author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed books "Jesus Feminist" and "Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith." An award-winning blogger, she has also contributed to the "NIV Bible for Women: Fresh Insights for Thriving in Today's World"; "Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles, and Hope"; "Soul Bare: Stories of Redemption"; and "What a Woman is Worth." Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, The High Calling, Conversations Journal, ChurchLeaders.com, CT Women: Christianity Today's Blog for Women, Today's Christian Woman, and she has commented on religion for The Atlantic, The Christian Post, Christianity Today, The National Post, and The Washington Post among others. Sarah also serves as Chairperson of the Board for Heartline Ministries in Haiti. She is a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, and universities around the world. She lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada with her husband and their four children collectively referred to as "The Tinies" - even though one of them is already taller than her. A self-described "recovering know-it-all," she is an avid knitter, a hockey fan (Go Bruins), a bookworm (guilty pleasure: cozy mysteries and/or women-centered stories set in World War II), a church lady, a total hugger, an INFJ and Enneagram Type 9, and embarrassingly devoted to the television show Doctor Who.

"C.S. Lewis is the ideal persuader for the half-convinced, for the good man who would like to be a Christian but finds his intellect getting in the way." — Anthony Burgess, New York Times Book ReviewOur moral consciousness and moral judgements are proof to the human race that a moral being exists—God.Mere Christianity explores the core beliefs of Christianity by providing an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. A brilliant collection, Mere Christianity remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C. S. Lewis’s reputation as one of the leading writer and thinkers of our age.The book brings together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War II. Lewis discusses that everyone is curious about: right and wrong, human nature, morality, marriage, sins, forgiveness, faith, hope, generosity, and kindness.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was called a lot of names by people. Many of the religious leaders of the day were jealous of his success and wanted to discredit him in the eyes of the public, so they said all sorts of crazy things about him. They whispered that he was an illegitimate child. They accused him of being demon-possessed. They denounced him to the Roman authorities as a rioter and a threat of public peace. In this five-session video Bible study (DVD/digital videos sold separately), pastor and author Rich Wilkerson, Jr. reveals how one of their nicknames for Jesus was true: “Here is a . . . friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). In the religious leaders’ minds this was one of the greatest indictments imaginable, but for Jesus it was a sign of success because it was the very definition of his mission. Today, Jesus still calls us “friends,” not because of who we are or what we have done but because of who he is. While he was on earth, he knew that people needed to feel as if they belonged before they would want to behave. Rich shows that by following his example, we can have the same clear conviction and compassion for the lost that Jesus did. When we embrace the truth that we all need Jesus equally, and when we trust him to bring transformation in people’s hearts, we will walk as Jesus walked, experiencing the glory of God in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. The Friend of Sinners Study Guide includes video discussion questions, Bible exploration, and personal study and reflection materials for in-between sessions. Sessions include: Missed Message Weight Shift Lost and Found Comfortably Uncomfortable How to Be Great Designed for use with the Friend of Sinners Video Study (sold separately).

Jesus is always at work and active...Follow Dr. Jeremiah through the gospel of Mark in a chapter-by-chapter study that will help you understand what it meant to the people at the time it was written, and what it means to Christians today.Mark's gospel was likely the first written record of the life of Jesus Christ, and it's full of energy and action. The word immediately appears so often in the text that it's hard not to get caught up in the pace of the narrative as Jesus moves to establish his kingdom in a way that was completely unanticipated.However, Mark also begins his account with words from Isaiah the prophet, making it (immediately) clear that—had the religious leaders of the time been paying attention—they might have been a little more prepared for the arrival of the Messiah and for everything that happened next...Each of this study's twelve lessons is clearly organized to include: Getting Started: An opening question to introduce you to the lesson. Setting the Stage: A short reflection to explain the context of the study. Exploring the Text: The Scripture reading for the lesson with related study questions. Reviewing the Story: Questions to help you identify key points in the reading. Applying the Message: Questions to help you apply the key ideas to their lives. Reflecting on the Meaning: A closing reflection on the key teachings in the lesson.—ABOUT THE SERIES—The Jeremiah Bible Study Series captures Dr. David Jeremiah's forty-plus years of commitment in teaching the Word of God. In each study, you'll gain insights into the text, identify key stories and themes, and be challenged to apply the truths you uncover to your life. By the end of each study, you'll come away with a clear and memorable understanding of that Bible book.Each study also contains a Leader's Guide.

What to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it's best to remain silent. What to do when you've said something you wish you could take back. . . In this study, you'll take a personal tour through the hows (and how-not-tos) of dealing with the tongue.The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue and what kind of power it has. James tells us that it can corrupt the whole body and that it can't be tamed. The book of Proverbs claims that "death and life are in the power of the tongue."This 6-session video Bible study (DVD/streaming video sold separately) is designed to offer hope for all of us who struggle with the way we've used our words and practical wisdom for getting our tongues under control. Biblical, encouraging, and kind, New York Times bestselling author Karen Ehman will help you: Learn the essential practice of using our words (and our mannerisms!) more constructively. Understand what God has to say about our tongues by studying verses and figures from Scripture. Discern what far-reaching effects our speech has—whether it's in private, in public, online, or in prayer. Gain practical insights into breaking habits of gossip, flattery, verbal retaliation, and people-pleasing.Most of us have been affected by the heartache and injury that words can cause, not only in family relationships, but also in friendships, work, and church settings. This is your guidebook to fully realizing the power of the tongue and how to use your words in the service of truth and love.Sessions include: Sparks, Squabbles, Spats, and Such: Our Words Matter On Filling Gaps and Zipping Lips: Listen to Others, Talk to God Opinion-Slinging and Salty Speech: Assessing Our Digital Tongues Gossip, Flattery, and People-Pleasing: How to Speak the Truth in Love Pause Before You Pounce: On Cultivating Soft Speech As Sweet as Honey: Wonderful Ways to Use Your WordsDesigned for use with the Keep It Shut Video Study 9780310819417 (sold separately).

Is religion a pernicious force in the world? Does it poison everything? Would we be better off without religion in general and Christianity in particular? Many skeptics certainly think so. John Dickson has spent much of the last ten years reflecting on these difficult questions and on why so many doubters see Christianity as a major cause of harm not blessing. The skeptics, he concludes, are right: even a cursory look at the history of Christians reveals dark things therein--violence, bigotry, genocide, war, inquisition, oppression, imperialism, racism, corruption, greed, power, abuse. For centuries and even today, Christians have been among the worst bullies you could ever imagine. But these skeptics are only partly right: this is not what Christianity was meant to be. When Christians do evil they are out of tune with the teachings of their Lord. Jesus gave the world a beautiful melody--of love, grace, charity, humility, non-violence, equality, human dignity--to which, tragically, his followers have more often than not been tone-deaf. Denying the evils of church history does not do. John Dickson gives an honest account of the mixed history of Christianity, the evil and the good. He concedes the Christians' complicity for centuries of bullying but also shows the myriad ways the beautiful melody of Christ has enriched our world and the lives of countless individuals. This book asks contemporary skeptics of religion to listen again to the melody of Jesus, despite the discord produced by too many Christians through history and today. It also leads contemporary believers into sober reflection on and repentance for their own participation in the tragic inconsistencies of Christendom and seeks to inspire them to live in tune with Christ.

The Divine Conspiracy has revolutionized how we think about the true meaning of Christian discipleship. In this classic work of spiritual formation, one of the most brilliant Christian thinkers of our times and author of the acclaimed The Spirit of Disciplines, Dallas Willard, skillfully weaves together biblical teaching, popular culture, science, scholarship, and spiritual practice, revealing what it means to "apprentice" ourselves to Jesus. Using Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount as his foundation, Willard masterfully explores life-changing ways to experience and be guided by God on a daily basis, resulting in a more authentic and dynamic faith. In this profound exploration of Christian living, you’ll discover: The Kingdom of God: Why the kingdom is not just a future promise but a present reality, offering a practical resource for living an abundant life right now. The Sermon on the Mount: A masterful unpacking of Jesus’s core teachings that reveals an intelligent and deeply relevant guide for your daily existence. A Curriculum for Christlikeness: How to move beyond mere "sin management" and become a true apprentice of Jesus, transforming your character from the inside out. Entering Eternal Life Now: A paradigm-shifting look at what "eternal life" truly means and how to begin experiencing its power today, not just after death.

In this book, the author turns his skills to the most persistent emotional objections to belief -- the eight "heart" barriers to faith. This book is for those who may be feeling attracted to Jesus but who are faced with intellectual barriers standing squarely in their path. For Christians, it will deepen their convictions and give them fresh confidence in discussing Christianity with even their most skeptical friends

In 1974 nearly 3,000 evangelicals from 150 nations met at the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. Amidst this cosmopolitan setting — and in front of the most important white evangelical leaders of the United States — members of the Latin American Theological Fraternity spoke out against the American Church. Fiery speeches by Ecuadorian René Padilla and Peruvian Samuel Escobar revealed a global weariness with what they described as an American style of coldly efficient mission wedded to a myopic, right-leaning politics. Their bold critiques electrified Christians from around the world. The dramatic growth of Christianity around the world in the last century has shifted the balance of power within the faith away from traditional strongholds in Europe and the United States. To be sure, evangelical populists who voted for Donald Trump have resisted certain global pressures, and Western missionaries have carried Christian Americanism abroad. But the line of influence has also run the other way. David R. Swartz demonstrates that evangelicals in the Global South spoke back to American evangelicals on matters of race, imperialism, theology, sexuality, and social justice. From the left, they pushed for racial egalitarianism, ecumenism, and more substantial development efforts. From the right, they advocated for a conservative sexual ethic grounded in postcolonial logic. As Christian immigration to the United States burgeoned in the wake of the Immigration Act of 1965, global evangelicals forced many American Christians to think more critically about their own assumptions. The United States is just one node of a sprawling global network that includes Korea, India, Switzerland, the Philippines, Guatemala, Uganda, and Thailand. Telling stories of resistance, accommodation, and cooperation, Swartz shows that evangelical networks not only go out to, but also come from, the ends of the earth.