Topical Line Drives
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The book of James has gotten a bad rap amongst Christians, especially modern protestants. It's often considered not as theologically serious as the writings of Paul, nor as gracious as the gospels. For some it's too works-oriented, for others just a bit obscure. Some have even questioned whether it is truly a Christian book. Let's face it. You're much more likely to see a seminary course on Romans or Galatians than on James, or to hear a sermon, for that matter! Bruce Epperly doesn't agree with that perspective. Not only does he think James has something important to say about the way we live as 21st century Christians, just as it did for 1st century Christians, but he also doesn't think James is in opposition to Paul. He suspects the two apostles would have had no difficulty with each other's theology.In this third volume of the Topical Line Drives series, he aims to direct readers to the important message of this little book for contemporary Christians. He provides a fresh orientation and focus to understanding the message. Once you've read his thoughts you'll likely never read James in the same way again. Certainly, you won't dismiss it.
To Love and Cherish
There are few topics where good advice is more needed than that of Christian marriage. At the same time there are few topics about which the answers given are as scattered and unclear. In this short but comprehensive volume, Elgin Hushbeck, Jr., tackles one of the most disputed passages in the New Testament, Ephesians 5, and its discussion on Marriage. On the one hand, this passage tends to scandalize some liberals, and, on the other, gets interpreted in a very patriarchal way by some conservatives. Hushbeck puts this passage into its literary and historical context to see what Paul was saying to his immediate audience, and how that message can apply to modern Christians. His clear exposition of structural and rhetorical factors is especially helpful. His analysis will open the eyes of many as to how this verse presents a challenge to both the conventions of Paul's time and of ours, as it goes to the heart of Christian Marriage. This book is suitable for individual reading, but could also be valuable for a small group study or as the basis for a sermon series.
The Triune Nature of God
The doctrine of the trinity is probably the most complex and mysterious topic in Christian theology, yet it impacts our understanding of many other doctrines. Pastor/Theologian Robert D. Cornwall brings his knowledge of church history to the task of examining this doctrine, looking at how it developed and what justifies its presence in Christian theology. He uses the history of his own Disciples of Christ tradition as one of the expressions of the Stone-Campbell movement, which avoids creeds very effectively in examining how we distinguish between the statements and events of scripture and our theological reflections on them. Can a doctrine not mentioned in scripture be of value? Are creeds necessary or even useful? Cornwall threads a careful course between the value of the creeds, and within them the doctrine of the trinity, in defining our ecumenical relationships and task on the one and, and on the other the danger of having creeds as a test of fellowship and faith. While rooted in his own denomination's traditions, this is very valuable to other denominations and movements as we examine what defines us while at the same time seeking freedom in non-essentials. This book is especially strong in examining the history of the development of this doctrine and connecting this to our ongoing reflection on scripture and what our tradition and experience provides. This short volume is valuable to all those who seek to understand the trinity not just as an element in a doctrinal system, but as it aids us in thinking about elements of our faith.
What Roman Catholics Need to Know about Protestants
What is it like in that church across the street? When «that church» is Protestant and the person asking the question is a Roman Catholic, this question can be very hard to answer. In this book Bob LaRochelle will list for you the key beliefs and practices that distinguish Protestants from Roman Catholics. But this book is not just a catalog of differences and similarities. He approaches this topic with a serious interest in dialog, in learning from one another, and in ecumenical outreach. This book is intended for any Christian, but it will be especially useful to parents in multi-faith households, to church congregations with an interest in Christian community, and to religious education programs.
What Protestants Need to Know about Roman Catholics
What is it like in that church across the street? When «that church» is Roman Catholic and the person asking the question is a Protestant, this question can be very hard to answer. Do you actually know what Catholics do? Do you know what they believe? What difference does it make? Rev. Dr. Robert LaRochelle is extraordinarily well qualified to answer the question. He grew up and was educated in the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained a deacon. Eventually he chose to move to a Protestant denomination and is now an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. But he isn't an angry ex-Catholic. In this book he will list for you the key beliefs and practices that distinguish protestants from Roman Catholics. But this book is not just a catalog of differences and similarities. Bob LaRochelle approaches this topic with a serious interest in dialog, in learning from one another, and in ecumenical outreach. This book is intended for any Christian, but it will be especially useful to parents in multi-faith households, to church congregations with an interest in Christian community, and to religious education programs. It is a companion volume to the forthcoming book What Roman Catholics Need to Know about Protestants, also by Bob LaRochelle.
Stewardship
There is little disagreement that our world is as close to self-destruction as it has ever been, humanity included. It is unnecessary to list the wars, political conflicts, diseases, ecological disasters, and the like; we are all too familiar with a daily rehearsal of our plight. What there is little or no agreement on is the way out. How will we, as the human race, find our way out of our mutually shared predicament and into a world of wholeness and abundance that the Hebrews named shalom? Is there any wisdom available to us that can lead the way? The answer proposed here is to reconnect with the biblical notion of stewardship as a way of life.
Ruth and Esther
How does one read the literature of a patriarchal society in a 21st century context? Where can one find good role models for girls and women in the Bible? All too often these questions are answered by presenting the answers given by patriarchal society and not by looking for liberating, examples. It is all too easy to let God's message of setting the captives free ring forth, but directed to a limited audience. But Ruth and Esther provide strong counter-examples of women who had to struggle against the cultural norms in order to live and to do great things for their people. All too often these women are excluded from our studies or when included are portrayed as subordinate people. But Dr. Bruce Epperly, pastor, father, grandfather, and theology sees them as women of agency and adventure, resourceful and proactive women in patriarchal cultures. But despite being subject to the apparently arbitrary decisions of males with authority, both women were agents in their destiny fulfilling their vocations in their particular culture. If you are a Christian pastor or teacher, you owe it to those in your circle of influence to let them experience these two Bible books in new ways, to see them as liberating documents that let everyone know that God doesn't exclude them. From these women of agency and adventure, those who find themselves excluded from power can find encouragement to stand up and be the persons of agency and adventure that God created them to be, no matter what restrictions others have placed upon them.
Pathways to Prayer
Prayer is the one essential of the Christian life. In fact, David Moffett-Moore maintains, it is an essential of life itself, as essential to us as spiritual beings as breathing is to us physically. Prayer can be found in any of our activities. It is not something we need to learn, but something we need to remember from childhood. Yet our prayers can mature, and we can be more aware of the presence of God in every place and every moment. The purpose of this book is to help you become more aware.
Jonah
What if someone you thought you knew very well started behaving strangely? What would you do? Now suppose the person acting strange was — God? Jonah thought he knew God. In fact, he was a prophet. He knew he heard God’s voice. Life might have its difficulties, but no matter what happened, he could count on his God. Then one day God started saying things he couldn’t possibly mean.
What Is Wrong with Social Justice
What could possibly be wrong with social justice? We like justice. We are social beings. Should not our communities be just ones? Author Elgin Hushbeck, Jr. maintains that social justice is not justice. When we pursue social justice, it is at the expense of true justice and in its pursuit of equality, social justice threatens liberty. It is a case of setting contradictory and incompatible goals. Hushbeck examines our current pursuit of social justice and how it has failed, while looking also at the scriptures we use in that pursuit and how we have misunderstood them. While we should care about our neighbors and find ways to ease the plight of the poor, social justice's emphasis on redistribution is not only often unjust but it actually makes things worse. His prescription? Pursue justice and liberty without any adjectives.